I'm considering buying my first SLR camera. I'm deciding between these two models: Canon EOS66 D with 38-80mm and Nikon N65 D with 28-90 mm

Nikon is slightly more expensive, while Canon EOS66 is quite cheap (compare to my previous choice, EOS 300). But i need a good camera for a beginner who likes to become an advanced user later. please kindly advice. Thank you.

-- Pim (panwad@hotmail.com), December 21, 2001

Answers

I am not familiar with the EOS66 I'm assuming that it is the same as the Rebel 2000 {USA version} First go with the camera that you feel most comfortable with {where the buttons are, how it feels in your hand} Second if you can afford it try to buy the next step up like the Canon Elan 7 or the Nikon N80. It might be a more expensive now but if you decide to upgrade later you will not loose the money you put into the low end camera and have to pay for the upgrade. Finally look at how far you can go with the camera or better said who offers more accesories in their line. I used to be a Nikon fanatic but have recently changed to Canon. Why? Way more lenses to chose from, image stabilized lenses, tilt shift lenses, many faster {apperture} lenses, the motor is in the lens so the lens will still focus when you attach a teleconverter, and their digital cameras are kicking every other companies @#$. They just came out with their sports version EOS 1D and the high resolution digital should be out next year. Both have high quality lenses both have dog lenses but IMHO Nikon will forever be playing catch up to Canon and Canon is quickly and steadily pulling ahead of Nikon.

-- john (mr.-n-mrs.g@att.net), December 21, 2001.

The EOS 66 is the Asian market name for the EOS 3000N, if I recall correctly. (The 3000N is sold in Europe and Canada, but I don't think it's sold in the USA.) It's somewhat similar to the Rebel G in terms of features, but is positioned as a cheaper model. And it's painted silver, if you happen to like that.

http://www.photo.net/photo/canon/rebel-g.html

The party line, with which I generally agree, is that arguing whether a specific Canon or a specific Nikon model is better is unhelpful unless you're simply shopping for a self-contained point and shoot camera for snapshots.

If you have any interest in learning about more advanced photography you should compare the overall systems and decide which is likely to suit your future needs. photo.net has some useful learning resources for deciding this.

-- NK Guy (tela@tela.bc.ca), December 21, 2001.

The EOS 66 is not a fair comparison to a Nikon F65. A fair comparison would be the EOS 300 with the F65. Just go with the one you feel most comfortable with, and make sure you look at expandability also...which companies lenses do you prefer? Flash? etc... take in the whole picture, not just the camera bodies.

-- Isaac Sibson (isibson@hotmail.com), December 21, 2001.

The N65 lacks one very important feature that any savy user, beginner or advanced user, should have: film DX-override.

Film DX-override allows you to manually override the automatic film speed setting. For example, when shooting Fuji NPH 400, most users shoot it at ISO 250 or 320 for finer grain (process normally). The same goes for Fuji NPZ 800 (rate it at 640, process normally). It also allows you to rate a 100 speed film at, for example, ISO 200 and push process it. There are many instances where you will want to be able to override the automatic film speed setting.

The EOS 66 does allow film DX-override. The N65 does not.

A step up from the EOS 66 would be the EOS 300/Rebel 2000 which adds 9.5% partial metering and a depth of field preview button. The Nikon N65 lacks partial metering.

-- Peter Phan (pphan01@hotmail.com), December 22, 2001.

I jsut wanted to chip in that I'd disagree with the comment that buying an entry level camera now means you've lost money when it comes to later upgrading. I started on a EOS 1000FNS and I still use it. The difference being now all it sees is B/W film (mainly Fuji Acros). Sure it has limitations on its own, but owning two bodies is very useful.

If you're going to spend any extra cash, drop the 38-80 and grab a 28- 105 instead.

-- Marcus (Citizensmith@lanset.com), December 24, 2001.