Camera Guys

[samatwwe]

I am in the market for a brand new camera. With that said, I have it narrowed down to two. Nikon d5100 or the Canon Rebel T3i? They are both the same price but the canon is 18MP vs 16MP with the nikon. I cant decide as I have used my friends nikon d40x and love it. Anyone with camera experience please help me decide! By the way they are both new and I dont think they are even out yet.
thanks!

[xlt in MD]

I use pentax cause the lenes I have still work on the new bodies! Saves alot of money!

[Swinger]

As a photographer, I can tell you FOR CERTAIN, do NOT be swayed into a purchase regarding pixel count...Pixels are overrated !...Unless your goal is to make HUGE prints, 2 million extra pixels are a non issue. The CMOS sensors are about the same size. Cramming more pixels onto a similar sized sensor usually results in lower image quality. Even though I mainly shoot with Canon gear, I won't recommend one brand over the other. They're both excellent/popular manufacturers...They have a wide variety of lenses to suit all your photography needs..Also, if you're certain you want to dive into the DSLR realm, do yourself a favor and look into the "off-brand" lenses, such as Sigma & Tamron. The quality of their new glass/lenses have REALLY kicked it up a notch, and are giving name brands a real run for the money. Also, don't overlook so called "outdated" DSLR cameras. There are some real bargains to be had by buying NOS (new old stock) gear. No, they don't shoot 720p or 1080p HD video. No, they don't have built in filter effects, etc...However, they are still compatible with nearly ALL of the most popular lenses within their family brand. My advise here is...If you're set on purchasing a DSLR, buy a body only...The bundled packages with a kit lens, tripod, UV filter, memory card, etc.. sound impressive. Within a short period of time, you'll realize the kit lens is going to be a dust collector, the UV filter is a cheap piece of glass that degrades image quality, the tripod bonus is a poorly made twig that rarely gets used, and the memory card will likely fail within the first year, or so....With all that being said, I suppose I should back my claims here. I am still currently using an early Canon Rebel XT, and see no need to upgrade...Not too long ago, I was published in Popular Photography magazine with an image of a jumping spider in/on an abandoned wasp nest. The lens used was an MP-E 65mm macro lens. The camera used is so outdated now, but the lens itself makes my dinosaur of a camera a worthy contender...Quality glass is what it all boils down to. If it's bells & whistles you're looking for, pop for a new unit..If you simply want quality images, combined with quality glass, look to older models to save some money. Quality glass will retain its value if you keep it good order. Camera bodies come and go....Just some food for thought...Hope this helps ! Below is my Popular Photography image...They offered me $100.00 to print it, but I felt so honored to even be considered that I told them to buy a Christmas/Hanukkah party shrimp platter on me

Consider the high cost of glass, or invest in a top of the line P&S camera....Either one will serve you well.

Yes, they have eight eyes. Jumpers make up the majority of ALL arachnid species. They bite more humans than any other spider. However, their bite packs about the same punch as the common mosquito to most people. Friendly note: They like to jump onto camera lenses. LOL !..Curious little buggers they are !

[beerdoodle]

good looking taranttula.

[Swinger]

Sure looks like one at that magnification, doesn't it ?

[Joves]

Being another photographer her I shoot Nikon myself. But as Swinger said with the two manufacurers you can not lose. The best way to decide in my mind is too go look at both side by side, look at the control layouts and see which you like in your hand best. The one that feels natural to you will be the one you will shoot with the most. The only thing I have against the 5100 is it has no internal focus motor, so you have to use AF-S lenses for full functionality, but you can actually use some glass I cant with my D300 because there is no focus motor. Also why I chose Nikon is much like Pentax where you can use any glass Nikon made since it is all F-mount. With Canon and someone can tell me if Im wrong the lenses for their lower end digitals can not be used on their upper end bodies. But that is only relevent to if you plan on upgrades later. But both produce great images in the hands of somebody who learns to use them.

Shot with my D300 using the 10.5 Fisheye.

[samatwwe]

Originally Posted by Swinger

As a photographer, I can tell you FOR CERTAIN, do NOT be swayed into a purchase regarding pixel count...Pixels are overrated !...Unless your goal is to make HUGE prints, 2 million extra pixels are a non issue. The CMOS sensors are about the same size. Cramming more pixels onto a similar sized sensor usually results in lower image quality. Even though I mainly shoot with Canon gear, I won't recommend one brand over the other. They're both excellent/popular manufacturers...They have a wide variety of lenses to suit all your photography needs..Also, if you're certain you want to dive into the DSLR realm, do yourself a favor and look into the "off-brand" lenses, such as Sigma & Tamron. The quality of their new glass/lenses have REALLY kicked it up a notch, and are giving name brands a real run for the money. Also, don't overlook so called "outdated" DSLR cameras. There are some real bargains to be had by buying NOS (new old stock) gear. No, they don't shoot 720p or 1080p HD video. No, they don't have built in filter effects, etc...However, they are still compatible with nearly ALL of the most popular lenses within their family brand. My advise here is...If you're set on purchasing a DSLR, buy a body only...The bundled packages with a kit lens, tripod, UV filter, memory card, etc.. sound impressive. Within a short period of time, you'll realize the kit lens is going to be a dust collector, the UV filter is a cheap piece of glass that degrades image quality, the tripod bonus is a poorly made twig that rarely gets used, and the memory card will likely fail within the first year, or so....With all that being said, I suppose I should back my claims here. I am still currently using an early Canon Rebel XT, and see no need to upgrade...Not too long ago, I was published in Popular Photography magazine with an image of a jumping spider in/on an abandoned wasp nest. The lens used was an MP-E 65mm macro lens. The camera used is so outdated now, but the lens itself makes my dinosaur of a camera a worthy contender...Quality glass is what it all boils down to. If it's bells & whistles you're looking for, pop for a new unit..If you simply want quality images, combined with quality glass, look to older models to save some money. Quality glass will retain its value if you keep it good order. Camera bodies come and go....Just some food for thought...Hope this helps ! Below is my Popular Photography image...They offered me $100.00 to print it, but I felt so honored to even be considered that I told them to buy a Christmas/Hanukkah party shrimp platter on me

Consider the high cost of glass, or invest in a top of the line P&S camera....Either one will serve you well.

Yes, they have eight eyes. Jumpers make up the majority of ALL arachnid species. They bite more humans than any other spider. However, their bite packs about the same punch as the common mosquito to most people. Friendly note: They like to jump onto camera lenses. LOL !..Curious little buggers they are !

That picture is incredible! Congrats on making the magazine!!

[samatwwe]

Originally Posted by Joves

Being another photographer her I shoot Nikon myself. But as Swinger said with the two manufacurers you can not lose. The best way to decide in my mind is too go look at both side by side, look at the control layouts and see which you like in your hand best. The one that feels natural to you will be the one you will shoot with the most. The only thing I have against the 5100 is it has no internal focus motor, so you have to use AF-S lenses for full functionality, but you can actually use some glass I cant with my D300 because there is no focus motor. Also why I chose Nikon is much like Pentax where you can use any glass Nikon made since it is all F-mount. With Canon and someone can tell me if Im wrong the lenses for their lower end digitals can not be used on their upper end bodies. But that is only relevent to if you plan on upgrades later. But both produce great images in the hands of somebody who learns to use them.

Shot with my D300 using the 10.5 Fisheye.

A large reason that I want the nikon is that my friend has a nikon and we could share lenses. What is good about having no focus motor? Also what is bad? Do lenses cost more needing their own motor? Beautiful picture by the way!

[Chad]

Like the others said, glass glass glass is where its at. I purchased <body only> a T1i, which replaced my old digital rebel . . .I still use my rebel on occasion, nothing wrong with lower MP cameras. Sales people at the big box stores always say how important mp's are because thats basically all they know. That will be the first thing they say about a camera.

Joves: as far as the canon lens thing, I use a older sigma lens on my t1i that worked on my rebel. . . it worked fine, but I'm not sure about older and various models. . . ??

[samatwwe]

After going through all of the reviews about the Canon, I think I actually am going to go with that one now! lol

[Joves]

Well with an adapter you can use your friends Nokon glass on your Canon. Yes no motor in body mean you need glass with motors in them. Mototrized glass is better anyhow for Auto-Focusing because it is faster.

[Jody007]

I've been into photography since the early 70's and people ask me what to buy "Nikon vs. Cannon". I tell them if they were to go to a professional photography convention half would have a Cannon and the other half, the smarter half would have a Nikon.

[samatwwe]

Originally Posted by Jody007

I've been into photography since the early 70's and people ask me what to buy "Nikon vs. Cannon". I tell them if they were to go to a professional photography convention half would have a Cannon and the other half, the smarter half would have a Nikon.

why do you say that?

[Michigan Badger]

Originally Posted by beerdoodle

good looking taranttula.

Oh! I thought that was a baby octopus I had at China One. Hum...now that explains why it had hair.