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Ugghhhh sorry to ask this question.... (Canon Rebel XT or Nikon D40)

M

Mantronix

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 21, 2007
177
0
Louisiana
I made a post not too long ago asking for opinions on a entry level dlrs camera. Many posters suggested either the Canon Rebel XT or the Nikon D40 for the budget I have. I went to Bestbuy and I was able to try both of them and now I'm on the fence. They are both good cameras and they feel real good in my hands. My only problem is which one I should go with? I'm worried about compatibility issues with OS X and will I have any problems upgrading the lens in the future? :confused:
 
Personally i prefer Canon and their lenses, but i hear both are good. I would think that both are equally compatible with OS-X - iPhoto works well, as does Adobe Lightroom....
 
Can't make up your mind, eh? :D

All else being equal - do you have any photographer friends? If so, what do they have? It's always nice to (at least potentially) have the option to borrow lenses.

You're not going to have compatibility problems with either camera, and both work great with OS X.

Edit: Since smueboy said "Canon", now I've got to come back and say "Nikon" to balance it out. :D
 
Mantronix said:
... My only problem is which one I should go with? I'm worried about compatibility issues with OS X and will I have any problems upgrading the lens in the future? :confused:
Click to expand...

Shouldn't have a problem with compatibility with OS X. I've used the Canon XT digital and uploaded to my Mac. I know other photographers with Nikons and Macs.

I don't see how you can have problems in upgrading in a lens.. Tamron makes lenses for both Canon and Nikon.

Macanadian
 
So - it's a tie - toss a coin!

The idea about friends lenses is a good one though.
 
If you have friends that have one or the other go with the one that they have, and then you will have the option of borrowing lenses, otherwise, decide based on the lenses, there shouldn't be any compatiblity problems with either. Since I prefer Nikon, I have to tell you to get that, if you don't have friends that use Canon.
 
smueboy said:
So - it's a tie - toss a coin!

The idea about friends lenses is a good one though.
Click to expand...

Heads/ Nikon -- Tails /Canon. if the coin lands on the edge (neither heads or tails) then give up.

I've tossed a coin and came up heads!
 
I take it you have NO lenses? Or friends with lenses they dont want? Or your eye on a lens youd like?

The body is secondary to the glass, as the glass is what you really should care about.

I vote for Canon only cuz its all i got!

ps: or old school (OLD school) Polaroid!
 
Use a card reader when exporting images from the memory card to the computer. The only time there would be any possible issues with compatibility of the OS is when a new camera is released and Apple needs to ensure that iPhoto and Aperture will be able to work with the RAW files.

None of us can make up your mind for you. It's a choice and decision YOU have to make. Since apparently at this point you are not wedded to any one brand, just pick a camera body and kit lens and start shooting! Unless you're planning to build up a significant lens collection right away, first just take the time to learn about photography and your camera before making too much of an investment. Both Nikon and Canon have excellent lenses. In the Canon line there are some older lenses which will not work with the newer film and digital bodies. In the Nikon line, the D40 does not have an internal motor and therefore cannot autofocus with lenses other than the AF-S (silent wave) ones. In spite of this, there are still plenty of lenses from which to choose in both camera manufacturers' lines.
 
I would go with the Canon. I have used a couple Canon cameras over the years and they are durable and take quality images. The Canon Rebel I use currently for product shots has made my work life much easier. Great camera for the money. The lens that ships with it (if you opt for that package) is good, but Canon's other lenses are what can make the camera really shine. Their macro lens is excellent, with stunning detail and clarity. They are both of good quality, but I would go with the Canon, I've never had any problems with them. As far as it being Mac compatible, that's no problem. I have only had connectivity issues with PCs, never with a Mac.
 
Canon!

Go Canon! You know you want to.......:)

And the idea of using a card reader is great - I wouldn't do it any other way.
And, consider using some workflow importing software like Aperture or Lightroom. Just my $.02
 
If you want to learn about photography, go with the Canon Rebel.

If you want more of an auto camera, go with the Nikon D40.

I went with the Rebel because it has auto bracketing and a lot more AF points.

Also, the Rebel has hard buttons for iso and WB where the D40 have those settings buried in the menus.

Personally, if I had bought the D40 six months ago, I would now be looking into a D50 due to the above limitations.
 
I've been shopping myself, and I think I'm getting the Nikon. But to be frank, I think you'll be perfectly happy with either - the only real deciding factor would be if you already had lenses. If you don't, toss a coin.
 
Like Blackadder said, it doesn't matter. I'm getting the D40x, but only because I prefer the way the body feels and I have a lot of friends and contacts who use Nikon. There's nothing wrong with Canon. Get whatever you like, it honestly doesn't matter.
 
beatzfreak said:
If you want to learn about photography, go with the Canon Rebel.

If you want more of an auto camera, go with the Nikon D40.

I went with the Rebel because it has auto bracketing and a lot more AF points.
Click to expand...

If you want to learn photography, you shouldn't use auto bracketing ;)

I'd go with Nikon because they just rule, but both are good.
Go to a store and handle both cameras, buy the one that feels better.
I, personally, didn't know even where to put my hands when I used a canon, so it's very simple for me.

And don't pay attention to all the pixel measurers with all their ridiculous tests and marketing features (CCD cleaners i'm looking at you :rolleyes:).
 
maxi said:
If you want to learn photography, you shouldn't use auto bracketing ;)

I'd go with Nikon because they just rule, but both are good.
Go to a store and handle both cameras, buy the one that feels better.
I, personally, didn't know even where to put my hands when I used a canon, so it's very simple for me.

And don't pay attention to all the pixel measurers with all their ridiculous tests and marketing features (CCD cleaners i'm looking at you :rolleyes:).
Click to expand...
That was one question I wanted to ask. Will the megapixel difference between the cameras makes a huge difference? As for the features of the cameras I'm not sure what I should be looking for. This will be my 1st venture into the world of DSRL cameras and I striving to do it on a professional level in the years to come like weddings. I want something that will be user friendly for controls/functions so I won't be coming here asking a million questions. :p
 
Mantronix said:
That was one question I wanted to ask. Will the megapixel difference between the cameras makes a huge difference? As for the features of the cameras I'm not sure what I should be looking for. This will be my 1st venture into the world of DSRL cameras and I striving to do it on a professional level in the years to come like weddings. I want something that will be user friendly for controls/functions so I won't be coming here asking a million questions. :p
Click to expand...

Megapixels matter for print size, not picture quality. If you want big posters of your pics then 10MP is the minimum. For anything else 6 is more than enough.
 
Diatribe said:
Megapixels matter for print size, not picture quality. If you want big posters of your pics then 10MP is the minimum. For anything else 6 is more than enough.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I challenge ANYONE to tell me how having a 10MP camera made him take better pictures OR take pictures he wouldn't have been able to with a 6MP. Oh, and cropping does not count :).

Specially at these sensor sizes, I feel the bigger pixels are more useful than having more of them. The D40 has an astounding high ISO performance.
 
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