BEST deal that i have seen is a nikon d300 with 18-200mm VR lens at ritz for like 2249... if i didnt have so many SD cards i'd exchange my d80.

i've never dealt with canons, but i just recently got a D80, (stepped up from a D60) and i still have the lenses you are talking about with the D60... both lenses are supreme (for the money)

 

ok how about this:

Canon EOS 40D and at Costco it's $1434.99 and includes the 18-55mm IS Lens and Flash

or

Nikon D80 and at Costco it's $1399.99 and includes 18-135mm VR Lens and 70-300mm VR Lens

 

low lighting... i'd prefer the canon generally speaking... although the new nikon d300 has got me speechless... i'm beyond amazed by it.


but in lowlight... get yourself a good lens and a good flash and you're good. i'd say go cotsco kit to get you started and start looking around for a better lens.

while i agree the 28-105 lens is a very good lens, i have a feeling that you'd upgrade out of that soon enough either way. so yea... good luck.


go PM jz007... he's too damn shy to post in here but he has good input.

 

i dont think the 18-135 is a VR lens, but you may want to double check.
have you already checked out the cameras in person?

 

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product...se=&lang=en-US

Yah, it's probably not, but like I said, I have no clue what VR or IS or all that other jargon stands for, or which one is better than the other. I've read the "How to choose an SLR camera" article on cnet, but already forgot all of it lol

I've checked out the 40D in person at costco, seems heavier than the others (that's without the lens too, they only had the 40D, XSI, XTI, and D60) but they didn't have the D80 there in person.

 

here

canon 40d review: http://dcresource.com/reviews/canon/...ew/index.shtml

nikon d80 review: http://dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/...ew/index.shtml


personally i'd take canon. but take your pick




ps... VR / IS = Vibration Reduction / Image Stabilization. great for handheld shots.

 

if it were between a D60 and a 40D, i'd take the 40D.

also check out dpreview.com

 

40D it is then. Most likely will get another set of lens sometime in the future after I get use to all the camera's features

 

wisely said.

 

Oh snaps... look at this thread..............

https://www.i-club.com/forums/photoshop-photography-205/bay-area-photographers-178825/

Oh snaps...my old school DSLR:


GOTCHA !! You're WTL, rookie.

 

If you want to do low light handheld shots (and it sounds like you do), you need IS or VR.

Canon's IS lenses are generally cheaper than Nikon's equivalent VR lens (mostly why I like canon's gear more).

 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/pho/709498107.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/pho/709493320.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pho/709420975.html

Under budget, got D80, three lenses, extra battery pack (important for high-speed shooting), tripod AND a decent camera bag to carry it all.

 

it's more technique than camera. even with high end gear, both nikon and canon will still have trouble focusing in low light if it's not used properly.

yes, check out the cameras in person. go to like a ritz camera or a camera store and not costco. play with the cameras and see which one you like more.

that's not true.

 

either choice you make i'm very sure you'll be happy with it since both nikon and canon make some pretty good cameras.

 

just got the 40D from costco, came with 2 batteries, a 1GB cf card, the canon speedlite 430ex flash (pic from above), the 18-55mm lens, a canon photography book, and a really nice and huge camera bag. Shaweet!