calling all enablers: need camera suggestions

[Mad Aussie]

Interestingly enough I just found out that I'm getting a nice raise at work and over a year's worth of back pay to catch up. So I might be able to get this camera in the next month or so

[Bambi]

Okay guys I am going out of my mind with this. I have it narrowed down to two. I think I've made up my mind and then, bang I have second thoughts. I swear that I am spending more time fretting on this one then I did over getting married. It's probably because I know I am buying into a system so once I make that leap then I am committed.

Here are the two:
Nikon d5000
NIKON D5000 W/18-55VR & 55-200VR

Canon Rebel T1i
CANON REBEL T1I W/18-55 EF-S IS

I will most likely be buying from Henry's because of what I heard about the customer service.

So the photos I want to take are landscape and animal shots. I would love to be able to get nice photos of birds and animals in motion but may not be possible in this price point. Or maybe it is with the right lens. I also want to play with HDR ('cause I think it's cool).

Canon lenses appear to be cheaper so that's a factor
Nikon has the lense stabilizer and Canon in the body. It may not make any difference in the pictures I take but I keep hearing diff't opinions. Much of the time I will be in the woods so either hand-held or put on something. I can't see me running through the woods with a tripod....(but may change my mind on that)
Canon has 15.1 mp, nikon 12.3. When I look online at direct comparisons, I can't really see a difference. But maybe I would once I printed out?

both weigh about the same and are similar in dimension. Nikon has the cool pop out lcd screen. I love that in my sony.

I care nothing about video.

my preference is to use li-on rechargeable batteries.

UGH! Why is this so hard. and why am i fixate when the money's not even in the bank yet?

can someone help me? I think I need someone to go to the store with me and hold my hand

[Marko]

If you don't have any existing lenses the choice is harder.

Both cameras look good to me but you are right, add 15-20% or so for Nikon lenses. Given this fact alone I might go with Canon if I were you.

BUT..... 1,000 bucks is still a lot of money and you need to feel, handle each camera. We all have different sized hands and shoot in different ways.

So at this point....if the extra 15-20% on lenses won't kill you I'd try both cameras and likely buy the canon if it felt the same as the nikon. If the nikon felt better I'd buy the nikon.

Hope that helps - Marko

[Bambi]

thank Marko it does. I think I will head in to the camera store and bug a sales rep

[Mad Aussie]

Canon lenses appear to be cheaper so that's a factor
Nikon has the lense stabilizer and Canon in the body.

No it's not. Canon uses Lens stabilisers like Nikon so no decision to be made there.

Bambi ... simplify this for yourself.

Firstly if price is a factor now and will be later ... go the Canon because of the lenses. That's a simple decision.

Can you live without the movable screen? Yes? Go the Canon.

12 vs 15 mp ...don't even consider this an option unless you think you want to blow the photos up beyond about 20 x 30 inches or think your compositions are so poor you need to crop half the photo away!

Nikon ... slightly better on frames per sec for animals/sport ... but really not enough to influence the decision.

Low light performance ... apparently better on the Nikon ... but again ... not much.


In specs ... I think the Nikon is a slightly better camera here ... but when it comes down to it ... does it really produce better photos. I've seen lousy photos taken with Canon's best ... it's up to you to get that bit right.


My feeling is you would like that 20% saving on lenses in the future and the Rebel will definitely do all you need. Only on rare occasions would the Nikon actually be a real advantage. You'll happy with either camera.

[Greg_Nuspel]

One thing a friend of mine found with his D5000 is that his hand keeps hitting the control on the back of the camera. Mind you he has big hands.

[F8&Bthere]

More excellent level headed advice from Marko and MA!!!
The Canon lens selection/variety is good too. for example if i recall correctly in their L line of high end lenses you can choose a 70-200/2.8 or a 70-200/4
I would love Nikon to do that if it would bring their new version down closer to $1500ish- I would consider the f4
Canon also has some lenses (same or similar focal length ranges) in both stabilized and unstabilized versions.
Canon has at least three tilt shift lenses, Nikon only two, neither of which are very wide angle even on full frame. I'm slowly coming to learn that tilt shift lenses are not only for architecture. For example in the last Canadian outdoor photography mag a look at Darwin Wigget's must haves in his bag were all three of the Canon tilt shift lenses.
And so it goes...good variety.
I don't think Canon has a nicely matched trio without overlapping focal lengths like Nikon (14-24, 24-70, 70-200, all at 2.8) but no big deal. That trio costs upwards of $6000 anyways at today's Canadian street prices.

[casil403]

Just because you asked in another post, I use a PentaxK200D...I wouldn't count Pentax out either B. I think it's a great model of camera considering the price...and it has a weather resistant body which is great for me the last few weeks in the cold and snow......not a problem.
I just thought I would throw that in as well.. and again, why not try renting a few for a day or two to help you decide if possible?

[Bambi]

Right, thanks for the kick in the pants MA. You are correct, I will be happy with either one. I just need to go hold them (again) and make my mind up. I don't normally dither but....

I think I know what I'm going to do

[Michaelaw]

"I'll take door number one...No wait...Door number three...No Door number one!"