Want a DSLR by the end of summer

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: jpeyton
You're going to be shooting tens of thousands of photos over the lifetime of the camera. It's essential you pick one that feels good in your hands. Look beyond the megapixel myth and lens systems (they are essentially the same).

I'd suggest that the body is less important than the lenses really. Bodies don't last all that long in the digital age before a real upgrade comes along that makes moving to a new one worthwhile (2-4 years, perhaps). Yes, you can still get good pictures from a professional 4MP camera, but there are real benefits to higher ISO shooting, higher megapixels to enable cropping*, image stabilization systems, dust removal systems (ok, well, maybe not), weather sealing, etc., etc. What stays fairly constant is your stable of lenses.

The 70-210mm f/4 that I mentioned above was built in 1987 or sometime thereabouts and is still a fantastic lens. How many people are using bodies built in 1987? I have a couple, but I won't shoot film so it's pointless. The lens is likely to stay with me for a long time to come though, and I'm on my second body with it already.

I wholeheartedly agree that the way a camera feels in your hands is very important, but I'd also add that every camera feels the same mounted on a tripod. Viewfinders are underrated by most but exceptionally important. Both from a "hands feel" (sounds dirty) and a viewfinder perspective, I can't stand the Rebel series. Nikon D50 wasn't bad -- haven't touched a D40. D70 is nice as is the D80. 30D is good also (20D doesn't have spot metering -- pathetic).



*NOT disputing the megapixel myth as you call it. Higher is not always better, but I've noticed a benefit going from 6MP to 10MP. It's not enough to justify switching cameras in and of itself, but it is nice to know I have more leeway in cropping if I need it.

 

[BeauJangles]

I'll just repeat what most others have said here, go to a store and try out the cameras. There is no point in buying something you can't stand using and Nikons / Canons feel very different.

 

[Jawo]

I don't understand everyone complaining about the XTi (400D)'s grip. I'm a tall, lanky person (6'3") and I have had absolutly no problems with the XTi while using the grip. I put it on the moment I got my camera and have used it as such ever since. The added bonus is that it holds two batteries so they seem to last forever.

I shot a wedding over the weekend with my camera (>1400 pics, ~30% w/flash) with one set of batteries! Now that I have shot several thousand pictures with the XTi, my only grips are no spot metering (but partial metering does a fine job), and the camera does not sit flat when using the batter grip (it kinda looks like the Eos Mark I series).

 

[randomlinh]

Originally posted by: Jawo
I don't understand everyone complaining about the XTi (400D)'s grip. I'm a tall, lanky person (6'3") and I have had absolutly no problems with the XTi while using the grip. I put it on the moment I got my camera and have used it as such ever since. The added bonus is that it holds two batteries so they seem to last forever.

I shot a wedding over the weekend with my camera (>1400 pics, ~30% w/flash) with one set of batteries! Now that I have shot several thousand pictures with the XTi, my only grips are no spot metering (but partial metering does a fine job), and the camera does not sit flat when using the batter grip (it kinda looks like the Eos Mark I series).

I think people are saying the grip sucks... not the battery grip. In fact, they would prefer the XTi w/ a battery grip. And I would have to agree. Even then, I do not like the ergonomics of the XT/i. Nikon wins hands down here for the D70/80 IMO. And their viewfinder. Unfortunately, I'm a bit of a canon whore so I have to wait for the 30D to fall some more

 

[dug777]

Originally posted by: Jawo
I don't understand everyone complaining about the XTi (400D)'s grip. I'm a tall, lanky person (6'3") and I have had absolutly no problems with the XTi while using the grip. I put it on the moment I got my camera and have used it as such ever since. The added bonus is that it holds two batteries so they seem to last forever.

I shot a wedding over the weekend with my camera (>1400 pics, ~30% w/flash) with one set of batteries! Now that I have shot several thousand pictures with the XTi, my only grips are no spot metering (but partial metering does a fine job), and the camera does not sit flat when using the batter grip (it kinda looks like the Eos Mark I series).

We were talking about the 350/400D without the grip. Even with it, i don't think it's on par with the ergonomics of the Nikons, but at least it's a damn sight better (FWIW, i thought the K10D had marginally better ergonomics than the D80).

You can't even compare the D80's viewfinder and build quality to the 400D...

 

[yllus]

I personally have rather large hands, and regret not getting more hands-on experience with my Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT before purchasing it (online). My pinky finger clutches at nothing, and with a heavy lens attached it's rather tiring. I end up holding the entire camera by gripping the lens - which is safe and all, but not conducive to getting a shot off quickly.

I'd also mention that the lack of spot metering on the XT/XTi is irritating (but correctable, use partial metering mode and a focal range > 75mm), as is the extremely tiny viewfinder. I basically have no other complaints though.

That took a lot of out of me to say, being the Canon fanboy I am.