Have a guess what make of camera this lot are using :eek: :eek: :eek:

Not necessarily Canon

Nikon and Minolta had the same light finish available on some of their lenses too you know. I'm pretty sure Olympus did it as well on their super-teles of the OM series. It all has to do with the Flourite glass used which is much more sensitive to heat than the ED glass which Nikon developed to compete back in the 70s.

Come to think of it I don't know why Nikon offers it, maybe to stop it's snappers being lynched at Ku Klux Kanon meetings

Not necessarily Canon

Nikon and Minolta had the same light finish available on some of their lenses too you know. I'm pretty sure Olympus did it as well on their super-teles of the OM series. It all has to do with the Flourite glass used which is much more sensitive to heat than the ED glass which Nikon developed to compete back in the 70s.

Come to think of it I don't know why Nikon offers it, maybe to stop it's snappers being lynched at Ku Klux Kanon meetings

Very true... maybe they are all using vintage cameras :confused:

If you look closeley, you will see that they are all '1' series canon slr's.

I will cease my wind-up now. Fact is, all of the modern Digital SLRS are capable of excellent results and I'm sure that whatever the OP choses will be absolutely fine.

Have fun with it, and post some piccies ASAP.

Chris,

How the heck can you let learners drive a vRS? A 1.0 Micra was more than enough for me...

Gordon Solomon

Hi Gordon

Curiously, not one of my pupils has had any trouble driving it. I think it serves them well to have to learn subtle use of the throttle. Most of them step off the throttle very quickly indeed if things are getting interesting:D If they dont, using the brake pedal kills the engine fuelling anyway, but I have never had to resort to that.

Chris

I think it serves them well to have to learn subtle use of the throttle.

Good point Chris. Perhaps if more people learned to drive in gutsier cars we wouldn't see them wrapped around lamp-posts the second they upgrade from their [insert popular low capacity ned-wagon here]

Gordon Solomon

Canon get's my vote, been using various Canon SLR's (Digital and film) for the last 6 years, totally reliable even when I've been dragging them up ice climbs in a blowing blizzard.

I think you should do a poll to produce a winner!

but as said before, the only way you'll find out is the best for you is by trying them out.

A lot of good points made so far. My 2p from my 350D vs D70 decision:

As others have said, go to the shop and try them out. Might be worth checking out local independent camera shops. I went to Robertsons in Lancaster who were advertising the 350D cheaper than Jessops or any of the usual Internet sellers. Even though I already had my heart set on the 350D (see below) I had to check out the alternatives. I must have spent the best part of two hours in the shop picking them up, zooming, focusing, putting them down etc.

The Nikon is much bigger and heavier. I have big (but not enormous) hands and I find the 350D fine - not too small and fiddly, but the D70 did have the better layout of controls. I also leaned towards the Canon because it was to be my everyday camera and I wanted the smallest, lightest machine to carry around. This was probably a bit daft, because once you add a bigger lens it gets much heavier anyway.

Trying in the shop is fine, but if you can, try them taking the sort of pictures you like to take. You're welcome to a play with my 350D sometime (was in Blackpool with it just yesterday ). Can't help with the Nikon though

I borrowed a friend's 350D for a week to get the feel of it and fell in love. Hence why I went into the shop with my mind 90% made up. Was still prepared to have my mind changed though.

Then there's the cost. The D80 is 50% more expensive than the 400D. OK, it has a better stock lens, and some may argue it is the better camera, but is it worth that much more? The Canon is a great camera so I say get one and spend the difference on a better lens for it. You will want a better lens after a couple of months, even if at first the stock lens seems the best thing you've ever used. Or take Lady E's good advice and get the outgoing model and have even more left to spend on lenses and other kit.

I'm still really chuffed with my 350D and if it was lost/broken/stolen I'd be straight out to get a 400D and wouldn't even look at the D80. It also stood up very well to the best of Blackpool weather.

Sorry, bit of a ramble. Good luck and have fun choosing. Looking forward to seeing the results as you've definitely got a talent.