I was in the same boat debating between a Canon 30D and a Nikon D80...when suddenly, after a flurry of press releases, there were the 40D and D300 staring me in the face!.

I've done a lot of research on them...and am going to get a D300 when it comes out. Reasons:.

* I really like the glass that's available with Nikon..

* I really like some of the step-up features with the Nikon, although I realize those come at a $500 premium..

* Personally, I really like a lot that Nikon offers in terms of educating consumers through their websites, DVDs and the like..

I realize others could make some of the same points with Canon...and, IMHO, I don't think you'd go wrong with either system. That's just where I came out....

Scribe..

I think that you would be better with a 40D than the D200. The Nikon is an excellent camera, but image quality at higher ISOs is nowhere near that of the Canon. But, as the previous poster said, you can't really go wrong with either..

But ....

You should really look at lenses at the same time. Good lenses will outlast any camera body, and once you have bought into a system (Nikon, Canon, Pentax, or Olympus), it is expensive to change. Make sure the range of focal lengths and apertures that you will need is covered before you buy a body..

You should also look at the Pentax and Olympus offerings. They are better value for money, albeit with a more limited selection of available lenses than Canon or Nikon..

Brian A...

Thanks SO much for the advice. I just reviewed the photo gallery for the 40D and the D200 and D80 and I agree the higher ISOs on the Nikons are grainer and muddier..

So, do you think the Nikon or Canon systems have better lenses for portrait work in natural light?.

Really trying to get you to tell me which camera to buy!!.

Thanks again!..

Both Canon and Nikon have excellent portrait lenses. The Canon 85 mm f/1.2 is excellent, and the 85 mm f/1.8 is very good and excellent value though it is prone to CA. Nikon has the 85 mm f/1.4 and also a comparable 85 mm f/1.8. Both also have 135 mm f/2 portrait lenses..

Depending on your style of shooting you may prefer a 70-200 mm zoom for portraiture, both Canon and Nikon have lenses in this range. Canon with an f/2.8 and an f/2.8 with IS, Nikon with a f/2.8, unfortunately without VR..

Brian A...

Both cameras have a good selection of 'portrait' lenses. For Canon, I recommend the 85 1.8 ($360), the 50 1.4 ($350), and the 70-200 4.0 IS USM ($1200) if you can afford them. If money is no object go with the wider aperture versions of the same. Nikon has similar glass except the 70-200. They have a 70-200 2.8 VR which is roughly $1700 and a 55-200 VR that is $250. However not really comparing apples to apples there..

I'm a Canon shooter and quite happy with my choice. I know more Canon shooters than any other camera. I've known people who used to shoot Canon and switched (at great cost) to Nikon. I've known people who used to shoot Nikon and switched (at great cost) to Canon. Both groups will tell you that there are things they liked better on one brand or another..

If you are serious about portrait work, the Fuji Pro bodies take Nikon glass and have some of the best looking portraits of any of the cameras. They are basically Nikon D200 bodies with a Fuji sensor inside..

My recommendation is the Canon 40D. It fits the timetable you have and should fit all of your needs as well. That being said, there is no perfect camera for everyone. You will do well with whatever route you choose. Pick them up and see how they feel to you. Good luck..

When given the choice between two evils, choose the one you haven't tried before...

Jacurran wrote:.

Thanks SO much for the advice. I just reviewed the photo gallery forthe 40D and the D200 and D80 and I agree the higher ISOs on theNikons are grainer and muddier..

So, do you think the Nikon or Canon systems have better lenses forportrait work in natural light?.

Really trying to get you to tell me which camera to buy!!.

Thanks again!.

Try what ever camera is available in your area..

Try Nikon d80, D200, Canon 30d, 40d, Pentax K10d, Oly E510, Samsung if available Sony...new ones out soon I think...try em all..

As for a portrait outfit....a superb one at lower cost than some other outfits would be the K10d Pentax with either a 77 1.8 limted or a 70 2.4 limited....you would probably be able to find the camera and then buy the lens on line or ebay..

You may find you prefer a particular camera after you have held it..

Neil..

I am waiting for the D300, but if I had to pick a camera today between the D200 and 40D I would probably go for the D200 get some decent glass, sell the D200 in 6 months on ebay get a D300, you will probably be a few hundred /$ lighter worse off but you will ahve the D300 which is worth it...

Hugowolf wrote:.

Depending on your style of shooting you may prefer a 70-200 mm zoomfor portraiture, both Canon and Nikon have lenses in this range.Canon with an f/2.8 and an f/2.8 with IS, Nikon with a f/2.8,unfortunately without VR..

Then my AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G VR lens is just a figment of my imagination? Damn. And all those photos I seemingly haven't taken with it were pretty good, too... It was such a nice dream while it lasted. An expensive dream, but very nice. (c: Yes Martha, Nikon DO have a 70-200 with image stabilisation..

Jacurran - one thing to consider about the 70-200 lenses. They will have effective focal lengths of 105-300mm (Nikon) and 112-320 (Canon) on the two bodies you're contemplating, due to the 'crop factor' caused by the smaller-than-35mm film-sized sensors in the bodies. Not a big thing, but something to consider..

In the RealWorld(tm), the actual difference between Nikon and Canon's high ISO results really isn't that big. In the real world, that is, as opposed to pixel peeping for the satisfaction of being the biggest measurbator on the block. A lot of digital noise goes away when an image is printed, and most people don't shoot anywhere near the capabilites of their sensors anyway. I'm more than happy with my D200's high ISO ability. And it feels SOOO right in the hands..

In the end, either camera will make you happy, as they're both very good at what they do. Don't wait, buy now - the pictures you don't make will never be available again, and both of these bodies have been around long enough for all the bugs to be ironed out, something that will take the new ones at least several months from date of shipment, probably longer. Just have a look at the drama Canon has faced with their new 1DMkIII for an example. The 30D will be going soon, I'd say, but it will still work fror a long while, and most Nikon watchers seem to think that the D200 and D300 will happily co-exist for quite a while, filling different spaces in Nikon's line-up. But I could be wrong. In the end, your money, your choice.

But run some film throught that Minolta from time to time, OK?.

Rob.

Everyone, everywhere, has to do everything for a first time. There is no failure in failure, only in failing to learn...

BraveUlysses wrote:.

Hugowolf wrote:Then my AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G VR lens is just a figment of myimagination? Damn. And all those photos I seemingly haven't takenwith it were pretty good, too... It was such a nice dream while itlasted. An expensive dream, but very nice. (c: Yes Martha, NikonDO have a 70-200 with image stabilisation..

My apologies, I am not as familiar with Nikon lenses as Canon lenses. I thought that Nikon had a 70-200 mm VR, but the last time I look at the Nikon website I didnt see it there..

Brian A...

There's no need for an amateur to buy a really expensive camera..

You can take great shots with a Rebel XTi or a Nikon D40x..

In Canon terms, think of these are being like an AE-1 in the olden days. Really good, resonably priced, and using the same lenses at the F, (or whatever the really expensive Canon was back then).

BAK..

Thanks so much for your "take" on it. Looking at your work on pbase makes me think I should go Canon! But it's all in the operator of course. Thanks again...

In a similar situation a year ago, I jumped with the D200 and have not regretted it on moment. My advice would be to go to a camera store and have a play with as many camera's as you can..

As for lenses remember that you are not going to get full size with D-SLR's (in the main, some exceptions) so your 50m 1.8 ($110) takes pic's like a 75m, your 85 1.8 ($300) takes pictures like 125mm. Neither lenses are available as kits unfortunately..

Remember to save some money for the photo editing software and printer which is a whole different ball game..

Happy snapping..