Advice needed on right DSLR

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TIMBO

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Hi - this is my first move as a serious amateur moving to a DSLR. I am going a little bit around in circles to make sure I choose the right camera.

I have a budget of upto £3,000 for camera and lens and don't mind new or nearly new. I have been looking at Caon 5D, 1DS Mk I/II and Nikon D200, D2X/XS. From all the research done to date I am thinking of the 5D - I don't want to pay for lots of functions I won't need but want to ensure I get a high quality result. It will just be used for my own use. I know if I go for this one(or any of them) I need to get some good glass - which one(s) should I get ?

Please help me make the right decision.

Thanks

Tim
 
Hi - Thanks - it will be most things apart from sport - mainly use for landscape and portraits. What are the main advanatages of the D200 vs 5D ? Are lens option quality the same ?

Thanks

Tim
 
Both Canon and Nikon produce some fantastic glass. Canon has a broader range of lenses, but there isnt that much to chose between them.

The main differences between the two are:

1. crop factor - the D200 has a smaller sensor and therefore has a narrower angle of view for the same focal length

2. 5D has no built in flash

3. 5d has better noise handling

etc

The D200 is more of an "all round" camera. The 5D is more specialist in my opinion. The 5D is aimed at people like yourself I think - those that want to shoot landscape and portraits.
 
I know he's a bit of an acquired tase but Ken Rockwell recently compared the D200 with the 5D - Have a look HERE
HTH - Paul ;)
 
As a very happy 5D owner i'd wholeheartedly recommend it to you. I have no experience of the Nikon models, but it seems Joe has given you an idea of where the 5D is better overall. The lack of flash has not been a problem for me and, indeed, if you look through the view-finder, you'll appreciate the extra space that the removal of a flash has achieved - huge, bright display!!

For your budget, and if you shop around, you can pick up the camera, 17-40mm f/4 L, 24-105 F/4 L and the 70-200mm f/4 L. Yes, they are all f/4, but you get some seriously good 'L' quality glass (and with three 'pro' lenses, memebership of CPS which,among other benefits, gets you the EOS magazine every quarter for free (check the EOS mag thread by CT).

Over time i'd suggest a fast lens like the 50mm f/1.4, and after that maybe a longer lens and 1.4x teleconverter (which will take your 7-200mm up to 320mm at f/5.6)

there's no substitute for holding both the 5D and D200 in your hands to compare. Only you will now instinctively which is for you.

You have a great opportunity with your budget to get one of two seriously good cameras and a bag full of excellent glass - good for you ;) :thumbs:

Jon
 
PaulBoy said:
I know he's a bit of an acquired tase but Ken Rockwell recently compared the D200 with the 5D - Have a look HERE
HTH - Paul ;)
Click to expand...

Cheers Paul, read that with interest. Woudln't Ken be happier with a HP point-and-shoot? Don't think his style deserves either the 5 or the 200!!!!
 
I'm going to say a used D2x and probably a Nikkor 17-55 2.8. I've gone from a D70, to D200, to D2x and the level of detail in the D2x is amazing ( IMO )

Personally I'd get something along the lines of this ( Prices are from Grays of Westminster in their used section. )

D2x - £2099
17-55 f2.8 - £819 ( landscape - general use )
85mm f/1.8 - £235 ( portrait )

Now that has gone over budget slightly but I'm sure you could negotiate, plus hunt around and you could get a D2x for up to £500 less than GofW. I got mine for just under £1500.

Now I'll further justify the D2x with a few other points in it's favour over a D200.

Vertical grip. Obviously built in on the D2x, the D200 has a grip available but no matter how hard you tighten it, it will never feel as solid as a built in grip. I shoot enough vertical for this to be an issue, I'm assumig if you do portraits it will be too.

Battery life. The D200 batteries don't seem to last very long, so you'll need a couple of them charged up. In contrast the D2x battery seems to last for ever. The D200 batteries charge faster though.

I'm not convinced on the noise debate. With a properly exposed image, printed not viewed on a monitor, I doubt you'll see much if any difference between a Canon or a Nikon.

Jonnyreb said:
there's no substitute for holding both the 5D and D200 in your hands to compare. Only you will now instinctively which is for you.
Click to expand...

Now this is something that is most important. Go into a good shop and try all your choices out for size. You might find one just "feels right" in your hands. I don't know why it is, but I prefer the feel of nikon camera bodies which is why I moved over from Canon. But I wouldn't choose the make based on noise etc, buy the camera you'll feel most comfortable using, then use it well.
 
IMO... get yourself down to This Thread... buy the Canon 5D and 24-105f4IS and youll have £1050 of your budget left over for CF cards, filters, a bag and a good tripod and head. You could also buy a 50f1.4 for portraits and still happliy keep within your budget, just thought... youd need a flash as well so the 580EX is the obvious choice.

5D = £1350
24-105f4IS = £600
50f1.4 = £220
580EX = £280
Lowepro Minitrekker = £60
Tripod+Head = £200
Filters ~ £70
CF cards ~ £150

total = £2930
 
Get yourself down to your nearest camera store and try out the shortlist ... Even if you do not buy one there and then.

No point in spending that amount of money and then finding out that you don't like it.

You will always find people on here who will guide you in one direction or the other due to the camera they own. The top choices are all very similar and mainly down to personal preference.

I would recommend sticking to either Canon or Nikon though.
 
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