I did a search...but opted to post a new thread. So there.

I currently have a Canon PowerShot G2. It was great when I first got it, and I still really like it (esp. the flexible lcd screen on the back) but I've discovered that it has some limitations. It doesn't do a very good job of shooting motion. AND, when it does, its one or two pics out of a series of 50. I'm also not happy with the time it takes between focusing (and actually focusing, in general) and taking the picture. Lag time kinda stinks. I'm looking for more flexibility with range (better macro AND a longer-range zoom), better clarity in the actual image (the G2 is great, but I'm starting to get a little picky about details), and obviously something that takes a motion shot just as well as a still.

I've have VERY limited experience with the Nikon D100, and really none to speak of with a Canon DSLR. I liked what I saw of the D100 but was unable to really get a feel for what it had to offer. My 4 years with the Canon G2 (obviously not a DSLR) have been great...and I found Canon to be pretty reliable.

Ideas, thoughts, comments on any of the DSLR Canons and Nikons. Help!

12/2/2006 11:02:23 AM

Ive always heard its a personal preference between the two. As for quality, they are both great, Ive also been told that canon does a better job with its newer lenses, but Im no pro on all of that.

12/2/2006 11:24:40 AM

Its a matter of personal preference for the entry level DSLR cameras from what I understand. I've heard good things about the new Canon Digital Rebel XTi though.

The site http://www.dpreview.com/ has a lot of comprehensive reviews of all the nicest cameras.

One word of advice, if you get a Canon camera bundled with a lens, do NOT get the one bundled with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 Lens, it is crap. Instead get the one bundled with the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens, as it is much better.

Also some nice camera stores will allow you to rent equipment from them, which you might want to do to test out a new DSLR camera before making the big purchase.

12/2/2006 11:33:04 AM

i had a canon first and liked it, now i have a d70. i switched at first cause lenses that i had for nikon 35mm will work with digital as well so it would save money in the long run. both are good cameras, some people say canons are more user friendly, some say nikon glass is better, i really dont think it matters if you know how to use the camera well.

[Edited on December 2, 2006 at 11:48 AM. Reason : ^ agree with the canon lens issue, however the lens with the d70 is pretty nice for the money]

12/2/2006 11:46:46 AM

message_topic.aspx?topic=391741
theres a 30 page thread in chit chat about em, lots of pictures though.

ive used a d50 and a d200 and they're both pretty cool from a n00b standpoint. haha. when comparing those 2 i keep hearing that someone with skills and a d50 is gonna be better than someone not so great with a d200. but aside from posting pictures i cant get too much into the conversation cause im no expert. i just wanted to post that link

12/2/2006 11:47:45 AM

it really is personal preference from what ive seen. we ran a digital photo studio and used canons almost exclusively (Dad had a Fuji, but the standard cameras were the original digital rebels).

while im not the best photographer, i do understand the basics and have enjoyed using the canon i have. you really cant go wrong with either (our personal friend used to use our rebels, now she has a d70, same diff basically).

12/2/2006 11:48:22 AM

thanks Jackleg...and everyone else as well!

There are so many different cameras, and for the money I want to make sure that I'm getting what I want (and what I might find later that I need!).

12/2/2006 11:54:27 AM

flip a coin

12/2/2006 12:10:49 PM

i just purchasded a Nikon D50 and i love it
i am more of a Canon fan and have owned mostly canon cameras but the Rebel DSLR felt too small in my hand and i wanted to avoid having to buy an extra grip

both cameras are great cameras. The Nikon D50 doesnt have a black and white mode which kind of dissappointed me a little but other than that i am enjoying my new nikon

12/2/2006 12:16:37 PM

buy photoshop

12/2/2006 1:06:31 PM

i gotta nikon camera

i'd like to take a photograph

12/2/2006 1:45:29 PM

^^supposedly nikon has an editing program (cant remember the name) that does some of the stuff photoshop does, but is obviously more focused on the camera, ie. you can stop up/down, adjust wb/color, lots of cool shit. i havent bought it yet though since i have ps, but it seems like it would be worth a go.

[Edited on December 2, 2006 at 1:49 PM. Reason : its cheaper too]

12/2/2006 1:49:25 PM

^ Nikon Capture (either version 4.4 or NX) is a great program for getting the best quality out of your nikon raw files. Nothing I've tried comes close to the ease of use and overall quality of the images you can get out of the program.

But it can't replace photoshop because it doesn't have any retouch tools like the clone tool or healing brush. For getting the color, brightness, and contrast right, Capture is awesome.

[Edited on December 2, 2006 at 2:00 PM. Reason : ]

12/2/2006 1:58:28 PM

There's also something from Adobe that's in beta called Lightroom. I <3 it. It sounds very similar to what ^^ describes. I like knowing that when i'm taking a picture, if the white balance I choose isn't the best - I can always check the other options in lightroom.

12/2/2006 2:00:19 PM

^^i get the ease of use thing, but as far as learning curve to get there - is it hard or will i be able to pick it up pretty quick?

12/2/2006 3:55:44 PM

hahaha theres some d50 right there, let me see if i can get some d200

[Edited on December 2, 2006 at 4:10 PM. Reason : or macro shot]

12/2/2006 4:10:17 PM

well, i'm pretty good at learning new programs, but it still took me a bit to figure out Capture NX. In fact yesterday I just figured out (more like found an actual use for) the masking feature for adjustment steps. I've been using NX since it came out. I've used Capture 4 for a year and a half and feel that it was easier to learn, but then again it lacks quite a few features that make NX much superior. Also, NC4 can't be used with the newer Nikon DSLRs, the D200 was the last one that it supports (that means the D80 and D40 nef files can't be opened with it).

If you don't shoot NEF files, Capture 4 serves zero purpose for you. Capture NX is still useful for those that shoot jpg, but less so than if you shoot NEF files. If you have photoshop and only shoot jpg files, don't bother getting Capture NX.

Tricky lighting (damn florescent lights) really make shooting NEF files worthwhile.










some shots from the past two weddings.

[Edited on December 2, 2006 at 4:20 PM. Reason : ]

12/2/2006 4:12:37 PM

oh shit, is it free or what?

i had to turn in my last set of NEFs and have the photo printer do all the converting and editing for me.

and actually i have to reprint some 16/20 and 20/24 stuff so it would be nice to have

12/2/2006 7:01:23 PM

nikon view and nikon pictureproject are free, but they don't have all of the features that Capture does. Nikon View is easier to use from what I've heard.

12/2/2006 7:13:39 PM

yeah i think pictureproject is whta i messed with and its pretty pointless. but i got stuck with converting to jpg, then i figured out how to do it with photoshop

[Edited on December 2, 2006 at 7:38 PM. Reason : .]

12/2/2006 7:36:52 PM

Slickdeals.net has Digital Rebel XTi body only for 599 at dell home

I have the XTi, got it with the kit lens and just got the EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens for an early Christmas present and it's awesome, loads loads better than the 18-55 kit lens.

for prices the best ones on a normal basis that I've seen is at buydig.com that's where my last lens and 4gb lexar pro card came from. For a local store I've been using Peace Camera over wolf... wolf just doesn't have the selection that Peace offers, and their prices are still competitive.

although that $75 polarizer I bought this morning hurt the wallet... 67mm is huge!

12/2/2006 9:02:57 PM

Quote :

"buy photoshop"

i have elements and CS2
but it would be nice to take the picture in black/white w/out converting
to see what needs to be adjusted

12/3/2006 11:57:14 AM