First off, my apologies for not being able to post as much as I'd like too. I've been out of town, and super busy.
I enrolled back in college full time, going for my BS in Criminal Justice, plus I just graduated from the law enforcement academy for The Colorado Department of Corrections. I'm stationed at DRDC & DWCF for now.
I am looking at purchasing a new camera here, I am looking at both the Nikon D40x and the Canon XTi. They are both about the same as far as cost goes, but wanted to ask the experts for their opinions here.
In what little time I have, I want to use a good quality camera and be able to sell them as well, via a variety of markets, and I think of these two cameras I can do it, I am uncertain which way to go, I also was thinking of the Pentex K100D as well, not sure on the price though.
Any thoughts guys?
Randy
Posted by Todd Caudle on August 11, 2007 at 6:48 PM
...and be able to sell them as well, via a variety of markets, and I think of these two cameras I can do it...
I am still shooting with my 'ancient' Canon 10D and it still takes great pictures. But I hope to upgrade to the 5D soon to take advantage of the FF sensor.
I mentioned the Canon xxD series because these are much sturdier bodies than other ones you mentioned. The ergonomics are much better as well. A mint used 20/30D might end up being the same price as the Rebel XTi.
Thanks Derek. I really do like Canon's as I presently have the Rebel 35mm SLR, it does a great job on images, just not digital. I suppose I could look into a PNP at the upper end of the spectrum.
I am not certain I can justify the expense of DSLR, but a upper end PNP SLR-like would probably work just as well.
I know a few features I really want, but there are other features that are on say the DLSR that I probably wouldn't use much. So I'm doing a lot of comparing and feature shopping to see what fits best for me.
I know that it isn't the camera, but the person behind it, but if I wanted to print a 20x30 with a 4.0mp camera it's not going to be good unless your across the room and down the hall.
That's why I'm looking at a higher mega-pixel unit.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on August 11, 2007 at 8:44 PM
The 10mp Rebel XTi sounds like a good bet then if you don't mind the smaller form factor and handling.
The P&S cameras have more noise due to their smaller sensors. This noise isn't as apparent in smaller prints. But if you want to print big then a larger sensor will normally produce cleaner images with more detail.
Thanks Derek. I really do like Canon's as I presently have the Rebel 35mm SLR, it does a great job on images, just not digital. I suppose I could look into a PNP at the upper end of the spectrum.
I am not certain I can justify the expense of DSLR, but a upper end PNP SLR-like would probably work just as well.
I know a few features I really want, but there are other features that are on say the DLSR that I probably wouldn't use much. So I'm doing a lot of comparing and feature shopping to see what fits best for me.
I know that it isn't the camera, but the person behind it, but if I wanted to print a 20x30 with a 4.0mp camera it's not going to be good unless your across the room and down the hall.
That's why I'm looking at a higher mega-pixel unit.
Well, after doing lots of research here, and finally narrowing it down a little more. I have decided on the NIKON D40X. It will not allow me to take better images, let me first get that out of the way. It WILL allow me to take the images I do take that I feel are good, to enlarge them to the point that the quality is not lost at the size I would like, without having to manipulate the image in software to achieve the result.
The 40x is certainly a capable camera, and hard to beat for the price. And it will allow you to get to your desired end product. Assuming that you have one or more usable Canon lenses from your Rebel, a more economical alternative might be the XTi. It's a little more expensive than the 40x, but you won't have to go out and buy new lenses for it. Either way, good luck!
Derek,
You are so right, I had not considered that, thank you for the reminder.
Rick,
Unfortunately, the Canon lens I have won't work, but that's ok. It comes with a 18-55mm lens to get things started, plus I got a HS-SD 2gig storage card and an all weather case made for the camera. I will have this Wednesday.
Any particular reason you didn't consider the Sony Alpha? I'm certainly no corporate schill for Sony, but I use it and find it to be a very capable camera assuming you don't want it to shoot high ISO at concerts and what not but the D40x won't let you do that well either.
The D40x is a capable camera and the camera doesn't make the photographer, I'm just wondering why the Sony was not considered.
Hi Matt,
I actually did have it considered in a group as well. I guess it might be the names Canon and Nikon.
I actually own a Canon Rebel (film camera) Absolutely love, got it for all of $70. Does excellent on images, still use it too. Then the only real exposure to digital was from the Nikon Coolpix 4mp, it did great on images, still does, but the name to me says quality, just as with Canon as well.
When someone says the name Sony, the first thing I think of is a TV or radio. I had not heard neither negative or positive on the Sony cameras.
For me, the biggest factor in whether or not I'd purchase a Sony isn't features or image quality, but the likelihood that Sony will still be making digital SLRs in a few years. Canon and Nikon have the ability to keep the R&D pipeline flowing with the latest and greatest because they're making good money off of their existing product lines. Trying to break into this market is a tough gig, which may be why Kodak got out of the business and Konica-Minolta sold it to Sony. Having such small market share for a product that has such a short life-cycle makes it difficult to earn enough money to fund the next generation and keep up with Canon and Nikon. Things seem to be slowing down a little with regards to the magnitude of change in each successive technology iteration, but unless I was planning to buy the Alpha and keep it for a very long time, I'd likely not take the risk and I'd go with a more established brand. Although...if I had a collection of Minolta lenses, I might feel differently.
Yeah, the brand name associations are a problem for Sony right now to be sure. As well as availability of lenses and no "pro support" like rentals lens and what not. I'm not concerned about Sony's longevity in the DSLR business though. Sony has publicly stated (for whatever that's worth) that they have every intent on being #2 in DSLR sales within 5 years. Since they supply Nikon's sensors I believe that they want Nikon to be #1 and knock Canon down to #3. An alliance between Sony (sensors) and Nikon (user base and Pro "Cred") could be very dangerous for Canon.
What you say is true about the costs of R&D and the short turn around time on product cycles is true I think Rick, but Sony is a large company that can run divisions at a loss for a little while to build up future sales. That's exactly what they did with CD players when they were trying to launch the format. I think they lost some $200 to $300 on every CD player they sold at first and still ran a loss for like 3 years until they had built enough of a user base that it became profitable again. That was not something that KM was capable of doing and surviving. Pentax can't either, which is why they need the corporate muscle of Samsung behind them.
In any case, I look forward to Sony's new DSLR that's supposed to be announced the first week of September. Oh, and new Zeiss lenses too.
Discussion
13 repliesI enrolled back in college full time, going for my BS in Criminal Justice, plus I just graduated from the law enforcement academy for The Colorado Department of Corrections. I'm stationed at DRDC & DWCF for now.
I am looking at purchasing a new camera here, I am looking at both the Nikon D40x and the Canon XTi. They are both about the same as far as cost goes, but wanted to ask the experts for their opinions here.
In what little time I have, I want to use a good quality camera and be able to sell them as well, via a variety of markets, and I think of these two cameras I can do it, I am uncertain which way to go, I also was thinking of the Pentex K100D as well, not sure on the price though.
Any thoughts guys?
Randy
It's not the camera.
Which unit do you use? and why?
The new Canon 40D is soon to be released (predicted within a few weeks). Therefore you might also be able to get a great deal on a new or slightly used mint 30D. I just saw some unreal deals on the 30D here:
http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/messageview.php?catid=18&threadid=754275&highlight_key=y&keyword1=canon
I am still shooting with my 'ancient' Canon 10D and it still takes great pictures. But I hope to upgrade to the 5D soon to take advantage of the FF sensor.
I mentioned the Canon xxD series because these are much sturdier bodies than other ones you mentioned. The ergonomics are much better as well. A mint used 20/30D might end up being the same price as the Rebel XTi.
I am not certain I can justify the expense of DSLR, but a upper end PNP SLR-like would probably work just as well.
I know a few features I really want, but there are other features that are on say the DLSR that I probably wouldn't use much. So I'm doing a lot of comparing and feature shopping to see what fits best for me.
I know that it isn't the camera, but the person behind it, but if I wanted to print a 20x30 with a 4.0mp camera it's not going to be good unless your across the room and down the hall.
That's why I'm looking at a higher mega-pixel unit.
The P&S cameras have more noise due to their smaller sensors. This noise isn't as apparent in smaller prints. But if you want to print big then a larger sensor will normally produce cleaner images with more detail.
I am not certain I can justify the expense of DSLR, but a upper end PNP SLR-like would probably work just as well.
I know a few features I really want, but there are other features that are on say the DLSR that I probably wouldn't use much. So I'm doing a lot of comparing and feature shopping to see what fits best for me.
I know that it isn't the camera, but the person behind it, but if I wanted to print a 20x30 with a 4.0mp camera it's not going to be good unless your across the room and down the hall.
That's why I'm looking at a higher mega-pixel unit.
I hope that made sense
You are so right, I had not considered that, thank you for the reminder.
Rick,
Unfortunately, the Canon lens I have won't work, but that's ok. It comes with a 18-55mm lens to get things started, plus I got a HS-SD 2gig storage card and an all weather case made for the camera. I will have this Wednesday.
The D40x is a capable camera and the camera doesn't make the photographer, I'm just wondering why the Sony was not considered.
I actually did have it considered in a group as well. I guess it might be the names Canon and Nikon.
I actually own a Canon Rebel (film camera) Absolutely love, got it for all of $70. Does excellent on images, still use it too. Then the only real exposure to digital was from the Nikon Coolpix 4mp, it did great on images, still does, but the name to me says quality, just as with Canon as well.
When someone says the name Sony, the first thing I think of is a TV or radio. I had not heard neither negative or positive on the Sony cameras.
I hope that answers the question?
What you say is true about the costs of R&D and the short turn around time on product cycles is true I think Rick, but Sony is a large company that can run divisions at a loss for a little while to build up future sales. That's exactly what they did with CD players when they were trying to launch the format. I think they lost some $200 to $300 on every CD player they sold at first and still ran a loss for like 3 years until they had built enough of a user base that it became profitable again. That was not something that KM was capable of doing and surviving. Pentax can't either, which is why they need the corporate muscle of Samsung behind them.
In any case, I look forward to Sony's new DSLR that's supposed to be announced the first week of September. Oh, and new Zeiss lenses too.
Well, that's enough thread hijacking for one day.