Talk me out of the Rebel XT and into the D50

CR_OPSO

CR_OPSO

RebelXTuser
I know... this basic topic has been posted 1/2 million times in the last few months on countless websites... but I have a few specific issues that I can't seem to find concrete answers.

Here's the deal... I had my mind COMPLETELY made up and planned to purchase the Rebel XT this past weekend. That is, until I stumbled on the Still Photography section of DVXuser. I've done a complete 180 and am seriously considering the D50, but I just can't make myself hit the "complete order" button (since just days ago I was sure I didn't want it).

My first concern was the difference between 6MP and 8MP. I don't plan to purchase another camera anytime soon... so the 8MP is really tempting since I don't want to be saying "it's ONLY 6MP" a year from now. The more I read, the muddier it seems to get. I read in another forum that you can "up-rez" with good results (of course, that's where the comment ended - no specific information). I might (rarely) want to print something as big as 16x20 (no bigger)... is 6MP (or even 8MP) enough for that print size?

My main use for this camera will be personal/family photos. I want to take it on my vacation this year and get awesome pictures of my daughter. However... since I bought a 35mm SLR (around 8 yrs ago), I'm often asked to take pictures for family and friends (weddings, portraits, etc)... I recently started a little side business (videography) and have been asked by several people if I also do still photos. Do you think the D50 is up for it? (I don't expect to be a "pro" or represent myself as such... I just want people to be as happy with my digital pics as they've been with my 35mm photos... and again, to be able to blow them up with good results.)

I read that the Canon comes with decent RAW conversion software and the Nikon does not. Is that correct? I'm sure I'll mostly take JPEGs, but there will be times that I would like to shoot RAW instead.

I've read the reviews and have handled both cameras. To me the Rebel is just a bit small, but I think I could get used to it. The Nikon felt great. The Rebel (to me) just looks better and for some reason, I like how all the info is on the back (menu and settings). The price is too close (after the rebate) to be a factor. Also, my current SLR is a Minolta... so there's no added benefit of using my old lens (only have 1 working lens anyway) with either camera. And my current budget is pretty much restricted to buying the camera with the kit lens (for now) and maybe the 50mm/1.8 in a couple months. I think that covers everything...

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Chad
 
When I was going to purchase I looked at both of these units, and then the decision was made for me, so that point became nil.

If you talk with 10 sales people 1/2 will say Canon and 1/2 will say Nikon.

From what I have read there isn't a difference in the 6MP & 8MP. The Nikon has better kit glass (if you're buying the kit). The Nikon is larger and feels better for people with larger hands. Canon has less expensive glass, this is a huge factor as their lenses are at least 10-15% less expensive. Canon also seems to have a larger variety of glass available. Nikon is backwards compatible, so if you don't need AF glass then you can buy cheap old glass, you can't on a Canon.

Both have massive support communities, both take great images.

All day long people will sway between the two... I happen to just be a Nikon fan.

-Jeremy
 
what is swaying you towards the d50 when you seemed to have your mind made up? internet gossip and forums? or would you be only opting for the d50 because of it's price? if so then you really just need to juggle the added features vs. cost and only you will know then if they're worth it.
but of course you asked for people's opinions so i'll give mine:
yes the nikon kit glass is reported to be better, but in the grand scheme of thigns both are still "kit lenses" that will probably be replaced. in that case the "expensive" canon glass (as stated before) is a good 10% cheaper across the board. another issue is will you have a discerning enough eye to even notice a significant difference?
next the 6 vs. 8 mp... no megapixels aren't all they're cracked up to be by the camera manufacturers, but if you ever do any cropping then you will be glad you had the extra 2 million pixels... again it's all what you're willing to pay for and if it's worth it to you
the backwards compatible issue is really only an advantage if you are a nikon user already, in which case you may own old manual lenses from old film bodies. and i wouldn't advise buying old manual lenses just to save a buck since you're basically disregarding many of the features you gain with a DSLR anyway... sort of counter intuitive in my opinion.
nikon and canon's line up are strategically staggered so that no camera can be directly considered equal... the XT is a more robust camera but may cost a little extra.
both systems will yield good results.. i mean you have no preference for either system now (meaning you aren't a canon or a nikon user yet) so my advice to you is find out what's the highest end camera you can afford and get it. if you can afford the XT then i see no reason why not to go with it.
 
Well, I have the D70 with 2 lenses, and could have gotten a Rebel (with the FULL lense kit) instead, and I opted for the D70. Yes the Rebel has 8 mgapixels to the Nikon's 6. But, I read many reviews on the Rebel being light and almost fragile, and with a picture that does not represent colors as well.

To me, more megapixels doesn't mean a thing when it comes at the expense of overall quality. More pixels means more pixels, but if the picture itself doesn't look as good, all you are left with is a larger (potentially) higher detailed pic, that doesn't look as good and comes with a camera that has inferior lenses, and is too lightweight. In a side by side shootout, the Nikon always looks better to me.

My choice is always quality over quantity.

The D50 and D70 are the best in their class.
 
Arguing Canon versus Nikon is tough. They are 90% the same when it comes to features and functionality. I think you will be happy with either one.

Of course if you want to be part of our cool D50 thread, you'll have to go with the Nikon. :)

Chris
 
Nikon, man! It's all about the lens! (I happen to like the feel of my D70 way more, as well)
 
IMO...

The form factor of the Nikon is much more "professional." (I've only used the D70, though.) Then again, the Canon is compact, light, well built, and ergonomically very good unless you have huge hands.

The Nikon's lens is better and again feels much more solid, although the Canon lens isn't the piece of junk people would have you believe. It resolves a lot of resolution and is contrasty.

The user interface on both is fantastic.

The images from the Canon, IMO, are much much cleaner at high ISOs. Honestly, no comparison. Also, Canon's 50mm f1.8 lens is cheaper and allegedly fantastic (I use old manual nikon lenses for portraits). It's the perfect portrait lens since it's fast and equivalent to about 85mm with the crop factor.

I own an XT and I would not trade it for a Nikon under any circumstances since to me the images seem cleaner and smoother, but you can't lose with either camera.
 
i was leaning toward the canon only because i have owned lots of canon but never nikon. like you after reading this forum, i was swayed to the nikon. i went ahead and bought one knowing i could just return it if i didn't like it. i'm glad i did. no way is this baby going back. i have gotten so many great shots already. it is so fast and pulls focus so quick. it's responsive like my old slr film camera but cycles much quicker so you can get multiple shots very fast.

i have been shooting raw and just using the adobe dng converter to convert the files. it's a free program even if you don't have photoshop. the camera came with a cd with some software but i have yet to open it.
 
Listen-

If you had your mind made up, I would probably go with your first impulse. They both take gorgeous images. I'll admit, I too stumbled across the D50 thread and have been simply blown away by the images. They look very filmic. Moreso than the XT.

However, my girlfriend has the XT and that camera never ceases to blow me away either. Great contrast, treatment of blacks, and overall a beautifully crisp digital image.

If its the D50 thread that is getting you confused, why don't you start another thread asking to see some of the DVXuser forum members xtrebel pics? I'm sure they'd love to share.

Rick
 
Thanks for all the comments so far.

Does anyone know how the included software (for RAW images) compares?

Boy said:
what is swaying you towards the d50 when you seemed to have your mind made up?
Click to expand...

I read the review and comparison at dpreview.com and it seemed they leaned a little toward the Nikon (I think there were more image parameters and it was a little faster). I also noticed that there was something about the D50 sample photos that looked different (in a good way) on sites like dpchallenge - but I can't put my finger on why I liked them better. Of course, those differences could have been due to how they were manipulated in photoshop. By the way... I just looked at that site again and I think it's the photographer and the post corrections because I saw quite a few XT pics that were really nice.

Anyway... that's what made me start looking at the Nikon. Then I read somewhere that 6MP and 8MP isn't really that big of a difference (unless, like you said, I want to crop it). Holding both cameras in the store made me stop and take a serious look at Nikon. I actually was ready to purchase it until the salesman realized he quoted me the wrong price. If I went by the feel alone, I'd definitely go with Nikon... my wife (who has really small hands) even likes the feel of the Nikon better. But I still don't think that's enough to make a decision. If it's an issue, I guess I could add the battery grip later.

I noticed that many users here seemed to LOVE their D50's and I thought I'd post this thread to see what persuaded them to go with that camera (especially if they were also torn between it and the XT).

Another thing to consider (to me, at least) is how much more space 8MP pictures will use up on my hard drive (I know it will add up over time). If I can be convinced that a 6MP picture will look as good as an 8MP at 16x20, I'd probably buy the Nikon today. Has anyone printed anything this size? Or is that really out of reach for both of these cameras? I know I won't be printing many (if any), but I don't want to be limited if I just happen to take a pic that I'd like printed that size.

Thanks again,
Chad
 
cheez... that one shot of your daughter would have to sell anybody... that is one of my favorite pics on the entire forum... you should crop it down the right side of her nose (looking at the pic... that right side) and horizontally on the forhead... then you have an amazing shot as good as any I've seen... even counting Joey Lawrence's stuff... the fact that you got that pic with the stock lens is making it really hard for me to commit to the cost of 2.8 glass.

as for anybody else... I've been a canon man my ENTIRE life! I've had 4 canons now... if I could afford the D5 then I'd still be a canon man... but all I had to do is pick up the rebel XT and play with it for 10 seconds and I was running as fast as I could back to the D50... at this point I could easily get the rebel XT... I even have a 550ex flash that would pop right on it (and some other canon stuff)... but no way... in my mind there's no comparison between the two. It 'aint the megapixels...

The XT feels like a total toy in my hands... not in a good way... and the D50 feels like one of the much higher priced DSLRs... I've had a hard time deciding between the D70s and the D50, but after handling them the Rebel XT isn't even on the radar screen.
 
I was debating getting the Canon 20D verses the Rebel Xt and after I held them both in best buy I went with the 20D because it feels much sturdier than the Rebel XT
 
SilverWolf said:
I was debating getting the Canon 20D verses the Rebel Xt and after I held them both in best buy I went with the 20D because it feels much sturdier than the Rebel XT
Click to expand...

The 20D is a bit over my current budget... but I just took a look at it anyway. I think if I wanted to upgrade in a year or two, this (or whatever the equivalent is at that time) would be a great option and my lenses would be compatible if I went with the XT today.

Chad
 
rlm7189 said:
Listen-

If you had your mind made up, I would probably go with your first impulse. They both take gorgeous images. I'll admit, I too stumbled across the D50 thread and have been simply blown away by the images. They look very filmic. Moreso than the XT.

However, my girlfriend has the XT and that camera never ceases to blow me away either. Great contrast, treatment of blacks, and overall a beautifully crisp digital image.

If its the D50 thread that is getting you confused, why don't you start another thread asking to see some of the DVXuser forum members xtrebel pics? I'm sure they'd love to share.

Rick
Click to expand...

You're probably right. My first impulse was to buy a DVX (before I found this website) and I somehow convinced myself into buying the PD170 instead (of course, I still want the DVX). I think I might be doing the same thing with this decision. The D50 thread is definitely encouraging me to get the Nikon. So, I think I'll take your advice and start an XT user thread and see what happens!

Chad

On edit... I chickened out of starting the new thread since I'm a newbie and didn't want to have multiple threads on the first page! But please feel free to add your XT photos to this thread!
 
Last edited:
There are a ton of Canon users here so a Canon XT thread will be great. The reason a couple of us started that D50 thread is because we have the same gear, want to see what others are doing, and talk about techniques and things that we had in common.

Canon is great. Nikon is great.

I honestly believe that with photography, just like film, it is less about which tool is best for you versus using the tool to your best ability.

At that point there are only three factors to consider: form, function, cost.

Form: Most people seem to prefer the build and feel of the Nikon.

Function: Both function almost identically. The Canon can give you some benefits with the dedicated dials and competes more with the D70s. The Canon also wins out over the D50 by having some other bells and whistles that the D50 doesn't have, but the image of the D50 is nicer to my eyes, so everything evens out there.

Cost: The units cost almost the exact same amount with the rebate Canon has going on. Then again, Canon glass is 10% cheaper if not a lot more ($70 for a 1.8 50mm Canon vs. $109 for a 1.8 Nikon 50mm, that's 40%!!!!).

This is really where Nikon loses the battle for me. With Canon you have more glass options and they are less expensive. Are you kidding me? The camera itself doesn't matter at all. The glass is what matters and the Canon glass is just as good as the Nikon and is less expensive.

I love my D50 and wouldn't trade it for anything, Canon or not (well maybe one of the massive Canons or Nikons). I really think this is the best camera for the money. It is not about the camera though, it is about the glass, and glass for the Canon is cheaper.

If money is no issue then you have something to consider because the form and function are so similar. The image is very similar (while I prefer the Nikon). The money is a lot less. Everyday when I look at lenses I wish I could get those Canons and save the money...

This is the one issue no one is yelling about. Canon makes more affordable glass! I hate you Canon people for that and that alone.

-Jeremy
 
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