yup...i m interested to know more on what D80 user/owner think about the matrix metering part

It is said by some Nikon users that the matrix metering of D80 tend to over-expose by about 2/3 of a stop. And the metering is also less consistent when compared to older models e.g. D50, D70s, D200...
In fact, some sarcastic people will say that D80's matrix metering is just lousy like Canon's metering system, heh heh!

Back to the question by thread starter...
I think it's better to get a good lens with the money saved, instead of buying semi-pro body now (you can always buy it later when your skill/budget is semi-pro).

How far do you wish to go with photography?
If you intend to turn pro one day, then it's Nikon or Canon, followed (pretty far behind) by Sony, Pentax and Olympus.
If you just want nice pictures for keep sake, then any brand would do well, in fact i'd recommend Pentax K110 because it's body and lenses are very affordable.
I think it's better to get a good lens with the money saved, instead of buying semi-pro body now (you can always buy it later when your skill/budget is semi-pro).

I chose Nikon because it's flash system is more well established and cheaper too (CLS and what not...). I bought a 2nd hand D70s because of the rumoured D80's matrix metering inconsistency.
But D80 is still a darn good camera, highly recommended.
If your photography ambition is just for normal shooting, then go get D40.

Canon 350D is a good choice too. I almost bought it. Speedy focusing, good high-ISO noise level, 8 megapixels (10MP is too much for me, waste space only). 400D if you have more budget.

Other choices are:
Sony Alpha-100 (a tad pricey--the lenses & flash)
Pentax K110 (cheap & in-camera image stabilizer)
Olympus E-510 (small, Live-view & in-camera image stabilizer)

You need to go have a feel of the cameras. Borrow from friends who have them and try them. How they feel when you are using them makes all the difference. You don't want a camera that doesn't feel right in your hands.

i wanna ask if there is any d50 on sale... i kinda wan a d50 now more than my d40...judging from the specs lar

i dun quite agree with that...in my opinion d40 is like a stepping stone for total beginners(me). It is a budget SLR cam for you to play around and twiddle before getting a better cam. Just my opinion

lol, I always wonder how ppl keep saying Sony DSLR stuffs are always expensive than others when they never really did the research

Based on standard retail price....

a100 body only = RM2699
E-510 body only = RM2799

talking about flash unit:
Canon 430EX = RM1431 (can't find the price for 580EX for comparison)
Sony F56AM = RM1650
Nikon SB-800 = RM1698
Olympus FL-50 = RM1700

still want to say Sony flash is expensive?

regarding the lens, there are 3rd party lens choices which are not expensive.... Sigma, Tamron, Minolta lenses, etc... any lens which is A-mount type

This post has been edited by soulfly: Oct 2 2007, 09:32 PM

mayb its the lenses?

let's compare kit lens, or any of those not so uber high quality lenses

Nikon 18-55mm 3.5/5.6 = RM599
Canon 18-55mm 3.5/5.6 II USM = RM677
Sony 18-70mm 3.5/5.6 = RM799
Canon 18-55mm 3.5/5.6 USM = RM899


Nikon 70-300mm 4/5.6 = RM599
Canon 75-300mm 4/5.6 III = RM988
Sony 75-300mm 4.5/5.6 = RM999
Canon 75-300mm 4/5.6 III USM = RM1130

Canon 430ex nowadays just cost you around rm1k
Canon 580ex II is available at RM14xx

I own

2x of Canon 300D
1x of Canon 350D
1x of Canon 400D
1x of Sony Alpha A100

Canon 400D
- ISO can go very high. Even at 800 still acceptable. On the other hand, once alpha reached ISO 400 and above, you won't feel like looking at your pics.
- Easier to source for second hand lens. Canon and Nikon used lens are much more easier to get compared to Sony / Minolta and other brands. You definitely feel suk each time you browse around, cause most people are selling their used Nikon and Canon lens here.
- Lens is much cheaper than Sony's. Definitely. Just take Canon 50mm f1.8. You can easily get a NEW one around rm2xx-300. Whereby a USED Sony 50mm f1.7 gonna cost you RM4xx.
- Canon 400D is much smaller compared to Alpha A100
- Second hand value for 400D is much higher compared to Alpha. Alpha's don't really have the second hand value. A 400D's second hand price still can fetch rm2k+, whereby alpha, you are considered lucky to sell it off at rm1.8k+. I've one dude who even offered me his Alpha for RM1.5k. Full set + Kitlens.

Sony Alpha A100
- It comes with MSPD-CF Card converter, hence you can use your SE Phone's memory card in case your CF went out of space.
- The body itself has built in IS. Which means you all the lens you use will have IS. Unlike Canon and Nikon where it's built on the lens. Canon IS lens and Nikon VR lens will gonna cost you a bomb
- You can set the ISO even when you are looking at the viewfinder(if i can recall correctly). Unlike Canon where you have to look at the LCD and adjust it.
- Some might say that Alpha's looks much studier compared to Canon 400's small body that makes it looks like a plastic toy.

Canon 350D
- More or less around the same like 400D, but a BIG jump from 300D.
- If your budget is quite tight, start out with this. Don't get Nikon D40. It only can use Autofocus with AF-S lenses which gonna cost you a bomb thus no point getting it.

This post has been edited by vikingw2k: Oct 2 2007, 10:43 PM

Actually, Olympus E-510 is really worth considering. Compare them, then you will see the difference.

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Added on October 2, 2007, 10:28 pmActually, Olympus E-510 is really worth considering. Compare them, then you will see the difference.

This post has been edited by tkp13: Oct 2 2007, 10:28 PM

It would be better if you can point out all the differences instead of just posting like most of them, "wah, this XXX model is quite good, get it, yada yada"

It's kinda annoying to see your one-liners. You've spammed 3 times in this thread. Just for your reference here

Do not post for the sake of posting

This post has been edited by vikingw2k: Oct 2 2007, 10:48 PM

@vikingw2k

I am thinking of getting a 350D or 400D end of this year.


From your previous post, you mentioned about AS-F lenses. I would just like to ask how exactly do you determine whether the particular dSLR is non - AF-S lens compatible?

You can easily find D80's matrix metering issue on google, just google D80 matrix metering and u will find lots of talk about it. It is a very good camera still, you can always train yourself to use center weighted/spot metering for more accurate exposure though...or get a light meter I'd recommend sekonic L308 for beginners (rm500+/-) if you go off camera flash or use more than 1 flash, you will need it.

http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00KsaU

I would only recommend people look into those cameras I listed earlier. I also have some gripes with the D200 but I can live with it..I had to set the camera to -3 hue or the yellowish/greenish cast will show in pictures.

Nikon's flash system is also one of the main factors people go with nikon, but I guess for most new comers, they wont research in-depth about all this stuff. The other photog im currently working with uses canon, and he said that nikon's TTL nail exposure every time but canon does a less satisfying job in comparison, but he had to jump to canon because when he was shooting Nikon (d100-d2h era) the noise was just too much for a wedding photographer. Now he is thinking of jumping back to the D3 (he only has the 24-70 and 70-200 IS, makes it easy to jump around)

IIRC, canon's flash, when used in any semi auto modes, will set the min aperture to f4 even when u are using f2.8 lenses, if you want the flash to fire at 2.8 you need to go fully manual, which isnt much of a problem actually, just worth mentioning.

@orenzai
U might wanna check shutterasia/photomalaysia..there's a bigger photo market place there. I think it is getting hard to source..I fetched a very good price for my D50 when I sold it. That camera makes a good second body for ppl who aren't making a living from photography, so people tend to keep it as backup.

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Added on October 3, 2007, 1:06 amYou read the product's specs.....

The only camera that can't AF with non-AFS lenses is the Nikon D40, you can still manual focus with it.

This post has been edited by AlamakLor: Oct 3 2007, 01:06 AM

instead of getting D40, if you don't mind second hands... i would definitely suggest a D50 or 350D. it's not about being a beginner or not, but it's about functionality.

D40/D40x is a helluva good camera if all you do is just point and shoot most of the time, and maybe you want some manual control once in a while. Good for learning too.
What I mean is that if you intend to go far in photography (maybe you want to moonshine as a part time wedding photog or event photog in the future), D40 is going to be too limiting.
You might as well get a more fully functional DSLR (e.g. D50, D70s, D80, or Canon 350D, 400D). I've seen a lot of people upgrading within mere months of purchasing D40. Better spend a bit more for something that you'll keep using for a longer time.
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Oops, it seems i'm mistaken.
Anyway, that's the recommended retail price. Anyone knows what is the street price for Canon & Sony's flash (F36AM & F56AM)?
I know Nikon SB-600 is about RM770, SB-800 about RM1350.

Yeap, third party lenses are cheaper. But Sony's lenses are still pretty expensive lah, when you compare similar lenses from Canon and Nikon.
____________________
Couldn't agree more.
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P.S. Mana pergi it thread starter? Didn't mention his budget also... nanti we syok-syok discuss sampai Canon 1DsmkIII and Nikon D3 pulak. Or lagi syok... Hasselblad & Linhof Technika.
Heh heh!

no one recommend Pentax K10D?
Thts also a more fully functional DSLR.. would like to get some feed back from u guys.

will get my sony alpha a100 soon. muahaha..........

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Added on October 4, 2007, 1:32 pmis it second hand sony alpha a100 with Lens 3.5-5.6 18-70mm cost RM2075 worth?

This post has been edited by VSRock: Oct 4 2007, 01:32 PM

if it's almost new, good price i should say.

last time i was looking for D50 too. tak jadi, wanted to go Nikon path but ended up with Canon.

anyway here's a good place to hunt
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/ftz/index.php

pentax K10D is not a beginner camera lah.
it is indeed a very good camera... the only thing that i do not like is the choices of the lens and the handling of the camera.

the colour reproduction of this camera is brilliant i would say

Was at Canon's shop at Low Yat yesterday, that fella claims that he sold three 40Ds in half a day. RM4,300.00 body only. Tempting price, if you ask me even for a beginner wanting to venture into DSLR..

I just got poisoned by this post of yours...