Camera Labs

Hi folks, after watching and reading almost all of those Camera Labs rewievs and stuff, I decided to join the forums to get more information about a few cameras.

My options are:

1)Nikon D80, after reading some reviews and some pictures taken in local camera shop, this is my favourite. Feels solid, big enough, heavy enough, controls are where I want them to be, and it would come with that nice 18-135mm lense. Only thing is, I'd have to wait a while to get money for this one, is it worth of waiting?

2)Pentax K10D. Feels nice in hands, controls are a bit awkward in my opinion. I bet this would be nice value for money, but.. From what I've heard and read, with K10D, jpg pictures are very poor. For me, at least this is how I feel at the moment, it would be too much effort to produce all the raw files to jpg. I've also heard bad things about this cameras kit lense.

3)Olympus E-510. This one has lots of features and quite nice kit lenses. It's also cheap and the controls and menus are fast, but I don't know, it just doesn't kind of convince me. Maybe you people can change my mind. Oh, if I'd buy this, it would come with Zuiko 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 and ED 40-150mm f/4.0-5.6 lenses, how are those?

4)Canon EOS 350D. My godfather has one, and I snapped about 100 photos with this camera last weekend. Controls were in nice places and it was good to hold in hand, WITH battery grip. I tried without one, and it felt far too small. I think I gonna go with this one if I don't have money to buy a better one. But then again, if this is good enough for my godfather (he has been photographing for almost 30 years now), it's good enough for me too? Btw, I could get this one pretty soon since it's kinda cheap.

You can also make your own suggestions, if those options are not that good (for me).

Camera comes to all around use. Landscapes, portraits, macro stuff etc. But also, a lot of bmx shooting, so the camera should be kinda fast, right?

And to make things clear, I DO NOT want to use Auto settings, I want to adjust the settings myself, so I can have pictures exactly like I want to.

P.S Sorry for my bad english, I live in Finland..

If your godfather has a 350D, that or the 400D could be the better choice so you can exchange/borrow lenses from each other. I really liked the 350D and almost bought it a little over a year ago, and the Canon lens system is probably the most extensive at the moment.

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Minolta primes: 2.8/20 2.8/24 1.7/50 2.8/135
Minolta zooms: 28-135 35-70 70-210(beercan) kit
Minolta cameras: Dynax 5D 7000
M42: Pentax Asahi S-M-C Takumar 1.4/50 and 2.8/105 Carl Zeiss Jena Flektogon 2.4/35 Industar-61L/Z Kiron 2.8/105 Macro

Hei Jaska,

Congratulations on your good English!

Out of interest, you mention the Canon 350D but not the 400D. Given that your budget extends nearly as far as a Nikon D80 was the 400D just outside your comfort zone?

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

My godfather (the one that has the 350D) has a 400D at his job and he said that there's really no difference, except the anti-dust system and 2 more megapixels. He showed me some pictures that were taken with the same lense but with different cameras (350D and 400D, obviously) and there was really no difference. So, I figured that 400D is not worth of the extra money(about 200 euros here in Finland).

Hei Jaska,

Looking at Gordon's review of the 400D the only other significant differences over those you mention are a bigger screen and improved AF. If these features aren't high on your list then, if you opt for a Canon, it makes good sense to devote more of your budget on better lens(es).

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

Hi Jaska, welcome to the Cameralabs forums!

Most of the cameras you mentioned are compared in terms of features in the verdict of our E-510 review here:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Olymp ... dict.shtml

It may help you decide!

They all offer great quality, so for me, it would boil down to comparing features, price, look and feel - and the kind of lenses you plan on buying in the future.

Gordon

Thanks Gordon, thanks Bob.

Bob: Yeah, I've read that review, and as I already said, bigger screen is not that important to me, and in my opinion, the AF on the 350D was fine.

Gordon: Looking at the E-510 review, it's surely a nice camera and superb value, but I'm tempted to buy the 350D because I could get it very soon compared to E-510 or D80.

Also, I've been looking around and I found a used Canon EOS 20D with Canon 28-80mm lense, 2 batterys and a 2GB memory card.The price is right between a new 350D and E-510. I've read some reviews about the 20D on magazines and it has got a lot of good words. One magazine even stated that "It's the best camera you can buy at the prize" and my godfather agreed, he has one at his job.

So, for now, I think I gonna go with the 20D. Unless you change my mind :)

Hi Jaska, well the 20D was certainly a great camera in its day, and the 30D didn't improve on it that much at all - see out 30D verdict here:

http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon30D/page6.shtml

But the 20D is about 3 years old now, which is considered ancient history in DSLR terms! So with the '40D' about to come out in the next couple of months, I'd be looking for a seriously good deal on a 20D. Also, don't forget the 28-80mm lens will deliver an effective range of 45-128mm, so you'd be missing out on wide angle. I suspect this too is a low priced lens, so again look for a VERY good deal on this package, or don't bother.

Gordon

Hi Gordon.

Hmm, I guess I'll wait to get some money and get the Nikon D80, because the Olympus E-510's features like Live View, anti-dust and anti-shake are not that important to me. Also, I tried the E-510 today at the shop and it didn't feel as solid/professional as D80, and I also prefer the controls on the D80. D80 is kind of out of my budget, and, if temptation raises up to irresistible level, I'll buy the 350D because I would get it almost without any waiting, and later I could buy some better lenses.

One more question, how is the Nikon D70S? I've seen used ones with AF-S DX 18-70/3.5-4.5 lense and some equipment, about the same prize as 350D. It's not as old as 20D, and has decent quality according to reviews. Only thing I'm worried about is the 6 megapixel sensor. But I've seen some pictures taken with it, and they are nice quality in my opinion. Nikon D70S or Canon EOS 350D or cheap Canon EOS 20D?

You should also look at the D40x. High image quality plus lower price than the D80!

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses

Ehhh, I tried one at the shop.I had to do almost all the changes from the main menu pressing buttons after buttons. It was annoying. Like I said, I'm not a point and shoot- type of photographer, and also, not a beginner, just new to DSLR's and with a low budget. Thanks anyways :)

Thanks Gordon, tombom, Bob and Rune!

I made my decision. I will get the Canon EOS 350D. I tried it at the shop today and the shopkeeper promised me a great deal. New (not used) Canon 350D body+18-55mm lense, Lowepro bag, 2GB memory card, battery grip, and, of course, all the stuff that comes with the body itself, all this for 600€ (about 800$ and 400£), so I'll get this backage for the price of the body+lense. :)

Hi Jaska,

I often find it is great to bounce ideas off others. Even when, as with my replies, the information content you get back is minimal it usually clarifies the mind.

As for your choice you've now got me thinking "I wish I'd thought of that" as you have access to the same lens choices that I have but at a much reduced price over what I paid for my 400D.

Enjoy.

Bob.

_________________
OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.