Malevolent-Gaming

So, I posed this question on Facebook, I'm looking at an "entry level" DSLR and am still kinda stuck between the Canon T1i and the Nikon D5000. If any of you have a preference, let me know and why. Also, if you know of another camera in that feature set/ price point, mention it as well...

What do you want to do with it? Do you have any old glass that you want to use with it?

I'm a Canon girl myself. I have the XSi and chose it over the comparable Nikon at the time because of the sensor and the live view function. The D5000 now has live view, but the way it handles autofocus is clunky compared to the XSi/T1i. Most people don't even use live view though, so this is moot along with the Nikon's ridiculous articulated display.

The Canon is 15 MP while the Nikon is 12 MP, but quite honestly once you get past about 10 you're set for most personal uses. However, the Canon sensor is superior in low light situations and has much less noise at high iso.

I could go on, but without knowing exactly what you're going to want out of it I'd just be babbling.

You've probably seen these already, but here are two good comparisons of the T1i and D5000:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/29/cano ... 000-fight/
http://gizmodo.com/5234607/canon-rebel- ... battlemodo

I like canon products. All my canon printers and cameras have lasted forever which sadly doesnt give me an excuse to buy a newer model.

I've got a fully manual SLR Ricoh you can buy You know, the old school, real photographer kind of camera. The ones that take skill to use

Seriously though, I am selling it

This is mainly family situations... The kids getting into sports now so, the point and shoot isn't keeping up with him like it used to. I know DSLRs are usually overkill, but I like having the significant bump in resolution so that I can crop and edit the pics without too much of a loss.

OLD glass is kind of an issue with the Nikon since you have to use newer VR lenses, the camera doesn't have an AF motor built in I believe. But to answer your question, I'm a relative newbie to the whole SLR game so NO existing glass.

Hey Kinickie, thanks for the links I saw those when they first came out. Look at the ISO noise pic on the Gizmodo article, I do notice more noise on the Nikon, but the Canon seems to lose a lot of sharpness and quality, which is a huge trade off for me.

Wife has a Nikon D60. She loves it, lemme see if she'll log on and post about it.

I was a Canon lover before I got my first DSLR which is a Nikon D40 (which has been replaced with the D3000.) The reason I went with Nikon was lenses. Nikon uses a standard lens locking mechanism that allows almost any lens to be used on the body. Not so with Canon, which is *fine* if you plan on only using Canon lenses.
I wanted variety with my lenses, especially since I have access to about 5 really amazing lenses that are old regular SLR lenses... which still work with my Nikon, I just don't get the auto focus feature... not a big deal for me, so Nikon it was!

Both of those cameras are about the same all the way around. In my mind the lens issue was the only deciding factor for me, although the Nikon did slightly better in an ISO test (as shown on Ken Rockwells site, which I've linked at the end.) Both cameras are coming with more or less the same lens, 18-55 mm with the same f-stop range. Its a good beginner lens, but it can't do a lot of macro or distance photography. Don't expect to get awesome bokeh with that lens. :/ Anyway, they're probably going to take the same shots so its up to personal preference. If there's a camera shop near by go hold them, that can also be a factor. Mine has a slightly smaller body with jammed together buttons, which I LIKE. Some people don't. Check out Ken Rockwell's reviews, he shows the back and top of the camera so you can get an idea of what he body will look like.

While I'm not certain of your price range, I will add that 10-15 mega pixels is sort of overkill, unless you intend to blow up the pictures to the size of a wall. A large wall. More mega pixels wont make your photos better, having better photography skills will make your photos better. Just something to consider. You could spend less on the camera+lens kit and buy an extra lens, say a 18-200mm or a 35mm (f/1. if you want to do more close ups. It really depends on what you want to shoot. But 6 mega pixels is more than enough for great 12x18" prints. If you plan on printing larger than that-- then consider going up in mega pixels.

If you have any other photography questions please feel free to ask. I did a lot of research before I bought my camera, but like I said, it was ultimately up to personal preference as far as which brand to go with.

A good review site from an unbiased guy... he isn't funded by anyone, so he doesn't pick favorites based on manufacturer.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/

And this is also a good resources for basic photography. Even if you know basic photography, she uses really good examples to explain things like ISO, shutter speed and aperture. http://thepioneerwoman.com/photography/ ... /exposure/

You can still use old lenses with some new DSLR Nikons, you just don't get the auto focus feature.

Off topic, but good to hear from you again.

Here's some of my favorites that I've taken with my XSi. You can go to my Flickr site and see a bunch more in their original sizes. You can also view the photo properties to see exactly what the f-stop, iso, and shutter speed were. They should all be tagged "XSi"











This one was actually published in a DC tour guide:

Great pics Kinickie!!! Today they announced the Canon T2i to be released in March. dun, Dun, DUN!!! The plot thickens...

I was finally able to get a hold of a place that had the T2i in stock, on eBay no less.

$899 + free shipping + no tax AND $72 Bing cashback FTW!!!

Awesome pics...I need that camera now.

Even if I buy that camera. I'll probably never take pics as good as those.

The T2i is a sweet camera. Don't settle for the kit lens though-go grab some good primes!

Yeah, this is my first dip into the DSLR realm so I'll be messing with the kit lens for a little bit, but I have a lot of friends getting rid of their old lenses at steep discount...

Hook me up!