I think i made a wrong choice?

[sin77]

How do u guys decide upon a brand or a camera?

Why do ppl choose nikon over a canon and vice versa.

I am not here to create a war, but just want to know what are the influencing factors.

[shahrulesa]

When I got my 400D, it was either 400D, D40 or D80.

D80 was out of my budget
400D has better features compared to the D40. The 7AF vs 4AF was enough to made me choose 400D.
After that, it is just buying to suit what I have. No regrets though.

[Exposure]

Originally Posted by sin77 How do u guys decide upon a brand or a camera? Why do ppl choose nikon over a canon and vice versa. I am not here to create a war, but just want to know what are the influencing factors.

u choose based on your $ ability to fund this hobby, your needs from this camera, your future plans from this camera... different brands carries different strength.

once u bought a DSLR, do remember u are going to buy lenses of that brand in future, are u able to afford thoses lenses from that brand ? and with a DSLR, how often are u going to use it ? just weekends ? do u plan to make some part-time income from it ? if so.. u may need to invest more in lenses.. some brands had its lenses priced sky high.

[thomasongck]

hi i am a newbie here, I went thru the phrase to deciding what model/brand to buy and after weeks of reading here and there as well as reading from CS, I decided on buying the D80, after 1 month of using, I am very happy with it.

I think many ppl went thru this phrase, but the last thing that let me made up my mind is whether you like the camera or not. I went to a lot of shop to try and test out various brand/model and finally find 1 that I like and is within my budget.

I think that the feel of tthe camera is very important, if you don like the feel then no point getting cos you are going to use the camera very often.

So the factor that let me make my last decision is : feel of the camera and budget.

[giantcanopy]

Hi sin77

Before discussing what various cameras can do for you, perhaps you can share with us in what way ur new D60 ( I understand u just got ur camera ) is lacking that made u feel is a wrong choice ?

Ryan

[emerald]

When I was making the decision, since I was noob, so the lens specs and other functions are not so critical. The first thing to look at is the price. After reading may camera reviews, the impression I got was that the Nikon D80 is a very good buy, but the price is too high for me. The D70 is then a bit out-dated, so I chose the Canon 400D, which was categorized with D80, but defeated by it. However, the price is lower.

After digging into photography for several months, I do like the Nikon lenses' focal range, like the 18-200 VR and the 80-400 VR. From the focal range aspect, Canon is not as friendly as Nikon. However, I am personally strongly against the red triangle label from the Nikon bodies, especially after I got to know the short-term for it among the Chinese photographers...

Whatever ur choice was, is, or gonna be, once u chose, you will most probably stick to the brand and will always try to find advantages of the brand u chose and spot weaknesses of the brands u didn't take...

No matter how, we all always share the common interest to photography itself! Enjoy!

[sin77]

Originally Posted by giantcanopy Hi sin77 Before discussing what various cameras can do for you, perhaps you can share with us in what way ur new D60 ( I understand u just got ur camera ) is lacking that made u feel is a wrong choice ? Ryan

D60 got no live preview.
It cannot use alot of lenses, because doesnt have built-in motor. Hence have to spend $$$ on certain range of lenses.
Lastly it only got 3 af points.

The thing i like abt my D60 is really the feel.
Small and light enough.
The grip is comfortable for me.
Having D-lighting and an antidust system are so great.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by sin77 D60 got no live preview. It cannot use alot of lenses, because doesnt have built-in motor. Hence have to spend $$$ on certain range of lenses. Lastly it only got 3 af points.

you will get over the live preview, believe me, a viewfinder beats a live preview any day, once you understand light

the other points.. most threads discussing entry level dslrs.. would have actually mentioned this; to be honest and brutally frank you have no pity from me, since you did not do your homework.

[ssping83]

i chose based on a few factors

1) i feel comfortable with the controls (many may argue that it's just a matter of getting used to though) and the size
2) there is a wide variety of 3rd party (or 1st party) lenses that can be used
3) it's a system that my (potential) shooting kakis are using.. so we can share lenses and equipment
4) the camera has a track record of producing pictures (which is an important factor as well if you think about it.. coz that will mean that the camera is capable of producing the pictures.. and if i cannot take such good pictures it'll mean that it ME who suck.. not the camera)

btw to threadstarter.. if i remember correctly you got yourself a d60.. it's a good camera for what it's worth.. if you dun like it.. then sell if off before prices drop (many forumers will be happy with that also ha) .. dun start comparing with your prosumer.. or with other brands.. coz it never ends.. right.. some might say canon offers cheaper lenses.. but you can always get the 3rd parties.. and seriously speaking.. the DX kit lens will already bring you a long way..

cheers..

[CT 3833]

Sin77,
lifeview - many DSLRs do not have lifeview function. Not at least up to D300. And even people who paid a lot more money for D300 are still complaining the lifeview limitations. So for that kind of money you paid for your D60, it is not a fair comparison and you should not be complaining.

number of AF points - it depends on you shooting needs. I hardly(I am sure many more others) use more than 1 af point, may be due to my limited shooting experience and usage; but still , I dont think you have missed out a lot from your 3 AF points D60. Again, a major factor is price.

built in motor - there are enough lens out there comes with built in motor, even the new Tamron 17-50mm for Nikon mount come with a built in motor now. So look at the cup is half full, not why it is still half empty.

Since you have bought your camera, go enjoy your shooting instead of looking back at your decision, which will not help in any case. After all, D60 is a good camera at a good price point.

[sin77]

Originally Posted by night86mare you will get over the live preview, believe me, a viewfinder beats a live preview any day, once you understand light the other points.. most threads discussing entry level dslrs.. would have actually mentioned this; to be honest and brutally frank you have no pity from me, since you did not do your homework.

i didnt ask for any sympathy.

[eikin]

Originally Posted by sin77 D60 got no live preview. It cannot use alot of lenses, because doesnt have built-in motor. Hence have to spend $$$ on certain range of lenses. Lastly it only got 3 af points. The thing i like abt my D60 is really the feel. Small and light enough. The grip is comfortable for me. Having D-lighting and an antidust system are so great.

it's dependent on what you want out of your hobby. you should ask yourself what you want to achieve in photography and then see whether you're really disadvantaged by your equipment, instead of thinking that all these ''missing'' things are going to hinder what you want to do.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by sin77 i didnt ask for any sympathy.

but you are complaining

don't take it too hard, it is not personal

on the bright side, dslrs all can produce good pictures; use your d60 more, and you might grow to love it..

especially if you like the feel, i have never been able to take decent pictures with a camera that did not feel right in my hands.. the fact that you like the handling.. is a big plus, at least to me.

[sin77]

To ssping83 and CT3833, thanks for your valuable encouragement.
After hearing what you guys commented, i think my decision wasnt that bad after all and i decided to keep it.
Wat i like about it is still the feel and grip.... i think i just go and shoot more first.

[sin77]

Originally Posted by eikin it's dependent on what you want out of your hobby. you should ask yourself what you want to achieve in photography and then see whether you're really disadvantaged by your equipment, instead of thinking that all these ''missing'' things are going to hinder what you want to do.

i am very new to dslr and didnt realise about the live preview thingy.
Coz i too used to prosumer, and now feel a bit handicapped by it.
Because alot of my shots are from bottom-up angle.
So without live preview, how do i aim my shots?

[sin77]

Originally Posted by night86mare but you are complaining don't take it too hard, it is not personal on the bright side, dslrs all can produce good pictures; use your d60 more, and you might grow to love it.. especially if you like the feel, i have never been able to take decent pictures with a camera that did not feel right in my hands.. the fact that you like the handling.. is a big plus, at least to me.

i didnt take it too hard.... i still respect u for all your great pics which inspired me.
I just have to learn my lesson as a newbie.
So much ignorance

[giantcanopy]

Originally Posted by sin77 So without live preview, how do i aim my shots?

Squat and aim through the viewfinder for awkward positions

Ppl have been living with viewfinder for eons. The liveview was only implemented recently on DSLRs. You dun lose much with no liveview

Ryan

[tomcat]

Originally Posted by sin77 i am very new to dslr and didnt realise about the live preview thingy. Coz i too used to prosumer, and now feel a bit handicapped by it. Because alot of my shots are from bottom-up angle. So without live preview, how do i aim my shots?

Exactly the same way that owners of viewfinder-only DSLRs do.... with your eye glued to the viewfinder and the camera pointing up at your subject.

[night86mare]

Originally Posted by sin77 i am very new to dslr and didnt realise about the live preview thingy. Coz i too used to prosumer, and now feel a bit handicapped by it. Because alot of my shots are from bottom-up angle. So without live preview, how do i aim my shots?

not sure what sort of bottom up angle you would be doing with the kit lens..

but buildings are no problem, believe me just squat lower, it is the same thing.. and you get to exercise your legs too

in any case, the viewfinder is actually a good thing, you have to overcome your fear of not being able to see what the picture looks like before you take it; if anything it encourages good handholding technique.. i always see prosumer users using it like a big p&s.. i always used the evf on my h2 when i had it.. save battery ;P

[eikin]

Originally Posted by sin77 i am very new to dslr and didnt realise about the live preview thingy. Coz i too used to prosumer, and now feel a bit handicapped by it. Because alot of my shots are from bottom-up angle. So without live preview, how do i aim my shots?

i was using coolpix 4500 before i got a D70s. i don't feel handicapped with the change, because i know a D70s with a live-view is going to make it so expensive that i won't even buy it in the first place. the reasons to get a DSLR over a compact are 1. better image quality, 2. more control over settings, 3. wider range of perspectives (lenses)

learn to work around your problems. if you can't see what you shoot, gauge it, feel it. depending on how much you want to push yourself to get the shot, if you need an angle from the ground, lie on the ground to do it.

btw, getting a D60 doesn't mean you have to throw away your compact. it's your first DSLR, there're still alot of things to learn shooting with a DSLR. for stuff you're already comfortable with, there's nothing wrong going back to your compact.