[Renamed] Discussion on the D50 and Rebel XT, lenses, buying and other topics!

[rubberband]

EDIT: Renamed the thread - it's now an interesting discussion on the D50, rebel XT, and other stuff like lenses and buying recommendations. Lots of useful stuff in there.

Hi all,

I'm not looking to re-open the great canon/nikon debate, just looking for a last minute opinion from my favourite forum.

I originally posted about DSLR lense compatability here:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=293034

And have since decided that I'm not going to factor it into my buying decision.

I'm going to pull the trigger on a new DSLR this week. I'm going with an entry level unit, since I can't afford something like a D200 or 30D.. even the D70s is pushing it a bit. I've ruled out Olympus/Sony/etc and will be going with one of the brands I've used before: Canon, Nikon, or Pentax. My current thinking has also eliminated Pentax, for a few reasons.

So, having narrowed it down to two brands at the entry level: D50 or Digital Rebel XT?

Both come with an 18-55mm kit. I'll keep that and learn on it for now, and invest in a decent ~20-200 at some point soon, too.

So far, the Canon wins on resolution and sharpness (barely), the Nikon wins on noise levels (also barely). I'm currently thinking D50, just because I've used Nikon cameras for a long time, and it's also a bit less expensive. Reviews of both cameras on the major sites highly recommend both cameras, and enthusiast sites also sing their praises. I've seen beautiful example pictures taken with both.

Can anyone give me a good reason NOT to go with the D50?

Thanks!

[a4toronto]

if you are a beginner, either is fine. go with the brand your friends have that way you can borrow flashes, lenses, etc.

the utility in borrowing gear far outweighs any technical differences, imo.

[warpdrive]

I can't think of any reason why you should NOT buy a D50, you already know the technical differences, so at this point, it's just personal preference. Both are certainly capable cameras. I don't think you could lose if you just flipped a coin.

When buying any brand, it comes down to the entire system, which brand will grow with you more? Since your investment in lenses may outweigh the body's, which lineup is going to satisfy you in the future?

[Betmen]

If you're gonna go Nikon, the best bet would be a D70s. The price difference is very minimal, and you get more camera for your dollar.
Very nice DSLR. But the best is CANON :P

[cipher]

Many Nikonians like the D50 because it actually puts out a better image than the D70 and even the D200. The D200 has a couple of issues. One is noise in low light and high ISO...anything above ISO 400 seems to be an issue. The other is long/short banding. The long banding can be fixed by sending the camera to Nikon. The short banding is "normal" according to Nikon. It should be noted that the banding only occurs under very specific conditions, but for the $2150 price, I expect such a camera to perform much bettr. The D50 gives you the best bang for the buck, image-wise. The D70s and D200 are fine cameras, but they are less forgiving of beginners. I'm not sure how you've come to think that the Nikon D50 wins with noise levels versus the Canon Rebel XT. Canon's CMOS sensors are famous for low noise with ISO settings.

[thelefteyeguy]

go with a D50 (just camera) and then the D70 stock lens (you can prob pick up a cheap one)


just know that if you ever want to go with RAWs...then you're out of luck, and if you ever upgrade...you'll need to change the memory type.

a D70 is not terribly more than the D50.

[speedgeek]

No reason at all. I bought the D50 kit (w/ 18-55 lens) it has been absolutely great. I have added other lenses since (50mm 1.8), but the Nikon 18-55 is a very fast, light lens that absolutely kicks the D70 stock lens in the butt between 18 and 30mm.

Just do it, you wont regret it.

Here's my D50 gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/msteiniger

[hagbard]

If you're gonna go Nikon, the best bet would be a D70s. The price difference is very minimal, and you get more camera for your dollar.
Very nice DSLR. But the best is CANON :P

This thirty plus year Canon 35mm user says the Nikon is better. The Nikons are very similar build quality to the Canon's (slightly better, imo) but you don't want to ever have do deal with a Canon repair depot. Get the Nikon.

[Jaytee]

I was in the same position as you. D50 vs D70S vs Rebel XT.

I went with the D50 and I am very happy with it. I bought it at Best Buy when they were having customer appreciation day and had 10% off all cameras and free photo printer. I then used a 15% gift card I got off the forums.

Bascially I thought the D50 was better quality build then the Rebel XT and I didnt go with the D70S because I wanted to use the money (around $300 at the time I believe) I saved towards a new lens.

I dont think you can go wrong with any of the three I mentioned.

[warpdrive]

......... because I wanted to use the money (around $300 at the time I believe) I saved towards a new lens.

Good call.

It's always well worth it to spend more on the lens (assuming the body is already good).

Edit:
Man, is my 18-200 VR ever going to get in stock? Those things are way backordered.

[Betmen]

This thirty plus year Canon 35mm user says the Nikon is better. The Nikons are very similar build quality to the Canon's (slightly better, imo) but you don't want to ever have do deal with a Canon repair depot. Get the Nikon.

They were better witht eh film camera, DSLR camera wise, Canon takes the prize.
Canon just makes the best Digital cameras, why do you think most of the professionals use Canon?

[rubberband]

They seem to be awfully scarce. I was thinking about that lense until I saw the price and availability!

I think the D50 is probably going to come home. My plan is basically:

-Get the kit w/ the 18-55mm and learn on it. lanscape, sunsets, etc.
-Get the 55-200mm so I have some telephoto reach. Wildlife, sports (does this lense do well at high speeds?)
-Fit one of my old micro nikkor macro lenses and focus manually for macro stuff (my favourite). We'll see how the old lense works at 1.5x on a dslr.

Good call.

It's always well worth it to spend more on the lens (assuming the body is already good).

Edit:
Man, is my 18-200 VR ever going to get in stock? Those things are way backordered.

[thelefteyeguy]

No reason at all. I bought the D50 kit (w/ 18-55 lens) it has been absolutely great. I have added other lenses since (50mm 1.8), but the Nikon 18-55 is a very fast, light lens that absolutely kicks the D70 stock lens in the butt between 18 and 30mm.

Just do it, you wont regret it.

Here's my D50 gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/msteiniger

lol...how is the stock lens for the D50 vs D70 faster both f3.5?

have you even used the 18-70 f/3.5?

most of your photos on flicker are using the macro lens


save your money on the d50 stock lens and get a better one ...for example the 50mm 1.8, D70 stock lens, etc

[rubberband]

There's some nice stuff in that gallery.

Mind if I ask what lense you used for some of the tighter shots like these?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/msteiniger/111493807/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/msteiniger/70698375/

They're not too far off the sort of composition I tend to favor (aside from the usual protrait and lanscape shots)

I'll need something else to get the very tight marco shots I take now on my P&S, but having something flexible for relative close shots would be good to start.

No reason at all. I bought the D50 kit (w/ 18-55 lens) it has been absolutely great. I have added other lenses since (50mm 1.8), but the Nikon 18-55 is a very fast, light lens that absolutely kicks the D70 stock lens in the butt between 18 and 30mm.

Just do it, you wont regret it.

Here's my D50 gallery: http://www.flickr.com/photos/msteiniger

[cipher]

Good call.


Man, is my 18-200 VR ever going to get in stock? Those things are way backordered.

You think those are scarce...try getting your hands on a Nikon D200. Nikon can't seem to make enough of them.