Nikon 8800: Q&A 4 the experts

[Chrisfish]

Hello all!

Im Chrisfish and I recently sold my Canon S1 IS. Overall I was very pleased with that camera; however, it didnt have the MP that I was looking for. Now Im considering a top of the line point and shoot or a low level dSLR. I was hoping to get some help from some of the experts or more advanced users out there.

Budget:

2000 cdn (1600US) although I would be willing to invest more in a dslr (up to 3000 cdn.

Size:

I dont want anything too large.

image quality is very important (8mp)

as well at least 10X zoom (300mm or more)

Brands:

Willing to consider any but I prefer Canon and Nikon.

I would like a camera that I could use a doubler with as well as get a wide angle lense (or adapter) and a macro as well.

If its point and shoot I was thinking of the Nikon Coolpix 8800 and if its a dSLR I was thinking of getting a digital rebel xt.

But I was working out the costs of the Digirebel and figured it would cost at least 4000cdn to get what I want! So Im favoring the Nikon Coolpix at this point.

Nikon has several lenses that work with the coolpix (WM-E80 Wide-Angle Converter Lens, TC-E17ED Tele Converter Lens ) . . however places like ebay have even more options.. are these good options or rip offs?

If you have read this far, thanks,
and if you have any input, it would be appreciated.

Thanks
Chrisfish

[speaklightly]

Chrisfish-

Yes, it might be a little more money now, but you would be a whole lot happier with the Canon Digital Rebel XT in the long run.

The Nikon 8800 is a fine digital camera but has slow startup and very slow shot to shot times. To get a wide angle, you will have to hang an accessory lens on it, which makes for less balance and less convenience, than just changing the lens.

If the choice was mine, I would instantly head for the DigReb. You might ask what is my background to make such a sweeping judgement. I hate to admit that I have been a professional for 50+ years. Like you, I fought going over to a dSLR for a long time. But soon, just the pure ease of operation and the much higher available ISO numbers lured me over. As a result I realized I had actually been holding myself back by trying to figure out work arounds to keep using a fixed lens digital camera.

At the end of the day, it is all up to you. Do what is best for you and your style of shooting.

Sarah Joyce

[Chrisfish]

thanks Sarah!

I will take your advice to heart. My main problem with going to the Digital Reb or 20D (maybe) are the price of the lenses. I would want a wide angle, a ultra-zoom (300mm + a doubler) and something macro. That costs alot of cash ne!

If you dont mind could you suggest some lenses for a digital rebel or 20D..?

Wide Angle:
I was thinking ( Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 or Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM )

Zoom:
I was thinking (EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM )

Doubler:
I have no idea!
Very confusing part of digital cams for me.

Macro:
I was thinking ( Canon EF 50mm f/2.5 Macro )


thanks
all of your help is appreciated for sure.

Chrisfish

[speaklightly]

Chrisfish-

Because I have more lenses for our Nikon D-70, please let me let me relate to your post in terms of the lenses that I use for the D-70.

Nikkor 12-24mm for wide angle
Nikkor 28-120mm VR for mid range telephoto
Macro Nikkor 60mm for macro-close-ups
Nikkor 50mm F1.8 for low light level and portraits.

The 28-120mm takes me out to a bout 6X optical zoom. Down the road I will add a longer zoom telephoto. But the issue I am attempting to demonstrate is that you don't acquire everything all at once, for me, at least, it is more of a progressive and long term project.

Sarah Joyce

[Chrisfish]

Thats a good point Sarah. I guess you dont need to get everything at once!

Well, I will have to take all of this into consideration when buying my camera.

I guess I still have alot of research to do before I but my camera.

Thanks for your advice,

Chrisfish