Photographers....Help please!?

Question

I urgently need some advice. I start a photography course tomorrow and still haven't bought a camera.

I'm down to choosing between the Nikon D50 and the Pentax *ist DL.

Basically, I think the Nikon takes better pictures which I suppose ultimately is the most important thing, but I just hate the body...it's too big and heavy. I much prefer the Pentax in that way, and I'm told it is a good (and cheaper) alternative.

Which should I buy?! Thanks!

Answer 1

bigger and heavier camera body may be "painfull" put it's much better in terms of stability and maneuverability.
i would go for the nikon D50 if those are your only choices. Otherwise I would look for a CANON dSLR - 20d, 30d or the cheaper 350d and 400d
Anyway ...don't hurry in buying a camera before you take the photography course - you will know much more about cameras after it. Just borrow one for the course.

Answer 2

Purchase the one you are more comfortable with - the body size and weight of the two really isn't that much different. The D50, as you said, takes a superior quality photograph, but so much more depends on you as a photographer - if you don't have an eye for composition then the camera doesn't matter at all. Same with exposures - you wont always be able to rely on the automatic function - so the more comfortable you are with the camera the better you will be at your art.

I shoot the Nikon D70s, the big brother to the D50. It's a much larger body, but a bit faster processor and fps. The Pentax has some obvious perks, like the price and also it takes AA batteries. The Nikon takes a Lithium Ion battery, which is expensive to replace but will last through hundreds of photos before you need to recharge.

Go to your nearest photo retail store. Have them put a generic lens on both of the camera bodies, like Sigma or Tamron. They'll make an equivelant lens for both - this way you can really see where the weight and size difference is - alot of the time it's actually in the lens.

Good luck!

Answer 3

I have recently bought a Nikon D70 after my Pentax ME super packed up ( non - digital). I was reluctant to give it up as I really felt at home with the Pentax and the Vivitar series 1 (70-210 with macro lens) and flash.

I asked the sales person in Jessops when I bought my Noikon the difference between the D50 and D70 but he said they were not trained these cameras only the 'snapshot compacts'

So I do not know the difference ( even after comparing the specifications on line) but I am really happy with it now I have got it. It is so easy to use and so versatile, the only thing I find dissapointing is the popup flash light does not cope very well in large low loght areas and I need to buy an add on flash or use my old pentax which may not be in sync. Although in more usual lower lighting conditions and for infil the pop up is perfect.

I understand this is common to all these camaras Pentax Cannon. Nikon. Not sure this is any help to you but I am sure you will be happy with whatever you buy they are both good makes.

Answer 4

If you're planning on having that camera for a long time and if you're planning on REALLY putting that camera to good use (not just an occasional photo on special holiday times), then I'd say get the Nikon; if you're an avid photographer and/or plan to really get into photography, again, I'd say get the Nikon. HOWEVER, if you're going to use that camera for an extended period of time, meaning REALLY stay with the hobby and really use that camera, I'd say, forget the D50 and go for the D70S, a much better camera altogether.

Why Nikon? It's superior build. Heavy? Yeah, it's not a flimsy toy and it's also built more solid than most cameras. Most importantly, when you buy a camera, you're buying into a system of lenses, and because Nikon has not changed its lens mount since 1959, you are sure to have a larger variety of available lenses for the future when you need other lenses to satisfy your needs. Buy only Nikkor lenses. Stay away from generic junk! Generics are made of inferior parts, have cheaper barrel build, use cheaper glass formulas and do not retain their resale value like brand name lenses. Generics have greater aberrations and distortions when you enlarge (or print your images) beyond 4" x 6". You get what you pay for.

Make a small sacrifice NOW and get the D70s instead of spending money now and then spending more to upgrade later... do it now and save yourself time, effort and money. You might want to try www.keh.com and see what they have since many are getting rid of the D70S to get the new D80 (also another great camera but more expensive). Oh, be sure to buy the Instructions manual, most important, OK?

You will soon appreciate the camera's ergonomic build when you start to memorize the different buttons, knobs, switches and all of the features... wait and see. Good luck, best wishes.

Answer 5

Nikon have a very good choice of lenses and a far better rep, but I would always swing towards canon for the basic reason they are just so far ahead of the game and the choice of lenses are fantastic too. Please remember it is not the camera that takes the picture but the person holding the camera. When you get your camera always remember the best photography book money can buy comes with the camera in the form of an instruction book, never let it be apart from your camera.

P.s Amazon are doing the extreme 3 compact flash 1 gb for £23.49 with free delivery, got mine last week and it is excellent

Answer 6

get the pentax, then get onto ebay and start purchasing a few lenses for it... if i remember rightly, pentax digital cameras accept virtually all pentax lenses, and you can get those for really little money now....

don't forget to factor into your budget a decent case, tripod, memory card, and the all important spare battery!

lastly, no camera take a better picture than another, the photographer takes the picture, the camera just records whatever its pointed at.

oh, and shop around, prices vary a lot.

Answer 7

ummm... that's actually kinda hard to answer but i think you should choose the one like if u want one that is small then get the Pentax but if it is a class then i would get the Nikon cause it probably would get you a better grade then the Pentax but i would get the Pentax personally

Answer 8

I don't know about cameras as much as you, but I'd go with the one that was cheaper and also took good pictures. The other might take very good pictures, but if you're going to hate using it then don't get it. And it sounds like you'd hate it the whole time while using it. Good luck!!!

Answer 9

well i use a dimage 6z this is a lovy camera
however for a photographic corse you have to face facts ...
a realy complex camera will grow you more !
hint buy a nice but under 200 euro digital and use it where ever you can , but use a nice analog camera for the harder work especialy in the dark ad the photos are way better and one can be got for 200 or less that rocks ?

Answer 10

Being a photographer, it is my concept that you have to start from the ground up. Get yourself a manual film type SLR - any brand that is working, and learn the basics of film speed, light, shutter speeds, the stops, etc.

Starting with a digital simply will make it too easy to bypass these essential things.