Cyprus-Forum.com

[umit07]

I am gonna get a new digital camera and am thinking of getting a DSLR. I am thinking of getting an entry level Nikon D40, the other competitors are the Canon XTi ( 400D ), XT ( 350D) or Sony minolta K200. Does anyone have any experience with these cameras?

[raiseurfist]

I dont have any experience with those cameras but my suggestion is to either go with a Canon or Nikon. Nothing else.

Many proffesionals argue about which is best but the argument is usually between those two brands.
Personally I'm a Canon fan but I only SAW a Nikon never really owned one (besides one tiny 4mp which I hate)

Try this site http://www.dpreview.com/
They have many reviews and basically everything you would need to know about any camera you can find it there. It would help you alot for making your decision.

[umit07]

Thanks raiseurfist I have read the stuff on dp review but I still not sure and want to get info from people with experience with these cameras. Personally I always prefered canon for compact cameras but nikons just seem to be better with slr's.

[cyprusgrump]

I got the Sony Alpha – Lana has it too.

I think it is awesome…

[Svetlana]

Yes, it is just great; love Sony!

Lana

[zan]

Hi Umit

I have the Cannon 300D and think the camera is fantastic. You will have no problems with it what so ever (which will be the 400D now as you have stated). The Nikon is supposed to be equally fantastic so I think either one will do. I don't know how serious you are about your photography but if you want just point and shoot there are other cheaper cameras, with massive fixed lens zooms on the market that give the impression of a SLR but are not. This factor was important for me so I went for the Cannon but if it is not for you then you will not only benefit from the reduced price but also from not having to carry around two or three lenses. Just keep am eye out for start up times and shutter lag when choosing a camera as well as quality of course. The shutter lag time will drive you crazy with shot after shot missing the action you thought you captured. Hope this helps.

[LENA]

I am in favor of cannon as well. The quality of the photos and the camera is awesome. A friend got it and made me jealous.

[umit07]

Everyone thanks for your feedback now I'd like to ask a few questions.

I will be taking mostly nature shots so colour and noise is important for me. I heard that the "noise" ( grain affect ) on the Sony is quite bad compared to Nikon and Canon. The Sony has a ultrasonic sound emitter on the CCD is this effective or do you think it's mostly a marketing hype?

Also how do you guys clean your CCD? How regularily do you need to do this? In Cyprus we have a lot of dust in the air.

All replies will be very much appreciated .

Umit

[Bill]

I have the D40 and it's a very good camera .

It feels acts and performs like a film SLR ~ I can't actually fault it in any way.

I bought mine early last year out of the money my colleagues collected for me when I left work ( I also bought a dell laptop from the money too )

The camera was on special offer as a kit package ~ camera body with 18 to 55 lens plus a 55 to 200 telephoto lens for £399 which I thought was an excellent price .

Before I actually started looking in the shops I read all the reviews ~ I had originally thought of the 350D as I'd always had Cannon film SLRs before but eventually went for the Nikon based on customer reviews and dpreview plus the good price I purchased the kit for.

I can honestly say I love the camera to bits and although I've not got to grips with all it can do yet it shows a lot of promise ~ colours can be quite vibrant with the Nikon .

I don't think you will be disappointed if you buy one .

If I was buying now I'd probably go for the D40X as if you are shooting pics in raw you have the advantage of 10 mega pixel as opposed to 6 mp of the D40.

Bill

[umit07]

Thanks for the reply bill.

There are a few points bugging me with the D40

1. It doesn't have an internal lens motor. Limiting you to the expensine nikon lenses with internal motors which are quite expensive.

2. The camera doesn't have dedicated iso and white balance buttons.

What do you think about the above? Are they really a problem in your view?
2.