Choosing the best camera

This is always a difficulty I think.  At least for me it is.  First of all though, I'd like to try to clarify 'full frame' for you, as best as I can.

Remember way back when: When camera used film?  Many SLR's used film called 35MM.  It was actually 36MM across its width, but that's not important.  What is important is that all lenses were made so that the light coming from the outside was focused into a circle large enough that it would completely cover a frame of 35MM film.  Jump ahead a few years and digital comes of age.  Funny thing is... for some reason the camera manufacturers start making digital sensors that are smaller than the 35MM film frame.  This is simply what it is, instead of the sensor being the same size as the 35MM film frame, it is actually smaller.  Most are about 2/3 the size of the film (although this isn't always the case).  Then, they build mounts for the digital cameras that will accept the old film camera lenses so that people will have an easier time making the switch.  After all, if the 'image circle' is large enough for a 35MM film frame, it will be more than large enough for a smaller sensor.

This caused some other wanted and unwanted issues.  One of the pros is that the depth of field is greater at any given aperture, another is that your 300MM lens just became a 450MM lens.  The cons are the the depth of field is greater (yes, I know I said that twice), and also that your 20MM lens just became a 30MM lens.  The wide angle guys were angry, and anyone wanting to throw a background out of focus now had extra work in PS.  So, the manufacturers then began building lenses specifically for the smaller digital sensors so that they could appease everyone again.  Realize however, that the new digital specific lenses will generate a smaller image circle at the film plane than a lens made for film.  This is actually a function of a smaller imaging area at the film plane though; it's not actually a longer focal length of a lens, it's more like a crop from a larger image.  This is why so many manufacturers state a 'crop factor'.

Next came the race for the most pixels.  More pixels crammed into a smaller sensor means more noise, so what happens?  They make bigger sensors!  Now the full-frame sensor is all the rage!  Granted, they have many advantages, but come on.  A full-frame sensor is simply a digital camera with a sensor the same or very close to the same size as a 35MM frame of film.  This allows for more pixels and therefore less noise, clearer images with the same number of pixels, less depth of field, and the use of your favorite film days wide angle lenses again.

OK, so the 'regular' or DX sensors are more common and generally cheaper.  You can use both full frame lenses and 'digital' format lenses with them.  Full frame sensors are generally more expensive and considered 'pro' cameras.  You can only use full frame lenses as the digital format lenses will leave vignetting at the corners of your images because the image circle is too small for the sensor size.

I hope this clears some things up for you.  Feel free to keep asking and I'm sure someone can give you a better explanation if mine is ridiculously confusing to you. 

Personally, I think you would be happy with many of the pro-sumer cameras on the market.  Many of us started with a brand because that's what we were sold or that's what so-and-so said or Dad had when I was growing up.  Basically, if I were to be starting a complete system over again, I would take a serious look at what lenses and flashes and other accessories I really needed and/or wanted, and then I'd make sure I wouldn't have to compromise on my system.  I think this is important, because ultimately you are building a system, not just a camera.   Nikon and Canon both have a wide variety of options for building a robust and complete system and I don't think you would ever regret going either direction.  Your choice on full-frame vs. a smaller format will be largely dependant on your needs, and lens choices.  If you are dead set on fast prime wide angle lenses for your landscape work, you will need a full-frame camera to make the most use of them.  However, if the lineup of the digital format wide angle zooms will do what you want... there is no need to spend the extra money on the glass or the camera.  I have printed 30" prints from files off my D80 (10MP, small sensor) with little noticeable loss, but it is not as good as it would have been from a full frame camera.  For me, this is a limited need and I'm not worried about it.  Eventually, to do what I want with my images, I will definitely need a full-frame, maybe even a medium format digital camera.  For now, it's a lot of money that I won't spend on speculation.  This is a choice you have to make for yourself.  Just as an aside, I am planning on upgrading to the D90 in the near future because a stock agency that I want to work with would accept me if I were shooting 12MP images instead of 10's.  What do you need?  What will not let you down?  What will give you what you want and satisfy your creative vision and all your printing needs?  My guess is, the Nikon D5000, D90, D300 or Canon's competitors for these will never leave you wishing you had something else.  But... you will probably want to plan on getting that wide angle zoom (17-55 f2.8 or similar) in order to allow you to continue to explore your world the way you love to.

At least maybe that will give you a start.  I am a Nikon guy, but mainly because that's what I started with because the salesman told me so.  I don't have anything against any cameras, I've seen people that can make great images from all of them, so brand has more to do with personal preference I think.  The key is that whatever brand you choose, you can build the entire 'system' around your camera.  The system is the key.  If Sony does not have a great lens selection yet... I would stay away from them.  Olympus seems to be building a good thing, but again I don't know what their lens and accessory lineup is like.  Nikon and Canon both have nearly everything you could ever want, but then there are gaps on both sides of those fences as well; so do your homework on the SYSTEM and make sure that you can get what you want, even if it takes you years to build the entire system how you want it.  More than likely, once you choose a brand, you will stick with it because you won't want to start over on the SYSTEM.

Am I making any sense yet... don't shop for cameras!  SHOP FOR THE SYSTEM!  This is what we all wish we had done when we started and no one was around to smack us upside the head and point us in the right direction.

Happy Shopping!
Travis

I am in a hurry and haven't read this whole thread yet, but wanted to put in my two cents about the Nikon D90, I like it a lot. I don't own one but shoot with one all the time, I rent it from a friend when my husband and I shoot together, I use the D90, Charlie uses the D80 and we have Olympus cameras for backup.  The D90 is far superior to the D80, handles well in low light, writes fast to the card and is really sturdy.
When I save my money I am buying one for myself. I thought I wouldn't use the video, but I have a 5 year old so I think I will.

After reading that line, I clicked on the link and was greeted with a picture of him with a REALLY REALLY big lens! *clears throat*

Thanks, Travis. It's interesting to read his site after having already made my decision. His manual on the D90 is very interesting and makes me wish it was already in my hands!

one of my close friends has a D300 and his wife the D90. She likes hers better.
She say's it "fits".

[shrug]

Well, the deed is done. I purchased the camera and it will be here by the 20th. Wheeeee!!!!

Susie, the Minolta/Sony cameras have the anti-shake built into the camera itself, so using an anti-shake lens will be new for me.

I was looking through Ken's site and his images are soooooo yellow. In his manual for the D90, he mentions turning up the amber color in-camera for all his shots except those of people. I also read his "it's not the camera" rant and just laughed. That said, his D90 manual gave me an incredible number of tips. Can't wait to get the camera in my hands.

It was tempting to stay with Sony, so my lenses would work, but now that I've made the plunge, I can already see how much better Nikon is going to be for me.

And, John, thanks for the halftime speech!

Congratulations!!
Cant wait for you to start teaching me how to use mine now!!
 
 

Corey