Canon Rebel Ti1 or Nikon D5000?

[Kung Lau]

Canon Rebel Ti1 or Nikon D5000

I'm seeing these two cameras at the same price for the kit (18-55 lens)

Which one would you suggest.

Not trying to start a Canon vs Nikon debate, would appreciate a fact with recommendation.

Also, please limit the comments to these two cameras. I know there are others out there that can be bought but I have a good reason to limit it these two.


Thanks.

 

[RKS]

I just bought the T1i for my wife. It was just too good of a deal to pass up; 2 lens kit under $800 delivered. It seemed the Canon was a better "bank for the buck" but the D5000 is a very nice camera as well.

 

[extra]

Do you have any friends who have one or the other that you could borrow lenses from? If not I'd say just go play with them and see which one you like best. (I'm a Canon guy myself though).

 

[qbfx]

I have the rebel XS and love it. I'd say go with the T1i, you wont regret it. If I were to buy a Nikon, I'd opt for a D90. But then again the 50D would be just around the corner price-wise, so I'd end up with it I know you said

Also, please limit the comments to these two cameras. I know there are others out there that can be bought but I have a good reason to limit it these two.

but really why not consider a mint used 40D for the same price? They're all over the net.

Good luck!

 

[corkyg]

The real focus of the decision is which family of lenses do you want to get started with. Yes, you will start with one, but . . . believe me, you will add to that over time. Both cameras are very good and will serve you well.

 

[soydios]

I've got a D90 and I like it. The D5000 is most of a D90. I've always preferred Nikon's ergonomics. Try holding and using both of the cameras, then go with whichever one you take to best. Their image quality is pretty much identical.

 

[jpeyton]

Ditto. Go to a big box store. Play around with both models. I too prefer Nikon ergonomics.

 

[MotF Bane]

If it has to be one of those two, I'd go with the T1i, the D5000 feels small.

 

[jpeyton]

If it has to be one of those two, I'd go with the T1i, the D5000 feels small.

That flies in the face of reality; if anything, the D5000 is noticeably bigger by every measure.

T1i: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 in., 46.5 cu in., 480 g

D5000: 5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in., 63.6 cu in., 560 g

 

[MotF Bane]

That flies in the face of reality; if anything, the D5000 is noticeably bigger by every measure.

T1i: 5.1 x 3.8 x 2.4 in., 46.5 cu in., 480 g

D5000: 5.0 x 4.1 x 3.1 in., 63.6 cu in., 560 g

I said feels, I didn't say is. In fact, I didn't even know the measurements, but I've been at Best Buy and Hunt's (New England local shop) this weekend, and the D5000 FEELS smaller to me than the T1i. Which really is an unfortunate perception, because it's forcing me towards the D90 ($$$).

 

[Hyperblaze]

Just to let you know, the more you or she gets into photography, you will find yourself really limited by the 18-55mm lens.

lasted less then a year before i got myself a 2nd lens.

 

[soydios]

Just to let you know, the more you or she gets into photography, you will find yourself really limited by the 18-55mm lens.

lasted less then a year before i got myself a 2nd lens.

Yeah...but that doesn't mean that the 18-55mm lens isn't worth keeping. I always regret selling my 18-55mm when I got my 18-200mm, because the 18-55mm is a smaller, lighter, and less attention-attracting lens than the much bigger 18-200mm.

 

[jpeyton]

Just to let you know, the more you or she gets into photography, you will find yourself really limited by the 18-55mm lens.

lasted less then a year before i got myself a 2nd lens.

I found the 18-55mm VR Nikkor to be a great budget walk-around lens.

When I bought a D300 back in 2008, it was the first lens I got for the camera.

 

[Tip3r]

Canon Rebel Ti1 or Nikon D5000

I'm seeing these two cameras at the same price for the kit (18-55 lens)

Which one would you suggest.

Not trying to start a Canon vs Nikon debate, would appreciate a fact with recommendation.

Also, please limit the comments to these two cameras. I know there are others out there that can be bought but I have a good reason to limit it these two.


Thanks.

First of all, go look for deals at B&H or Adorama or any other reputable retailer.
B&H has good deals for the D5000 + 18-55 VR + 55-200 VR.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...LR_Camera.html

I think the Canon rebates are over, I bought the T1i + 18-55 IS + 55-250 IS for $825 at B&H. However, the deal is no longer available.

If your friends or family have a certain brand, go with it since you will be able to borrow equipment.

Feel the different bodies to see which one you like better. The controls and menu layout are also important.

Although you asked us to stick to those two bodies, I strongly suggest looking at used 40Ds. Go to the sell forums at Photography-on-the.net and check out the deals. Those guys take good care of their equipment. I didn't go for a used 40D because I was outside the country at the time and my brother would be getting the DSLR for me. I didn't want him to be looking at used ones for me. However, I saw a deal for a mint 40D with around 7K actuations (I think) and the 28-135mm lens at POTN for only $650!!! I was kicking myself for a week.

 

[Kung Lau]

Made the jump. Got the T1i kit with the 18-55 kit lens for $556.00 shipped from aafes.com with a coupon.

Now, what to buy first...

 

[Washoe]

The real focus of the decision is which family of lenses do you want to get started with.

are canon and nikon lenses completely incompatible with each other? So that choosing a brand locks you in that way?

 

[funks]

I bought a T1i recently, and bought some Canon EF lenses from BHPhoto and EBay (Canon 28-105mm Mark II USM - it's my walkaround lens, and a Canon EF 50mm Prime 1.8 Mark 1 - used (original, with the metal mount - not the newer crappy mark II model that has poor build quality). I was quite torn between getting the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 MK I vs the Canon EF 35mm F2 lens - the later is pretty close to a 50mm equivalent on a 1.6x crop body. Only problem is that that the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 is sharper than the Canon EF 35mm F2, what sucks is that it's about 80mm though (with the 1.6 crop body) which is a bit too zoomed in when taking general pics at parties (good for portraits thought). In the end, I like the camera and it takes good pictures but it's just darned bulky.

I'll probably snag a Panasonic DMC-GF1 w/ the 20mm pancake lens F1.7 later, it's a nice compact package that has a much larger sensor than the point and shoots. I think it'll be great for taking pictures at parties and such (under low light condition) where I don't really want to be lugging a big bulky cam (the GF1 w/ the 20mm only weighs one pound). Only problem is that the built in flash is a bit anemic (maybe panasonic will put a better one when the DMC-GF2 comes around) but the fast lens helps alot. Additionally, it's hard to get a hold of currently (panasonic seems to be having supply issues) and the pricing is still jacked up (but should eventually drop when the supply problem gets sorted out).

 

[ElFenix]

are canon and nikon lenses completely incompatible with each other? So that choosing a brand locks you in that way?

nikon lenses can be adapted to work on canon, but focusing and aperture control is done manually (exposure can still be automatic in aperture priority mode). for nikon lenses since 1988 (AI-P or CPU lenses), and especially AF-I or AF-S lenses, there is less hassle on any current nikon than on any current canon. for nikon lenses pre-1988 there is less hassle on current canons than on many current nikons (the vast majority sold) which won't meter at all (so either sunny-f/16, external meter, or histogram chimping). and nikon recommends against mounting lenses pre-1977 (pre-AI) unless they've been converted to AI as there is some chance of damaging the camera (though plenty of careful people have put various pre-AI lenses on their current nikons).

i don't know if anyone has adapted canon lenses to nikon. you'd need optics in the adapter to maintain infinity focus.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

DXOMark did a review comparing the two camera's sensors:

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Insights/Canon-500D-T1i-vs.-Nikon-D5000

The D5000 is amazing and actually can compete with cameras like the Canon 5DII. I know everyone likes to talk about grip and lenses and stuff, but as a camera, the D5000 wins in IQ. then you have to look at other features. Is the flip LCD nice? The other thing is the 3.0" 920k LCD of the T1i is amazing. My friend who uses an XSi (300k res?) says it's amazing too. The screen is the same size but the increased resolution is VERY beneficial. Now that I think of it, the flip LCD is pretty useful for liveview situations where I have to hold my camera above my head, but liveview is probably the worst possible shooting method ever. It feels worse than using my G-series camera with the flip LCD.

Lenses is always a big one, but if you're just starting out you should be able to get a lot of equivalent lenses. 18-55 VR and 18-55 IS. 55-250 VR/IS... My friends have both Nikon and Canon but my closer friends shoot canon.

I've always been a Canon guy having shot the XTI before so I went with the Rebel. There was this once I had a focusing screen issue where I had to wait for Canon to send me a part. I had to either shoot with a messed up focusing screen or just not shoot. I almost wanted to grab a Nikon from Costco to try it out for a weekend.

I'm glad you went with Canon OP, and maybe you can find plenty of resources on POTN. Have fun!

 

[spikespiegal]

The D5000 is amazing and actually can compete with cameras like the Canon 5DII

In what plane of reality is that? If the D5000 does match a 5DII, then please provide me with such comparison links. I'm used to Olympus and especially Sigma users claiming wacky things in their own forums, but lets be adults here.

I've read through pretty much every D5000 -vs- 500D review on the net, and I've yet to see any of them show this miraculous sensor superiority over the 500D. The DX0Mark site reads like an engineering journal and is purely anechoic at best. I want to see real world pictures and not theoretical graphs based on how the camera should perform.

The D5000 for instance is supposed to have superior dynamic range over the 500D, but none of the side by sides show this. Basically the real world tests conclude the same thing; the Canon has better resolution, but because of their craptacular kit lenses it doesn't show it and you need to use better glass. This has pretty much been the same issue will all amatuer Canon bodies.

So it basically comes down to ergonomics and what lenses you might currently have.

 

[spikespiegal]

Only problem is that that the Canon EF 50mm F1.8 is sharper than the Canon EF 35mm F2

Been there - done that. If you really want to see bad glass try the 28 and 24mm Canons next to the 50mm.

 

[funks]

Been there - done that. If you really want to see bad glass try the 28 and 24mm Canons next to the 50mm.

Was wondering which 28mm you tried. The EF 28mm F1.8 USM (around 470$), or the EF 28mm F2.8 (around 250$).