Dslr gurus- new camera time

[GrantMeThePower]

Hi guys,

I say a "slightly different twist" because so often the people that are upgrading from one dslr to another try to stick with the same brand for lens compatability because of the investment there. But I may have a different situation.

I have had a Rebel (300D) for a while and am ready to upgrade (it will be, in fact, a christmas gift). I was trying to decide between the xti and the 30D. But then I heard that the Nikon D80 was better than either of those.

I concievable could switch, becasue though i have three lenses, they were not of the expensive variety. I have the kit lens, a 70 dollar canon (50mm, 1.8f) for a fast lens and a Tameron 70-300 which was for distances, but was also affordable (120 or so). One of the reasons i go with more inexpensive glass is because i do a lot of backpacking and hiking and feel more comfortable with these lenses in those enviornments.

What do you guys think the best thing for me to do would be? I feel very limited with the old 300 because I want to blow some of these up to art size prints and it doesn't look good much bigger than 8x10. Also, the start up time and shot speed is brutal. Finally, i often find the colors sometimes don't even come close to my newer point and shoot fuji.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Pentax K10D

10MP
In-camera Image Stabilization
Sensor Dust Vibration
Weathersealed
Compatible with all Pentax lenses ever made

$900

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Why do you recommend that over the Xti? I ask because i notice in your sig you use an XT

 

[SKORPI0]

Canon EOS 400D, Nikon D80 and Sony Alpha A-100 Comparision

I'm in the same situation. Thinking of upgrading my almost 2 year old 300D (6mp) to a 10 mp digital SLR.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Why do you recommend that over the Xti? I ask because i notice in your sig you use an XT

The XTi's viewfinder is horrible. Small and dim (like mine) compared to the better quality viewfinder on the Pentax.

The Pentax also has weathersealing (meaning it can go in the rain and sand without fear) and in-camera image stabilization, both of which the Rebel doesn't have.

 

[foghorn67]

Canon 30D or Pentax K10D, you spent time with the rebels...time to move on.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: SKORPI0
Canon EOS 400D, Nikon D80 and Sony Alpha A-100 Comparision

I'm in the same situation. Thinking of upgrading my almost 2 year old 300D (6mp) to a 10 mp digital SLR.

There was a thread in dpreviews that compared the noise level at ISO1600 between the K10D and the Sony Alpha, and the K10D won hands down.

 

[novasatori]

pocket the cash and wait for next series? heh

I still shoot with a 300D

Waiting for a bigger upgrade myself.

Also I can do 13x19 with no problems.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I recently upgraded from a Canon 300D to the 30D and it was a huge improvement IMO. I have some decent glass (17-40mm f/4 L, 70-200 f/4 L and the 50mm f/1.4) so staying with Canon was a no brainer. I didn't go with the 400D because I wanted the brighter viewfinder, better ergonomics and faster fps (I sometimes shoot professional auto racing so a camera with no delay in startup times and higher FPS is a definite advantage). Startup time and shot speed were two of the main reasons for me to upgrade.

I don't know who told you the Nikon D80 was better than the 30D. They are mistaken.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Hey fuzzybabybunny- i looked up a bit on the Pentax and it seems as though on paper it is a wonderful candidate. But I haven't found a single review-there are "previews" but no one has put an actual production model through the paces.

Furthermore, on the pentax forums at dpreview, many many people are having problems with them. They are experiencing banding with higher isos and some mechanical defects.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Hey fuzzybabybunny- i looked up a bit on the Pentax and it seems as though on paper it is a wonderful candidate. But I haven't found a single review-there are "previews" but no one has put an actual production model through the paces.

Furthermore, on the pentax forums at dpreview, many many people are having problems with them. They are experiencing banding with higher isos and some mechanical defects.

I'm looking at some of the posts now. The reason there aren't any reviews is because it was just released.

As for the banding and mechanical defects, I still need to do a little more research.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

But just a FYI, nearly ANY DSLR will show banding if the exposure is pushed (ie. you take a picture at high ISO and it's too dark, so you decide to "push" it, meaning increase its exposure in software to make it brighter). Pushing results in more noise and banding. My own Rebel XT and someone else's XT that I know band also when the exposure is pushed. The point is not to push the image too far.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

What specific mechanical defects are there?

I wish I could just buy one of these and do a thorough, methodical, unbiased test. It doesn't seem like anyone's going about this scientifically

 

[aphex]

I was upgrading from a Nikon D70 and was torn between the Rebel XTi and a Nikon D80. Although the CMOS sensor on the XTi does indeed handle high iso noise better than the Nikon counterpart, there were a few deciding factors that led me into the D80 over the Xti.

Why the D80?
- Larger Viewfinder. Look at the two side by side, its a HUGE difference. With my poor eyesight, the larger viewfinder really helps me tell if the focus is spot on.
- Build Quality. The XTi, while nice, felt a bit like a toy to me, didn't immediately make me think it would last a long time like feel the Nikon's instill.
- Size. The XTi would be great for someone with small hands, but for me it was uncomfortable to hold. My right hand actually started cramping up from holding it a few minutes. I may have gotten used to it, but the D80 felt more natural and balanced.
- On-Board Commander. The Xti, while $200 cheaper, lacks the ability to control a wireless flash out of the box like the D80 has. You need to purchase an additional flash for $150-200 just to be able to go wireless, basically negating the cheaper body price.
- Grid display in viewfinder. For me, this was a big one. I am horribly bad at taking "straight" pictures, and with the amount of landscape shots i take, the lack of a viewfinder grid on the XTi, which i had gotten used to on the D70 was a killer. I didn't want to deal with cropping every picture I took just to get it straight.

In the end, i couldn't be happier with the D80. Its a very worthy upgrade from my D70, larger viewfinder, better sensor (MUCH MUCH better than the D70 in high iso noise), slighly smaller frame (but not too small for me like the XTi), 11 AF Points, built in commander mode, and lots more.

Don't get me wrong, the XTi is a great camera, just not for me. Many of the points i noted above were just personal things that helped me decide.

Go to a BestBuy or Ritz/Wolf and try them out side by side.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: SKORPI0
Canon EOS 400D, Nikon D80 and Sony Alpha A-100 Comparision

I'm in the same situation. Thinking of upgrading my almost 2 year old 300D (6mp) to a 10 mp digital SLR.

There was a thread in dpreviews that compared the noise level at ISO1600 between the K10D and the Sony Alpha, and the K10D won hands down.

To be honest, I have not had a real issue with 1600 on the A100, and from what I've seen the K10D is a little less noisy, but also tends to lose a little more detail. In most situations, my A100 has been fine.

Full-size ISO 1600 image from my A100.

All I did was bring it into Adobe Camera Raw (CS2) and save it as a quality 10 JPG. I didn't make any adjustments.

I have some that I shot in the snow last night and I'll share those too once I get home and can pull them onto my computer.

That said, the Pentax looks like an exceptional camera. I don't regret my Sony, but if I had it all to do over again, I would certainly give the Pentax very strong consideration.

ZV

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny
Pentax K10D

10MP
In-camera Image Stabilization
Sensor Dust Vibration
Weathersealed
Compatible with all Pentax lenses ever made

$900

Any word on how good the weather sealing is? Is it as good as the Olympus E-1? You can pretty much submerge an E-1 and it'll be okay.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Any word on how good the weather sealing is? Is it as good as the Olympus E-1? You can pretty much submerge an E-1 and it'll be okay.

I doubt ANY camera's weathersealing is as good as the E-1. The E-1's weathersealing is even better than the Canon 1DsMKII's weathersealing I heard.

Not a fair comparison

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: SKORPI0
Canon EOS 400D, Nikon D80 and Sony Alpha A-100 Comparision

I'm in the same situation. Thinking of upgrading my almost 2 year old 300D (6mp) to a 10 mp digital SLR.

There was a thread in dpreviews that compared the noise level at ISO1600 between the K10D and the Sony Alpha, and the K10D won hands down.

To be honest, I have not had a real issue with 1600 on the A100, and from what I've seen the K10D is a little less noisy, but also tends to lose a little more detail. In most situations, my A100 has been fine.

Full-size ISO 1600 image from my A100.

All I did was bring it into Adobe Camera Raw (CS2) and save it as a quality 10 JPG. I didn't make any adjustments.

I have some that I shot in the snow last night and I'll share those too once I get home and can pull them onto my computer.

That said, the Pentax looks like an exceptional camera. I don't regret my Sony, but if I had it all to do over again, I would certainly give the Pentax very strong consideration.

ZV

Full-size ISO 1600 image from my 30D

This was shot at dawn with the lens stopped down to 13 hand held.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Looking more at the specs of the Pentax it seems like a really great camera. In fact, all of the features it has at that price is a bit offputting. How did they do that? Is the quality up to snuff? Its hard without someone really putting it through testing. So far all of the opinons are just those of the forum users.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Looking more at the specs of the Pentax it seems like a really great camera. In fact, all of the features it has at that price is a bit offputting. How did they do that? Is the quality up to snuff? Its hard without someone really putting it through testing. So far all of the opinons are just those of the forum users.

I'm thinking Pentax is trying to severly underprice competitors in an attempt to get more market share and get more people to seriously look at Pentax. You for instance, at first only looked at Nikon and Canon, but once you heard about the Pentax with its feature set at it's price point, began really considering it. I'm thinking Pentax might even be taking a hit (or close to one) by selling the camera at this price.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Looking more at the specs of the Pentax it seems like a really great camera. In fact, all of the features it has at that price is a bit offputting. How did they do that? Is the quality up to snuff? Its hard without someone really putting it through testing. So far all of the opinons are just those of the forum users.

I'm thinking Pentax is trying to severly underprice competitors in an attempt to get more market share and get more people to seriously look at Pentax. You for instance, at first only looked at Nikon and Canon, but once you heard about the Pentax with its feature set at it's price point, began really considering it. I'm thinking Pentax might even be taking a hit (or close to one) by selling the camera at this price.

That would be pretty cool if it was true. I think that they need to put a bit more of their marketing muscle into it.

One negative thing i'm finding right now as I look further into it is the glass available for the Pentax. My f/1.8 is invaluable for indoor and night shots and I can't find anything similar (without getting extravegently high priced).

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Looking more at the specs of the Pentax it seems like a really great camera. In fact, all of the features it has at that price is a bit offputting. How did they do that? Is the quality up to snuff? Its hard without someone really putting it through testing. So far all of the opinons are just those of the forum users.

canon and nikon have their name behind everything.

The pentax is definitely very interesting. I'm not sold on it yet, but I want a 5D after looking at the viewfinder... hahaha... soooo nice.

 

[tfinch2]

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Looking more at the specs of the Pentax it seems like a really great camera. In fact, all of the features it has at that price is a bit offputting. How did they do that? Is the quality up to snuff? Its hard without someone really putting it through testing. So far all of the opinons are just those of the forum users.

I'm thinking Pentax is trying to severly underprice competitors in an attempt to get more market share and get more people to seriously look at Pentax. You for instance, at first only looked at Nikon and Canon, but once you heard about the Pentax with its feature set at it's price point, began really considering it. I'm thinking Pentax might even be taking a hit (or close to one) by selling the camera at this price.

That would be pretty cool if it was true. I think that they need to put a bit more of their marketing muscle into it.

One negative thing i'm finding right now as I look further into it is the glass available for the Pentax. My f/1.8 is invaluable for indoor and night shots and I can't find anything similar (without getting extravegently high priced).

You can get a 50mm f/1.4 AF for like $160 AR brand new.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Looking at the B&H website the Pentax lens lineup is pretty weak IMO. They have all of what, 20 different lenses and about half of them are fairly slow inexpensive general purpose lenses.

 

[GrantMeThePower]

Originally posted by: tfinch2

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower

Originally posted by: fuzzybabybunny

Originally posted by: GrantMeThePower
Looking more at the specs of the Pentax it seems like a really great camera. In fact, all of the features it has at that price is a bit offputting. How did they do that? Is the quality up to snuff? Its hard without someone really putting it through testing. So far all of the opinons are just those of the forum users.

I'm thinking Pentax is trying to severly underprice competitors in an attempt to get more market share and get more people to seriously look at Pentax. You for instance, at first only looked at Nikon and Canon, but once you heard about the Pentax with its feature set at it's price point, began really considering it. I'm thinking Pentax might even be taking a hit (or close to one) by selling the camera at this price.

That would be pretty cool if it was true. I think that they need to put a bit more of their marketing muscle into it.

One negative thing i'm finding right now as I look further into it is the glass available for the Pentax. My f/1.8 is invaluable for indoor and night shots and I can't find anything similar (without getting extravegently high priced).

You can get a 50mm f/1.4 AF for like $160 AR brand new.

Please show me where or give me a part number. I did not find such a lens. What i have seen is more in line with what JulesMaximus stated.