techieboy Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 I want to buy a proper digital SLR and try and learn how to use SLR's again after too many years using automatic compacts. Up untill a couple of weeks back, I'd kind of decided on the EOS400 as it seemed to be slightly better than the corresponding (price wise) Nikon D40, plus it had a few more bells and whistles with the CCD cleaner and increased resolution. Now Nikon have thrown a spanner into the works by releasing an upgraded version of the D40, the D40x. Still doesn't offer the funky automatic CCD cleaner but matches the Canon on resolution and might be better on the higher ISO speeds. Anybody have any insights for a DSLR virgin? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ian_m Posted April 14, 2007 Report Share Posted April 14, 2007 I bought a D40 (not the X), I have never had an SLR before either and the Nikon was keenly priced - it also takes SD cards ( I have a few so it saved me buying Compact flash - as used in the Canon) Also - the Nikon will only take a certain type of Lense - the body doesnt have a built in motor to drive auto focus so therefore you will have to buy branded lenses - it just depends how much you want to pay and whether you think you will get the bug and buy further lenses For me the Nikon was the right package Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markpaq Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 I wasn't sure whether or not to go Canon or Nikon but after reading the reviews on DPreview and visiting the local Jessops to see them in the flesh I ended up getting a D80 with the 18-135 lens. It's a fantastic piece of kit and IMO feels a lot more sturdy than the Canon. As A/S has already pointed out, the Nikon uses SD cards which also helped in my decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 If you go into a room of photographers and ask this question, you'll start a war! If you were to go to a press call you'd see the vast majority of cameras would be Canon. However, wedding photographers and the like seem to have Nikon. It's very much preference tbh. I stuck with the Canon 30d because I already had some L series lenses (they are more than 500 quid each o_O) and I preferred the picture output. They are both cracking cameras though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eolair Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 both brands are cracking, and unless you've already a good eye and skill level, you'll be pushed to match the capabilities of the cameras any time soon. General consensus is the Canon wins on low ISO, the Nikon wins on form and handling. Play with both and see which suits you best. The kit lens from nikon is also reckoned to be better. Personally, I've a D70s, so prev generation Nikon. 18 months on, and I'm still gobsmacked at some of the quality that comes out of it. And some sh1te too from my own need to improve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tainted_love Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 Ive just bought the Nikon D80 with 18-135mm lens from Dixons duty free for £625 while leaving for the states (if your going on holiday soon, check their prices first). any how, am new to the dslr world and not much experienced with this sort of camera, but after using the net and messing with the settings you soon get hang of things. i picked the Nikon d80 because of its build quality and fitment in my hands, compared to Canon. the canon felt cheap Korean car like and not ideal for larger hands. there is the issue that the d80 produces slightly poorer low light pictures than the canon but i easily fixed this by learning the settings and taking the most advantage from them. at the end of the day they are both good cameras but its the soft organism using the thing that counts. the camera is only good as the user. best bet is to try the pair out in your hands, this for me was the most important deciding factor. canon = smaller hands, Nikon = bigger hands. once you do purchase your camera, things get more expensive e.g. camera bag: i bought the lowepro slingshot 100aw , tripod: am using Velbon Luxi f, spare battery, remote and the definite accessory Giotto's Rocket air blower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biturbo Posted April 15, 2007 Report Share Posted April 15, 2007 My money went towards Canon, but they are both good cameras. It maybe best to look at the difference in price of the lenses and other accessories as, in my experience, that is where the majority of the money goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeX Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 There's certainly pros and cons to each but they're both good cameras. I'm not sure how good the auto lens cleaning thing is....but I've got a 20d that doesn't have that feature and I haven't found that cleaning the sensor is a pain. Just don't forget that you WILL be wanting more lenses.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techieboy Posted April 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Thanks for those opions guys and that DPreview site is great! Had a play around with them yesterday, plus a Sony DSLR. Am currently swaying towards the Nikon as it did feel slightly more comfortable in hand. What did surprise me was how small and light they all were. It's going back a long time but the old Olympus SLR kit I used to have was much heavier. The guy in Jessops said I could always get an accessory battery grip which might improve the weight and balance. Likewise, as a few of you mentioned, SD card support is good as I've got dozens of the things scattered around the car and house. The one thing that keeps me thinking about the Canon (and is also on the Sony) is the image stabilisation. Is it worth having in the real world, or is only any good for the 'round the pub table' spec arguments? Both the Nikon and Canon seem to ship with an 18-55mm lens as they're standard kit lens. I'm guessing that I might be able to negotiate a deal for a second lens at time of purchase. Any recommendations for a second lens with a bit more zoom! Too many choices and too many acronyms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markpaq Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 If you decide on the Nikon, try and go for the 18 - 135. It came as a kit with my D80 and I've found it to be very versatile. Another good site for reviews on lenses is here . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] The one thing that keeps me thinking about the Canon (and is also on the Sony) is the image stabilisation. Is it worth having in the real world, or is only any good for the 'round the pub table' spec arguments? [/ QUOTE ] Unless I'm mistaken, the Canon does image stabilisation in the lens, not the camera body. That said, IS lenses are usually very good, although expensive as they tend to be L series too. I'll add to the warnings - it gets real expensive, real fast, especially if you're a bit of a technology fanatic already. I really don't like to think about how much I've spent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 Yes, IS is done on lens. However, I shoot with a 70-200L without IS (cos it was nearly a grand vs £600 for the non IS version) and at 200mm, there's very little movement. In my opinion, you only need IS if you're shooting at 300mm plus, and even then, you don't absolutely need it. And yes, it does get expensive rather quickly. I'm up to about 4k and I haven't even got a 5d yet! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biturbo Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] And yes, it does get expensive rather quickly. I'm up to about 4k and I haven't even got a 5d yet! [/ QUOTE ] I'm over 4k and I haven't even got the 30D! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sidicks Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 I bought a Canon EOS400D with18-55mm lens plus Canon 70-300mm Image Stabilising Lens to tak on Safari last year, and took some amazing pictures. Highly recommended ! Sidicks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] And yes, it does get expensive rather quickly. I'm up to about 4k and I haven't even got a 5d yet! [/ QUOTE ] I'm over 4k and I haven't even got the 30D! [/ QUOTE ] Yikes, you must have bought some really expensive flash cards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted April 16, 2007 Report Share Posted April 16, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Yes, IS is done on lens. However, I shoot with a 70-200L without IS (cos it was nearly a grand vs £600 for the non IS version) and at 200mm, there's very little movement. In my opinion, you only need IS if you're shooting at 300mm plus, and even then, you don't absolutely need it. [/ QUOTE ] Ah, but IS is shiny! I've got the 70-200mm f/2.8 IS L lens, but I've also got the 1.4x Extender II, so IS comes in real handy for wildlife etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drpellypo Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 Don't get me wrong - I would have LOVED one. I just didn't have a bagillion pounds at the time. Damn stupid bills! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted April 17, 2007 Report Share Posted April 17, 2007 That's why I still lust after a TS-E lens and don't actually have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drinks Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Somtimes I hate this place. After reading this discussion and the fact that I need to replace my camera I have decided to enter the world of digital SLR. I've decided that the d40x is suited to my needs, just wondering where the best place to buy is. Can you haggle a discount off the likes of Jessops or is the internet the best place to look. Have found Nikon £465 delivered Am I likely to beat this anywhere, except ebay( I have a phobia) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Insurance Jon Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 www.discountwarehouse.co.uk (or com) i can't remember which Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techieboy Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 That's a good price - I haven't seen it any cheaper. I tried negotiating prices in my local Jessops and they wouldn't budge on their usual kit price but I did have some success with getting a discount on a second lens and some accessories. But, at least you know which one you want to get. I still haven't made my mind up on which camera to go for. I'm still stuck on which one to go for and am now considering going up to the D80 for it's better auto focussing system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drinks Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 This place offers to reduce the price by 125% if they are beaten on price warehouseexpress which is perhaps where insurance jon was pointing. Means I'd save an extra tenner. Going to have a quick call round the local shops this afternoon if I get a chance and make a decision. I can't justify the extra cost of the d80 at this moment in time. I reckon that as a beginner the d40x is more than capable of everything and more that I could want at this stage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tainted_love Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 i know i mentioned this earlier and its not practical for most people, but if you are travelling abroad for holidays and considering a DSLR check out Dixons Tax Free, they have the D80 with 18-70 lens for £595 HERE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techieboy Posted April 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 Oh, bugger. That means a non-EU holiday as well, on top Not a bad idea though - two weeks in the Maldives learning how to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted April 24, 2007 Report Share Posted April 24, 2007 I used a Canon 350D with a 100-300mm IS lens and the results were superb. It was a mate's camera so when I go on my next big trip I'll most likely get myself a Canon 40d, assuming they are out then. The 100-400mm lens looks great too but at over £1k retail it is expensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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