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Anonymous
hi /p/, I am new to DSLR cameras.
Recently, decided to take some photography classes in school, but i need a good camera for me to practice. My friends told my that the Canon XSi is pretty good. Others told me that the Nikon D80 is a good choice to start. What is your opinion?
>> Anonymous
my opinion is that you should form your own opinion because you are the one who is going to have to use it.
>> okto
At this point in your photographic learning, it doesn't really matter which one you choose.
Either one will be more than you need until you get used to the characteristics and limitations of real photography.
>> Anonymous
>>199558
>>199559
I see. Thanks.
>> okto
>>199570
Pick the one you like using the best. Go to BestBuy or w/e, and play with both. It's important for you to be comfortable with the camera, both in how it handles and how the controls and menus operate.
>> Anonymous
>>199571
Ok. I'll go check them out tomorrow.
>> Anonymous
>>199571
>>199559

These. I get annoyed when my girlfriend tries to flaunt her big ole Nikon D60 or w/e against my Canon Powershot (forgot the model).
I can tell she doesn't want to belive that Canon and Nikon are pretty much equal, ones strength is the others weakness.
>> Anonymous
>>199586
Her D60 beats the shit out of your Powershot, sorry. The only "strength" you have is portability/size.
>> Anonymous
>>199593

Doesn't matter. I don't use my camera for professional stuff, just vacations and crap, nothing fancy.

It's like comparing a rifle to a bazooka. More firepower, yes, but not the same purpose.
>> Anonymous
>>199593

Also, she went and got Nikon's competitor to the Powershot. She uses that more, but still brags that her camera is automatically superior to mine simply because it's a Nikon.
>> Anonymous
>>199599
Nikon's point and shoots are crap. However, their DSLRs are about the same as Canons. So whatever OP chooses, he'll be fine with.

I'm getting an XTi as my first DSLR because their powershot line won me over. And because they are more popular so the used and new market is bigger.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
>>199734
Pros using Canon more is a really long story (I think the massive 3 post essay I wrote about this got me tripfagging to start), and it doesn't indicate any weakness in Nikon's pro line until you get back to maybe 20 years ago.

On the other hand the entry level Canons have been far superior to the equivalent Nikons for the past couple years so it's probably a better idea to start with them.
>> Anonymous
>>199737

My favorite thing I told my g/f was, even if your Nikon can take way better pictures than me, if you aren't willing to carry it around to most events, then you can't boast.
>> Anonymous
>>199734
I see just the opposite. Maybe one Canon to every five Nikons.
>> Martin !!ve2Q1ETWmJH
>>199737
For me, I've found that Canon seem to be leading in the DSLR world, but Nikon conquered the Film slr world, with the F4..

Not sure if this is correct, but from research and past experience thats how it seems. Although I use a Nikon DSLR.
>> Anonymous
>>199745

Where do you live?
I'm around Memphis.
I've seen a majority of Canon's in Alaska, D.C., and a close even around my area.
>> Serenar !m827jEgWi.
>>199746
Too lazy to type/TL;DR version of the SLR saga:

1959: Nikon beats the shit out of the early SLR market with the F (Pentax and the Germans go home weeping). Their domination continues.
1985: Minolta makes the first in-body AF SLR. Nobody gives a shit until Canon makes the EF system.
A little later: Nikon F4 marks Nikon's transition to AF and whips the shit out of the market again - but not as totally as before. The EOS-1 makes for a worthy competitor, especially because of Nikon's slow and loud AF.
Early 90s: Nikon D1 makes pro DSLRs acceptable and even widespread. Some time after all the pros jump to Canon for some reason, but I guess they'd already been leaving since the dawn of AF.
Not too long ago: The 300D/Digital Rebel pretty much creates the consumer DSLR market.
Even more recently: The D40 absolutely sucks shit. Fuck you Nikon.
>> TheGeneral !m7n7x2Yyfo
here in cebu, most of what you would call pros use canon systems. Most hobbyists go and buy nikon. Over here the ratio of dSLR users are probably 8:1, nikon:canon. I can't even joke about this.

Every event I shoot there are at least 4 other guys sporting d40s with an SB600 flash w/ diffuser aimed straight the fuck ahead. And the really funny part is seeing them disappointed that the shot they took is out of focus cause their cam can't AF. I then proceed to lol and my night is all better.
>> Anonymous
>>199752The D40 absolutely sucks shit. Fuck you Nikon.
Wat? The D40 has been fucking awesome for Nikon, don't be a pissy elitist bitch.
>> Anonymous
>>199586

Good for Nikon, but it's still not a good camera.

OP, Canikon is up to you. Personally, I'm a Nikonfag and would tell you to go with a D80 (or the update to it which should be announced within a month or so).

It's really up to you. The more important thing to remember is that when you buy your first camera, you're buying into a lens family.
>> Anonymous
>>199839Good for Nikon, but it's still not a good camera.

The D40 might not suit your needs, but it's an excellent camera which fills it's intended roll perfectly.
>> Anonymous
>>199846
That of being a bad investment for the consumer and a letdown for an amateur looking to make his system grow, only to realize he has to buy -another- camera if he wants his new lenses to work. Bye bye savings.
>> Anonymous
>>199846
> an excellent camera which fills it's intended roll perfectly

and that would be a barrel roll
>> Anonymous
>>199860
You're a poor consumer if you don't realize the limitations of the D40 before making your purchase, but even then the only significant lenses you're missing out on are the primes (which are still sold out everywhere with AF-S replacements likely). The D40 is a point and shooter's DSLR.