Shopping for a DSLR....help

[SYNYSTAGLI]

I plan on using for shooting of family events but mostly need to shoot action shots of my daughters upcoming soccer games. My last camera Fugi S5600 was no where near catching action shots. I will have at least 1000 ~ 1200 to spend and will probably be holding on to this camera for a while and will want to be able to buy new lenses for it.

I've been looking at the Nikon D80 but there are so many different packages and lenses, and I'm not familiar with what those lenses do. I also been looking at the Rebel XT as a lower end option to the D80. I've read reviews that the D80 was still superior to the Rebel XTi and the XTi was not that much better then the Rebel XT.



Thanks for any input you peeps can provide...as i said, this cam will be in my possesion for a while so I need some experienced thoughts here..:tup: :tup:

[Paul]

Either camera will be plenty for you to learn/grow into. My suggestion is spend less money on the body, more money on glass. D80 may focus better for sports than the rebel. Expect to buy at least a 200mm lens to shoot soccer effectively.

Canon has an advantage in the 70-200mm lens category with their f/4 lens. This is a killer lens for a much less amount of money than say the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 or the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8. For outdoor daylight shooting you won't miss the stop.

[MikekiM]

My suggestion is spend less money on the body, more money on glass.

Second this.

Canon has an advantage in the 70-200mm lens category with their f/4 lens.

This is the lens I have if you want to swing by and check it out. It's great for daytime shooting.

[SYNYSTAGLI]

Thank you both for the replys, So I should stick with the Canon XT and go from there i guess. Did the lens come with your camera Mike, or was it purchased after picking up the cam?

[FunkTron]

take a look at the 20D. their prices have some down a bit ....and I like the construction of the body better than the XT. canon and nikon both have arsenals of lenses. try the camera bodies in hand.......it will make a difference.

XTi.....not an option....the 2 extra MP is not needed for your shots. (6 or 8 is plenty)
30D.....larger screen than the 20D....but pricier too.

I dont have much experience with the nikon DSLR's.....so i'll leave that opinion open to Paul.

[audiracer2002]

Well, 30D also has a faster frame per second, but that camera is starting to get pricey! The Rebel and a decent lens should be good. The canon interfaces are also very easy to use.

[MrFast4Ward]

Have you considered the Olympus E-500?

[FunkTron]

Well, 30D also has a faster frame per second, but that camera is starting to get pricey! The Rebel and a decent lens should be good. The canon interfaces are also very easy to use.

same fps....

small comparison

http://photo.net/equipment/canon/20D_vs_30D_vs_5D_vs_D200.html

i too like the canon interface....but have not yet tried the nikon.

[FunkTron]

and since some people have or have had the D70........compare that to the XT

http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/NikonD70versusRebelXT.shtml

[SYNYSTAGLI]

Digital Review....awesome site! Thanks for the replys all!

[SYNYSTAGLI]

Damn...looks like the D80 won this round...

http://www.digitalreview.ca/cams/A100vsD80vsXTi.shtml

[sdsilverm3]

The 20D is also an option since the price has dropped quite a bit since the 30d came to market. I also had an XT and that was a great camera as well. Sometimes I think about selling the 20d and going back but why downgrade. I personally haven't used Nikons much but some of the pics I've seen are awesome. The REDS are just WoW!

Another thing that might factor into your decision is what cameras your friends own. Since lenses aren't exactly cheap it might be a good idea to stick with compatibility that way you can borrow from one another instead of buying a lens you will use on that ever so rare occassion.

Listen to what the other guys have said. Don't go overboard with the body and invest in good quality glass that you would often use. :tup:

[A4wheelin]

Whatever camera you decide to go with make sure you go to a store and hold one in your hand. I had my mind made up about the XT last year but it felt like a toy in my hand. I made the mistake of picking up the 30d and never looked back. Good luck!

[krakkaNW]

look for some used 20D's on www.fredmiranda.com. i found one in LNIB condition for a good price.

[SYNYSTAGLI]

I'm gonna go with the D80, sat at Best Buy and tooled around with the Rebel XT, Rebel XTi, and the Nikon D80...and a few Sonys and an Olympus Evolt.

I almost ponied up the 1200.00 for the D80 cause they gave me a 12% off coupon....but I decided to look around online and found this:

http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=621005&up=620700&start=1

They told me to come back with any online deals I find on the camera and they would see about beating it....for some reason I think they would lose.

[Paul]

check your PM's manny.

[JETTAone420]

damn...ya'll gettin crunk on some d80'd..slr's.... type r's....GSR's...Xti rebel fires!...and even ion cannons haha

[chris]

That's a freakin' INSANE camera :eek: :tup:

[SYNYSTAGLI]

I need to cancel that order pronto!!!

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/Express_Cameras

Thanks Paul for sending me that info...guess it was too good to be true...

[veedubber7]

I have had the D50 for over a year. It is a good beginner DSLR, but i would rather have the D80 :)

[Slapshotnerd]

yeah, there's lots of grey-market and bait-and-switch camera stores online :( reseller ratings = gold!!

good luck with the new camera, manny! it's a great choice!

[veedubber7]

http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11396_7-6654246-1.html?tag=lnav

thought this was interesting

(D80 content)

[SYNYSTAGLI]

I picked up my Nikon D80 last night....still havent messed with it though but plan to as soon as I get home.

Thanks all who helped with input!!!

[veedubber7]

I picked up my Nikon D80 last night....still havent messed with it though but plan to as soon as I get home.

Thanks all who helped with input!!!


lucky!

[EDM]

I have been tossing the idea around about getting a DLSR but I think I am gonna get my self a nice point and shoot first and pick up the D80 later. Manny where did you end up getting yours? My friend who is a photographer just picked up one of these and said he was amazed how good it was. http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=2&productNr=25552

[SYNYSTAGLI]

I picked mine up from Best Buy, it's advertised for 1,299 and I told the manager I'd pick it up if he could give me the 12% off that they were advertising the week before. He said sure, so I bought it. I also got the 4 year warranty and a UltraII 2 gig stick for it. Now I need to get me a flash setup for her and will be looking out for a lens as well.

It starts............

That point and shoot looks nice...but 349.00 is one 3rd of the price as the D80...I have broke 2 nice pocket point and shoots..both Casio's which had awesome pictures but I had a habit of putting them in my pants pockets. I shouldn't have that problem now, If your ever out my way come down and shoot a little with the D80...you will change your mind ;) Very satisfying.

[EDM]

Yeah I would like to get a nice DSLR but I need something for our trips we take to D-Land and stuff like that. I do really feel like lugging a big camera around all day so I think I will just pick up the point and shoot for now then get a DSLR later.