From Nikon to Canon?

[Manda]

Hi,

Although I love my D50 I'm toying with the idea of investing in Canon instead.

Why? Well I've seen a friend use a clever button that auto-focuses objects near and far (imagine the star fish on the beach and the sailing ship in the background all sharp) without having to use infinity or calculate the two separate focus points.

I know the button exists - but I can't remember which model he used.

Can any one suggest where I would go from here. My price range would be a Nikon D200, but don't know what the equivalent model would be for Canon.

Thanks in advance for your ideas

[woinkeyman]

You may want to try the 30D... Nice camera, 9AF points, 5fps and 8.2 mp.

[globalshooter]

Originally Posted by Manda Hi, Although I love my D50 I'm toying with the idea of investing in Canon instead. Why? Well I've seen a friend use a clever button that auto-focuses objects near and far (imagine the star fish on the beach and the sailing ship in the background all sharp) without having to use infinity or calculate the two separate focus points. I know the button exists - but I can't remember which model he used. Can any one suggest where I would go from here. My price range would be a Nikon D200, but don't know what the equivalent model would be for Canon. Thanks in advance for your ideas

i thought nikon has somthing like that too ?

[adamadam]

is that the A.DEP mode? (which I never ever ever use! I will try )
hee-heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehoawwaaw I think Nikon would have something like that! maybe

[tamiya_model]

Originally Posted by adamadam is that the A.DEP mode? (which I never ever ever use! I will try ) hee-heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeehoawwaaw I think Nikon would have something like that! maybe

Sounds like, though I don't really get the TS's description.

[Kit]

Go download a hyper distance focussing chart. You can use it with a $200 camera or a $12,000 DSLR. Much cheaper than getting a Canon system.

[Stoned]

I'm quite sure Nikon also has an A.DEP mode right... check your manual, it's been a feature for ages.

[jdredd]

Originally Posted by Manda Can any one suggest where I would go from here. My price range would be a Nikon D200, but don't know what the equivalent model would be for Canon. Thanks in advance for your ideas

the canon models are not exactly aligned with the nikon models..
i.e. the D200 sits just above the 30D, but below the 5D.

as others have said, nikon offer a adep preview too. so think carefully if there are any other reasons why you might want to make a mount switch.

[denniskee]

may be what TS should really do is to read the camera user manual, instead of jumping ship.

pls note, canon has 2 type of system, DEP and A-DEP

DEP function can be found on single digit model like the 1V, Elan 7, EOS-3, 1D and 1Ds. Others, like the Rebel, D30, D60 and 10D have a mode called A-DEP.


taken off "luminous-landscape" web site

DEP
Here's a better way that I have found to be appropriate for doing landscape work, especially when the camera is tripod mounted.

— Set the camera to DEP mode

— Point at either the nearest or farthest object in the scene that you wish to be in focus and lightly press the shutter release.

— Next, point the camera at the other extreme and once again half press the release

— The camera will now autofocus the lens to the hyperfocal distance and will display the aperture that it has selected to achieve optimum depth of field

These first three steps are the same as recommended by Canon. But here is where my approach differs from what Canon suggests.

— Turn off autofocus. Be careful not to touch the focus ring of the camera. Leave the focus where the camera has set it

— Make a mental note of the aperture that the camera is proposing to use and now reset the exposure mode to Manual

— If possible manually set the aperture to one stop smaller than that suggested by the camera

— Manually set the shutter speed to the setting needed for the desired exposure. If this falls outside an appropriate range for the subject that you're shooting, and you're shooting with a digital camera, reset the ISO to a higher speed.

— Reframe the shot and take it



taken off "photographyjam.com" web site

A-DEP
Set to A-DEP, what the camera does is look at all of the focus points in the viewfinder and calculate what aperture setting is required to get them all in sharp focus, and set the appropriate focal distance required. This is a really great feature for taking landscapes for example – the camera does all the work of making sure that everything its tack sharp. The camera will flash the points that are in focus when you press the shutter button halfway down. This mode will sometimes set a very slow shutter speed, because the required aperture to get the depth of field you need is very small, so you may need a tripod to get the best use from it.

hope this is usefull.

[zuikoku]

Originally Posted by Manda Hi, Although I love my D50 I'm toying with the idea of investing in Canon instead. Why? Well I've seen a friend use a clever button that auto-focuses objects near and far (imagine the star fish on the beach and the sailing ship in the background all sharp) without having to use infinity or calculate the two separate focus points. I know the button exists - but I can't remember which model he used. Can any one suggest where I would go from here. My price range would be a Nikon D200, but don't know what the equivalent model would be for Canon. Thanks in advance for your ideas

Choose for EOS 30D.
After that, looking for nice L lenses such EF 24-70 mm f/2.8L or want get the finest quality with prime L Lenses...

[EiRiK]

Originally Posted by Manda Hi, Although I love my D50 I'm toying with the idea of investing in Canon instead. Why? Well I've seen a friend use a clever button that auto-focuses objects near and far (imagine the star fish on the beach and the sailing ship in the background all sharp) without having to use infinity or calculate the two separate focus points. I know the button exists - but I can't remember which model he used. Can any one suggest where I would go from here. My price range would be a Nikon D200, but don't know what the equivalent model would be for Canon. Thanks in advance for your ideas

the button is just a fancy function, not used by most canon users.
its not difficult to take a pic with sharp foreground subject and background together, in fact u already mentioned the way yourself.
y waste $ over a simple function that can be overcome by basic photographic knowledge which u already have?
i have seen your gallery and u take pretty decent pix, save your $$ bro.

[ortega]

Originally Posted by Manda Hi, Although I love my D50 I'm toying with the idea of investing in Canon instead. Why? Well I've seen a friend use a clever button that auto-focuses objects near and far (imagine the star fish on the beach and the sailing ship in the background all sharp) without having to use infinity or calculate the two separate focus points. I know the button exists - but I can't remember which model he used. Can any one suggest where I would go from here. My price range would be a Nikon D200, but don't know what the equivalent model would be for Canon. Thanks in advance for your ideas

wah like that also can?
nowadays young ppl very rich

there are scene modes that you can use on your D50, just choose landscape mode.

[Scaglietti]

You want both near and far sharp... buy PnS. They do that better than SLRs...

BC

[Manda]

Thanks for ur advice - keep it coming!

I think I got over excited at the Expo and had the urge to 'buy, buy, buy'! I've calmed down now (not the mention the bank manager has said ).

I think you made some good points!

[kraterz]

If I am you I will stick with nikon. They have great lenses for DSLR which canon cant match. 18-200VR, 18-70 AF-S, all very good consumer lenses at good price. If I din have so much $$$ in canon lenses I will sell and get nikon just for the 105 macro VR.

The D80 body is much more solid and better to use than the 30D or 20D. I like the response and feel.

[dragos]

Originally Posted by Manda Thanks for ur advice - keep it coming! I think I got over excited at the Expo and had the urge to 'buy, buy, buy'! I've calmed down now (not the mention the bank manager has said ). I think you made some good points!

stick with your nikon....learn all u can from it..

[Ramius]

Originally Posted by kraterz If I am you I will stick with nikon. They have great lenses for DSLR which canon cant match. 18-200VR, 18-70 AF-S, all very good consumer lenses at good price. If I din have so much $$$ in canon lenses I will sell and get nikon just for the 105 macro VR. The D80 body is much more solid and better to use than the 30D or 20D. I like the response and feel.

Funny you say that.. I guess the grass always seems greener on the other side I won't say Canon's lenses are not a match. Win some lose some. But no one would dispute Canon's sensor/processor as the better model now.

Me thinks we should save up for the next (affordable) FF body

[kraterz]

Originally Posted by Ramius Funny you say that.. I guess the grass always seems greener on the other side I won't say Canon's lenses are not a match. Win some lose some. But no one would dispute Canon's sensor/processor as the better model now.

I'll explain When I shot film with my trusty EOS-100 or 5 I used to have a standard 28-105 zoom. That's standard kit for many many ppl and used to that focal length and img quality. While transition from film to digi, we have either the cheap and crap kit lens or got to spend $$$ for 17-85 or 17-40. Where's the standard zoom? Nikon got the 18-70/3.5-4.5, canon got nothing. Where's the all purpose travel zoom? Nikon got the 18-200 VR can be use in almost any condition. Canon got nothing.

I am not complaining bcoz my 17-40L serve me very well for many yrs now but for gen. purpose use, nikon kits are much better val for $$$.