Canon EOS 550D or Nikon D90?

[ilesmark]

Hi all

Am on the verge of buying my first DSLR and am debating between Canon and Nikon. I am habitually a Canon man, the reason for this debate is because I want video but the one I would have wanted to go for (the 50D) doesn't have video. But then I found out about the EOS 550D.

Anyone have any thoughts re which is likely to be the best?

Mark

[colebatch]

Originally Posted by ilesmark

Hi all

Am on the verge of buying my first DSLR and am debating between Canon and Nikon. I am habitually a Canon man, the reason for this debate is because I want video but the one I would have wanted to go for (the 50D) doesn't have video. But then I found out about the EOS 550D.

Anyone have any thoughts re which is likely to be the best?

Mark

I think the Canon - Nikon debate is an open ended one. They both make fantastic cameras. Neither is likely to be "The Best", .... its just personal preference.

Bear in mind once you start with a DSLR, you rarely change brands, because all your expensive lenses will suit one brand or the other.

I dont know what the video is like on the 550D, but the higher up the range canons (7d and up) are making quite a few waves with the quality of their video recording. The strong ability to vary depth of field afforded by SLR cameras (see the fantastic depth of field in Philip Blooms clips below) and the large size of SLR camera sensors are things that can only be replicated on crazily expensive (and very bulky) top end video cameras. George Lucas's Lucasfilm is talking about shooting on a Canon SLR.

See:

Lucasfilm Tests Out HD Capable DSLR Cameras for Red Tails, Possibly Star Wars TV Series | /Film

And scroll down this page for results:
The tale of Lucasfilm, Skywalker Ranch, Red Tails, Star Wars and Canon DSLRs on a 40 foot screen! | Philip Bloom

Skywalker Ranch By Philip Bloom - Video shot on DSLRs

So on one hand (and at the top end of the camera scale), Canon probably has the edge on the video side, but on the other end Nikon probably is used by more photography pros than Canon ... but those cameras are a fair way from the ones you are talking about. Realistically, you are not going to lose out big time either way choosing between Nikon and Canon. Its all good.

[ilesmark]

Hmm....all things to think about.

Interestingly, the Canon EOS 550D has the same sensor as the 7D, although the data transmission from the sensor to the processor is slower. Hence the 550 can only do 3.7FPS, whereas the 7 can do at least double that.

[SeanF]

Consider the Pentax K-X, does HD video in addition to being a DSLR with all of the manual controls. Plus every lens ever made for the Pentax k-mount will work with it.

[AliBaba]

Originally Posted by SeanF

Consider the Pentax K-X, does HD video in addition to being a DSLR with all of the manual controls. Plus every lens ever made for the Pentax k-mount will work with it.

+ Stabilization is build into the house and works with every lens.

[PaulD]

I have the Cannon 7d and it is really amazing, I have looked at the 550 and it is a very good camera, I think anything from either Cannon or Nikon you won't go wrong. But I am also a Cannon man having swapped over from Nikon about 10 years ago, without any real reason as well. So the answer to your by what you originally leaned to, because if you don't you will always think I should of bought the other one.

Cheers & Happy Snaps
Paul

[Neil]

somewhat off topic but a friend of mine was only recently pointing me at getting a 550D because he has the same filming capabilities of the 5d mkII and sold the product using this:



Sadly, I don't have the space for any SLR so I'll be missing out.

[ilesmark]

Hi all

Have just ordered a Canon 550D + 18-135mm lens kit. I already have a Sigma 100-300 lens.

A question - if you had a choice between the above, or a 550D + 18-55mm & 55-250mm Twin Lens kit for £50 more (both lenses are made by Canon), which would you go for?

Mark

[ilesmark]

Have just spoken to the camera people re delivery date. They reckon I'm better off with the 18-135 than with the twin lens kit cos the 18-135 is mid-range whereas the twin lens kit is bottom-end, with polymer not glass elements and a plastic not a metal mount.

[colebatch]

Just for future reference, here is another bunch of videographers / cinematographers raving about the Canon 5D's video qualities:



I would add that I am a Nikon man myself (I have 2 Nikon DSLRs and a Nikon film SLR - no Canons), but I am not someone who says something is great just because I chose it - I like to have some sensible objectivity. I personally prefer Nikon for photography, but for HD video, Canon is certainly doing an amazing job of wooing the pros.

[lbendel]

The 550D is amazing value for the price, it is currently ahead of the D90, but then Nikon will come with another model even better, etc..

It seems you don't have any lenses yet, so either choice is good for photo. For video, you have to be aware that filming with a DSLR is vastly more difficult than with a camcorder. For example, the focusing is entirely manual, and it has to be perfect otherwise it will look bad. With good practice, the results can be astounding, but the first videos you will take will probably look much worse than with a simple camcorder, until you become proficient (or give up..).

In terms of (Canon) lenses, the 18-55IS (NOT the 18-55) is not bad at all, for the money it can't be beaten. But it will also quickly fail if abused, due the very cheap build. I don't know the 18-135, but it supposed to be better. The Sigma offering is also very interesting.

For optimal results, the 17-55 IS 2.8 gives much better quality stills, and is very solidly built, but it also costs more than the 550D itself! the 15-85 look very interesting as well, it is slightly wider which is always good, close to the optimal range for my taste.

Keep in mind that the body is just a (disposable) accessory put at the end of the lens to capture the projected image. A good lens will outlast any existing DSLR. I have invested much more money into lenses than into bodies, 2 of which are gathering dust in my cabinet, having been replaced by a new generation.

Cheers,
Laurent

[ilesmark]

Well - got my 550D, with the EFS 18-135 IS lens in the end - am well pleased with the superlative pictures I am getting out of it

Agree with comments re Nikon bringing out something better soon - then Canon will respond and so it goes on - like chasing your tail!

Incidentally, does anyone know if there is a way of fitting this EFS 18-135 lens to my old EOS 50E body? The old lenses for this body fitted the 550D, but going the other way the new lens wouldn't attach. Shame, because that would make a pretty serious fisheye - almost worth hanging on to the 50E body for.

[pictish]

As far as I am aware there is adaptors for using old canon lenses[FD to EF] on new digital dslrs never seen one for EFS to EF the reason being that EFS lenses stick out at the back and may hit the mirror.
There is a way to do it if you google it but it involves grinding down pins and such and then you may lose both the camera and the lens. Using a tube has been mentioned but alot have said you cant focus at all with a tube on for wideangle lenses.

One thing about buying cheaper sigma lenses instead of canon L range ones is you will notice a big difference in speed and ability of auto focus and the noise they make. I had a canon100-400 f4-f5.6 L with my 5d and when both went for a swim I upgraded to a 5dmk2 but got the new sigma 150-500 instead ,the quality of the pics isnt that different[well I cant tell] but the canon was way easier to use and quicker to focus for moving subjects or even long range ones. Also the build quality does not feel as good but then the canons are normally over twice the price.
Not really a problem for wide angle use shots.

Another thing which bugged me with the sigma is the extenders, some sigma models will only take sigma extenders, where as most the canon lenses I have used take both sigma and canon extenders.

[colebatch]

Had lunch today with a cinematographer in London who just shot a TV commercial with a 7D ... he is about to get a 550D as an additional body for just shooting second angles and stuff - purely for video - it will never even be used as a still camera.

[ilesmark]

Pictish - interesting - will look at the backs of both my lenses and compare.

Colebatch - interesting also - I read that George Lucas is considering using a 550D for shooting the next Star Wars....praise indeed!