A few newb questions

[wintermute76]

Hello All, I"m new to the forums.

Looking at getting either a EOS-20D or nikon D70. I"m just not sure if the greater ISO range, 8 MP and faster burst rate of the Canon can justify the $3-400 increase in price.

Currently I shoot with a Sony F707 and have found my limitations with it. A wider lens, smaller aperture and bulb setting are my main wants. I figure DSLR is the way to go. Mainly I do close ups of flowers, nature subjects and also like to photograph meteorlogical happenings, lightning, aurora and such.

Any hints or suggestions would be greatly appreciated :D

Thanks in advance :D

[Dante King]

two words. Digital Rebel

[Raj]

You will surely get biased opinion here :-)

However honestly speaking if you are comparing 20D with D70, then 20D is a clear winner without a doubt. To me, price difference is justified too.

If you want to comapre D70 with a canon DSLR, then probably the new DRebel XT is better candidate. Check its preview on net to see if it appeals you. Its suppoeed to be $899 body only.

[Citizensmith]

Yeah, try looking at the 350D/Digital Rebel XT. It beats the crap out of the D70

[HJMinard]

two words. Digital Rebel

XT ... the Digital Rebel XT (350D) (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58320) will be available soon and will be the new leader in the entry level DSLR price bracket.

The 20D is worth every penny more than the D70 if money is no object - but if you're budget is limited, the DRebel XT should be considered.

The D70 is a fine camera - you won't go wrong either way.

[mdude85]

I wouldn't say the Rebel XT "beats the crap" out of the D70. The D70 is one fine camera. In fact I'd say the D70 is better than the 350D (Rebel XT) for a few reasons.

D70 metal body vs 350D plastic body
D70 1/8000 sec shutter speed vs 350D 1/4000 sec
D70 flash sync 1/500 sec vs 350D 1/200 sec (even the D30 does 1/250 sec!)
D70 3D matrix metering and text input
D70 sensor size is larger than the 350D

The 350D has the extra 2 MP and can record 2 more images at the burst than the D70. The Rebel XT is basically a hacked Rebel with 2 more megapixels. A nice camera but the D70 *still* has the edge I'd say.

[Raj]

XT ... the Digital Rebel XT (350D) (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=58320) will be available soon and will be the new leader in the entry level DSLR price bracket.

The 20D is worth every penny more than the D70 if money is no object - but if you're budget is limited, the DRebel XT should be considered.

The D70 is a fine camera - you won't go wrong either way.

Very well put. I second to comment about D70 also. Whichever way you go, you will not go wrong with any camera body for its price. However you may find other reasons to stick to with canon rather than just considering camera body (lenses/accessories/upgrades........)

[wintermute76]

Thanks for the quick replies, I guess the problem is they're so similar. I"ve read a little about the Rebel XT. I dunno about that one tho.

So far i'm leaning towards the D20. Been reading all the threads I can about a good starter lens. I think the old F707 is listed at 38-190mm (is that 35mm?)
So something a bit wider and about the same reach would be ideal.

Looking at getting a body, 1-2 GB CF card, one lens and maybe a flash unit.

Don't you love income tax refunds? ;) But I don't want to go totally overboard. I have a new monitor I need to buy and finish a rifle project.

Any more suggestions are welcome, thx again :)

[robertwgross]

... A wider lens, smaller aperture and bulb setting are my main wants. ...

Smaller aperture?

Normally users are seeking a larger maximum aperture.

---Bob Gross---

[wintermute76]

My 707 goes from f2.2/2.8 to f8. Been a couple times when I"ve wanted to shoot say a waterfall and I can't use a long enough shutter time to get proper exposure. I guess I could use neutral density filters, but they would cover the AF ports on the front of the lens :) and it's manual focus leaves something to be desired on the LCD screen.

[Olegis]

D70 metal body vs 350D plastic body
D70 1/8000 sec shutter speed vs 350D 1/4000 sec
D70 flash sync 1/500 sec vs 350D 1/200 sec (even the D30 does 1/250 sec!)
D70 3D matrix metering and text input
D70 sensor size is larger than the 350D

The 350D has the extra 2 MP and can record 2 more images at the burst than the D70. The Rebel XT is basically a hacked Rebel with 2 more megapixels. A nice camera but the D70 *still* has the edge I'd say.

The D70 has metal frame, not metal body. The body is made from plastic, just like the 300D/350D.

I'm not sure that the 3D matrix metering is superior to metering of Canon cameras - I've seen pictures from many cameras, both from Nikon and Canon, and as a matter of fact it's quite hard to tell the difference or find which one is better.

The (slightly) larger sensor is hardly an advantage, also. We all know what Canon DSLR cameras are capable of in terms of noise at high (and not so high) ISO settings.

The 350D is more like the 10D with more megapixels from the performance point of view. If I was buying a camera today, the 350D would be very strong amongst other candidates in my list.

[René Damkot]

I don't think the question should be: "do I want the 350D or the D70". The question should be: "Do I want to enter the Canon or Nikon system?"
Both are good camera's. The D70 might have an edge in build quality and light- & flash metering, whereas the 350D offers higher resolution. The D20 beats both hands down. Then again, Nikon may come with a new version of the D100 in a year, Nikon still makes very nice 35mm camera's, old lenses can still be used (well, they fit the body, and can be used in manual mode without metering).
Also then again: With Canon you know you can upgrade to a 1D(s)Mk2 if you want to, they make an enormous range of good lenses, and you can use every body in the EOS system....