New camera advice from WDWers

[BigRedDad]

I had been thinking about selling my D40x for a little while. It was a refurb and a test to see if I wanted to go the DSLR route. Kind of as a joke, I threw it up on eBay yesterday with a Buy It Now price of $100 more than I bought it for 2 years ago. Well, it sold in 15 minutes.

Now, I need a new camera. Due to funds, the pro and pro-sumer level camera are out of my range. I am looking at the cameras below.

Does anyone have any comments on which way I should go? I would rather spend an extra $150-$200 and cry once.

Pentax K-x: Highly rated on DPreview, comes with 18-55, 55-300mm DAL lenses, has image stabilization in body, AF motor in body. Incredible price that the others cannot even come close to. Only negative I see is AA batteries.

Canon XSi/T1i: Highly rated on DPreview, no AF motor or IS in body. Very good ratings all around the net. Price for the T1i is on the much higher end of the range when adding a second tele-zoom lens to any deal I have found.

Nikon D5000: A decent upgrade from the D40x, but the D90 is what I think and others have told me would be an upgrade. The D90 is out of my price range.

Olympus E-620: Not as highly rated as the other cameras. Not too many deals on them.

 

[E P C O T]

Void.

 

[BigRedDad]

I got rid of the D40x for a couple of reasons. First, I bought it as a test 2 years ago. It was a refurb and it had some quirky behavior that was not normal. There were many times where the thing would just not take a picture without shutting it down, bringing it back up, and restarting. Second, I was able to sell it for more than I paid for it. Third, many lenses were not compatible with the AF. Add in the VR, then lens option were limited. Forth, I wanted something with a warranty.

The D90 is out of my price range. The best price I have found is $750 for the body only. I would be looking at another $300-$400 for a lens. The Canon 50D would be in that category as well. If I were in the ballpark of $200 or so price difference, then I could consider the D90 or the 50D. Unfortunately, those are definitely outside what I can afford.

 

[WDWFigment]

I would not consider the Canon 50D. I haven't seen a glowing review of that anywhere. However, both the Canon T1i and 7D have rated very highly (7D is probably out of your range).

It looks like the Nikon D5000 and Canon T1i are the cameras in your range? Between those, I'd probably get the T1i...and I'm a Nikon guy. Really though, you can't go wrong with any of the Nikon or Canon models released within the last 9 months. Some people might split hairs over the differences, but they are both at the top of their games right now.

On another photo forum I'm on, people always encourage those in the market for a camera to consider Sony, Pentax, and Olympus. I don't know anything about any of those brands (although I do envy Sony's in body image stablization), but I do know Canon and Nikon have market share. Must be a reason for that...

 

[donsullivan]

I would not consider the Canon 50D. I haven't seen a glowing review of that anywhere. However, both the Canon T1i and 7D have rated very highly (7D is probably out of your range). ...

I'll second WDWFigment's comments against the Canon 50D. I got one in January '09 and kept it less than 1 year. I was never happy with it at all for a whole host of reasons and just last month sold it and upgraded to a 7D. No matter how much it might seem to match someone's budget, I would not recommend that model.

 

[C&B Young]

I've got the 50D and am very happy with it. I think it doesn't get a lot of love because the T1i shares most of it's best features plus adds video, all for a lower price point. I still like it for the build quality and the higher burst rate (which I use a lot for sports shooting). Had the T1i been out when I purchased the 50D I would've had a very tough decision to make, though!

 

[WDWFigment]

I've got the 50D and am very happy with it. I think it doesn't get a lot of love because the T1i shares most of it's best features plus adds video, all for a lower price point. I still like it for the build quality and the higher burst rate (which I use a lot for sports shooting). Had the T1i been out when I purchased the 50D I would've had a very tough decision to make, though!

The reviews I read were all written prior to the T1i being released. A lot of reviewers complained about it being a step back from the 40D in some regards (not sure what--nor do I have any hands on experience with the two models). However, if you like a camera, reviews are meaningless.

To that point, go to a store, see what feels right in your hands. A lot of these cameras perform so similarly that other differences besides "feel" aren't that big. It's tough to go wrong with any of the newer DSLRs from Canon and Nikon.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I've got the 50D and am very happy with it. I think it doesn't get a lot of love because the T1i shares most of it's best features plus adds video, all for a lower price point. I still like it for the build quality and the higher burst rate (which I use a lot for sports shooting). Had the T1i been out when I purchased the 50D I would've had a very tough decision to make, though!

Just a side thought here on sports shooting, if you just motor drive the sequence, you likely wont get that picture you're looking for. I suggest working on timing and anticipation.

(Out of 10 football games this season and roughly 20,000 frames, I'm happy with 1. Thats right, 1 picture.)

 

[C&B Young]

The reviews I read were all written prior to the T1i being released. A lot of reviewers complained about it being a step back from the 40D in some regards (not sure what--nor do I have any hands on experience with the two models). However, if you like a camera, reviews are meaningless.

To that point, go to a store, see what feels right in your hands. A lot of these cameras perform so similarly that other differences besides "feel" aren't that big. It's tough to go wrong with any of the newer DSLRs from Canon and Nikon.

The biggest concern I saw in reviews was noise - the 50D tested worse than the 40D, especially at higher ISO's. I actually initially intended to buy the 40D because the 40D was going for $799 CDN, but the 50D's other features won me over. Some people online think the 50D's lens microadjust ability is worth the purchase alone, although I've never needed to use it personally!

The most important factor, as you stated, is to go to a store and try out different cameras and see what feels best for you. All DSLR's are capable of taking good pictures, you need to determine which tool works best for you. Then, go out and shoot and shoot and shoot!!

 

[Andrew54]

WDWFigment, What camera do you use?

 

[celticdog]

The Nikon D5000 has almost all the same features as the D90, but costs less. The D5000 does have the flip screen and the same lens/motordrive as the D40 series. Meaning, you'll have to use AF-S lens in order to fully use autofocus, however almost all the Nikon lenses will work with the D5000.

Popular Photography has a real good review.

http://www.popphoto.com/Reviews/Cameras/Camera-Test-Nikon-D5000

 

[BigRedDad]

Thank you all for the comments and feedback. The prosumer level cameras are out of my range (D90, 50D). I am now focusing on 3/4 specific cameras. A lot will have to do with the overall cost and what I can get:

Canon T1i - Highly rated, new Divic 4 processor
Canon XSi - Highly rated, great reviews every where
Nikon D5000 - Highly rated, in line with all other entry DSLRs
Pentax K-x - New camera, highly rated, less following the Nikon/Canon

Of the 4, the K-x and XSi are in the same price range. The D5000 and T1i are in the same price range. I am trying to decide which route to take. I would like to have the camera in hand a few weeks before I go to WDW in March.

 

[Laura]

Thank you all for the comments and feedback. The prosumer level cameras are out of my range (D90, 50D). I am now focusing on 3/4 specific cameras. A lot will have to do with the overall cost and what I can get:

Canon T1i - Highly rated, new Divic 4 processor
Canon XSi - Highly rated, great reviews every where
Nikon D5000 - Highly rated, in line with all other entry DSLRs
Pentax K-x - New camera, highly rated, less following the Nikon/Canon

Of the 4, the K-x and XSi are in the same price range. The D5000 and T1i are in the same price range. I am trying to decide which route to take. I would like to have the camera in hand a few weeks before I go to WDW in March.

I'm not an equipment smarty pants, I just like taking nice pictures. I have the xsi and it works great for me. Just make sure you actually read the manual. I had it for 2 years before I even opened the manual and when I finally read it I discovered about 50 useful features and menu options I didn't even know existed. I always stick with Canon just because those are the only brand of lenses I have.

 

[BigRedDad]

THANK YOU!!!!
:wave: :sohappy:
I finally decided on the camera. I went with the Canon T1i. I had to rely heavily on the internet and forums for the decision. My local stores are quite useless (Best Buy, Ritz/Wolf, Sears). I spoke to someone at BHPhoto, Adorama, and the guy I purchased my D40x from. He reassured me and definitely pushed me to buying a T1i. He also suggested getting refurbed because it will be as good, if not better than retail. He just got a refurbished T1i in, they gave me a free 5-year warranty, a big discount on the second lens. The total was the same as the K-x with batteries and charger. I think I am finally at ease with my decision process.

 

[wdwmagic]

THANK YOU!!!!
:wave: :sohappy:
I finally decided on the camera. I went with the Canon T1i. I had to rely heavily on the internet and forums for the decision. My local stores are quite useless (Best Buy, Ritz/Wolf, Sears). I spoke to someone at BHPhoto, Adorama, and the guy I purchased my D40x from. He reassured me and definitely pushed me to buying a T1i. He also suggested getting refurbed because it will be as good, if not better than retail. He just got a refurbished T1i in, they gave me a free 5-year warranty, a big discount on the second lens. The total was the same as the K-x with batteries and charger. I think I am finally at ease with my decision process.

Congrats on your new system! What lenses did you go for?

 

[BigRedDad]

The two kit lenses came in the deal: 18-55mm and 55-250mm EF-S IS lenses.

 

[C&B Young]

The two kit lenses came in the deal: 18-55mm and 55-250mm EF-S IS lenses.

Congrats!! Those lenses should start you off right. This time next year you'll probably have 8 more lenses and wondered what happened? :ROFLOL:

 

[BigRedDad]

Congrats!! Those lenses should start you off right. This time next year you'll probably have 8 more lenses and wondered what happened? :ROFLOL:

If I can sell my 52mm filters from my old camera, I will get the 50mm f/1.8 lens. I think that would be of help for some of the indoor places that do not allow flash. Some thoughts of places would be inside The HM, Pirates.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Congrats on your new system! What lenses did you go for?

What are you shooting with these days, Steve?

 

[wdwmagic]

What are you shooting with these days, Steve?

I'm still a bit behind the times. I have a Sony Alpha A100. (I had Minolta lens from the film days, so the primary reason for Sony was to be able to use those Minolta lenses)