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bluedot
10th of December 2001 (Mon), 05:25
Hi everyone.

This is the first time I post here. I stumbled upon this forum while following a link to Pekka's D30 gallery (excellent photos!). I would really appreciate your feedback and advice.

I am *still* struggling with whether I should go Nikon (with the D1H) or Canon (with the D30). While I almost fully understand the pros and cons of each of these cameras, I still have a more crucial issues to consider: *the long term*.

"Buying into" a line of products is almost like "marrying into" a family. I understand that five years from now, the cheapest and most "dispensable" object in my photography setup will be the camera itself. However, be it Nikon or Canon, I will by then (hopefully) have amassed a colleciton of lenses, speedlights, and other equipmement that would not be as easy to "unload" if I decide to change.

Therefore, at this point I have to look ahead. Obviously, one thing I should consider is the respective futures of Canon and Nikon in the digital arena. That is because once I make the choice, I have to "stick with it" so to speak.

So far, Nikon has been the leader in the professional market with its high-end D1 series. However, of the two companies, Canon is the one with the camera that strikes the best balance between price and features on the one hand and sofistication and usability (for an amateur) on ther other. The camera I am talking about is the D30.

Canon already has a contender for the D1X (the EOS-1D) out. Whether Nikon will release an "entry-level" SLR to challenge the D30 will remain to be seen.

Having said that, there is also the *big* issue of lenses (and to a smaller degree speedlights and other accessories) to consider. I know that Canon offers great features like IS and USM in their medium to high-end lenses, but will I still be at an advantage with their "consumer" range? At least initially that is all that I will afford anyway (until I catch the "L" bug and find I have to mortage my house because "I simply cannot live without" an EF 1200mm F5.6L!). This is just an example becasue I am more familiar with Canon's range. What advantages do Nikon lenses offer?

I know most people on this forum have already made the choices I am struggling with. I also know that most of us hate "which is better" and "vs." threads. However, just like every photographer was a beginner once, every photographer had to ask these very questions at one point. I am at that point right now.

Advice, comments, and suggestions highly appreciated.

mrbobco
10th of December 2001 (Mon), 09:52
hi bluedot...

as someone who was at the same crossroads as you only a few months ago...i understand how you feel!

i know i wanted an slr with interchangable lenses and capable of using all the other camera accessories...when i first saw the D-30 (when it originally came out for $3500) i was shocked to see it's sticker price AND it's pixel count (at that point, some of the manufacterers had already been shipping their 4 mp cameras) i wondered what difference could this possibly make for this price...i first came into contact with the D-30 through a professional photographer who is a friend of my wife...i loved the feel of it but still couldn't understand the price...of course this photog had many canon lenses so it was a no brainer for him...and it was his FIRST digital camera (most of his shots didn't look so spectacular out of the D-30 but he really didn't understand about digital anything at that point)

even with those photos...i saw a depth and beauty in the shots that made my (then) wonderful E-10 look like a well...point and shoot : )

and although i was plenty happy with the E-10 for some time to come...i wanted the capabilities of interchangable lenses...

my wife was a professional photographer...who swore by canon equipment (although she sold a good amount of it, she still has a basic film setup)...so it wasn't difficult to convince her of my desire for the D-30 (not to mention that now our accessories are mostly interchangable)

so i commited.

i did look at the nikon...but just didn't have the cash to shell out at the time...so i was not left with a lot of options...

i wish i could speak from experience (i know there are MANY people who simply LOVE the nikon too)

but...

i CAN say...that i am going to stick with the canon line for some time to come...of course...an (affordable) 6 mp body would be lovely (especially if it had a cmos image sensor...but that's been beaten to death here too : ) BUT...the thing is...you can sit and dream and wonder and read reviews, etc...you won't know exactly what you like until you start using the cameras...the up side is of course...if you decide you hate your canon setup...you can always get rid of it on ebay (that is consistently how i've traded up from one camera to another ever since i had my first digital about 5 years ago)

i don't think either canon OR nikon is going to "go away" overnight...there are so many professionals who swear by the equipment...

now...given the options...in a perfect world?

i would have loved to try both the nikon AND the canon...

but i made my choice...and have never been disappointed...

i'm sure you know by now by reading the posts here...the learning curve for the D-30 can be a bit steep...as well as the cost of the "L" lenses (which i am now addicted to...i can only warn you of that one in advance : )

but if you take the time to read...tinker...and learn...you'll be able to start capturing art...and stop worrying about how to operate your camera...in no time!

(either that or mortgaging your house for more "L" glass in no time : )

so my advice...

jump in with both feet!

be ready for great joy...and great disappointment (but it's all a wonderful learning experience : )...and be prepared...because you and your d-30 will be inseparable (anyone as crazy as the rest of us out here knows that's true : )

i started out with a 28-135 IS and a 50/1.8...and a 550 ex flash...they're a great startup set (as nitwit has pointed out) but you'll soon be lusting after that 28-70 L : ) take everything one step at a time and you can't go wrong...

good luck!

bob

nitwit3
10th of December 2001 (Mon), 13:21
Go with the D30 Bluedot. You will suffer through a brief learning curve but come out of it with better photographs. The D30 is a marvelous camera and it rewards you more and more as you elevate your ability.

The colors and detail alone are it's strongest point... finally, you have the opportunity to sneakup on exactly the color and texture you are looking for...no more oversaturation and super sharp images right out of the camera. You get exactly what you want with minor photo changes...easier to enhance upwards than suffer trying to subdue.

Lenses to start...less expensive would be the 28-135IS and the 50mmf/1.4. That'll get you started fine. Then save up for the 100-400IS and you'll be Ok.
If you hit the lottery, go for the new 16-35 wide angle and you'll have a heckuva set.

The Nitwit