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pcdebb
birdbrain
Premium Member
join:2000-12-03
Brandon, FL
ARRIS DG1670

pcdebb

Premium Member

[Tech] I might turn traitor.....

I've always done Nikon, from a D40, to D3100, and I currently have a D3200. I was out on the water today and met another lady who had a Canon T3i. She asked me to take a pic of her and her friend, and was kind of impressed with how it felt in my hands. It felt solid. It had weight to it, and my camera had a 55-300mm lens on it!

I know the feeling wont die soon, so I'm gonna research and pissibly buy one in the coming months. Where should I start? I understand the T3i is a little outdated and there's a T5i out, and I saw an SL1 being advertised.

Ideas?
voxframe
join:2010-08-02

voxframe

Member

Re: I might turn traitor.....

T5i????

Damn my T2i feels a little smaller today.

jvmorris
I Am The Man Who Was Not There.
MVM
join:2001-04-03
Reston, VA

jvmorris to pcdebb

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to pcdebb
You could start with the Dx0Mark website and do direct comparisons of features and performance of what you've already got with what you could get.

However, I'd be more inclined to compare the D5300 with the T5i.

Now, if you're looking for an inexpensive DSLR with decent video, the T3i should trump the D3200. A more even match would again be the D5300 vs the T5i and I'm not sure how that comes out.

LazMan
Premium Member
join:2003-03-26
Welland, ON

LazMan to pcdebb

Premium Member

to pcdebb
I bought my T3i about a year ago...

I compared with Nikon and others; the canon just felt better in my hands.

I've been very happy with it.

newer
@172.56.27.x

newer to pcdebb

Anon

to pcdebb
keep checking too at canonrumors,
they often have info on future models, and their possible dates of availability.

and too look at kenrockwell's reviews
(he is currently liking the Nikon d3300 for starters)

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop to pcdebb

Member

to pcdebb
I've alwasys felt that Nikon and Canon were pretty close to the point it's personal preference. I like the layout of a Nikon over Canon so that's what I've chosen to stay with. I've also got a lot of money in lenses so jumping from Nikon to Canon would be an expensive move for me. That being said if you don't have a big investment in Nikon lenses and you like the Canon by all means go for it.

pcdebb
birdbrain
Premium Member
join:2000-12-03
Brandon, FL
ARRIS DG1670

pcdebb

Premium Member

Being on the Nikon format, I'm used to the menus and such, and seeing it on that Canon threw me a little bit. Of course I'd have to learn its layout if I went that route. I'm not really concerned with video all that much as I rarely use it. I used it a few days ago to record audio of a barred owl nearby but that's probably the most i've used it lol

I've rented lenses at Lens Depot before and they rent cameras also. I think I might rent one for a weekend just to have some time to handle it. I'm still in research mode tho.

One thing I also noticed with her camera, it seemed teh snappy, quicker focus. She had a 17-55 lens. Dont now if that was just me or not.

jvmorris
I Am The Man Who Was Not There.
MVM
join:2001-04-03
Reston, VA

jvmorris

MVM

said by pcdebb:

. . . I'm not really concerned with video all that much as I rarely use it. . . .

Okay. I only brought the video up because (certainly until very recently) Canon was more popular for video than Nikon. On the stills front, Nikon is generally regarded as being a bit better than Canon at the moment and across the line. (Yes, I know people will dispute that.)

I've rented lenses at Lens Depot before and they rent cameras also. I think I might rent one for a weekend just to have some time to handle it. I'm still in research mode tho.

Yes, that's a very good idea and since you can easily do it, that's what I would recommend.

One thing I also noticed with her camera, it seemed teh snappy, quicker focus. She had a 17-55 lens. Dont now if that was just me or not.

It's been over 20 years since I made a decision on Canon versus Nikon. At that point, Canon was switching lens mounts and a lot of older Canon lenses would no longer be compatible with their newer cameras. I didn't like that. Now, I've got a lot of Nikon glass and it would cost me a fortune to switch to Canon. Also, way back then, Canon lenses were more expensive than Nikon lenses, but I don't believe that's true anymore.

Stacy
FotoDogue
Premium Member
join:2001-11-02
New York, NY

Stacy

Premium Member

said by jvmorris:

It's been over 20 years since I made a decision on Canon versus Nikon. At that point, Canon was switching lens mounts and a lot of older Canon lenses would no longer be compatible with their newer cameras. I didn't like that. Now, I've got a lot of Nikon glass and it would cost me a fortune to switch to Canon. Also, way back then, Canon lenses were more expensive than Nikon lenses, but I don't believe that's true anymore.

One of the things I've liked about Nikon is that old lenses haven't become obsolete. Even when they came out with AI lenses I was able to convert my older non-AI lenses for $20 each at a Nikon Authorized repair shop.

Beyond that, I agree with others. Unless you have a large investment in Nikon go with whichever seems most comfortable and easy to use. Both Nikon and Canon are excellent choices with huge range of lenses and other accessories that you can consider in the future.

seagreen
Mod
join:2001-05-14
out there

seagreen

Mod

said by Stacy:

One of the things I've liked about Nikon is that old lenses haven't become obsolete

Well, actually they have made some lenses obsolete. My husband recently got a Nikon D600 which has a full frame sensor which doesn't work with some of the lenses he used with his D100.

Stacy
FotoDogue
Premium Member
join:2001-11-02
New York, NY

Stacy

Premium Member

said by Stacy:

One of the things I've liked about Nikon is that old lenses haven't become obsolete

said by seagreen:

Well, actually they have made some lenses obsolete. My husband recently got a Nikon D600 which has a full frame sensor which doesn't work with some of the lenses he used with his D100.

So far my D300 and D610 seem to work with all of my older lenses going back to lenses I purchased used in the 80s and 90s. Which ones of his is he having a problem with?

The D610 is supposed to have an auto DX mask for DX lenses. Not sure if the same is true for the D600.

seagreen
Mod
join:2001-05-14
out there

seagreen

Mod

He has the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 and that isn't exactly an "old" lens. AFAIK, there's no mask but I haven't had my hands on his camera to be sure.

Stacy
FotoDogue
Premium Member
join:2001-11-02
New York, NY

1 edit

Stacy

Premium Member

said by seagreen:

He has the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 and that isn't exactly an "old" lens. AFAIK, there's no mask but I haven't had my hands on his camera to be sure.

Here's a thread about the D600's mask mode.
»forums.whirlpool.net.au/ ··· /2034299

seagreen
Mod
join:2001-05-14
out there

seagreen

Mod

Thanks - I will pass that link on to him.

pcdebb
birdbrain
Premium Member
join:2000-12-03
Brandon, FL
ARRIS DG1670

pcdebb

Premium Member

I ran into a friend of mine i worked with years ago who shoots Canon, has a Rebel XT he would sell to me for $50. Should I try it out? Will it at least get me in a comfort zone with the Canon way of things? I think he has another older Canon as well, can't remember, maybe a T2i.

rcroning
D700 Rocks
Premium Member
join:2005-05-21
Winnipeg, MB

rcroning to pcdebb

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to pcdebb
It may be an idea since the cost is minimal. And the XT is older than the T2i.

jvmorris
I Am The Man Who Was Not There.
MVM
join:2001-04-03
Reston, VA

1 edit

jvmorris to seagreen

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said by seagreen:

He has the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 and that isn't exactly an "old" lens. AFAIK, there's no mask but I haven't had my hands on his camera to be sure.

Okay, that explains it. What he's got is a lens designed for DX (cropped) format. It attaches using the same size physical mount as a full-frame FX Nikon lens, but it's designed to work with a smaller size sensor. Consequently, DX size lenses are smaller, lighter, and less expensive than comparable full-frame (FX) lenses because the lenses are smaller. You can use a Nikon FX lens on a Nikon DX camera, but not (very happily) a DX lens on a FX camera body. (Confusing? Think of it this way: You can wear shoes that are too big for you, but not shoes that are too small.) Nikon continues to make both FX and DX camera bodies and lenses.

The D100 is a DX-format (cropped) camera; the D600 is FX-format (full-frame).

Some people (my wife, for one) like the smaller, lighter, cheaper cameras for her hands, but she still goes with FX lenses because she's a birder. The larger lenses are often available in 'faster' configurations than the corresponding focal length DX lenses, thereby making it easier to focus on a bird in flight and also avoid blurring of the bird in motion. (Isn't this fun? )

Even this is a bit oversimplified; there's a list around (I'll try and dig one out) that tells you exactly which Nikon lenses work on which camera body series. And, of course, if you're dealing with a Sigma, Tamron, or Tokina lens for Nikon, they each have their own alphabet soup for you to decode.

pcdebb
birdbrain
Premium Member
join:2000-12-03
Brandon, FL
ARRIS DG1670

pcdebb to rcroning

Premium Member

to rcroning
said by rcroning:

It may be an idea since the cost is minimal. And the XT is older than the T2i.

i kinda figured. I remember almost buying this model before i decided to do Nikon. It's old, but it still felt solid in my hands. I may check this out....
pcdebb

pcdebb

Premium Member

I did one better and got a T3. What's the difference between this and a T3i? I find it easier to switch settings on the fly. i wish i could put my prime and zoom on it lol but i'm working on getting something. I'm outgrowing this kit lens already

rcroning
D700 Rocks
Premium Member
join:2005-05-21
Winnipeg, MB

rcroning to pcdebb

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to pcdebb
Here is a side-by-side comparison - T3 vs T3i

»snapsort.com/compare/Can ··· 3i/specs

and here »www.bhphotovideo.com/exp ··· -and-t3i

LazMan
Premium Member
join:2003-03-26
Welland, ON

LazMan to pcdebb

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to pcdebb
The spec differences have already been pointed out - from personal experience - I preferred the flip/rotate back on the T3i over the T3.

I just didn't like the LCD being in my face when shooting; I'm sure I could have gotten used to it, but with the T3i, I just leave the LCD facing in, and have a flat black back on the camera, same as with traditional film bodies.

Processor/software wise, the T3 and T3i are very comparable. The resolution difference isn't as big a deal as it may first sound; unless you're looking to blow up your images up to poster size...

The kit lens is 'ok' at best... I picked up up a 75-300 telephoto almost immediately; and a 50mm prime lens not too long after that.

It's a nice camera, IMO - I'm sure you'll be happy with it!

pcdebb
birdbrain
Premium Member
join:2000-12-03
Brandon, FL

pcdebb

Premium Member

I'm looking for a zoom now. I did a lot with my 55-300. If I'm lucky I will find one by the weekend.

jvmorris
I Am The Man Who Was Not There.
MVM
join:2001-04-03
Reston, VA

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Just to complete my promise in my last post, I've finally run down one of the lists on what Nikon lenses work on which cameras.

A basic list (going back to the Stone Age, as it were) can be found at Ken Rockwell's page on this subject, »www.kenrockwell.com/niko ··· lens.htm . There's explanation of the basic terms and capabilities on that page, but a more extended discussion on a page of background information at »www.kenrockwell.com/niko ··· .htm#top . Nikon, of course, has its own list, but Ken's is as readable as anyone's.

I'm sure Canon, Pentax, etc., all have similar pages for their cameras and compatible lenses.

b8264d
Hello? Hello? Is there anyone out there?
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join:2013-03-12
Weld, ME

b8264d to pcdebb

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How has the transition been for you? I have a friend that just switched to Nikon. I was just curious as to how you feel not tht you've had a bit of time to play.

No, I have no intention of switching. lol

Jeff

pcdebb
birdbrain
Premium Member
join:2000-12-03
Brandon, FL
ARRIS DG1670

pcdebb

Premium Member

Things are going fine! I've been pretty busy with work so I havent had a whole lot of time to get out, but I've had fun with the time I've had. I'm about to get a 50mm 1.8 tomorrow (hopefully), I'm starting to outgrow my kit lens a little but I use it alot for wide shots.

LazMan
Premium Member
join:2003-03-26
Welland, ON

LazMan

Premium Member

Take a look at the 40 with the USM - it's a little more money (OK, nearly twice the price) - but the ultrasonic motor may be worth it... It's silent.

The 40mm also has a metal mount, where the 50mm is plastic.

Just compare before you commit to the 50mm. It'll save you the money I spent trading in the 50 for a 40...