Canon 40d or Nikon D90

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stenna

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Hi
Looking to buy my first mid level DSLR and I'm tawn between two, Canon 40d and Nikon D90.
Please help! :thinking:

Canon comes with EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens
Nikon with 18-105 VR Kit lens

They are both much the same price around £900 and both have pros and cons but I'm unsure which to pick

Look forward to your comments

Stenna
 
Probably not what you wanted to hear but the general concensus is try them both and see which you prefer! AFAIK theres not much in it, there may be more lens options for Canon but depends on what your after.
 
IMHO the Nikon has much better high ISO performance and a better LCD screen, and to me the Nikon menu system is much easier to use. Also the Canon has the usual bad design features like the shutter buttons fail regularly and you need 2 hands to turn it on etc.
 
Not knocking Canon but the Nikon D90 for sure! A brilliant camera delivering first-class results and in some ways considered better than the considerably more expensive D300. You are reckoning on spending around £900? The D90 with the 18-105 kit lens will leave you with £140 in your pocket, take a look on here:-
http://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/prod724.html

:D

:thumbs:
 
weight will be an issue. the canons are considerably lighter. I'm 6'2" and 16 stone. doesnt bother me :)

(not lighter in a cheaper lower quality way i might add).

i went Nikon simply because my mate had one. great for swapping lenses and showing me how to use it.

Al
 
If you know anyone who shoots the same brand go with that, borrowing lenses and equipment is very useful! I switched from nikon to canon just for that reason. Both leaders in the Digital photography area!
 
I would say the Nikon D90 as its newer.

Now if it were between the Nikon D90 and the Canon 50D (which aint far apart in price) it would be 50D for sure.

Oh i also agree with what topcat said, try before you buy and get what feels best!
When i went in to buy my first DSLR i went in the shop with the intention of buying a sony, after having a play and feel with various cameras i walked out with a canon.
 
Glad you said it tarmac, I was holding my tongue! I can't help with the choice, but as for needing two hands to turn a Canon on (among other things!).. what..?

Anyway, don't get too hung up over brand choice, they're both very good. Unless there is something that you need which sets them apart, just go for the one that feels better for you.
 
ah5168 said:
IMHO the Nikon has much better high ISO performance and a better LCD screen, and to me the Nikon menu system is much easier to use. Also the Canon has the usual bad design features like the shutter buttons fail regularly and you need 2 hands to turn it on etc.
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Sorry mate, that sounds like rubbish to me.

ISO performance varies from model to model in both brands, you might prefer the LCD and menu but others will feel the other way and the idea that there are even such things as 'the usual bad design features' is just nonsense.
Let's just leave it that you prefer Nikon and stop playing the my-brand's-better-than-your-brand game :thumbsdown:
 
ah5168 said:
IMHO the Nikon has much better high ISO performance and a better LCD screen, and to me the Nikon menu system is much easier to use. Also the Canon has the usual bad design features like the shutter buttons fail regularly and you need 2 hands to turn it on etc.
Click to expand...

Your only valid point as far as I'm concerned is with the screen (The D90 has 920k dots to the 40D's 230k)

For £900 I would consider the 50D, it can be found for £690 body only and you could add a long range zoom such as canon's new 18-135mm for £240, it's a better camera than both the 40D and the D90 IMO.
 
Funny that the last 2 posts come from Canon owners defending their brand. Best advice is too look up the pro’s and cons of the cameras you want and then go into a shop and see which feels better in the hand.

I have no experience in Canon’s but the D90 is a fantastic camera and you won't go wrong with it.
 
Willo said:
Funny that the last 2 posts come from Canon owners defending their brand. Best advice is too look up the pro’s and cons of the cameras you want and then go into a shop and see which feels better in the hand.

I have no experience in Canon’s but the D90 is a fantastic camera and you won't go wrong with it.
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I think they were pointing out some of the absurd remarks in the one post to be honest.

To the OP go and try both makes in the flesh, the D90, 40D and 50D are all fine cameras with an ample selection of lenses available to achieve great results.
 
:popcorn: I just love these :boxer:


I'd get one of them, definately :D
 
What happened to this thread? It was started at about 3.30pm and I posted (post 6). It seems to have been restarted after 4pm and my post is now missing.

No biggee, but just curious as I thought I had added some useful information.

Graham
 
blue max said:
What happened to this thread? It was started at about 3.30pm and I posted (post 6). It seems to have been restarted after 4pm and my post is now missing.

No biggee, but just curious as I thought I had added some useful information.

Graham
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I think that the OP started a new thread similar same title .... either that or we are in a parallel universe :thinking:
 
Martyn... said:
I think they were pointing out some of the absurd remarks in the one post to be honest.
Click to expand...
Absolutely - my response had nothing to do with my choice of camera, far more about what had been said in the other post.

My first post on this thread was actually suggesting they try both and pointing out that a friend uses and loves the Nikon... although I think that it may have been on this parallel thread... :shrug:

blue max said:
What happened to this thread? It was started at about 3.30pm and I posted (post 6). It seems to have been restarted after 4pm and my post is now missing.

No biggee, but just curious as I thought I had added some useful information.

Graham
Click to expand...
 
It may depend on your lens choices. For example there is no Nikon 70-200mm f/4 (only the more expensive f/2.8 VR), the primes are very out of date. But nikon 50mm f/1.4, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 14-24mm f/2.8 are much better. Canon "cheap" lenses tend to be rather poor yet pricey.

Secondly, 40D is an older body, and you probably could find one 2nd hand for around £400+. Nikon D90 would be £630+ new with full 2 years warranty. Canon 50D may be a good alternative at £709 new, and the 7D is getting cheaper every day (now £1190 from £1700 just a few weeks ago).

edit: you really want to get body only (both of the lenses on the first post are rather poor yet expensive consumer choices) and add some good glass. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is an excellent budget lens, and there are other great choices like 85mm f/1.8 USM. It is generally good to avoid anything with f/4-5.6 or f/3.5-5.6 in the name.
 
stenna said:
Hi
Looking to buy my first mid level DSLR and I'm tawn between two, Canon 40d and Nikon D90.
Please help! :thinking:

Canon comes with EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Autofocus Lens
Nikon with 18-105 VR Kit lens

They are both much the same price around £900 and both have pros and cons but I'm unsure which to pick

Look forward to your comments

Stenna
Click to expand...

Hi Stenna

I think as has been said in some of the above threads, pick them both up and try them, I see your camera bag says you have a Canon d30, so the Canon 40D would seem the logical progression, if you have any lenses they will fit on the 40D also.

I do agree with previous threads if you are looking at new, the 50D is the a newer body, so I wold be looking at a discount on the 40D (I think this has recently been discontinued) or picking up a 2nd hand one, leaving a decent amount for some good glass.

Can't help with the D90 as I'm Canon, but I do believe, both cameras are similar and you would be happy with either - pick them up and see which feels the best to you.

Good luck with your search :thumbs:
 
It is generally good to avoid anything with f/4-5.6 or f/3.5-5.6 in the name.
Click to expand...

Think that's a bit misleading,how about wide angle for instance? I have a Sigma that fits your first range and can't fault it

Surely you don't just buy a lens because it says f/2.8 on the box, presumably then the 17-40mm L is out too at f/4

Nope, disagree and wonder if you have any factual evidence to support the statement
 
daugirdas said:
edit: you really want to get body only (both of the lenses on the first post are rather poor yet expensive consumer choices) and add some good glass. Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is an excellent budget lens, and there are other great choices like 85mm f/1.8 USM. It is generally good to avoid anything with f/4-5.6 or f/3.5-5.6 in the name.
Click to expand...

I disagree most Nikon kit lenses are good quality, and represent excellent value for money, the 18-105 VR and 18-70 produce great results.

I have the Nikkor 28-105 f3.5 - 4.5, which I bought used for just over £100, looks like it has been used in a war zone, great image quality, an ideal walkabout lens.
 
Can't comment on the D90 but the 40D is a great camera.
I've always had Canon so find the Nikon menus a tad frustrating to work through - as would a Nikon user find the Canon's menus.

My mate is a Nikon user with a D300 & D3 and they are great cameras but I still prefer my Canons.

Either way you certainly won't be disappointed with either choice, Canon or Nikon
 
tijuana taxi said:
Think that's a bit misleading,how about wide angle for instance? I have a Sigma that fits your first range and can't fault it
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I definitely can, it is a seriously flawed lens. People have different standards at the end of the day. Tokina or OEMs are the way forward for wideangles. If you haven't used a seriously sharp lens, maybe you can find this acceptable:thinking:.

tijuana taxi said:
Surely you don't just buy a lens because it says f/2.8 on the box, presumably then the 17-40mm L is out too at f/4
Click to expand...

Well that is f/4 constant. I don't see your point, maybe read my post again :cuckoo:? BTW it is also slightly flawed, the corner sharpness on FF wide open is awful.

I guess some people deserve to buy total junk and support the manufacturers and the economy. It is sad however that total junk became a de facto standard for most consumer grade goods, including shoes, jeans, lenses, cameras, cars, public services an so on :gag:.
 
Hi Stenna

You've certainly provoked some 'interesting' discussion!

Few people will have tried both, if you have a Nikon you will generally say 'I love my Nikon' and if you have the canon you will generally say ' I love my canon'.

As a fair bit of advice above go and try handling them in the shops, you may decide the size handling makes your mind up (or you may want a smaller to hold one such as the 450D or Nikon version).

If you have a 'bad' lens no matter what quality the camera body your phtos may not end up as you want them. The 40d with more money spent on lenses would prob be better then a 50d with lesser lenses. The same may be the case with the Nikon.

For Canon mid-budget lenses you could get with the 40d that are generally well regarded that would be in your budget are:

Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon 70-200L f4 non IS, Canon 50 or 85 f1.8, Canon 70-300IS, 100mm Macro or Tamron 90mm Macro. It depends on your interest really.

Hope that helps.

I also have the Sigma 10-20mm which does get mixed reviews, I'm very happy with mine and TBH with photography if you're happy with something that's all that matters!

Enjoy and good luck!

Al
 
Thanks you all for your help and comments

I've done as you lot have said and had a play and a try in store and have found a Nikon D90 and lens at the right price.

Hope I've made the right decision!!
 
daugirdas said:
I definitely can, it is a seriously flawed lens. People have different standards at the end of the day. Tokina or OEMs are the way forward for wideangles. If you haven't used a seriously sharp lens, maybe you can find this acceptable:thinking:.



Well that is f/4 constant. I don't see your point, maybe read my post again :cuckoo:? BTW it is also slightly flawed, the corner sharpness on FF wide open is awful.

I guess some people deserve to buy total junk and support the manufacturers and the economy. It is sad however that total junk became a de facto standard for most consumer grade goods, including shoes, jeans, lenses, cameras, cars, public services an so on :gag:.
Click to expand...

If you don't mind, I'll check my next lens purchase with you before I buy, to make sure I don't buy any more total junk. Apparently there's a lot of it out there and I can't tell the difference; even worse I've been happy with it until I read this. What a fool. I really can't be trusted to make my own judgments. What would we do without experts like you to keep us on the right track? I'm really trying though, only the other day I had a test drive in a car which fitted my needs exactly - but on a sharp bend at 60mph I detected a touch of understeer so I rejected the car out of hand. Total junk. Without you, I could spend my money on lenses which aren't sharp in the corners, which would be awful because I always put important compositional elements right in the corners where they belong, especially at night when I'm using the lens wide open.

Thanks again.
 
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