Canon 500D or Nikon D-5000?????

The 500D is reported to be the same body as the 450D. Some of the functions of buttons have changed because of the video capability but the placement is reportedly the same. If you can find someone who can try a 500D in a Seatool 450D housing and confirm the fit you'd have a great option. I've had my Seatool 450D housing for a couple months, not in the water until Bonaire in Sept, and really like its fit and finish.

Food for thought.

Jeff

The 500D is reported to be the same body as the 450D. Some of the functions of buttons have changed because of the video capability but the placement is reportedly the same. If you can find someone who can try a 500D in a Seatool 450D housing and confirm the fit you'd have a great option. I've had my Seatool 450D housing for a couple months, not in the water until Bonaire in Sept, and really like its fit and finish.

 

Food for thought.

 

Jeff

Yeah my wife has the 450 D, so if I get the 500D and a housing that would mean I would have to share the housing with her.... Dont know if thats a good thing hahaha... She doesnt have the lenses that I want but if she did the deal would be sealed and I would go for the 500D as Sea and Sea have a nice cheap housing out for the 450 D (side by side the dimensions and controls appear to be identical as shown on DPreview). I think ive made my mind up on the Sony a350 though, I really want LV AF and its cheaper, plus it will be all mine hahahaha ...

Yeah my wife has the 450 D, so if I get the 500D and a housing that would mean I would have to share the housing with her.... Dont know if thats a good thing hahaha... She doesnt have the lenses that I want but if she did the deal would be sealed and I would go for the 500D as Sea and Sea have a nice cheap housing out for the 450 D (side by side the dimensions and controls appear to be identical as shown on DPreview). I think ive made my mind up on the Sony a350 though, I really want LV AF and its cheaper, plus it will be all mine hahahaha ...

hi steve here ,you should not get hung up on the liveview ,i went from a piont and shoot to a DSLR about 8 months ago ,and would never go back to the p&s its like a quantum leap forward no shutterlag ,

instant autofocus and with the tonkina 10-17 you can"t go wrong it has all the wide angle you could want and sharp as to boot I worried about the viewfinder as well but i now prefer the viewfinder as what you see is what you get, there is much more feedback thru the viewfinder,it takes a little getting use to at first but once you do you won"t miss the LCD sscreen

steve

The D5000 doesn't seem like a good uw camera. But for just a tiny bit more you get the excellent D90.

LiveView on D90 is usuable if you understand its limits. It does not replace the viewfinder and it is not as good as on P&S. But again, very usable and often a life savier if you understand when to use it and when not to.

One good example where it (the handheld LiveView mode) works great is when using AF and shooting slow moving or non moving objects using wide angle lenses. Another good example is when using manual focus and macro (using the tripod LiveView mode).

For fast moving objects non of the Nikon LiveView modes works.

/Peter

Thanks Peter and everyone else for the great advice!

After taking everyones opinions and advice into careful consideration I THINK I am set on getting the 500D. Ive just found that ive got a friend who can get me a great deal on Canons as well so that has kind of sealed the deal, my wife also has the 450D so we could share lenses and make investments together, and I really like the look (and price) of the Sea and Sea RDX450, lets just hope the 500D actually fits into it ....

I have moved away from having to have quality LV AF, but think Peter is spot on in his recommendation for when LV is a great thing to use, hopefully it will be more advanced and widely available in a few years...

Cheers,

Fontaine