Er. Canon or Nikon!

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Ferj

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Not looking for arguments just advice!

I have a Fuji X10 which I am looking to upgrade to a 2nd hand DSLR once I've finished saving. In the past I've used a Canon 350D & 40D.

Ideally I'm looking for something that offers full HD video & reasonable performance in low light. Primarily I will be looking to shoot with a 50mm, things like family portraits, still life, nature etc but nothing specific.

I have no idea what models etc are about and an end budget of £200-£250
 
You'll want to up your budget a bit for full HD and decent low light performance. Since you're used to Canon, maybe a 600D? You'd need to double your budget though to get the starter kit.
 
Thanks for that. Do Nikon offer anything comparable?
 
The D3100 is probably the earliest/cheapest Nikon with HD video - not sure how well it works though.

I have the 500D and it's a great camera BUT the 1080p video is compromised by a slow frame rate (20fps max rather than the normal 24fps) and you have to drop down in quality to get higher. The 550D fixes this and does 1080p properly (it's a little better in low light too). I'm not into video personally so I'm happy with the 500D, but you might not be..
 
Ferj said:
Not looking for arguments just advice!

I have a Fuji X10 which I am looking to upgrade to a 2nd hand DSLR once I've finished saving. In the past I've used a Canon 350D & 40D.

Ideally I'm looking for something that offers full HD video & reasonable performance in low light. Primarily I will be looking to shoot with a 50mm, things like family portraits, still life, nature etc but nothing specific.

I have no idea what models etc are about and an end budget of £200-£250
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If you go Canon, consider the 40mm STM lens rather than the 50mm, the 40mm is designed with video in mind.

http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_ef_40mm_f_2_8_stm_review/
 
Petri that's very helpful thanks, I'm not a huge video person but I like to do the odd bit so will watch out for frame rate.

Dave cheers for the link that's a good idea too :-)
 
Just in case you haven't came across this site before, SnapSort is very good for comparing cameras :)
 
there's sony and pentax too. Sony slt have proper autofocus during video too ;-)
 
Rather than compare features (although that's a good place to start) what's more important to me is how the camera handles.

it's no good having the best "thingmy bob" if it takes so long to select it the shot's gone, if you know what I mean?
 
i think most have a dedicated record button, my sonys do.
think some crop into the image, as a extra stabization method however.
 
D4rr3n said:
Rather than compare features (although that's a good place to start) what's more important to me is how the camera handles.

it's no good having the best "thingmy bob" if it takes so long to select it the shot's gone, if you know what I mean?
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Darren beat me to it but he's spot on,get out there and handle cameras and see which one feels right in the hand then look at the spec
 
D4rr3n said:
Rather than compare features (although that's a good place to start) what's more important to me is how the camera handles.

it's no good having the best "thingmy bob" if it takes so long to select it the shot's gone, if you know what I mean?
Click to expand...

Absolutely. The Canon and Nikon philosophies regarding handling are surprisingly different. I spent months researching my first DSLR, then finally picked up a Canon and just didn't get on with it, but the Nikon felt just right.
 
In regards to D3100 video capabilities, I haven't used it in low light but the video as far as I have seen is crisp and the audio quality is also pretty decent :)
 
One question about Nikon do all of their cameras work as a remote commander for off camera flash or is it certain models?

Thanks for other comments I know I should try them, thing with older models they're not in any of my local camera shops.

I find the Nikon camera & lens model numbers really confusing with canon it's quite straightforward you have your 3,4,5,600 d or 40,50,60d etc and either L or non L lenses but Nikon just doesn't make sense to me!
 
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as a long time canon user I can state it's not as straight forward as you might think.

All L lenses are weather sealed right? wrong! all XX bodies are alloy right? Wrong! only 1 series bodies focus at f8? . . . well you get the idea!

I don't use canon because I think they're the best, I use them because they fit my hand and head better, that's all. If you're at all confused by Nikon, Sony or any other brands model numbering I sure there's loads of people here to ask ;-)
 
question for the OP
when you say, 50mm, do you mean 50mm which is about 30mm on a crop? or do you mean 50mm when on a crop so you get a 50mm prime and then shoot 86mm ish???
bare in mind that the cheapest 50mm lens on the canon will autofocus nicely and do a decent job,.
on a nikon, then you will not have this ont he low end nikons.
you will need the more expensive 50mm to achieve AF ...unless things have changed recently.
 
Re the 50mm question. I like the outcome using a cropped body ie nearer 85mm. Also getting wide aperture for the budget is a huge bonus. Sounds like I won't get that with the Nikon.

The reason I'm considering Nikon is the reports of how they handle noise at high iso and the off camera flash potential for the future. Budget will be a big issue so I might have to scrap the video idea. I'm thinking get a 40D with a 50mm f1.8 and taking it from there!
 
D4rr3n said:
as a long time canon user I can state it's not as straight forward as you might think.

All L lenses are weather sealed right? wrong! all XX bodies are alloy right? Wrong! only 1 series bodies focus at f8? . . . well you get the idea!

I don't use canon because I think they're the best, I use them because they fit my hand and head better, that's all. If you're at all confused by Nikon, Sony or any other brands model numbering I sure there's loads of people here to ask ;-)
Click to expand...

sony isn't to bad, bigger number better camera
 
pingu666 said:
sony isn't to bad, bigger number better camera
Click to expand...

Except they've switched to 2 digit numbers for the SLT models, even with the OVF vs EVF debate, there are few that would claim an A100 was better than an A99...:)
 
I'll pipe up again - I use the cheapie Canon 50mm 1.8 on my 500D all the time and it's a great combination! Perfect for portraits. If video's not an issue I'd have no hesitation in recommending the 500D - it's not quite as sturdy as a 40D being more entry level, but the technology inside is more advanced - closer/equivalent to the 50D.
 
I know there's a difference in handling and some people find one difficult and the other just right. I have to say that I've shot both and I didn't find it too big an issue to change my handling between the two. I adapted quite quickly. It was swings and roundabouts for me as to which handled better but on balance I'd say Canon wins for me.

After a period of having a foot in both camps, I've recently sold off all my Nikon gear and now I decided to go solely with Canon because that's what I prefer for a lot of reasons.

I would say your idea for scrapping the video and getting a good stills camera is a sound one given your main interests and budget. The 40D is a great camera and was much loved by some high profile wedding togs in it's day, and for good reason.
 
Cheers guys for the input. Sorted things in my head now and got a clear direction which is good :-)
 
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