what would be the best camera for a freelance photographer???

[cori]

I am just starting out in the photography business, my first digital camera was a canon powershot G5. A decent enough camera to learn on, but definately not up to par for anything too serious. I have been surfing camera sites for a year now because i want to be very carefull that i get the right camera the next time. Between what Nikon has, and what Canon has, I am having a hard time figuring out what would be best. My photography ranges from outdoor portraits, small weddings, action shots in the hockey arena at a hockey game, or figureskating, to shots of lightning on the horizon, sunsets, reflections,,,......I guess basically a fantastic, all-round awesome, versatile camera, that can print out clear, large photos once ready.

[pschafrick]

Best camera?

There's only one.

The Hasselblad H2D 39.
(39 Mpix DSLR.)

http://hasselblad.com/

[RayS]

Everyone has their favorites - I shoot D2X and love the results either in sports or portraiture. High speed crop and fast capture allowing more frames and high speed to full sized images capture for portraiture. Quality and ease of use with full function and great support here in Canada.

I find that Nikon for me gives me more in the accessories than Cannon did, as in the flash wireless system allowing me more control with greater variations. Price really play a part as well and Nikon lenses are better priced I find any way.

Blad hmmm... sure why not buy the name get the price and produce same quality of image. Or go to the large pixel medium format, slow poor ISO control but great for model work.

To each their own... You buy what you like learn to work the system.

[andrewr]

Well I guess I will have to make my pitch for Canon here. I started using Nikons years ago, but switched to Canon a few years after they came out with their EOS system and EF lenses. Since then I think Canon has consistently been ahead of the pack in terms of new features and technologies. Nikon has been playing catch-up ever since, and they always seem to be one step behind.

A short lists of Canon firsts: ultrasonic motors in their lenses, multi-point focus sensors, image stabilized lenses, wireless TTL flash, widest range of tilt-shift lenses, highest magnification macro lens, weather seals on bodies and lenses, full-frame and highest resolution DSLR, 8MP SLR below $1000, full-frame SLR below $5000, etc, etc.

For my money I think the Canon 30D currently offers the best bang for the buck as a general purpose camera for someone just getting into the business.

Cheers,

Andrew

[dave-photo]

If you are freelancer offtime (some times) you better to buy a D70 or D70s, its enough in most of case. But Buy a good lens... do not buy a cheap lens

[RayS]

Originally Posted by andrewr

For my money I think the Canon 30D currently offers the best bang for the buck as a general purpose camera for someone just getting into the business.

Cheers,

Andrew

I have a young lady working out of my studio using a 20D great little camera image quality is excellent. Glass is her only concern. I believe in good glass and any decent body will do!

I think the name brand system offer more to the professional who is starting out. canon, nikon, blad all the companies producing professional products are offering top quality product. Knowing the system and knowing how to use the system and knowing the limitations of the system is the real trick!

[Paul Hartley]

I'm a Nikon user but if i were just starting I'd take a really close look at Canon. I'm used to Nikon, when they get it right they really get it right but they're just not as far as they should be digitally. (Not looking to start an argument, my opinion only). I had a d70s, great quality, found the file size not quite as big as I'd like, got the d200 and had it for a month, very high quality from evenly lit situations, the feel was great, perfect size and controls all in the right place for me but my model had the famous banding issue and I tried to overlook it but it was absolutely unacceptable. I ended up returning the d200, trading my film and getting the d2x, beautiful camera. The d200 should never have been released with that issue, in my opion if there's banding and even when at it's most faint is noticeable at 100% it's unnacceptable.
Paul Hartley

[RayS]

Not arguing with you Paul.

I too use Nikon and as far as I'm concerned after running a lab for several years and using Canon for 23 years till the changes to auto focus and left an entire system behind forcing photographers to change out and entire system. Well the Irish came out and I went Nikon - sure canon pro system very expensive camera kicks butt in many areas. But I have yet in commercial and modeling or even portraiture and wedding seen where the advantage of a 1D Mark what ever out shines my D2X.
As the cameras evolve I personally feel I have been given better pricing and options from Nikon, They have just recently come out with a series of lenses that work exclusively with digital but my D2X will still accept lenses that were used with the old FM2. Personally I feel Nikon works with the photographer in mind and keeps the progression of their equipment with the afford-ability and usability of the average photographer in mind. Canon? Well their track record speaks for it's self!

[Paul Hartley]

Hi,
I was just really disappointed with the d200, it should have been a great camera when released for it's price and maybe a new better batch has been produced or maybe I had one of a few bad models but it was a big disapointment and sticking with Nikon meant going from $2149.00 to $5499.00. The only offering they have between that price range was a great camera but a resolution meant for news print only. They may be working for/with pro photographers but not all.
Also some of their digital only (DX) lenses are not pro calibre which still provides a high quality standard but by batch not by lens, so you and I could both buy a 12 - 24 for $1200.00, yours will be perfect but my later batch model could be loaded with chromatic abberation. I haven't compared the quality of Canon vs Nikon but Canon certainly has more for a beginner and pro to choose from.
Paul.

[RayS]

Originally Posted by Paul Hartley

Also some of their digital only (DX) lenses are not pro calibre which still provides a high quality standard but by batch not by lens, so you and I could both buy a 12 - 24 for $1200.00, yours will be perfect but my later batch model could be loaded with chromatic abberation. I haven't compared the quality of Canon vs Nikon but Canon certainly has more for a beginner and pro to choose from.
Paul.

Again Paul not an argument just observation.
A local photographer who is a casual member here has just moved into Canon heavy. His observation not mine was that from model to model there were lenses that would not go from body to body. Once he is back from Hawaii from photographing a wedding I'll get you the lenses and bodies that were not compatible. An these were digital and semi professional along the line of the D200 and up.

I do however have to state that I have not used any Nikon's (digital that is) other than the DX series. Sure paid more but got more! All the glass I buy is L (low light) Professional glass. You get what you pay for! I have herd of some of the amateur and semi professional system that were buggy in the beginning but I also know for a fact the Nikon service will turn around professional carded equipment in days where Canon took 5 weeks for a professional card services. One was warranty and the other was sensor cleaning 5 weeks?? Jan Langsner a member here took his D1H into Nikon for work while he was in Toronto, they gave him a D2X to use while his D2H was getting repaired (hence the sale of two D2x Cameras one to him and one to me) His older flash unit needed repair as well they gave him a SB800 and Nikon shirt and some other extras. Knowing he was going to return out west with their equipment... Nikon service rocks! Canon sucks! That is the consensus of both Nikon shooters out here and Canon shooters as well. BUT I find that once they are into Canon the stay there - I also see their images daily and Canon and Nikon are both great. If I was to start over and have the option of getting everything knew with what I know about both. Yes I would love a full sized sensor, but it isn't worth the constant changes and poor service Canon has displayed lately.

Personal point of view - not meant for argument - just an observation.