nikon D50 or rebel XT with upgraded lens each?

[optimist2]

It seems most reviews lament the choice of kit lens used with both the Nikon D50 and Cannon Rebel XT. So I'm thinking about upgrading the lens for my purchase (first SLR)

Both sets of camera below (body plus lens) are about the same price ($800)

Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT (a.k.a. 350D) body
PLUS
Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 II USM

Or
Nikon D50, body
PLUS
Nikon AF 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX

Which one do you think is the best combination for a beginner SLR user who wants to capture the sharpest possible pictures in automatic and manual?

Would you recommend any other combination?

Thank you for your help.

optimist2

[pagnamenta]

I would first recommend that you buy into a system. Perhaps a family member or friend has some lenses you could use. If that isn't the case, I would go with the Canon combination you suggested. Both cameras are great beginner cameras, but I find the layout of the XT more suiting than the D50.

_______________
Canon 30D, BG-E2
24-70 f2.8
70-200 f2.8
Speedlite 580 EX

[Turo]

They're both great cameras. I went with the D50 because I like the way it fits in my hands much better (I am picky about that :) ). If it wasn't for that, I would have gone with the Canon.

Plus I found a good price on a D50 at the time, so that sealed the deal for me.

[Jason25]

I use that D50 + 18-70 combo a lot, and love it thus far! I know I'll eventually step up to a 2.8 replacement for the 18-70, but it works very well for me :) As previously mentioned though, make sure the system you like has the lenses you want/will want and choose based on that. The camera body, regardless of your choice, will be on ebay in a few years anyway :D


Took this yesterday with that D50 + 18-70 combo:

http://home.comcast.net/~jmodzik/downtownparade6.jpg

[chonger]

Canon vs. Nikon is the debate always

Personally I like the Canon much better,

It is probably going to come down to personal preference.

You are getting your bang for your buck with the Nikon 18-70mm lens. It has great glass resulting in supersharp images. However, the downfall of the D50 is the SD card. If you have no problem with that, then go right on ahead.

In my personal experience, Canon bodies tend to be electronically more reliable than the Nikons (check Nikon D70 Metering FPC).

My advise to you is to build a system around the lenses that will suit you the best.

Kind regards,
Don