Canon 350D or Nikon D70s (holy war!)

davmigil · 18-08-2006 02:37PM #1

I know this is a bit of a religious question. I had kinda decided on a Canon 350D (mainly because I am more familiar with Canons and their lenses and spec for price).

Got a chance to have a look at one and also a D70s.

Canon felt weird, funny shape and light. D70s felt more like a film camera, nice familiar feel and weight.

I know the D80 is coming out soon, but will be out of my maximum price range.

Options are: 350D + 50mm 1.8 Prime or similar or D70 with 70mm zoom kit lens. (price 150 in favour of Canon with Prime).

I don't own any Canon or Nikon lenses, so not a factor. Have used Canon SLR in past (AE-1).

30D + 50mm 1.8 a bit out of budget (+E350 over D70 kit).

Bit befuddled at moment. Going on holidays in October, so wanted to buy before then. Canon bringing anything new out (350 replacement or inbetween 350 and 30D model?).

Borderfox · 18-08-2006 02:40PM

Some say Canon some say Nikon, depends on which feels better to you. Nikon is chunkier the Canon but for some thats a bad thing.

Oriel · 18-08-2006 02:41PM

There's not a lot of difference. Go into a shop and try out both. That's the only way you're going to know which to buy.

davmigil · 18-08-2006 02:48PM

Based on feel I would go with Nikon.

This might sound a bit stupid, but thinking in future may add 200mm or 300mm telephoto. Nikon prices seem higher, but I guess I mighn't be comparing like with like. Suppose Sigma probably have some reasonably performing/priced lenses too.

rymus · 18-08-2006 03:13PM

Borderfox · 18-08-2006 03:52PM

Oriel · 18-08-2006 04:05PM

il gatto · 18-08-2006 04:14PM

I've a 350D and I love it. Great pictures and good too use. If it feels a bit small and light, get the optional battery grip. It makes it heavier, gives a better grip and it looks a bit like a EOS 1D. No bad thing:D

mloc · 18-08-2006 04:25PM

I'm a Nikon man, but all the same do try the 350D with the battery grip if you like the Nikon feel too.

Other than that, I'm with Sinecurea. Nikon make cameras, Canon make photocopiers...

rymus · 18-08-2006 04:28PM

Canon also make bloody good sensors.... pity Nikon dont

davmigil · 18-08-2006 04:45PM

il gatto wrote:

I've a 350D and I love it. Great pictures and good too use. If it feels a bit small and light, get the optional battery grip. It makes it heavier, gives a better grip and it looks a bit like a EOS 1D. No bad thing:D

Good idea. Will give it a try. Shops must love guys like me *not*

mloc · 18-08-2006 04:59PM

davmigil wrote:

Good idea. Will give it a try. Shops must love guys like me *not*

Ah but of course they do, a battery grip is another thing they can sell ya!

davmigil · 18-08-2006 05:16PM

mloc wrote:

Ah but of course they do, a battery grip is another thing they can sell ya!

think they can sell me

. Don't mind paying a bit more locally, but price difference to internet is huge

Fajitas! · 18-08-2006 06:01PM

Canon intrails with a Nikon exterior...

And Canon Lens mount...

Infact.

The 30D.

davmigil · 18-08-2006 07:12PM

Fajitas! wrote:

Canon intrails with a Nikon exterior...

And Canon Lens mount...

Infact.

The 30D.

Funny, I was thinking along the same lines. Canon sensor and bits in D70 body would be ideal. Having said that D70 is none to shabby image wise either.

30D has a nice feel, but a tad too big (and pricey!). d70 ergonomics just right. I am sounding like bleedin' goldilocks now

Will wait until end of September to see what develops, won't get a chance to take too many photographs until holidays anyway :rolleyes:

Fajitas! · 18-08-2006 07:19PM

30D is veeeery nice...

18-08-2006 10:09PM

The whole canon copier thing ,whats so bad about it .
More of a reason that they won't be going anywhere when the oil runs out:D

Nikon for special people ,canons for camera people

rymus · 18-08-2006 10:40PM

now lets not start another anti nikon thread, they cant help making inferior cameras...

SOL · 19-08-2006 12:04PM

Nikon, that is all.

Dimy · 19-08-2006 12:30PM

If you're a little girl, you buy Nikon....

mtracey · 19-08-2006 05:40PM

Not a conversation I'd get involved in elsewhere

but here I think that the Nikon has a much better feel and for anyone who has read the multitude of indepentant reviews the Nikon D70s just about beat the Canon equivs.

FYI you can buy it body only and get a quality 2nd hand 50mm on ebay for very little money.

For the 300mm end you could try the Sigma 70-300mm APOII or whatever they've recently brought out (Canon version also available). Nikon are also bringing out a new 70-300mm with VRII, niceeee.

I like the Canon photocopier image hehe. Nikon only make cameras and lens.

Here is one of the funniest links on the Canon Vs Nikon debate.
Worth a read

http://ipws.blogs.com/my_weblog/2006/04/nikon_vs_canon_.html

In seriousness though, go try out the both of them. Its a cliche I know, but its the person behind that makes the photo.

davmigil · 19-08-2006 09:02PM

Thanks folks. Appreciate the insights (in between the photocopiers and little girls). Sorry for going on! Thinking out load here:

Much as I would love a Canon 30D, it's out of my price range. Will be my first digital SLR so can't go too mad. I wanted to like the 350D, as it has the essence of the 30D, but just can't get comfortable holding it (keep thinking I'll drop it!).

Ergonomics of D70s perfect for me. Price okay. But have been rereading reviews on www.dpreview.com and others. Had ruled D50 out as doesn't have aperature preview button (I know there are lots of other differences, but this was the big one for me!). Having said that it is available for under €500 (about €250 less than D70s) and with a 50mm 1.8 would make a good value introductory kit?

Zillah · 19-08-2006 09:52PM

davmigil wrote:

Ergonomics of D70s perfect for me. Price okay. But have been rereading reviews on www.dpreview.com and others.

I ordered mine just tonight

19-08-2006 10:05PM

anyone who buys a digital slr now ,is getting more camera for there money than ever before.
My camera cost me a grand ,it can now be got for 650 or so.
Try and stay away from the cheapest kit lenses if you are on a budget,if you can afford to buy another lens in a month or so get the kit lens.

5uspect · 20-08-2006 07:01PM

I have to agree that the battery grip transforms the 350D from a tiny SLR into a proper feeling camera. You definately need to try it out. The only way to decide is to play with both.

ladgie353 · 21-08-2006 02:46PM

If the lens in the Nikon kit is the 18-70 then the Nikon without a doubt.
(this coming from a 10-year Canon user).
Worth it just for the lens.

davmigil · 21-08-2006 03:55PM

I think the 18-70 is the kit lens with the D70s. The D50 has a 18-55 which I understand is not highly regarded.

mloc · 21-08-2006 06:14PM

yeah i think thats right actually... unless of course its the D200 17-55mm kit lens... which is nice

cotton · 22-08-2006 07:02AM

I've used Nikons all my life & it's D70s all the way. I love mine!
It does come with the 18 -70.

Canon 350D or Nikon D70s (holy war!)

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