Camera Soul Searching

[The Ruptured Duck]

Ok, as I've stated before I have been digging through ebay looking for a camera; I've decided this much:

-I won't buy untill I have this semester payed for (gives me lots of time to decide on the little details)
-The Nikon d40 suits my needs best (wants really, but thats no way for a consumer to talk)
-I reeeeely want a VR lens

Heres what I haven't decided:
-d40 or d40x.  I saw a review that mentioned that the higher resolution means larger file sized (considering that I have trouble reducing my 5mp shots to post anywhere, I wonder if its worth the extra dough).  Does anyone here use a camera with 10mp or more and is it worth it?
-Is a VR lens worth the money?

I also have a question:  The telephoto and wide angle lenses advertised with this kit  http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-D40x-Digital-SLR-Camera-2-LENS-2GB-PKG-D40-x_W0QQitemZ290195322383QQihZ019QQcategoryZ43456QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem are converters, correct?  

Any help or advice here would be appreciated.  I am quite new to photography, but am eager to learn.

[61_OTU]

I'd always go for the highest resolution I could afford, filesize would not be a concern for me, as the larger the file then arguably the better quality the image (assuming a good lens/skill level of course).

If the file sizes are large then just get yourself a good workflow for reducing filesize. Open in Irfanview, crop to required proportions, resize to 800x600, save as Jpeg with 90% compression, check filesize, save as 80% check filesize....still too big, consider resizing to 640x480, save as 90% etc etc etc....

I have the Canon 400D, and the difference in quality between that and my fuji s5600 (5mp) is dramatic. Yes, it's worth it.

The VR, is it worth it......I have no experience of Nikon, but as with the IS system in Canon, it's meant to help. Often the higher spec IS/VR lenses are better optically as well, but it's not always a given. I have a non-IS 90-300mm lens, and an IS 100-400mm....I've got great shots out of both of them, but I am reassured to have the IS on the 400mm lens. If you can afford it then it's probably worth having, if you can't then you will still get great shots, but may have to work harder or be more lucky in lower light situations where a larger aperture would be preferable. VR should help in these situations by reducing camera shake during longer exposures.

Yes, the wide angle and telephoto 'lenses' are converters of a sort.....they are more like filters with a magnification effect, as true converters usually go between the lens and the camera. These lenses alter the light entering the main lens, so I suspect that optically they will not give the same quality as a true converter which is designed to work in conjunction with the lens and body

Steve

[Omag 2.0]

I've heared that the d40 is a great camera and offers good quality. The d40x would be a bit pricy for what it offers. You might check out the D80, highly approved by lots of users. It's a bit more expensive, but should be a lot better.

I'm not quit familiar with the Nikon range, but I've heared that the d40 and d40x don't have an onboard motor to focus lenses, so you'd have to buy a special type of lenses. Normal lenses do't have autofocus on this camera and that might be a big issue later on.

My personal view? Either go for the D80 or check out Pentax, Olympus, Canon and Sony.

The Canon 400D, Sony alpha 100, Nikon D80, Pentax K100d super and Olympus E-510 are all considered excellent camera's.

I don't want to push you in any direction, but please check out user and expert reviews. It could save you from buying something that won't meet your expectations.

[The Ruptured Duck]

I've heared that the d40 is a great camera and offers good quality. The d40x would be a bit pricy for what it offers. You might check out the D80, highly approved by lots of users. It's a bit more expensive, but should be a lot better.

I'm not quit familiar with the Nikon range, but I've heared that the d40 and d40x don't have an onboard motor to focus lenses, so you'd have to buy a special type of lenses. Normal lenses do't have autofocus on this camera and that might be a big issue later on.

My personal view? Either go for the D80 or check out Pentax, Olympus, Canon and Sony.

The Canon 400D, Sony alpha 100, Nikon D80, Pentax K100d super and Olympus E-510 are all considered excellent camera's.

I don't want to push you in any direction, but please check out user and expert reviews. It could save you from buying something that won't meet your expectations.

Well the D80, the Olympus E-510, and the Canon Rebel are all very attractive, but are more than I can spend, plus they (with the exception of the Canon) intimidate me with complexity.  I have a fear of buying something that is over my head.

I have been seeing some reviews on youtube through a user named "cameralabs" along with several others, and they have proved extreemly helpful in educating me about the cameras and the bodys and even lenses.

[The Ruptured Duck]

Shopping around for lenses I saw this http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-28-300mm-28-300-f-3-5-5-6-L-IS-USM-1Ds-5D-0195_W0QQitemZ320202986336QQihZ011QQcategoryZ152380QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemand thought, "Oh thats perfect, it should be the only lense I would ever need", then I saw the pricetag and now I need to change my shorts.

[The Ruptured Duck]

Shopping around for lenses I saw this http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-28-300mm-28-300-f-3-5-5-6-L-IS-USM-1Ds-5D-0195_W0QQitemZ320202986336QQihZ011QQcategoryZ152380QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemand thought, "Oh thats perfect, it should be the only lense I would ever need", then I saw the pricetag and now I need to change my shorts.

Which brings me to another question to anyone who uses Canon or Nikon:  Why are the Nikon zoom lenses cheaper than the canon?

Nikon 70-300mm VR AF-s:  http://cgi.ebay.com/Nikon-AF-S-70-300-VR-Lens-For-D40x-D80-D200-Camera_W0QQitemZ310012575398QQihZ021QQcategoryZ30067QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Canon EF 70-200mm IS:  http://cgi.ebay.com/Canon-EF-70-200mm-F4L-IS-USM-70-200-for-400D-40D-5D-UV_W0QQitemZ130186870381QQihZ003QQcategoryZ106844QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Omag 2.0]

Never forget that even the more complex camera's offer full autoshooting. Than you start using the creative modes ( shuttertime, aperature,...) before you go manual all the way.

I still don't use the all manual way...

[The Ruptured Duck]

Check out www.photozone.de for reviews on lenses ( it's in english, don't worry!)

Would it otherwise be in Dutch or French?

And "Wheau", seeing prices in the $500's is much more reasuring

[BAW0343]

I'll add in my 2 cents,

I personally recommend the Cannon 400D, but thats just cause I'm a cannon guy and well, I have one. Its complex but built in a simple way. All settings are easily reached within a few seconds and are easy to change.

As for the Nikon, I know absolutely NOTHING about it. Ive never owned one, probably never will. No reason other then Ive grown up on cannon. I see no real difference between the photos of the brands as it always comes down to the photographer. If you can afford the D40x do it. Especially if you have some lenses you want for it.

On the note of 10mp, mine has 10.1 and unless your shooting in raw, which will get you a massive file after processing, my Jpegs are usually 3-5 megabytes and depending on your software compressing them down to 100kb usually doesn't hurt quality too bad.

Buy what you can, and remember after the photographer the most important component to a good photo is the lens. Thats where you want to spend the money, but having an expensive camera helps  ;)  Just be sure youll be happy with it  8-)

[Omag 2.0]

Check out www.photozone.de for reviews on lenses ( it's in english, don't worry!)

Would it otherwise be in Dutch or French?

And "Wheau", seeing prices in the $500's is much more reasuring

.de stands for German websites, so German would be the main language...

Be sure to check out the local shops too. They might have great kits on offer or special offers, certainly when new camera's arrive. The Canon 450D should be around the corner, so the price of the 400D will lower.

Just think carefully on what you want and don't get blinded by all the top-of-the-line stuff like L-lenses. I'd love to use them too, but I simply don't have the budget to spend. But if you read reviews, you'll quickly discover that there are very good price/quality products out there, that don't kill your piggybank.  ;)