How should I choose my basic camera equipment?

[joe_larcher]

In a previous life I was a commercial photographer and I studied

photography at the Art Center College of Design. When I realized that

commercial photography was 90% business and 10% photography, I decided

that photography was a very hard business to make money in and that I

liked it much better as a hobby. My camera equipment then consisted

mainly of Nikromat 35mm SLR's, Hasselblad 500C/M, and Omega View 4x5

with various lenses. This was 15 years ago and all that remains of

that equipment is the 4x5 and its lenses.

<p>

I want to begin shooting and displaying (electronic via the web and

"dead tree") my photographs. Subjects will be diverse (ie. action,

portrait, studio, travel, macro). Obviously final image quality will

be important to me, but real world constraints of time, money, and no

access to a darkroom are also factors. I plan to work mainly with

color slide and digital images and turn the best into 8x10 and larger

prints.

<p>

I am considering two camera systems, Nikon and Canon. Both packages

are USA warranty and considerably over my budget of $3,000 for the

basic equipment.

<p>

<PRE>

Nikon D70 Digital SLR Camera Body (released in March 2004) $999.99

Nikon N80 35mm Autofocus Camera Body $339.95

Nikon 28mm f/1.4D Wide Angle AF Nikkor $1,694.95

Nikon 50mm f/1.4D Auto Focus AF Nikkor $259.95

Nikon 85mm f/1.4D IF AF Telephoto $999.95

Nikon PK-13 Ai Auto Extension Tube 27.5mm $62.95

Nikon Total $4,357.74

 

Canon Digital Rebel SLR Camera Body $899.00

Canon EOS Elan 7E 35mm Autofocus SLR Camera Body $349.95

Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM AutoFocus Wide Angle $1,119.95

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Standard AutoFocus $299.95

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM AutoFocus Telephoto $1,474.95

Canon Auto Focus Extension Tube EF 25 II $129.95

Canon Total $4,273.90

</PRE>

<p>

While this may appear to be a YACVNP (Yet Another Canon Vs Nikon

Post), there are several other issues I would like some feedback on:

<p>

1. Is the USA warranty worth the extra bucks? I could reduce the cost

$400 or more by going with the "alternate importers" (aka, grey

market). Should I consider other dealers besides Anorama and/or B&H?

What additional discount sources am I missing?

<p>

2. I could reduce the cost considerably by choosing a different wide

angle lens. The wide angle will likely be the most used lens on both

the 35mm and digital bodies. I would like to keep it relatively fast

(bright viewfinder image, low ambient light hand held) but obviously

it is expensive. Alternatively (USA Warranty):

<p>

<PRE>

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM AutoFocus Wide Angle Lens $399.95

Nikon 28mm f/2.8D AF Wide Angle Nikkor Lens $224.95

</PRE>

<p>

With the Canon I give up the "L" series and the Nikon seems to be too

slow for my main lens.

<p>

3. I could reduce the cost with a different telephoto. I would like to

to keep it relatively fast (bright viewfinder, hand held over a larger

range of light, shallow depth of field wide open). Alternatively (USA

Warranty):

<p>

<PRE>

Nikon 85mm f/1.8D AF Telephoto Nikkor Lens $384.95

Nikon 105mm f/2D AF DC-Nikkor AutoFocus Telephoto Lens $919.95

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens $329.95

Canon EF 100mm f/2 USM Medium Telephoto AutoFocus Lens $379.95

Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM AutoFocus Telephoto Lens $899.95

</PRE>

<p>

Both Nikons seems reasonable alternatives. With the Canons, I only get

a "L" series lens with the 135mm. How important is that?

<p>

4. What about my camera body choices? Will the 35mm bodies give me the

kind of manual control I need? Have I maximised the "price vs.

performance" function for the digital bodies? Should I spend the extra

$100 dollars for the Canon Digital Rebel SLR Camera Body Kit with the

Canon 18-55/3.5-5.6 lens? I am not a huge fan of zooms, could you tell?

<p>

5. OK, here it comes .... Do the Nikon prime lenses produce "better

overall images" (contrast, sharpness, vingette, etc.) than the prime

Canon "L" series, or vice versa? Should this factor even play a part

in my decision making?

<p>

Finally, thanks for working your way through my first post to this

forum. Obviously I have put a lot of thought into this process, and I

look forward to any feedback. Feel free to be selective about the

issues you wish to address and simply ignore the others.

[simonbode]

a warranty is always more expensive, but if something is not o.k., you will be happy to have one.

ai just can tell you that the nikon d70 is the newer model and faster. in a market that changes every second in my opinion the latest version is always the better choice. the quality of nikon lenses and canon lenses should be equal, it?s just a mtter of taste. have a look at stevesdigicams.com or dpreview.com. seem to be the best testing sites....you must decide one time....but with both choices you won?t have any problems as you are going to buy very high quality products...regards