YACT: Which Digital SLR?

[ultimatebob]

Hi folks,

I want to buy a Digital SLR, but I can't decide which model to buy. I'm leaning towards the Nikon D70 or the Canon Digital Rebel, but I can't seem to choose between the two. Most of the camera review places are saying that the Nikon D70 is a better camera than the Canon Digital Rebel, but the Nikon D70 is currently much more expensive. I've seen the Nikon D70 kit (with lens) priced for as low as $1,220 shipped, but I've found the Canon Digital Rebel kit for only $780.

Since this is my first SLR camera, I currently don't have any lenses. I'll probably want to buy a 300mm telephoto lens to go with the kit lens, so I should probably factor that into the cost of the camera. I'll be using the camera mostly for nature photos, along with some basic point-and-shoot family vacation stuff.

Has anyone here used either one of these cameras? If you have, so you think that the Nikon is worth the extra $440?

 

[Anubis]

the Nikon is better, that price diff is because the "Kit Lens" that comes with the Canon 300D is sh!t and the "kit lens" that comes with that D70 is awsome, to get it alone costs about 400$, for a 300 mm telephoto id go with the Nikon 70-300 ED or the Sigma 70-300 APO super 2

check my site out in my sig, lots of D70 pics there in both my pictures and teh free ones because i host alot for the Dpreview D70 forums

 

[Turkish]

Depends on how much you want to spend... price/performance ratio is the same for both models. D70 is the better camera but its more pricey. Also, buy the brand that you want to stick with for a while. I chose Digital Rebel because Canon is my chocie of brand.

 

[Lars]

I really like my Digital Rebel (check the online photo album in my signature). You should be happy with either camera. While the D70 is a little better, the Canon DR will leave you some more money for additional lenses such as a Sigma 70-300 which is a very affordable telephoto lens or other items.

 

[ultimatebob]

OK, so it sounds like I would happy with either camera. I guess that I'll just need to decide if the better lens and extra features are worth the extra $$$ for me.

Also, I'm curious... I already have a 1 GB Microdrive for my PowerShot S45, which is total overkill for that camera. Will I be able to use this Microdrive in either of these cameras without a decrease in response time when taking multiple photos at once? Or, should I just "bite the bullet" and get a 1 GB High-Speed CompactFlash card right away?

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
OK, so it sounds like I would happy with either camera. I guess that I'll just need to decide if the better lens and extra features are worth the extra $$$ for me.

Also, I'm curious... I already have a 1 GB Microdrive for my PowerShot S45, which is total overkill for that camera. Will I be able to use this Microdrive in either of these cameras without a decrease in response time when taking multiple photos at once? Or, should I just "bite the bullet" and get a 1 GB High-Speed CompactFlash card right away?

it will work fine in the D70, might be a lil slower then a Cf card when shooting in continious mode, normally get 9 before the buffer witha 45x CF card

unless you really need the speed you dont need a high speed Cf card

 

[konichiwa]

You get what you pay for; enough said. The D70 is a nicer camera but is going to cost you a bit more.

The Digital Rebel is not as nice, and costs less.

 

[KingNothing]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
OK, so it sounds like I would happy with either camera. I guess that I'll just need to decide if the better lens and extra features are worth the extra $$$ for me.

Also, I'm curious... I already have a 1 GB Microdrive for my PowerShot S45, which is total overkill for that camera. Will I be able to use this Microdrive in either of these cameras without a decrease in response time when taking multiple photos at once? Or, should I just "bite the bullet" and get a 1 GB High-Speed CompactFlash card right away?

it will work fine in the D70, might be a lil slower then a Cf card when shooting in continious mode, normally get 9 before the buffer witha 45x CF card

unless you really need the speed you dont need a high speed Cf card

So unless you need the speed, you don't need the speed? Brilliant!

 

[Anubis]

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
OK, so it sounds like I would happy with either camera. I guess that I'll just need to decide if the better lens and extra features are worth the extra $$$ for me.

Also, I'm curious... I already have a 1 GB Microdrive for my PowerShot S45, which is total overkill for that camera. Will I be able to use this Microdrive in either of these cameras without a decrease in response time when taking multiple photos at once? Or, should I just "bite the bullet" and get a 1 GB High-Speed CompactFlash card right away?

it will work fine in the D70, might be a lil slower then a Cf card when shooting in continious mode, normally get 9 before the buffer witha 45x CF card

unless you really need the speed you dont need a high speed Cf card

So unless you need the speed, you don't need the speed? Brilliant!

i dont knoe if you makeing fun of me or not, ive only had 6 cups of coffee today so im still a lil out of it


i dont see whats so confusing about what i said,

if all you do is take shots of things that arnt moveing fast and you take them 1 at a time you dont need the high write speed of a "high speed Cf card" and the micro drive will be fine, IF you do take pics of things liek SPORTS that require a lot of shots quickly to catch the "perfect moment" then you will want a CF card that is fast

BUT seeing as you are asking about which one you shoudld buy and that you previously had a digital P&S its a moot point IMO

 

[ultimatebob]

That's OK, I think that got it. As long as I'm not doing heavy action photography where I need to hold down the shutter button and let the camera fire away continuously for 15 seconds, the Microdrive will work fine.

Besides, I'll probably get a CompactFlash card anyway. I once had my Microdrive lose a 3 minute movie of a helicopter ride over the Grand Canyon that I was taking on my old S45 because it wasn't able to write to the drive fast enough. Or, maybe it just was the vibration of the helicopter ride that screwed up the drive write, I'm not sure. Anyway, it was a "once in a lifetime" kind of shot, and I haven't really trusted that drive for anything important since then.

 

[brigden]

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: KingNothing

Originally posted by: Anubis

Originally posted by: ultimatebob
OK, so it sounds like I would happy with either camera. I guess that I'll just need to decide if the better lens and extra features are worth the extra $$$ for me.

Also, I'm curious... I already have a 1 GB Microdrive for my PowerShot S45, which is total overkill for that camera. Will I be able to use this Microdrive in either of these cameras without a decrease in response time when taking multiple photos at once? Or, should I just "bite the bullet" and get a 1 GB High-Speed CompactFlash card right away?

it will work fine in the D70, might be a lil slower then a Cf card when shooting in continious mode, normally get 9 before the buffer witha 45x CF card

unless you really need the speed you dont need a high speed Cf card

So unless you need the speed, you don't need the speed? Brilliant!

i dont knoe if you makeing fun of me or not, ive only had 6 cups of coffee today so im still a lil out of it


i dont see whats so confusing about what i said,

if all you do is take shots of things that arnt moveing fast and you take them 1 at a time you dont need the high write speed of a "high speed Cf card" and the micro drive will be fine, IF you do take pics of things liek SPORTS that require a lot of shots quickly to catch the "perfect moment" then you will want a CF card that is fast

BUT seeing as you are asking about which one you shoudld buy and that you previously had a digital P&S its a moot point IMO

He's saying your statement is redundant, which it is.

 

[Turkish]

Get a 1GB CF... they are not as expensive as they used to be. You can never trust a microdrive for memories.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

My source (heh you know who you are ) suggests the replacement for the Canon 10D will use the same chip as the EOS-1D MK II.

Might want to wait a few months and have a look at this.

 

[Wolverine27]

You can't go wrong with either camera. Take your money and invest it in quality lenses. These you will always have...camera bodies come and go. I've got a Digital Rebel and I love it. Also, the kit lens is not "sh!t" as someone else mentioned. Compared to an L lens maybe it is...but considering the price it's a nice little lens.

 

[richardycc]

you need to goto your local store and see and most importantly hold and fool around with the controls,etc. I can't make up my mind either, but once I held the Canon Rebel, I know it's not for me. The rebel is like a fisher-price toy, all cheap silver plastic, and lightweight. The D70 is black ABS(?) plastic, and feels like a real SLR camera. I know one shouldn't judge it by its cover, but if I am gonna spend ~$1k, it should feel like it is worth that. I have nothing against Canon, as I own a S230, and my co-worker owns a digital Rebel, and the pictures from her camera look a lot better than my S230.