your great advice about..

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Dawson on February 6, 2012 at 4:55pm

I am biased towards Canon but don't take that as a jumping off point. My recommendation is go to your local store and put any of those cameras in your hand and test them out. Don't just look through the viewfinder, play with the menu and setting. What feels right to you? What kind of photography do you want to do? What accessaries are available? Lenses?

Ive said this about lenses but the same goes with cameras too...Rent one (or borrow a friends) for a day or weekend and give them a field test. Keep in mind that you are spending money that could go towards a camera but it is helping you make a confident decision.

I know you said you are looking for a camera for PHOTOGRAPHY but do you want it to take videos too? If so then I would lead you in the direction of Canon. If video is not in the future then your options are wide open. 

This probly doesn't help with the actual decision but I hope it gives you a starting point as what to look for.

I've said this before as well...Chevy or Ford, Coke or Pepsi, chocolate or vanilla? Duh chocolate. We all have our favorites and that's what makes us all unique. What I'm trying to say is you wont know what you like until you test them all (or at least test the ones you can afford).

I would still lean towards Canon :)

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Permalink Reply by Mary Asher on February 7, 2012 at 8:50am

I recently turned traitor to my Canon brand because I found a "like new" Nikon that I could afford.  The switch from good Canon point and shoots - G1, G7 and Power Shot Pro 1 - to the Nikon D200 was intimidating because of all the bells, whistles, and controls on the Nikon. 

I researched the evaluations of the cameras, and when I found one on my list at a great price, I got it.  I have heard some uncomplimentary things about the Nikon Customer Service, and a recent experience backs that up. Also, I have read some disconcerting opinions on the future of the Nikon company and its product line. 

I guess I am saying that if money were not a consideration, I'd probably still buy Canon.

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Permalink Reply by sorabh on February 7, 2012 at 11:28am

I had same questions, but I zoomed on to Nikon d5100 and canon 600d for swivel LCD..both have their pros/cons but i went with canon because of:

1) ability of 600d to fire flash remotely which d5100 cant do

2) more affordable lens (relatively)

If you dont need swivel LCD or remote flash firing capability, i would rather go with t2i instead to save some money..

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Permalink Reply by Bîrşad on February 14, 2012 at 1:40am

Hello again,
I really thank your words and opinions. They are helpful.

I think I'm going to have the Canon 600D. 

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Permalink Reply by Marie on February 14, 2012 at 8:57am

Don't forget pentax, with its huge availability of older film lenses that are compatible and inexpensive! I had a canon 40d but could not justify the price tags of canon lenses. I switched to pentax just recently and am amazed at the choice of lenses, and as well, pentax has stabilization within the body, keeping down the price of long zooms, since no stability in the lens is needed! Its in the camera body.

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Permalink Reply by Shelly Burke on February 14, 2012 at 12:04pm

thank you for bringing up Pentax! That was my first camera when I was just starting out, its a 35mm slr zx-30, now discontinued but I wish I could find one on sale somewhere! That camera was the best in low-light without a flash, I used it for my band photography business for years.

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Permalink Reply by Shelly Burke on February 14, 2012 at 12:06pm

I received the Nikon D3100 recently and am still trying to figure out everything that I can do with it. The only issue I have with it, is that there is no automatic bracketing option which I really feel is essential for difficult lighting situations.

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Permalink Reply by May Tove Stensrud-Svendsen on February 14, 2012 at 10:20pm

I read you can get it as firmware from Nikon.
Manually, you can use +/-EV.....if the target is not moving...

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Permalink Reply by Evan Roy on February 14, 2012 at 6:04pm

I think a Nikon D90 would be great for you. The 18-105 kit lens is just very good...go for it.

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Permalink Reply by Brad Whistler on February 20, 2012 at 2:17am

The question begs to be asked...

Why only Canon and Nikon? Dont get me wrong I have owned a number of both and feel both are amazing. Of the tow I always seemed to get more "bang for my buck" when I was shooting Canon. The brand just seems to have a lot more than a similar priced Nikon. However.... If finances are a concern and you are not a brand name snob that has to have THE NAME... I have been shooting an Olympus E30 for about 18 months. It is by far the best camera I have owned. More intuative, user friendly, comfortable and has a ton of features. To make it even better the flip and swivel LCD is standard (I use it a LOT), image stabilization is in the body so it keeps lens cost down, the 4/3 format gives my lens more reach (my 150mm is near the equivalent of a traditional 300mm). Wrap all of this up in a package that is typically about 1/3 less than the BIG twins of Nikon and Canon.... Im a happy convert.

The one down side to be aware of when you move away from Nikon and Canon is the smaller availability of equipment and accessories. But, if your fervent in your search you can almost always find what your looking for and again at a lower cost than the big names.

I thought I would toss my thoughts in just to muddy the water for you. Daniel is exactly right though... Go hold use, shoot, experience the body before you invest in it. The most important part of your camera isnt name or features. The most important things is, will you use it and can you understand it.

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Permalink Reply by Mary Asher on February 23, 2012 at 11:16pm

Thanks for the great info.  Instead of turning into a bag lady, maybe I'll go for the "camera lady," look and purchase an Olympus like Brad mentioned.  Check out his captures; they're phenomenal.

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Permalink Reply by Brad Whistler on February 25, 2012 at 4:42am

Thank you for that compliment Mary. If you look at Denny Giacobe's work here on MSS you will see more E30 images. Denny has been a shooter for YEARS (yeah hes that old! lol) Even when he was shooting for Playboy he was shooting Olympus. 

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