07-25-2007, 05:07 AM
I shoot Nikon. It's a terrific system. pRon steered me to Nikon and I have to admit shooting a D70 at my friend's house really helped in making this decision. About 1.5 years ago, I started shooting dSLR's..which was my first SLR camera.
Over 30,000 clicks later, I'm getting better with my technique and portraits.
If you get the D40 or D40x, be aware that you wont be able to autofocus with screw driver based lenses. Many of the older 'glass' from manufacturers utilize screw driven lenses. I'd say this would be a deal breaker for me, as I've already invested in these types of lenses. That being said, Nikon's newer lenses are all AF-S (built in motors into the lenses) and are fast and quiet at focusing. This being said, there are third party lenses like the 30mm Sigma f1.4 which has HSM and so AF will work on the D40.
What ever lens you get, be sure to get a flash...either the SB600 or SB800 would be better, IMO than the SB400. Flash really changes how to take pictures, if you ask me.
Overall, I'd say get a D50 if you can find one. If you an afford one (or inclined to spend the money, a D80). The D50 is a great camera and is capable of printing large sized posters if you get a 'great' shot. I've been able to print 30x20inch posters with my D50.
As for Mac compatibility, the D50 works great with iPhoto...I use it to manage my photos and modify them when simple corrections need to be done. I use PS CS for any advanced changes to the pictures (layers, noise removal, etc). The Nikon RAW format (NEF) can be imported into PS via the Adobe DNG converter. iPhoto will alter RAW files for you, but it's not really able to do NEF files justice. Nikon comes bundled with some viewer software, but the Nikon Capture software works much better at altering/sharpening/etc pictures.
Nikon and Canon are the current leaders in the dSLR category. Nikon winning out lately with the D40 and D40x. Canon has the larger market share of the high end professional line by virtue of their full frame and high iso noise capabilities. Nikon is supposed to answer back with a high end camera soon (or so the rumors say).
Personally, I will never print more than 30x20 inches with my D50, so what the pro's need is a non-sequitor to me. Personally, I like the fact that I can sing Paul Simons' Kodachrome while I shoot pics (I got a Nikon camera, I love to take photographs, so mama, dont take my kodachrome away).
You wont be sorry with either Nikon (from first hand knowledge) or Canon (from what I've read about the camera system). I can talk about this for days on end, if you need more info, please ask away...
Over 30,000 clicks later, I'm getting better with my technique and portraits.
If you get the D40 or D40x, be aware that you wont be able to autofocus with screw driver based lenses. Many of the older 'glass' from manufacturers utilize screw driven lenses. I'd say this would be a deal breaker for me, as I've already invested in these types of lenses. That being said, Nikon's newer lenses are all AF-S (built in motors into the lenses) and are fast and quiet at focusing. This being said, there are third party lenses like the 30mm Sigma f1.4 which has HSM and so AF will work on the D40.
What ever lens you get, be sure to get a flash...either the SB600 or SB800 would be better, IMO than the SB400. Flash really changes how to take pictures, if you ask me.
Overall, I'd say get a D50 if you can find one. If you an afford one (or inclined to spend the money, a D80). The D50 is a great camera and is capable of printing large sized posters if you get a 'great' shot. I've been able to print 30x20inch posters with my D50.
As for Mac compatibility, the D50 works great with iPhoto...I use it to manage my photos and modify them when simple corrections need to be done. I use PS CS for any advanced changes to the pictures (layers, noise removal, etc). The Nikon RAW format (NEF) can be imported into PS via the Adobe DNG converter. iPhoto will alter RAW files for you, but it's not really able to do NEF files justice. Nikon comes bundled with some viewer software, but the Nikon Capture software works much better at altering/sharpening/etc pictures.
Nikon and Canon are the current leaders in the dSLR category. Nikon winning out lately with the D40 and D40x. Canon has the larger market share of the high end professional line by virtue of their full frame and high iso noise capabilities. Nikon is supposed to answer back with a high end camera soon (or so the rumors say).
Personally, I will never print more than 30x20 inches with my D50, so what the pro's need is a non-sequitor to me. Personally, I like the fact that I can sing Paul Simons' Kodachrome while I shoot pics (I got a Nikon camera, I love to take photographs, so mama, dont take my kodachrome away).
You wont be sorry with either Nikon (from first hand knowledge) or Canon (from what I've read about the camera system). I can talk about this for days on end, if you need more info, please ask away...