S3 is -> dslr

[Houman]

Hi Everyone,

I am looking to upgrade from my S3 IS to a DSLR, I am mainly looking for a cheaper DSLR but that does ok in the long run. I'd like to use it mainly for low light picture taking (outdoors at night) and sceneries (mountains, outdoors, etc). I'd like to spend around 1k for a kit (camera + lens)

I was looking mainly at the D40 & the Rebel XSI. I had also seen some Kits that are a bit higher than 1k @ Costco for D80 and have been considering those as well.

Thanks for any inputs,

Houman

[JTL]

While the Nikon D40 is a nice enough camera...there is simply no fair comparison between it and the XSi. The XSi is in a completely different league and is the superior camera spec wise. But, it is also the much more expensive camera. If you're comparing these two cameras against each other, than you have significantly more homework to do...

Have you looked at the specs of the cameras in question and their accompanying systems (available lenses, flashes, accessories)? Have you decided what features and functions you want or don't care about?

[Beowulff]

Nikon D40 = $597
Canon XSi = $1179

Every picture — or in this case, price — tells a story.

Cheers :)

[Turn]

maybe go 2nd hand 400D and get a decent lens with left over money

[Houman]

Yes, I definitely need to do more homework ...

I actually was comparing D80 & XSI first, then added D40 as a fall back (price wise).

But thank you for your suggestions.

[SpecialK]

Nikon D40 = $597
Canon XSi = $1179

Every picture — or in this case, price — tells a story.

Cheers :)

Where do you shop? Xti w/lens at Amazon $699.

[Fiasco]

Since you mainly want to do low-light, outdoor night photography, I will advise you not to get the D80. Low-light is the D80's Achilles' heel. This is the main reason I want to get a D300 soon, to shoot low-light without sacrificing quality.

The D80 will shoot low-light, if you raise the ISO... and once you raise the ISO on the D80 beyond say ISO 400, you might as well not even take the picture. The D80 is too noisy at higher ISO values, at least to me it is.

The Canon XSi definitely trumps the D80 in the low-noise department, making it a better choice for low-light shooting.

Don't get me wrong, I love my D80's ... as long as they're at ISO100 - ISO320.

[Houman]

Where do you shop? Xti w/lens at Amazon $699.

You probably meant XSi (typo)...

but yes, Amazon and newegg both carry the kit @ $699

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0012YA85A/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1218597766&sr=8-1

[Houman]

Since you mainly want to do low-light, outdoor night photography, I will advise you not to get the D80. Low-light is the D80's Achilles' heel. This is the main reason I want to get a D300 soon, to shoot low-light without sacrificing quality.

The D80 will shoot low-light, if you raise the ISO... and once you raise the ISO on the D80 beyond say ISO 400, you might as well not even take the picture. The D80 is too noisy at higher ISO values, at least to me it is.

The Canon XSi definitely trumps the D80 in the low-noise department, making it a better choice for low-light shooting.

Don't get me wrong, I love my D80's ... as long as they're at ISO100 - ISO320.

Hey, Thank you a lot for your response, couple of my friends @ work owned the D80 and it was also based on their responses that I had the D80 in mind. I'd also do outdoor day photography as well soon.

Looks like XSi will be it...

Houman

[Fiasco]

Hey, Thank you a lot for your response, couple of my friends @ work owned the D80 and it was also based on their responses that I had the D80 in mind. I'd also do outdoor day photography as well soon.

Looks like XSi will be it...

Houman

For daytime outdoor photography, the D80 is really great!! You can see some of my outdoor stuff on my flickr page for examples.

[Houman]

I played with the XSi last night at best buy, very nice camera. I think I'll have to go to a Ritz/Wolf and check their inventory as well and do a comparison with the 40D. I think I'll get a kit + a telephoto lens as a starter.