Talk me into being a Canon user/lover

[DJShuttering]

I am DJ and have yet to purchase a D-SLR, but am close. I am leaning towards a Nikon camera, specifically a D80.

But I am very willing to give Canon a try as well. Please tell me why I should choose a comparable Canon camera instead of the D80.

Your help and advise is greatly appreciated. :D

[simwells]

Simply by becoming a Canon user, you will become a Canon Lover.

The D80 is really betweeen the 400D and 40D, has basically the featureset of a 400D in a larger body, the 40D (often priced pretty close to the D80) has many further features such as liveview, faster shooting, faster focusing. And also very importantly all Canon SLRs use a CMOS sensor, so you WILL get better shots in low light (at high ISO)

[SuzyView]

This forum is enough to keep me with Canon. I've learned more and shot more than I could have dreamed. And Canon's are great. If you are truly just starting, get the Xti, you won't be disappointed.

[the_incubus]

i also like canons lenses better (except that damn 14-24 which is a gem).

[DJShuttering]

I should have mentioned that the reason why I am looking at the D80 is because I am trying to keep the package price under $1,500.

I will check in after 9 or so.

[Mum2J&M]

I am DJ and have yet to purchase a D-SLR, but am close. I am leaning towards a Nikon camera, specifically a D80.

But I am very willing to give Canon a try as well. Please tell me why I should choose a comparable Canon camera instead of the D80.

Your help and advise is greatly appreciated. :D

I owned the D80 after having the Canon XT. I was disappointed. I found it to have a lot of noise at low ISOs (film speeds). I also found I didn't like it for portrait work. It made skin tones too ruddy for my taste. I wanted to like it because my Stepfather has been an avid Nikon user for decades and I could've inherited a lot of gear. But I just got too frustrated and went back to Canon. I have a 30D and am much happier. Also, Nikon seems to be more expensive. I don't know why that is. :confused:

[Bootsie]

I like the Canon set up better. Their cameras just seem to be easier to use.

[simwells]

Well 40D with 28-135 is $1500, or body only then buy the new 18-55 IS brings you too $1475

Or a 30D with 18-55 for $900 maybe add a 70-200 f4L for $560, or body only for $800 plus 17-85 for $500.

[Moschero]

Well how about this

http://www.pbase.com/moschero/image/80951149/original.jpg

EOS 20 D with a 300 M.M. F4 L

[Moschero]

Oopps sorry dj I didnt see the 1500 limit in your thread, but you get the idea what the camera is capable of I hope?

[Mum2J&M]

Well how about this

http://www.pbase.com/moschero/image/80951149/original.jpg

EOS 20 D with a 300 M.M. F4 L

That bird is hysterical. :)

[Tee Why]

Personally, I think the 30D body for about $900 would offer a lot more than the D80.
Both are good, the Canon may have a bit less high ISO noise.
But remember, camera is just a tool for you to make photos. Nothing much more. Nikon, Canon what ever, they both will be fine.

[koalawalla]

Lol! That bird is the animal kingdoms Don King.

[cosworth]

On nion if you want to shoot to the right you have to shoot to the left.

Seems sorta dumb. I've had nikon, and Canon is more for me

[carianoff]

To me one of the main things is how it feels in your hand. I can't stand the way Nikon's feel in my hands. Its like the designers figured out everything that i would hate and did that. Even the interface design is like nails on a chalk board to me.

[Bootsie]

To me one of the main things is how it feels in your hand. I can't stand the way Nikon's feel in my hands. Its like the designers figured out everything that i would hate and did that. Even the interface design is like nails on a chalk board to me.

Very true!

[TomTomTuning]

Hey DJShuttering, i also DJ and havent gotten my DSLR yet.

And honestly i was also stuck between Nikon and Canon, but i am going canon all the way.
Its the great community at POTN that made me go with Canon. HAHAHA just kidding.

I have a couple friends with Nikon's and a couple with Canon's, so i got to play with them both. And i loved the canon's!!!

BTW, what do you spin? Where are you from. Hit me up in a PM, we can BS about music/djing and cameras!

[dave kadolph]

Because even their professional cameras are easy to use ? :)

[PhotosGuy]

I am trying to keep the package price under $1,500. There are great buys on slightly used equipment in the forum. Just because two new models have come out, it doesn't make the 20D any less of a camera. Talk me into being a Canon user/lover We don't like to suggest what you do in your bedroom here. I'm sure that there's a rule against it somewhere. ;)

[racinstylez]

Its not that hard. Go pick up a 40D and a 17-40L and you'll fall right in love.

[DJShuttering]

I am reading each post at least a few times on this thread so please keep the comments coming.

I do have a question if you all can help me.


I see that the 30D is 8.2 MP and the D80 is 10.2 MP.

Is this a difference I should be concerned with or is MP's overrated once you get to a certain point? I heard that it isn't too big a deal.

[Aaagogo]

talk to you to being a Canon user/lover

My 2 step plan

Step one, go buy a Nikon and use it

Step two, sell the Nikon and use Canon. The love will happen instantaneously.

[rklepper]

Get the D80 and that will most likely convince you.:D

[lostdoggy]

This is a Canon Forum so any suggestion to go Canon will be BIAS!!!

[the_incubus]

This is a Canon Forum so any suggestion to go Canon will be BIAS!!!

you mean correct right?

[Aaagogo]

in all seriousness,

if u are really deciding, and can't make up ur mind, find a local store and go in an play with the models that you are interested in,

in the end, it's your money, your decision, and more importantly, how you relate to your camera.

while the suggestions are naturally biased towards Canon in a Canon Forum... (duh), it doesn't really boil down to the brand of the camera, rather the eye and skill of the one holding the camera.

then again, look at how many famous Canon photographers and how many Nikon famous photographer... it's easier to become a famous photograher using Canon than Nikon, because there're more of us to help you improve... (man, that's a logical fallacy aint it) I passed my Speech and Logic class with an A+ LOL

[bieber]

I am reading each post at least a few times on this thread so please keep the comments coming.

I do have a question if you all can help me.


I see that the 30D is 8.2 MP and the D80 is 10.2 MP.

Is this a difference I should be concerned with or is MP's overrated once you get to a certain point? I heard that it isn't too big a deal.
From 2MP to 4MP to 8MP is a pretty big difference. From there, you've pretty much got to get up around 16MP before you're going to notice any real difference in your image resolution.

[lostdoggy]

in all seriousness,

if u are really deciding, and can't make up ur mind, find a local store and go in an play with the models that you are interested in,

in the end, it's your money, your decision, and more importantly, how you relate to your camera.

while the suggestions are naturally biased towards Canon in a Canon Forum... (duh), it doesn't really boil down to the brand of the camera, rather the eye and skill of the one holding the camera.

then again, look at how many famous Canon photographers and how many Nikon famous photographer... it's easier to become a famous photograher using Canon than Nikon, because there're more of us to help you improve... (man, that's a logical fallacy aint it) I passed my Speech and Logic class with an A+ LOL

Yes there are alot of Photog out there but I think there are more at least in the 35mm realm famous Nikon Photogs then Canon. Nikon has dominated the pro Photog for quite sometime. May be in Sports Photogs there are more Canon Pro Photog since the intro of the EOS system, but famous is a different story.

[DJShuttering]

From 2MP to 4MP to 8MP is a pretty big difference. From there, you've pretty much got to get up around 16MP before you're going to notice any real difference in your image resolution.

Right now I have a Minolta DiMage Z2 that has 4.0 MP. I guess either one would be a huge step up.

Here is a photo I took with this camera.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/DIMEMinistries/LakeLanierSept32007.jpg

[Phil Light]

I'll agree with some of the previous posts. I don't like the way a Nikon feels, and I don't like their interface. When I went digital I bought a Nikon. That is what convinced me to go back to Canon. I haven't regretted that decision for one minute since. I have a number of photographer friends, most of whom shoot with Canon and a couple who are ditching their Nikon gear and going Canon.

It appears to me (this is based on nothing concrete) that for many years Nikon reigned supreme in the professional camera market. Sometime during the last 10-15 years, Canon seems to have moved into the number one spot.

[condyk]

Choose whichever feels better to handle and try to close your ears to what salespeople say. I'd say a D80 with their 18-200 VR lens is pretty neat, but so is a 400D or 30D with a Sigma 18-200 OS. personally, I would be happy with either and thouigh I have £1000's of gear at home I enjoy taking out my Canon G9 mostly these days. If you like shooting then shoot and stay focused on the composition and impact. 1000's of brilliant pro's world-wide use Nikon or Canon. It is no big deal. Canon lenses do seem cheaper over here at least and that is the biggest long term investment. A lot depends on what yopu want to shoot as to what body/lens combo is right given the cash you have.

[Mum2J&M]

condyk - have you used a D80? The ISO/noise I found to be very different from my 30D.

[condyk]

Why make a fuss about noise if you rarely shoot above 200 ISO and maybe only 1/1000 times above 400 ISO like me? That's why I said depends on what you shoot. There is no 'best' body to have. Best is what meets ones individual needs. You can spend too much time listening to gear heads. For my last Africa trip when I said I was taking just a 5D some chump said it was a bad choice and I would be better with a crop body for 'range' ... but I knew exactly what I wanted from it and I got it. It is also true that noise is part a function of poor exposure so if can control the light then it isn't a big deal at all, like for studio shooting. I have used a D80. Takes 5 minutes to know what the handling and performance is like. It is more than good enough. I don't care what anyone shoots with or what they buy.

[DJShuttering]

I am wanting to start my own home studio for portrait photography in the next few years.

[Phil Light]

...For my last Africa trip when I said I was taking just a 5D some chump said it was a bad choice and I would be better with a crop body for 'range' ... but I knew exactly what I wanted from it and I got it...

But the difference is, I'm guessing you weren't asking for the chump's advice. DJShuttering is asking for our opinion. ;)

[condyk]

yeah, the chump never knew what I wanted to achieve so just thought 'range' based on his own needs. that's why it's good to articlute actual need. Our friend DJ' says studio in future but no doubt also day to day for now. I don't know the Nikon lens line up but for studio/portrait I would want fast primes and a 5D if I was going canon. Hard to advise if one doesn't know a lens line up or have experience of usage of the alternatives. That's one of the reasons I say it doesn't matter which brand. Either will work ... and one could choose lenses first and then opt for a body. I advise the OP to check out the FM reviews section (http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/) and see which short primes 35mm, 50mm, 85mm 100mm, 135mm score well and are decently priced. See what bang he can get for his buck. As I know Canon then a SH 30D and 30mm 1.4 Sigma or 50mm 1.4 Canon seems a pretty safe choice and nice kit to learn with. I can vouch for them all.

[DJShuttering]

I appreciate the replies. What kind of lens would I be best off with for portrait photography?

[KevC]

I appreciate the replies. What kind of lens would I be best off with for portrait photography?

One of Canon;s cheapest - 50mm f/1.8

[PhotosGuy]

What kind of lens would I be best off with for portrait photography? Another general question without an easy answer. I do mostly head shots with the 70-200 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=128857) & it works well for me. Others will say the 85mm f/1.8. Others take 3/4 shots & use something else. Others do group & ...

[Bootsie]

One of Canon;s cheapest - 50mm f/1.8

Very good lens to learn on, and very good for portraits, it is a little long in some situations though. The good part about that lens is that it is very cheap so you can get it and decide for yourself if it is to long or to short for your style.

[DJShuttering]

Great advice here. I appreciate it. I am now leaning towards Canon because of your posts.

[nufan]

I shot nikon and canon film cameras and I did like the nikon film camera (F-3). Nikon was nice in the fact that there lens mount didn't change for years so lens where easy to come by. Then in the late 70- early 80s canons lens quility started coming up to nikons and some believe passed nikons quility in the early 80s. The A-1 and AE-1 became big sellers over nikons FM2.

Now digital, Canon's R&D program saw this was the way of the future and invested in it (see CMOS sensor). I think Nikon thought their domiance in the 35mm film world was just going to carry over into the new digital generation. This has not happened.

Canon developes and makes their sensors. Nikons are made by Sony.

[Chandler.]

I shot nikon and canon film cameras and I did like the nikon film camera (F-3). Nikon was nice in the fact that there lens mount didn't change for years so lens where easy to come by. Then in the late 70- early 80s canons lens quility started coming up to nikons and some believe passed nikons quility in the early 80s. The A-1 and AE-1 became big sellers over nikons FM2.

Now digital, Canon's R&D program saw this was the way of the future and invested in it (see CMOS sensor). I think Nikon thought their domiance in the 35mm film world was just going to carry over into the new digital generation. This has not happened.

Canon developes and makes their sensors. Nikons are made by Sony.

...then in 2007, after years of holding the minority of the DSLR market share, Nikon finally started making their own CMOS sensors that are used in their two newest cameras, which exhibit astoundingly low noise and image quality about equal to many Canon cameras. With this move they have just about caught up with Canon.

The D80 does have a Sony-made sensor though. The bottom line is that either company will provide you with the equipment to make beautiful images. 99% of people on this forum use and prefer Canon, because Canon works for them. I love Canon's products, especially their lenses, and I think I will be sticking with the company for a long, long time.

[Chandler.]

Right now I have a Minolta DiMage Z2 that has 4.0 MP. I guess either one would be a huge step up.

Here is a photo I took with this camera.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v253/DIMEMinistries/LakeLanierSept32007.jpg

Great image!

I went from a Z2 to a 350D (Rebel XT) and it was a huge jump. The amount of control you have is very different, and very empowering. :)

My first lens was Canon's 100mm Macro, because I always used the "super macro" mode on my Z2. Real macro lenses produce images that the Z2 can't touch. It's a lot of fun.

[oaktree]

I only "chose" Canon because our son had bought a Rebel XT in late 2006. If he had bought a Nikon, I would also have bought a Nikon so we could share lenses. Buying a Canon or Nikon will not automatically make you a better or worst photographer. Choose one and go for it! Both companies make good lenses for portraits.

[DJShuttering]

This thread is providing me with a plethora of information. :)