Can't decide, Camera vs. Camcorder

[That400exGuy]

Well, I like to make videos a lot, but photography is a totally different thing I love to do and I can't decide whether to get a camera or camcorder, I was pretty much dead set on a camcorder, but as I think about it, photography is really cool too.. I'm just not sure which..

Here are a few things I was looking at, my price range is about 800 and down, maybe a little more or less.

Its going to be mostly motocross pictures so I don't want a camera or camcorder thats going to be blurry or anything like that, so could you please give your opinion on these.

Cameras:
Nikon D60 (http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25438/D60.html)
Nikon D80 (http://nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25412/D80.html)
Canon Rebel XT (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=11154)
Canon EOS Rebel XSi (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=139&modelid=16303)

Camcorders:
Sony HDR-SR5 (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665089060)
DCR-SR220 (60GB handycam) (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665291492)
Panasonic HDC-SD9 (http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-electronics/shop/Cameras-Camcorders/Camcorders/Hi-Def-Camcorders/model.HDC-SD9_11002_7000000000000005702)

If you have any others that you would also like to share please do, with cameras, I definately want a camera you can switch out the lenses with.

If you have any pictures from one of the cameras could you please post them up.

-Zak

[Iliketogofast]

I had an XTi. I didn't think they could make it much better but apparently they have with the XSi.

I can definitely say my XTi was pretty top notch. Lot's of features, lots of adjustment, it was a great camera and I really regret getting rid of it. It's highly recommended.

[blaster32]

most camcorders can take still pics

[Iliketogofast]

True, but they suck.

[bwamos]

Originally posted by blaster32
most camcorders can take still pics

Most Digital SLR's and the good point and Shoot's can take video as well, just limited on duration (memory).

[Iliketogofast]

Actually most DSLRs won't shoot video as far as I know. Many P&S's will.

I know for a fact the XT and XSi won't, unless they have changed that feature from the XTi.

[quad2xtreme]

I would go with a D80 over the D60...mostly because the lens are more compatible with other models. I mostly went with Nikon because Pappy uses Nikon and I figured he could help me out the most if I got stuck. You could probably do a search on Nikon or Canon and get lots of info. Ummmm...now that I think about it maybe it was the D80 over the D40. Now I am not sure if the D60 uses different lenses or not.

I bought a D80 about 6 months ago and still haven't gotten into it enough...problem is I like to be the one riding. :p

Ultimately, I wish I would have gotten an HD video camera. Of course, this is out of the price range you suggested. I decent HD video camera is about $1,200. Unfortunately, neither a camera or video camera do a good job of displaying how killer a 60' jump is. Both make it look ordinary. Funny, the camera adds 10 pounds to a person but manages to take about 20 feet off a jump. :confused:

[bwamos]

Originally posted by Iliketogofast
Actually most DSLRs won't shoot video as far as I know. Many P&S's will.

I know for a fact the XT and XSi won't, unless they have changed that feature from the XTi.

Hmm.. you are correct. Guess that's what I get for assuming.
Wonder why they don't have video capability? They damn near already take video w/ their continous shot rates.. lol. My cheap canon SD750 takes great video (for about 5minutes).

[Iliketogofast]

It's a simple mistake - most people think they do, in fact, shoot video since most P&S cameras have the feature.

The way that a DSLR is set up makes it impossible to take a video. Instead of using a digital style capture card or whatever the heck a P&S uses, a DSLR captures images in the same fashion as a traditional SLR camera does, making it impossible to shoot video.

As a matter of fact Sony came out with the first DSLR that has a live view of what you're aiming at on the screen, and that was only about a year ago. Unless others have come out with that, most DSLR's don't even have a live view feature because, again, the way they capture images makes it very hard to integrate such a feature.

[That400exGuy]

Originally posted by quad2xtreme
I would go with a D80 over the D60...mostly because the lens are more compatible with other models. I mostly went with Nikon because Pappy uses Nikon and I figured he could help me out the most if I got stuck. You could probably do a search on Nikon or Canon and get lots of info. Ummmm...now that I think about it maybe it was the D80 over the D40. Now I am not sure if the D60 uses different lenses or not.

I bought a D80 about 6 months ago and still haven't gotten into it enough...problem is I like to be the one riding. :p

Ultimately, I wish I would have gotten an HD video camera. Of course, this is out of the price range you suggested. I decent HD video camera is about $1,200. Unfortunately, neither a camera or video camera do a good job of displaying how killer a 60' jump is. Both make it look ordinary. Funny, the camera adds 10 pounds to a person but manages to take about 20 feet off a jump. :confused:

What camera does pappy have anyways?

[quad2xtreme]

Pretty sure he still uses a D200 although it is possible/probable he went to a D300. He still has a D80 though.

Lots of wedding photographers use both a D200 and a D80. The D200 is all manual so you can miss a shot. With a D80, you can rely on some automatic modes. Although they might not work as well as an experienced photographer with time to diddle, you also don't miss some good shots. You can do a lot of clean up on the computer for over and underexposed shots, etc.

Pappy has a big investment in lenses and various remote controlled flashes, etc.

/Jon

[That400exGuy]

Originally posted by quad2xtreme
Pretty sure he still uses a D200 although it is possible/probable he went to a D300. He still has a D80 though.

Lots of wedding photographers use both a D200 and a D80. The D200 is all manual so you can miss a shot. With a D80, you can rely on some automatic modes. Although they might not work as well as an experienced photographer with time to diddle, you also don't miss some good shots. You can do a lot of clean up on the computer for over and underexposed shots, etc.

Pappy has a big investment in lenses and various remote controlled flashes, etc.

/Jon

Thanks, I have photoshop so I can touch up pictures with that.

[That400exGuy]

What would be a good lense to start out with if I would get the d80?

[Iliketogofast]

Sigma 75-300 is one of the best starter lenses. That holds true whether you get the D80 or if you go with the XSi, as they are made for both.

[That400exGuy]

Originally posted by Iliketogofast
Sigma 75-300 is one of the best starter lenses. That holds true whether you get the D80 or if you go with the XSi, as they are made for both.

What about wide angle lenses? such as this?
link (http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/253091797.htm)

[quad2xtreme]

I've stuck with Nikon lenses so far. I have an 18-55mm that is a very standard lense when you by the camera. The other is a AF-S Nikkor 55-200mm 1:4-5.6G ED.

I decided to get 2 separate lenses to cover this range so each was a bit purer than having one lense cover the whole range. I wouldn't do this again. Seems like I always have the wrong lense on the camera. I would rather have one lense go from 18-200. Then, another one that would go at least to 300mm. 200mm definitely doesn't have enough range for shooting distance at an mx track.

[Iliketogofast]

That wide angle lens above is great if that's what you want.

As the above poster mentioned the Nikon/Nikkor lenses are also great.

[quad2xtreme]

also, check out buydig.com. Have several friends that buy from them without any problems...and there prices are almost always the lowest.

[That400exGuy]

I was rethinking and maybe a wide angle lense wouldnt be the best idea, hows this lense look?
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541536017.htm

[quad2xtreme]

I wish I would have gotten that lense. The price seems reasonable to me. You are going to want a much stronger flash too if you plan to take many indoor pictures.

[That400exGuy]

Originally posted by quad2xtreme
I wish I would have gotten that lense. The price seems reasonable to me. You are going to want a much stronger flash too if you plan to take many indoor pictures.

For flash I was thinking something simple like this,
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541532586.htm

[quad2xtreme]

Originally posted by That400exGuy
For flash I was thinking something simple like this,
http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/541532586.htm

Anything will be better than the one that comes on it and I am sure it worth that price.

Don't get me wrong, the built-in flash is as good as any other on other cameras. It just doesn't match the quality of the rest of the camera. Nikon really expects you to spend more money on flashes...to the point they should have just left the built-in off.

I was looking at the SB-800 AF...or the SB-600. The 800 can control slave flashes if you have several flashes setup on tripods too.

[That400exGuy]

Originally posted by quad2xtreme
Anything will be better than the one that comes on it and I am sure it worth that price.

Don't get me wrong, the built-in flash is as good as any other on other cameras. It just doesn't match the quality of the rest of the camera. Nikon really expects you to spend more money on flashes...to the point they should have just left the built-in off.

I was looking at the SB-800 AF...or the SB-600. The 800 can control slave flashes if you have several flashes setup on tripods too.

Well, I wont be using the flash much anyways, I'm actually only 14, although I have a lot of interest in photography. I'll most likely be using the camera to take pictures for my local track for mx races and harescrambles.

[That400exGuy]

is the shutter speed any better on the d80 as opposed to the XSi?