Steve'sDigicams

MDeFranc · Jan 29, 2007, 12:54 PM

I am a beginner and started looking into getting a DSLR. I would like to take pictures outdoors and of sports (surfing). I am looking into buying one of these 3 (Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi, Olympus E330) unless you may have any other suggestions. It seems that the Nikon is the best buy but I am not sure about it. I would like to ask you to please help me out with this important decision. I am planning to invest 1000-1500 max including lens. I am also planning to take courses and became more serious about photography. So, I am more interested in quality, performance and durability. Thank you very much for your help.

mtclimber · Jan 29, 2007, 4:32 PM

MDeFranc-

Six weeks ago I was in your very same position. I went to speak with a friend of a friend who is a very experienced Nikon D-200 user that does really beautiful work about my impending camera decision.

He asked me why I really needed 10mp. Because, unless I really needed huge 16" X 20" prints or did a lot of cropping, the 6.1mp of the Nikon D-40 or D-50 cameras were just fine. I took his advice and was able to spend the money saved on the needed lenses.

I got the D-50 have have really been happy with it. I am learning a lot and have gotten some great photos. Here is a sampleinformal portrait, using just existing light.

MT/Sarah

jotajota · Jan 30, 2007, 1:49 AM

I went thru almost the same thing before buying the D80.

IMHO the D80 is better built than the Rebel, and has betterand faster autofocus which is a good thing for sports shooting. The rebel is smaller and lighterand it just doesn't feel right in my hands. The dust removal mechanism in the Rebel might be a point in favor for the Canon, but I don't believe it will rid youof having to do a manualclean of the sensoronce in a while.

And I reallydislike silver colored cameras, and their whitezoom lenses.

Jan 29, 2007, 4:32 PM	#2
mtclimber Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Oregon, USA Posts: 18,143	MDeFranc- Six weeks ago I was in your very same position. I went to speak with a friend of a friend who is a very experienced Nikon D-200 user that does really beautiful work about my impending camera decision. He asked me why I really needed 10mp. Because, unless I really needed huge 16" X 20" prints or did a lot of cropping, the 6.1mp of the Nikon D-40 or D-50 cameras were just fine. I took his advice and was able to spend the money saved on the needed lenses. I got the D-50 have have really been happy with it. I am learning a lot and have gotten some great photos. Here is a sampleinformal portrait, using just existing light. MT/Sarah Attached Images

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Jan 29, 2007, 12:54 PM	#1
MDeFranc Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 1	I am a beginner and started looking into getting a DSLR. I would like to take pictures outdoors and of sports (surfing). I am looking into buying one of these 3 (Nikon D80, Canon Rebel XTi, Olympus E330) unless you may have any other suggestions. It seems that the Nikon is the best buy but I am not sure about it. I would like to ask you to please help me out with this important decision. I am planning to invest 1000-1500 max including lens. I am also planning to take courses and became more serious about photography. So, I am more interested in quality, performance and durability. Thank you very much for your help.

Jan 30, 2007, 1:49 AM	#3
jotajota Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 363	I went thru almost the same thing before buying the D80. IMHO the D80 is better built than the Rebel, and has betterand faster autofocus which is a good thing for sports shooting. The rebel is smaller and lighterand it just doesn't feel right in my hands. The dust removal mechanism in the Rebel might be a point in favor for the Canon, but I don't believe it will rid youof having to do a manualclean of the sensoronce in a while. And I reallydislike silver colored cameras, and their whitezoom lenses.