[RdRacer301]

I'm in the market for a entry level digital SLRs. I have no experience in photography, just your normal everyday P&S. I am looking into Nikon D40 or Canon Rebel XT/XTi. I'm leaning towards the D40, but I have been reading that there's a shortcoming in that there's no autofocus mechanism to connect with a lens. I have read a few threads here on the topic. While there are high praises for Nikon D50, D80, and D200, I couldn't find too much praises for the Canon. I've also read that it's really personal preference. But, I just want to hear from more people with experience with either one. Or even better, both.

Thanks.

[shockey`]

I have the XTi and while the kit lens does blow(so does the nikon's)I like the feel and operation of the camera better than the nikons. Cannon's lens selection is also a +. What I would do, is go to your local camera store, and play with both of them in the store, if they have them, and see which one you like better, then wait a day or 2, come back and try both of them again, and see if your decision is still the same. WRC Photographers use cannon

[RdRacer301]

Originally Posted by shockey`

I have the XTi and while the kit lens does blow(so does the nikon's)I like the feel and operation of the camera better than the nikons. Cannon's lens selection is also a +. What I would do, is go to your local camera store, and play with both of them in the store, if they have them, and see which one you like better, then wait a day or 2, come back and try both of them again, and see if your decision is still the same. WRC Photographers use cannon

Good call. That's what I'll do this week. And buy end of the wk or next wk. Thanks.

[BoostJunkie]

I really like my Digi Rebel XT, I can only imagine the XTi is a bit better. I just prefer the feel and operation of the Canon over the Nikon.

[xjohnx]

I did quite a bit of sports photography with the Rebel XT, great camera for me to learn on. Hell, the first season of using it I managed to get 3 or 4 of my photos published.

For reference, I was primarily using the Canon 85mm 1.8 and the 70-200L lenses.

[kts262]

If you're on campus this week and want to try out my Nikon drop me a PM and we can meet up so you can play around with it.

I went with Nikon since it felt better to me and most of my photography friends uses Nikons so they could help me sort the camera out.

The D40 doesn't have an autofocus motor built into the body so it will only work with lenses that have the autofocus motor built into the lens. With most modern lenses for Nikon it's not that big of a deal. But if you or someone in your family has a ton of older lenses they were going to give you then it might be a concern.

[RdRacer301]

Originally Posted by kts262

If you're on campus this week and want to try out my Nikon drop me a PM and we can meet up so you can play around with it.

I went with Nikon since it felt better to me and most of my photography friends uses Nikons so they could help me sort the camera out.

The D40 doesn't have an autofocus motor built into the body so it will only work with lenses that have the autofocus motor built into the lens. With most modern lenses for Nikon it's not that big of a deal. But if you or someone in your family has a ton of older lenses they were going to give you then it might be a concern.

I read that about the D40. But, since I don't have any older lenses, I guess I really don't have to worry about the missing autofocus motor.

THanks, Kevin. But, I'll probably go to a camera store to try both out side by side. But, I am leaning towards the D40. It seems like side by side, the D40 seems to take better shots compared to the older D50. I'll make the call in a few days.

[evilSTi7]

my dad got a dslr recently, and it was one of the few ones where the lcd screen can display the image in real time. previously dslr's have only been able to use the screen to display the image after its been taken. I can find out what it is if you want.

[Parker]

you definitely need to go and shoot with both of them. I preferred Nikon over Canon because I had more access to lenses and the canon's felt too small and cheap for my hands. The d40 isn't a bad little camera but I don't like being limited to AF-S lenses only. My 50mm f/1.8 isn't a AF-S lens so i'd have to manually focus it with a d40.

good luck with your decision.

[Ben]

I highly recommend the Canon 400D (Rebel XTI). I've always prefered the Canon's over the Nikons, primarily for the lenses. I also really like the Canon forum community (http://photography-on-the.net).

In the end, it's like the STI vs the EVO. They're both great cars (cameras), you can't go wrong with either one. In the same way that IWSTI sways people to buy an STI over an Evo, POTN can do the same for Canon.

[762x51]

Originally Posted by Ben

I highly recommend the Canon 400D (Rebel XTI). I've always prefered the Canon's over the Nikons, primarily for the lenses.

Ditto. I also prefer Canon glass and that was the big deciding factor for me as well as the faster shutter speed of Canon bodies, and lower noise at higher ISO.

I personally recommend saving a bit longer and getting a Canon 30D body over an XTI simply for the better size, build, and usability......but the XTI is still an excellent cam if you are strictly budget minded.

[lucidmedia]

Cannon vs. Nikon == STI vs. Evo... ha ha ha

Try them both out and see which feels right to you. I am a nikon guy. I have had a D100 since it was released. I traded an F5 for it. I've taken it around the world and never had a major issue with it and I am a bit hard on my equipment. I love the thing.

Also, consider forgoing a kit and buying just the body and a decent lens. The kit lenses are often crap and you can do better by buying a quality used lens at a good professional camera store.

Take a look at http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html for more info. and ratings on lenses than you would ever want to know.

[RdRacer301]

Thanks for all the great pointers, gents. That STi vs. Evo analogy is great. Yeah, I plan to try out both brands at a store before I make a decision. I am staying away from the med-higher end units, because I am a total NOOB in photography, and would like to start with something that I won't be overwhelmed with, yet have the basic SLR functions for me to learn. That tends to point to the D40 or Rebel XT/XTi. Funds are a limiting factor as well, but I think I have enough budget for either of those.

I did hear bad things about lens in kits. But, I think I will start with a kit lens and maybe upgrade to a better lense a few months down the road. I want to feel/see the limitations before I upgrade to $200+ lense.

[S4toSTI]

Ok well i would personally go with a d50 or a d70 over a d40. Although you may not have any old lenses now i am sure you will want to acquire they at some point. There are alot of good nikon lenses that aren't dx. I say to go with a nikon not only beacuse i have one but for the ease of use but that is just me. I prefer the menus of the nikon better. Sure the canon is better at high iso but thats probably about 5 percent of my shooting if that. Just my .02

[lucidmedia]

I second the D50 point... also, don't assume that the more expensive cameras are more complex than the cheaper ones... while they may have a few more bells and whistles, in reality the cost goes into better CCDs, higher FPS etc. Stuff that you want.

the wonderful thing about a manual camera is that once you really know how to use it, you pretty much know how to use every manual camera... its kind of like driving stick...