Sorry for the semi OT, but it's time for me to invest in a decent camera. I finally registered for a track event at Sebring in Sept and after Jim came down to FL this weekend with his Nikon D50, I have decided I need a good camera. Now be patient with me as I'm camera retarded. I know that I want something high speed because I'll be trying to capture cars in motion. I also want something a little above me needs so it gives me room to grow. I think I've narrowed it down to the same D50 that Jim has. The price is 650 for the body and basic lens kit. So now for you camera guru's to chime in and give me your thoughts. I know Jim likes this camera, and I know I do with the use of it this past weekend. But both Jim and I are point and shoot kind of camera people with no real experience. What do you guys think of the features in this camera? I'm sure it will capture burst shots (which I must have for those action sequences) It's 6.1 MP and IIRC the shutter speed is 1/4000 But that doesn't really tell me much. So chime in, give me some insite so I can go ahead and get a damn camera. Thanks all.

Dave.

 

Here's a tech break down of this camera for those who are willing to help out but don't want to search for the specs.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bn...earch

 

see sig

Im sure you can get a ton of info over at Accessphoto as well (if you havent already)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by RTW DC2R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">see sig

Im sure you can get a ton of info over at Accessphoto as well (if you havent already)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yeah I've read a bit there, but most of it doesn't make sense to me. I'm looking for real experience as you guys come up with some awesome looking photo's. I know that experience is a factor in that too, but looking for some personal experience/advise on this.

 

my photos are top notch garbage

 

I was generalizing. I'm looking at Alexanders, Yoshi's, and others pics that just look amazing and I know they are all using DSLR camera's.

&lt;--- photo's will be high quality garbage as well.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I was generalizing. I'm looking at Alexanders, Yoshi's, and others pics that just look amazing and I know they are all using DSLR camera's.

&lt;--- photo's will be high quality garbage as well. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats a coincidence, Im selling an SLR in my sig

 

Canon 20D or 30D

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave-ROR &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Canon 20D or 30D </TD></TR></TABLE>

Dave, why Canon over Nikon? Prices?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Dave_B &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Dave, why Canon over Nikon? Prices?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm sure some ****** can provide better reasons, but I just think the canon's are easier to use.

 

Check out http://www.accessphoto.com/forum/

Do some research. I'm personally a Canon guy but I think the pictures are only as good as the person taking them. I have a LOT to learn.

 

Nikon vs Canon is kinda like Mac against PC...both are capable cameras. Some people are loyal to one vs the others.

I am biased toward Canon so I would suggest the Canon 350D as a starter. Lots of features you'd expect with a SLR but not too expensive. If you do decide on the Rebel, don't get the kit lens, it's poop. Get the body along with a nicer lens.

Specific differences between the D50 and the 350D can be found here:
http://www.dpreview.com/review...9.asp

Edit: BTW the price of the 350D has dropped considerably. Body can be had for around 650$. Also, if you can wait until Fall to buy a camera. Odds are, Canon will have a rebate program which will save you at least 75-100$ depending what and how much you buy.

HTH

 

Blah for the Canon XT if you want canon go with the 20d or 30d+..
Well I'm saying that using both for the RUHS Yearbook/ newspaper.
We have one of the top newspaper's and Yearbook's in the whole US.
Our sports photo's get many awards..
XT has really bad focusing at least for us(we've used several) the 20d was nice but user friendlyness= ..
Canon Warranty work also ..At least for consumers since their items are secondary to them after their buisness warranty work.

Nikon= more user friendly and better grip..
However they always suck in too much red.
And I do not like the lack of an LCD cover on the D50 + the fact taht it uses SD..
The 18-55 lens that comes on it isn't all that jazzy either..
Try looking it BeachCamera.com for a camera purchase(lowest prices)
or getting one via costco(lifetime returns)...

 

I like my D50.
I dont know how to use my D50.
The only thing I dont like aobut my D50 is the lens doesnt zoom in enough.
Should be getting a new lens shortly.
I think the whole Nikon/Canon thing is crap.
I'm happy with what i got, and I'm sure that goes with every Nikon/Canon owner.

Peace.

Dave, get the D50!!!! So when you learn how to use it, you can show me

 

I love my Rebel XT/350D. I also need to learn more about it but excellent pictures can be taken even with the kit lense. Its all about who is taking the pictures

 

I know you guys say the lens sucks, but that's ok with me for now. I still have to learn how to use the damn thing so I can show Jim. I think I'm set on the D50 due to price and availability in my area. When I was using Jims this past weekend it felt very comfortable. After reading a lot of reviews, suggestions and a couple of other sites, most say it's really the user and not so much the camera. I can deal with less features than a higher end camera and I can even deal with the kit lens for now. Is there anything that I should look out for, or be prepared for with this camera? Any oddities with it? Thanks again all.

 

The D50 is an excellent beginner cam. I had one for 7 months before I decided I wanted to upgrade, I just moved to a D70 two weeks ago.

The main reason I wanted to upgrade was the wireless flash capabilities of the D70, otherwise I could have been very happy with the D50 for a long time.
It takes excellent pics, handles noise very well at high iso ratings, and has awesome battery life.

I don't care for the kit lens very much, but I can't afford anything else. It's soft and feels flimsy
If I were starting again, and could spend a little more money, I would get the body and a Tokina 28-70 f/2.8 lens (~$250).

Try looking on FredMiranda.com at the buy&sell forum, there are always great deals there for gently used equipment.
I just saw a guy sell a nearly new D50 for $375 (body only) the other day.

BTW: most of the pics in my gallery & flickr page are from my D50

 

Here's a guy selling a used D70 and 18-70 lens (much better than the D50 kit lens) for $670.
He has them listed seperately, so you could maybe get some off.
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/429295

 

Try getting the D50 instore at costco, Nikon is bound to do a low end SLR upgrade soon..
(they have the D50's instock usually)

 

Canon EOS 5D with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens.

Great "beginner" camera.

 

FWIW, all of these pics were taken with Jim's D50. No comments on the pics (photographer side of things, yeah I suck) I'm also linking because of the size and I don't have time to resize at the moment.

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....x.jpg

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....x.jpg

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....x.jpg

http://www.we-todd-did-racing....x.jpg

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Jay J &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Blah for the Canon XT if you want canon go with the 20d or 30d+..
Well I'm saying that using both for the RUHS Yearbook/ newspaper.
We have one of the top newspaper's and Yearbook's in the whole US.
Our sports photo's get many awards..
XT has really bad focusing at least for us(we've used several) the 20d was nice but user friendlyness= ..
Canon Warranty work also ..At least for consumers since their items are secondary to them after their buisness warranty work.

Nikon= more user friendly and better grip..
However they always suck in too much red.
And I do not like the lack of an LCD cover on the D50 + the fact taht it uses SD..
The 18-55 lens that comes on it isn't all that jazzy either..
Try looking it BeachCamera.com for a camera purchase(lowest prices)
or getting one via costco(lifetime returns)...
</TD></TR></TABLE>

What lens were you using?
I have a Canon XT with 24-70L lens. And I have no problem focusing.

Dave you have to ask yourself how much you want to spend. Because if you get a very expansive body (like Canon 20D or 30D) but with a ok lens. A Canon XT with a L lens will kill the 20D or 30D in the pics quality.


Modified by Type-R Yo! at 11:30 AM 7/27/2006

 

Hmnn not sure, I'll try and update this later in the year when the shooting starts again, but when resizing resize to about 100 or 75 pix and inch

 

I got a Canon A95 as a beginner camera. I've had it for a year and it did well. I am ready to step up to a D50 now. The good thing about getting a Canon A95 is, it holds its value very well. I will probably sell it for almost as much as I got it for a year ago.

 

pm'ed

Canon SD550 FTW