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Digital Cameras Anonymous
I'm looking to buy a new camera, but I can't decide on which is the best for me.
I mainly take photos of bands at shows or promo pics. I would like one that is good for nature photos and random objects as well.
I have 3 choices in mind:

Nikon D300
Olympus E-3
Canon EOS 400D / Digital Rebel XTi

There's so many to choose from and I would like to try them all, but sadly I lack one thing at the moment.
Lots of money.

Which do you prefer?
>> Anonymous
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i do lots of show pictures and i love my xti. the ad servo focus function keeps the lens in focus at all times on a moving subject to get the best results.
heres one example

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTiPhotographerunknownMaximum Lens Aperturef/3.5Image-Specific Properties:Horizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2008:03:09 11:05:27Exposure Time1/10 secF-Numberf/3.5Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating1600Lens Aperturef/3.5Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length28.00 mmRenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
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and another

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTiCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsPhotographerunknownMaximum Lens Aperturef/3.5Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2008:03:09 10:54:23Exposure Time1/5 secF-Numberf/3.5Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating1600Lens Aperturef/3.5Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length28.00 mmColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width533Image Height800RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> Anonymous
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>>144454
sorry. not resized. here's better

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTiCamera SoftwareAdobe Photoshop CS3 WindowsPhotographerunknownMaximum Lens Aperturef/3.5Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution240 dpiVertical Resolution240 dpiImage Created2008:03:09 10:55:55Exposure Time1/10 secF-Numberf/3.5Exposure ProgramManualISO Speed Rating1600Lens Aperturef/3.5Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModePatternFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length28.00 mmColor Space InformationUncalibratedImage Width533Image Height800RenderingNormalExposure ModeManualWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandard
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
The hell? You're looking at a D300 or... an XTi?

You realize the D300's Nikon's one-step-below-flagship model and the XTi is Canon's one-step-before-rock-bottom-beginner model, right?
>> M/A !n21TE7QU8U
>>144460
I thought exactly the same.
Wtf?
>> Anonymous
Don't get the XTi. It's a much worse camera than either of those. The Olympus is a professional-level camera, as is the D300, although it's not marketed as such. They're better in every way as tools to take pictures than the XTi. They have full-coverage viewfinders, twin command dials, etc.

The Olympus has a smaller sensor, and hence more noise; the D300 currently beats all other cameras that aren't "full-frame" as far as noise goes. The XTi falls somewhere inbetween.

Manual focusing is important in low light, and the Olympus and XTi won't be too good for this. The D300 will do well.

TL;DR get the D300.
>> Anonymous
>>144460
i just assumed he meant d80 and was confused. but if not, and he has enough $$$ to bring in a d300, id get the xti with a shitload of accessories
>> sv !!vC9KZM3Ch/H
I'm calling troll.

In the event that it's legit: D300
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>144465
Seconded. On both counts.
>> Anonymous
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owned
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
>>144472
Thats not how owning works.

A700
/thread
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
Pro-tip: the camera means shit. It's the glass that makes the picture. Out of everything you mentioned though, the D300 is obviously the best, and produces great stuff at ISO 3200.
>> Anonymous
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Those band photos are really good to be honest.
I currently use a Pentax Optio E10
I'm pretty happy with it, but would like to try something new.
I was thinking of going with the D300 anyways.
Here's a picture I took few months ago.
Unedited.
It has too much noise.
Maybe I need to adjust my ISO settings?
The highest my ISO goes to is 200.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakePENTAX CorporationCamera ModelPENTAX Optio E10Camera SoftwareV1.00Maximum Lens Aperturef/2.8Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2006:05:12 21:46:02Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/2.8Exposure ProgramActionISO Speed Rating200Exposure Bias0 EVMetering ModeCenter Weighted AverageFlashFlash, CompulsoryFocal Length5.50 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width600Image Height800RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoWhite BalanceAutoScene Capture TypeStandardGain ControlHigh Gain UpContrastNormalSaturationLowSharpnessHard
>> Anonymous
>>144480
amen
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
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Actually, because you don't really have an idea, get the cheapest possible rig. Cheapo dSLR body and a nifty fifty. When you understand what you need later, you can sell your old rig and move up.
>> Anonymous
>>144462
>Manual focusing is important in low light, and the Olympus and XTi won't be too good for this.
E-3 has a pretty big viewfinder. Not as large as the D300, but on par with Canon double-digit series and Sony A700.
>> Anonymous
>>144494
I knew it was larger, but is it really that large?

Disregard one part of that, then. D300 still is a better choice, though.
>> Anonymous
d300 i own one and i really like it.
>> Anonymous
If you are looking for something comparable to the D300, consider the Canon 40D.

If you want something similar to the XTi, you want a Nikon D60 or D80.
>> Matthew !4kFnlcYJm.
>>144481

Protip: lower ISO = less noise.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
>>144520

hahahaha, what the hell?
>> Anonymous
>>144520

I'd say it's more like
40d = d200 but the 200 has no live view

d300 is a different class and close to $2000 for the body

xti=d80? lol wut?
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>144540
>>144544

The XTi is between the D60 and D80 in terms of features. So one of those is the best match for the price/point he's looking at at the XTi end.

The D300 is certainly a higher end camera than the D40, but the D40 is in range of the D300. The next one up is the 5D. The D300's in between those in price and features.

It's hard to directly compare Canon and Nikon bodies. They tend to interleave.
>> Anonymous
>>144551
you mean the 40D i assume.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>144554
True.

Dammit. Stupid Canon.
>> Anonymous
>>144551

That seems to be the case. There aren't really many 1 to 1 Nikon/Canon cameras out there. They all seem to be a half step away from each other.
>> fence !!POey2hdozCZ
>>144551

the comparisons are fine, it's the "if you're thinking nikon, get canon! unless you're thinking canon.. then get nikon!" that made me ellohellohellohell
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>144560
Ahh. No, I think his meaning was just that he should decide if he wants a beginner or high-end camera and decide amongst those. I.e., compare apples to apples rather than comparing apples to five course dinners including steak and lobster.
>> heman
d40 is a great camera FOR THE PRICE. i would definetly reccoment for a first dslr, the 18-55 is particularly good for a kit lens and especially compared to its peice of shit canon kit lens counterpart
>> Anonymous
>>144567
he's correct, we all know that one should judge a photographic system as good or bad by the crappiest lens in their entire range, they clearly can't do any better.
>> Jeremo !iKGMr61IHM
>>144551
>>144558

I think BOTH companies would like to keep it that way. Direct competition in this case i think would eventually benefit the other companies.
>> Anonymous
Lol, the 18-55 VR out-fucking-resolves the D300 sensors. That's how awesome it is.
>> Anonymous
>>145080
95% of Nikon's lenses outresolve D300's sensor, at least in the middle parts of the frame. If it wasn't this way, Nikon would've been quite busy upgrading their lens lineup for future cameras with more megapixulz...
>> Anonymous
what does outresolve mean anyway

i read lens reviews and some of them "scratch the limit" of the 8/10 sensors or something like that, something about lines per pixels

explain in laymans please?
>> Anonymous
>>145110
Resolution is the amount of detail something can catch.

So say the D300's sensor can pick up two units of detail. A lens is attached that can pick up and transmit three. The lens outresolves the sensor.
>> Anonymous
>>145110

basically the sensor isnt capable of capturing the true resolution that the lens is capable of producing due to the inherent limits of said sensor.
>> Anonymous
>>145080

the same could be said about most lenses. the most limiting thing to a good lens is the film/sensor. the lens is pure . the lens is good.