Nikon D100 or Canon EOS 10D

[djb]

as others have mentioned, both bodies are comparible to each other, with slight advantages in different areas with each. I can attest to the D100 flash behavior being good, (better than a D1x) and yet of read of how the 10D has excellent noise (or lack thereof) at 800 and 1600. When I went digital, I took a long look at the Canon side of things, and stuck with Nikon because of what lenses I already had and especially because work is all Nikon, the shareability/backup factors, not having two software issues to have to deal with, etc etc made me stick with Nikon.

In the end they are both good cameras, just waiting to be made obselete by the next improved body coming out by either company.......

[neil_davidson2]

Originally posted by redshoes
I keep eyeing up something like this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...&category=4687
Just not sure how I'm going to get it past the bank manager. Any comments/thoughts on this one?

Anyone any experience of buying from overseas? It's quite a saving from buying in the UK but you're at the mercy of inport duty/VAT.

redshoes I picked up one of these in the second half of last year and have had some very good results with it. I know a lot of the purists turn their noses up at zooms vs fixed length but personally I enjoy having the versatility.

The Image Stabiliser was a real revelation, and thoroughly worth the additional money (bank manager willing) on a heavyish long lens - especially as I don't use a pod of any sort.

As for importing all I can do is backup what Paul already said - sometimes you get stung sometimes it gets thru. I think it sometimes depends on the shipper and how they fill out the forms. But with the £ to $ exchange rate at the moment it's probably worth taking a punt.

[PaulSands]

Can image stabilisation be added through the use of a specially designed extension at all for instance if I was to buy the non IS version of Canon EF 70-200mm?

[Ian_H]

NO


Cheers
Ian

[PaulSands]

bugger

[PaulSands]

I've found one in Uk thats £90 more than the US one at current exchange rate...so when add £25 postage it's probably the best option for me...now just need to find the additional £300 for the 2x extension tube
I suppose extension tubes are probably easier to get hold of used?

[Andy H]

Gent's I am also pondering whether to get a:

Canon 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 EF-L IS USM 100-400 or

Canon 70-200mm F2.8 IS + 2x Extender

So keep up the discussion I would be interested on opinions as to the pros/cons for each set up.

[Tim Falce]

I would go for the 100-400 as you will lose optical quality with the exteneder, also you will lose the 1 stop advantage of the 2.8 when you attach the extender

[redshoes]

Cheers Neil, like you I much prefer the flexibility of a zoom over a fixed length. Don't want to have to lug around seperate fixed lens and hope I have the right one attached at the right time.

Looking at the spec it's a fairly heavy lens so the IS will be useful, although I guess it's the IS that adds to the weight in the first place. Catch 22. Used to regularly use a monopod but I've got out of the habit in recent years as it can be a little restrictive at times.

Most of the dealers I've found so far are Honk Kong based. will have to have a look what US dealers are available.

[Andy H]

I found most of the US dealers would not ship outside the US or North America - however if anyone can recommend some that do that would be useful.

[PaulSands]

www.cameta.com
they sell through ebay but are a reputable supplier...I have had a couple of lenses through them
I have been stung by customs as they did put the full price on the customs ticket (it took 2 days to reach the UK from ordering and then another 15 to get through all the people this side having a bite of the cherry)
I have also used another I found on eBay who wrote "Gift" and omitted a value and the customs ticket and I incurred no additional cost this side
Maybe if you use Cameta you should phone them firts and discuss shipping options. Shipping was $35 for a 400mm Sigma lens

[neil_davidson2]

Originally posted by falcemob
I would go for the 100-400 as you will lose optical quality with the exteneder, also you will lose the 1 stop advantage of the 2.8 when you attach the extender

Completely agree with this, and also look at the range - are you really worred about the bottom 30mm you'll get with the 70-200+extender?

[PaulSands]

I had a 135-400mm f4.5-5.6 APO with the Sigma I've just dumped ... it was useless in low light which considering the last couple of meetings I've attended is not condusive to getting any decent shots...surely the Canon being in the same range would suffer the same problem?

[PaulSands]

review of the 100-400 here http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

Most interesting paragraph "Some may consider the Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 L IS USM Lens to be a slow (aperture) lens. Yes and no - it depends on what you are comparing it to and at what focal length. A 100mm f4.5 lens is slow, but a 400mm f5.6 is not too bad (relatively speaking). The image stabilizer helps significantly when handholding in low light - that is as long as you have a still subject. ...that last comment being the crux

and of course I read this AFTER putting a bid on ebay..bugger here's hoping I lose

[Ian_H]

AJ Purdy have an Ex-demo Canon 70-200mmf2.8L IS USM for £1299


Cheers
Ian

[neil_davidson2]

Interesting to see those comments Paul, towards the end of last season when it got gloomy in the late afternoon I simply switched ISO modes on the camera from 100 to 200 (I don't think I had to go to 400) to compensate for the low light performance - the joys of digital. I still think it's a better option than a 200 and a converter, unless you can spring the £4k or so for a fast 400 of course!

[PaulSands]

I've put a bid in on eBay for a 100-400 that why if its a bust I havent burnt all my bridges and I should be able to resell at little or no loss
Was also looking at EF 300mm F4 USM L IS

[Aysedasi]

Interesting about switching speeds. I've been amazed at the quality of the pics I'm getting from my 10D at high ISO speeds in low light.

[PaulSands]

Got my 10D body today..just ordered a Sigma 15mm 2.8 fisheye off eBay (nice for Shaws & La Source) still fretting over which main lens to get

[Tim Falce]

Get a Canon lens, not sigma for your main lens

[PaulSands]

I'm going to don't worry

[gi_gav]

Congrats on an excellent choice Paul! hope you enjoy it

[djb]

For what it is worth, the new Nikon D70 seems to be a good buy, similiar to a D100, but with a few things that are better-faster processor, buffer etc, 1/500 flash sync, but for a good chunk less money. For the price, seems like a good buy.

Obviously for someone who already has some Nikon or F mount lenses and doesn't have to switch brands for lack of choice of a body in a given price range.

[Rich_F]

Has anyone mentioned the effective increase in focal length with the Canon 10d?

Because the sensor is smaller than a 35mm negative the it does not see the whole of the image from the lens, therefore cropping the image and effectively increasing the focal length of the lens by x1.6 So your 70-200 lens will actually be more like 112-320.

I don't have this camera myself but did a lot of research a while back when considering buying one.

[Hugewally]

Paul, these are the lens I have; the 17-35mm f/2.8L, 28-70mm f2.8L, EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM & 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS. They're all find for motorsports. I also have the 1.4xII and 2xII extenders. I've been known to use the 1.4 a bunch, but the x2 not so much as it's a real light hog.

If I had to get one lense, it'd be the 70-200. But I'd also try to get the 1.4 extender. If I could get two lenses, it'd be the 100-400 & the 24-70 (with the 1.4 extender too).

You can't go wrong with those Canon lens. This was shot with the 100-400 at the start of the 24 Hours of Daytona (or should that be the 22 Hours of rain at Daytona?) http://www.racingfanatics.com/MS04GAR24%202604.jpg

As for the 1.6 magnification, you’ll never notice it when looking through the camera. You’ll still have to either get closer or back away from the subject to fill the screen as you would a film based camera. You would probably only notice the increase in focal length would be if you were swapping lenses between a digital and a film camera body.


martin