[sassan]

Originally Posted by greypoint

Well I don't want to get into that old and pointless Canon v Nikon debate as to me it's a matter of which suits you best but we must agree to differ on the relative merits of the 350D and D50!

No nobody wants, in sound mind to enter into chicken and egg dispute. Bottom line we are talking of 2 of the best of the bests for the given category. All I hope to, as a consumer, is to get the better product at lower price and boy I am glad things are moving so quick in that direction.
I have no doubt we do agree on relative of merits. For me its the extend of discovery of, and relative familiarities that makes one a better choice than the other and surely I do not expect this to be the same for everyone.
BTW do not pass the secret but I think I have the answer to "Which came first?" Its definitely the egg that came before chicken. How I know it? I eat egg first in morning for breakfast and Chicken later for lunch or dinner.....

Originally Posted by greypoint

I have used other Canon models and the 350D controls etc look much the same.

You are a lot smarter than me. Hate to admit but I have one XT and one 30D and still get confused in changing some of the basic functions such as ISO, compensatory flash, burst mode etc when switching from one to other. They are so different in my experience. Wish Canon engineers could consider some way of more familiar orientation in control approach between different lines of their products.

Originally Posted by greypoint

Yes you have to use manual exposure with old lenses - but you can't use FD lenses with Canon DSLRs at all or some of the older Sigmas so the use of old Nikkors at all is a bonus. Ooh and did I mention spot metering?!

Do you want to consider thinking again. Just pay attention to shooting data and EXIF that I do not disable or try not to forget, on my shots FIRST THIS ONE, and then THIS ONE. Aren't you surprise the first one is FD 200mm 2.8 on EOS 30D and the second one Old Sigma with so called incompatible chips one EOS XT? I won't go into more detail unless you want it, but it suffice to say I hunted both these lenses at shamefully low prices probably because many people think these are not compatible so let them go so cheap. Gosh I am probably creating more competitors on used low price items, but well I get help form good friends such as you and should not expect anything less in return.
As for Spot metering your right, that is one improvement Canon made on 30D but personally with available auto bracketing on AV mode or EV +/- compensations or even available manual and NO cost to extra picture on digital cameras, why to take a chance when you can have several options at the end of the day. So no I am not that much for spot metering, because either I do not know its advantages well or know better ways to bypass it.

Originally Posted by greypoint

So in my opinion, either camera, or system will fill the needs of most photographers and the new Nikon priced between the D50 and D200 would be a tempting buy for many and a real competitor for the 30D.

Could not be any more agree with your first part of comment.
I see on daily basis that D70 users are upgrading to D200 so I feel they are very similar in terms of demand / consumer's reach, and Nikon actually needs to address the other 2 extremes of consumers spectrum, more clearly; for D50 side, cheaper price for D2X/H side, more versatile options that once upon a time Nikon was the unbeatable brand in that field. No mater what, existance of competing giants serves one the best, "The consumers".


BTW greypoint, please excuse me if I went to further discussion. My aim by no means is to say I am right or vice versa, I just enjoy friendly discussions and once being a firm monotonous believer of Nikon, I am today a mostly Canon user for reasons I learned through such discussions and friends like you and who knows soon may Nikon have my vote or may be Fuji, Olympus or even Whatevernon if the price is right and product works for me.
Last but not least, do you want to see the best camera in the world that we both will agree on with no doubts? Use this LINK and tell me if you agree?