What SLR is better for a Photography student?

Question

What SLR is better for a Photography student?

Answer 1

Still the best all around DSLR is a factory refreshed Nikon D40 6-megapixel camera with a regular lens that is selling for $400 at samys.com. And you can add later on for $250.00 a VR [vibration reduction] 85-200 Nikon lens. The defaulted "vivid" color saturation setting on the Nikon D40/D80 is not found on any Canon DSLR and Nikon's LCD is also defaulted to the "vivid" color setting. That's why everyone goes for the Nikon D40/D80 cameras!



Good luck!

Answer 2

Like stated, both the EOS XTi and Nikon D80 are excellent cameras. But, there are important differences between them.



The Nikon D80 is an excellent camera. It is sturdy, rock-solid, has great images, great range, and has a massive selection of lenes, going back to the late 1970s. You can even use some from the 1950s, if they are machine altered.



The EOS XTi has excellent image quality. That's about all I'll give it. The largest downfall, besides the overall build and quality, are the lenses. The kit lenses are awful, so if you get this camera, look to spend more money for a good lens. The higher priced lenses are not nearly as good, either, so look at something in the L series. These lenses are the best Canon has to offer, but these are also well into the thousands of dollars. If you want quality, this is the way you should go. Even the prized 50mm f1.8 is not good with Canon. Optically, it is nowhere near the Nikon version, or the Pentax 50mm f1.4.



With that said, I recommed the Nikon D80. Body alone, this is $1000, well worth the price. For a lens, I suggest the great18-200mm VR, but this $750, $200 over budget. For some other lenses, I would say look into some fixed prime lenses. Like the 35mm f2.0 or the 50mm f1.4, or the 85mm f1.8. A good zoom for under $500 would be the 18-135mm. There are many more lenses as well. You can see them all at:



http://www.nikonusa.com/template.php?cat=1&grp=5



Hope this helped.

Answer 3

Between the D80 and the XTi... I'd pick the D80 any day. It was sturdier, and felt more comfortable in my hand.



However, with that kind of budget, if you get the XTi you can also get a decent lens such as the 17-85 f4-5.6 IS which is... well not really a perfect lens but it's quite good for its price and the 580 EX II which will definitely help you to handle low light situation.



You can't go wrong with both however.

Answer 4

The Nikon D80 is a much more sophisticated camera than the EOS XTi. I would go for the D80 over the XTi, and you won't regret it.



If your budget is $1500, consider adding an SB-800 to the camera. The D80 usually is paired with the 18-135mm lens, which has a good zoom range and is a good starter lens.



I'm in the group that believes digital and the instant feedback it provides makes for easier learning than the older film cameras. It certainly is a financially less painful way to learn over film, since you can shoot images without penalty.

Answer 5

My wife used an Nikon N90 primarily in school great camera and she still uses it on and off today. You can find them on line used for not that much. I am told and believe that buying a SLR Camera rather then a DSLR if you are a student is more ideal and will in the long run make you a better photographer.

Answer 6

You really can't go wrong with either one. I have the Canon XT (predecessor of the XTi, still on the market), my Dad has the D80. He's occasionally conceded that, starting out fresh, he might have gone Canon rather than Nikon. On the other other hand, he gave me his old Nikon 8008 and N90, and those are the finest film cameras I have... well, I had an issue with my old Canon EOS RT (pellicle mirror needs replacement).



Anyway, you really can't go wrong with either. If you can't decide on features of the cameras themselves, you ought to take a look at the whole camera systems. Assuming you don't have Nikon or Canon EOS gear lying around, you will be buying into one of the two best camera systems on the planet. If you stick with photography, you'll buy more lenses and bodies in time. So look over the systems.



Also, try out the cameras. The XTi is really compact (Nikon's D40 likewise), the D80 is a bit meatier... do you have a preference? Nikons still work (manually) with lenses that extend back into history.. but the Canon EOS system has been around much longer, as an electronic lens system (all EOS lenses work with Canon's digital series, metering and autofocus and all), than Nikon's electronic coupling lenses.



In the end, it may just be the match between you and the camera. Again, both are great cameras.

Answer 7

I love my Canon XTi it's my 1st DSLR and I chose a Tamron lens, 18-250 f/3.5 Macro zoom. I don't think you'll find a better lens in it's price range.