Looking for something new (from D40)

knotty boys

I have had the Nikon D40 for awhile and it has been good to me, but I am ready to move upward.

I am looking at the Canon EOS 70D as the highest I can go ~$1200 w/ lenses

I am all mixed up about the reviews I see between Canon and Nikon. My Nikon just didnt seem to bring out the colors in the pictures. I was told the Canons do a better job.

I will not utilize 1/100th of the camera's abilities, I just want a camera that will take better pics than the Nikon D40. Most of the pics I take are of horseback riding/jumping at 50-100+ yards, and quite a few close-ups.

My friend suggested the Canon EOS T3i/600 or the EOS 60D.

I would much appreciate any advice my learned forum brethren might possibly give. :beer

mississippi mac

the canon 60d is a good choice even if the the body is high tech polycarbonate instead of magnesium like all of its predecessors...
dpreview gives it good marks in just about all categories...
i would also look at KEH camera for a good canon 7d which it a great camera and shares a lot of features from the canon 1d series of pro cameras....
the prices are right and you can use the spare cash to buy more glass...
cameras have come to point that once you pass the 12mp sensors, the need for good glass is a needed item to take advantage of the high resolution sensors....

i'm still shooting with my old canon 40d and get great images that will print to 24x36 with a good photo printer.....
and it's only 10.2 mp....

tim

knotty boys

much appreciated Tim!

Not finding anything on KEH, but will keep looking. I have to have something in about 2 weeks.

you like the 18 MP 7D over the 20 MP of the 70d?

WaterEngineer

Nikon D7100 + Sigma 150-500mm (or the new 50-500mm) for the jumping at that distance.

I suggest not changing horses in mid-stream. Nikon's colors are plenty punchy. You just need to go into the Color menu and choose "vivid."

Do not let these Canon people try to fool you! :rotflmao

Seriously though, there are a few technical reasons to choose one over the other (Canon vs. Nikon) but color is not one of them.

Now onto another totally different note perhaps you should consider the brand new Sony a7 mirrorless camera Super small when compared to a DSLR. It is the most inexpensive full frame camera on the market at slightly more than your budget due to a recent price drop. The Sigma lens I call out is made in Sony mount.

I fondled one of these cameras last weekend at my daughter's graduation. Nice camera and super small. Easy to carry all day, traveling let's say. However the jury has not yet reported on IQ when compared to Nikon.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Sony+a7&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma&Top+Nav-Search=

If you are committed to a DSLR formfactor in addition to what has already been reported, you should look at the Nikon D610, which again is not that much more than your budget and will give you better saturated color than any DX sensor camera from Nikon/Canon/Sony/Pentax. It is just a physics thing.

knotty boys

Thanks, will do some more research into Nikon's then. Saw a few good write ups on the optics of the Sigma's/cost.

went with the nikkor 75-300? on my d40 and was happier, but I need quicker bursts than the d40 could give me (probably the cheap card I have in it). It will go to the kids.

How does the D7100 do with regards to the casing of the 7d by Canon. Many good reviews about their casing, being around horses and tons of dirt, it gets beat up pretty bad. That piqued my interest.

Thanks again for the input

WaterEngineer

Photo of the Nikon D7100 magnesium body frame, unlike the polycarbonate Canon body frame.

Cane Pole

I would stick with Nikon, especially if you have some lenses already.

The 7100 is about the same price as the 70D but has one major advantage. A built-in popup flash. Much nicer than lugging around a speedlight on top of the camera. I use mine quit often with results quite comparable to my speedlights.

I would definitely prefer the full frame (FX) D610 that WE mentioned, but that's a good bit pricier. $1,900. I was at a photo presentation recently and the guest speaker was one of Nikon's top field testers, and he said the D610 has the best color saturation of ANY camera made by Nikon.

After that, start saving up for a 70-200 VRII 2.8 It's the best lens in the world, though quite heavy...

knotty boys

Thanks Eric, I dont care what I say about you. You are a nice guy.

I'm quickly heading away from my top price w/ lenses (my wife set). My wife should be used to it by now. :dance

WaterEngineer

Cane Pole wrote: »

I would stick with Nikon, especially if you have some lenses already.

The 7100 is about the same price as the 70D but has one major advantage. A built-in popup flash. Much nicer than lugging around a speedlight on top of the camera. I use mine quit often with results quite comparable to my speedlights.

I would definitely prefer the full frame (FX) D610 that WE mentioned, but that's a good bit pricier. $1,900. I was at a photo presentation recently and the guest speaker was one of Nikon's top field testers, and he said the D610 has the best color saturation of ANY camera made by Nikon.

After that, start saving up for a 70-200 VRII 2.8 It's the best lens in the world, though quite heavy...

1. I own the 70-200 f/2.8 As Eric said it is quite heavy. Do you want to own it? A deal can be struck. I would buy the 70-200 f/4 if I were buying today. Eric is correct fantastically sharp. With today's high ISO performance the one stop will rarely be missed.

2. About the D610. There are specials and refurb deals that well undercut the retail price Eric points out. I would not be afraid of a refurb as it comes with a warranty. If you don't know if the camera works by the end of warranty, there is something wrong. You will have to shop a little or wait a bit to get the deal.

..........or you can wait until September and buy the big boy DX format camera that is coming. :banana

WaterEngineer

Here you go. If you can live without some of the feature set of the D7100 here is the next camera down with the same image sensor.

Good Deal and still a hige step up from the D40.

http://www.keh.com/camera/Nikon-Digital-Camera-Outfits/1/sku-DN014018676570?r=FE&utm_source=Deal+of+the+Day%3A+Nikon+D5200+and+Tenba&utm_campaign=DOD-NikonD5200_TenbaBag&utm_medium=email