Please someone help me decide! - DPChallenge Forums

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Canon

10/17/2005 10:13:08 AM · #1

I am in the market for a dslr. I am an extreme beginner. Mainly want to shoot my kids playing basketball. Have pretty much narrowed it down to nikon d50 or Canon 20d. Is the canon 20d twice the camera, as it is twice the price? Which one is user friendy, and can be learned easier? My budget is about $2000.00. I know I will need a zoom lens, but I need some help!!

hankk

Canon EOS-5D

10/17/2005 11:43:57 AM · #2

What lighting will your kids be playing in (indoor, outdoor day, outdoor night...) and how close will you be to them? How fast will the game be? (e.g. 5th grade is slower than College varsity.)

Regarding lenses, see
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=280560
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=287610

As far as the religious war (Canon vs Nikon) you are trying to re-kindle :-)
It doesn't seem that anyone has yet compared the d50 to the 20d, but they have compared the d70 to both 20d and 350d (digital Rebel xt) and compared the 350d to the d50. See:
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=263241
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=224785
//www.dpchallenge.com/forum.php?action=read&FORUM_THREAD_ID=282370

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

10/17/2005 12:16:56 PM · #3

My oldest is playing at the high school level. My younger two are 9 and 11. It is indoor lighting in a gym setting.

NstiG8tr

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

10/17/2005 12:43:36 PM · #4

Just go to store and play with them both. See which feels better in your hands. Do you like the heavier one or the lighter one? Do you like 6mp or 8 mp? I think the Nikon even lets you see the shot in the viewfinder where Canon doesn't. Do you like that feature?
Definately don't listen to the sales guy. If you have researched any on these 2 cameras, then you already know more about both cameras than he probably ever will.

Still undecided? Flip a coin. Canon vs. Nikon. It's 6 of 1 and half a dozen of the other. It just don't matter. Almost as bad as people arguing over Ford and Chevys.(I drive a Dodge) They both been making cameras and accessories for a long time. You'd think if one was any better than the other, some one would be out of business by now. It's all boils down to personal preference.

Message edited by author 2005-10-17 12:47:31.

Spork99

Canon EOS M6 Mk II

Canon EF-M 22mm f/2.0 STM Lens

10/17/2005 12:48:10 PM · #5

Ask Magic 8-Ball..

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/17/2005 12:50:28 PM · #6

Ok, but do you think the nikon d50 can handle what i have described? It is certainly less expensive than the 20. Also, a curve ball, what about the old Nikon D70 at a great price? See why I'm confused. Also, I can't go to the store, because all the closest stores to me were in New Orleans and they are not open.

jab119

10/17/2005 01:30:59 PM · #7

to help you out a little try this side by side comparrison of the features.

the features and function of the camera is your #1 priority. once you figure out the options and functions you prefer then you will have a much easier time deciding.

Side By side

James

joezl

Nikon D200

10/17/2005 01:44:43 PM · #8

Originally posted by jacler:

Is the canon 20d twice the camera, as it is twice the price?

The short answer is No. As with all goods, when you approach top end, price rises exponentially for every marginal gain. It's just that some people require those marginal gains and therefore are willing to pay the price. From your description, you don;t seem to need the marginal gains.

It seems to me that if you want Canon, you could look at the Rebel XT. The Canon 20D primary advantage is its faster fps if you intend to use that a lot for fast action shooting.

In your position, I'd get the D50 and spend the extra money on lenses.

You can get used to either brand as easily/not easily :-). Most important, handle them both and see which ones feels better to you in your hands.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 EX Aspherical DF for Nikon

10/17/2005 03:54:52 PM · #9

That's kind of the way I was leaning. So you feel the d50 will be able to capture high school basketball with indoor lights?

Apple iPhone

10/17/2005 04:00:00 PM · #10

It should. You can capture action with any camera...the advantage of the dslr is that you can get lens that handle lower light better than some p&s

Originally posted by jacler:

That's kind of the way I was leaning. So you feel the d50 will be able to capture high school basketball with indoor lights?

JayWalk

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

10/17/2005 04:00:19 PM · #11

Originally posted by jacler:

That's kind of the way I was leaning. So you feel the d50 will be able to capture high school basketball with indoor lights?

The camera really does not make much difference in this case IMO. The lens that you choose will have much more of an effect on how your shots come out. I think if you are going to mainly shoot indoor sports at a reasonable distance (in the stands) than you are looking at needing a Canon 70/200 F/2.8 which will take up a good portion of your budget.

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

10/17/2005 05:31:11 PM · #12

So you say go Canon?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

10/17/2005 05:32:07 PM · #13

Originally posted by jacler:

So you say go Canon?

Nikon has a similar lens. Go with the camera that feels the best in your hand.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

10/17/2005 05:47:03 PM · #14

Ok one last question, in two or three different places, it says canon 20d is better than the others for sports. Any comments on this?

jab119

10/17/2005 05:51:01 PM · #15

Originally posted by jacler:

Ok one last question, in two or three different places, it says canon 20d is better than the others for sports. Any comments on this?

better for sports because of the higher frames per second in burst or continous mode.

I came from a Canon D60 having 3 FPS, the 20D is 5 FPS. I got the 20D a few weeks ago and i tell you the 20D smoking fast compared to the D60 with its 3 FPS

James

dewed

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

10/17/2005 06:11:27 PM · #16

be sure to compare the price of lenses that you will want to buy. You can replace your camera body if you don't like it, or it one day wears out. But the lenses will keep on tickin" if you take care of them.

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

10/17/2005 06:27:12 PM · #17

Maybe I'm biased, but I'd get a Minolta 5D. It's had rave reviews and is great value for money. All your lenses are then stabilised. Minolta also make great lenses.

nemesise1977

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO Macro Super for Canon

10/17/2005 06:28:32 PM · #18

Well being a canon owner I would say go canon. Get the TX (wasnt avail when I got my 300d). But is all a matter of opinion. Best thing to do is go to a store that carries them both and take some shots with each, as they have diffent setups of buttons and af framing ect... decide which one works for you and what you like to do. Canon has some real nice accesories, and the battery grip witht hte extra battery is wonderful!!(at least on the 300d) It adds alot of extra life to be able and take shots, and the shutter switch on the grip makes changing to taking vertical shots easy! Both will be close in visual quality so price and how they functon will be big concern for you. I wouldnt go 20d unless you absolutly have to have the best. Check them both out hands on then decide. Lenses and equipment are compareable cost (unless you only look at canon brand items, if you go sigma or tamaron ect you will see they are close to same price for nikon and canon)

Also if your not used to SLR all shots focusing ect is done through the viewfinder, the lcd only shows the finished shot.

Bottom line check them out hold them pratcie a few shots with each before you decide

joezl

Nikon D200

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED

10/17/2005 06:42:40 PM · #19

Originally posted by jacler:

That's kind of the way I was leaning. So you feel the d50 will be able to capture high school basketball with indoor lights?

As has been said, that is a lens issue rather than a camera issue.

You have 2 choices. If you are able to walk around and get close enough to the action, I would buy a 50mm F1.8 lens. These lenses (Canon or Nikon) are small, cheap and give great quality. Great walking around lenses and the whole package with the d50 would make for a system that's very easy to handle. I think both Canon and Nikon also make an 85mm f1.8 lens. The Nikon version is probably one of the best lenses they ever made but it costs more money.

If you're a long way away and want flexibility then you're into a zoom lens with a wide aperture (say f2.8). Now you're into professional quality lenses which are very large, heavy and very, very, expensive. You'd be hard pressed to use them without a monopod to get some added stability and to rest your arms. My opinion - this is not a practicable option if you're just starting out. Maybe something to move towards over time as you get comfortable and know exactly what you want to do and how.

I haven't looked at fixed length, wide aperture telephotos which would be the other option if 50mm/85mm is insufficient.

My suggestion - get a d50 or rebel XT (whichever feels better to you) with kit lens plus a 50mm f1.8 lens and save the rest of your money. Try that out for a few months and then decide where to go from there.

Have fun!

Message edited by author 2005-10-17 18:45:47.

10/17/2005 07:50:28 PM · #20

My suggestion - get a d50 or rebel XT (whichever feels better to you) with kit lens plus a 50mm f1.8 lens and save the rest of your money. text

canon makes a I and a II. Any difference?