350D VS 20D

[wannasmaxx]

In the near future, I plan on purchasing a camera. Now, I use a 350D when I take photos at present, but that camera isn't mine. I really like the feel of the 350, but I do like the abilities of the 20D. Is the 20D really as unconfortable as it looks? Would I be able to get use to it's controls easily and be able to shoot both bodies with ease? Cheers,
Josh

[Primevci]

i just bought a 20d yesterday upgraded from a 300d it feels better then my 300d did i do want to get the grip thow it seems like it would be a tad bit more comfortable with the grip. i never touched a 250d but i herd it was smaller so i couldnt see it being more comfortable to hold..

[Jackal]

The 20D is more comfortable than a 350D. It's bigger and easier to hold.

Now, if you stick the battery grip on the XT it instantly becomes 100 times more comfortable and feels really solid and complete. I love my grip. Best money spent on cam thus far.

[wannasmaxx]

I plan to do sports, so the 5fps sounds good to me VS the 3fps of the 350.

[hodad66]

Just traded a 10D for a 350 XT w/ battery grip. Great cam... less cost.
Now for the 5D Rebel.. :)

[tim]

For sports get the 20D with the grip. It's a comfortable camera to hold.

[Nightcrawler]

Just FYI if you wanted to know, here is a thread comparing the two cameras.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/digital/eos_digital_rebel_xt_vs_20d.html

[wannasmaxx]

Although the grip would give me more shooting time, I don't like the way I'd have to hold it. My natural position is in the portrait position, so with the grip, I'd be shooting upside down. I know I dont have to use it that way, but What's the point of the grip when another battery is smaller and can fit in my pocket? Thanks for all the responses.

[ywenz]

20D is more comfortable than the 350D for me. I didn't get tthe 350D simply because it was down right painful to use in my hands...

[wannasmaxx]

I like the feel of the 350. Is the 20D is similar in size to a D70 (nikon)? I've held the D70, and dont like it. Oh I wish there was a body of a 350, with the internals of the 20D.

[rabidmoose171]

Although the grip would give me more shooting time, I don't like the way I'd have to hold it. My natural position is in the portrait position, so with the grip, I'd be shooting upside down. I know I dont have to use it that way, but What's the point of the grip when another battery is smaller and can fit in my pocket? Thanks for all the responses.


What?! The grip makes it 10x easier to shoot in portrait mode.

[Snapman]

In my opinion at least, the ergonomics of a camera is a personal thing down to each individual. I find my 20D very comfortable but I've been used to using a 300D and, before that, an EOS600. Had I used a 350D, my experience with my 20D might be very different.

[wannasmaxx]

What?! The grip makes it 10x easier to shoot in portrait mode.
When I hold it naturally, the way I take most shots, my right hand is right infront of my forehead. If I shot that way using the grip's shutter release, my shots would be in landscape mode, except upside down.

[SkipD]

When I hold it naturally, the way I take most shots, my right hand is right infront of my forehead. If I shot that way using the grip's shutter release, my shots would be in landscape mode, except upside down.Do you normally shoot in portrait mode? Your description defies my imagination unless that's what you are doing.

[Jon]

If you're coming from the AE-1, I think I can see where you don't mind small cameras like the 350D. However, the 20D is very comfortable to hold. I personally don't use the grip on my 20D very much because it makes stowing it awkward and the battery life isn't that big an issue. I am a little puzzled by your saying that with the grip you'd be shooting upside down. Most people hold the SLR with the shutter end up when it's in portrait, where the extra release on the grip falls right to hand. I have to reverse myself to take flash pictures in portrait mode with my A80 and hold it as you must do, so the flash is above the lens. Is this correct? If so, I think a good flash bracket for those situations will help immensely. Point and shoot cameras put the flash on the left to help keep fingers out of the way, but it leads to rather awkward holding for portrait mode, which may explain why most people just shoot landscape orientation with them.

[soupdragon]

I had to make the choice between the 20 and the 350 and wound up with the 350 for two reasons.
At the time I bought mine the 20 did not have £400 worth of extra functionality.
I like to carry as little weight as possible when out and about, and they don't come much lighter than a 350 at the end of the day.
Just to contradict myself, I did buy the grip to afford greater shooting time and it really does balance better with it.
The long and the short of it is, if you are fortunate enough to have a choice? buy what you need.

[wannasmaxx]

To try and clear things up, when I shoot I always use the portrait "hold" My right hand (basically the thumb knuckle)usually is almost resting on my forehead.(Like right above my left eyebrow) If looking at me from behind, the hotshoe is pointing left. What I'm saying is if I apply that "stance" (way of holding) using the grip, my 'shoe would be pointing down, thus making my shots upside down. Hope that clears things up. I do plan on shooting sports keep in mind, so the 20D sounds logical, but I'm not sure if I like the layout.

[vkalia]

well, if you have the grip, you can hold the camera in a more normal position while still keeping a vertical orientation for the shot. The whole point of the grip is to avoid holding the camera in the position you describe.

[wannasmaxx]

well, if you have the grip, you can hold the camera in a more normal position while still keeping a vertical orientation for the shot. The whole point of the grip is to avoid holding the camera in the position you describe.
Guess I'm just wierd then?:confused:

[Jon]

Ah, I see. Most people find that landscape mode works just fine with the camera against face and right hand resting against the side of the head. With the grip, you have something to grip so you can maintain that hand arrangement while the camera's in portrait mode.

Also, there's nothing that compels you to use the grip-mounted release to take a picture. You can continue to use the camera's shutter release even with the grip. It just gives you an additional one to use. When we had an AE-1, I don't recall whether the winder had an extra release on it (my ex used that), but both my F-1s with winder and the T90 all have that "portrait" release.

[soupdragon]

To try and clear things up, when I shoot I always use the portrait "hold" My right hand (basically the thumb knuckle)usually is almost resting on my forehead.(Like right above my left eyebrow) If looking at me from behind, the hotshoe is pointing left. What I'm saying is if I apply that "stance" (way of holding) using the grip, my 'shoe would be pointing down, thus making my shots upside down. Hope that clears things up. I do plan on shooting sports keep in mind, so the 20D sounds logical, but I'm not sure if I like the layout.

I still hold it like that with the grip.
Old habits die hard.
By the way, you can get a nice accessory for the price difference between a 20 and a 350, you know, like, a speedlight or a tripod or even a floral off the shoulder number with slingbacks:D :D :D :D :D

[soupdragon]

Ah, I see. Most people find that landscape mode works just fine with the camera against face and right hand resting against the side of the head. With the grip, you have something to grip so you can maintain that hand arrangement while the camera's in portrait mode.

Also, there's nothing that compels you to use the grip-mounted release to take a picture. You can continue to use the camera's shutter release even with the grip. It just gives you an additional one to use. When we had an AE-1, I don't recall whether the winder had an extra release on it (my ex used that), but both my F-1s with winder and the T90 all have that "portrait" release.

I had the winder a2 with my A-1 it had no additional release buttons, it was just a large pendulum mass as I recall, and talk about noisy.

[wannasmaxx]

I never really used my AE-1... Only bought it for a photo class I did at school and couldn't find it in me to buy a new film camera, so I went for old tech. I currently use a 350. I shoot sports for my school, but would like to make a little money over this summer, so I need a camera of my own. I'd buy up the 350 in a second if I could get 5fps out of it, like I could with a 20D. I also know I could hold it in the regular position I use now, but it's more convenient for me to carry a spare batt in my pocket or bag, seeing as I'd get no use out of the grip other than more life. I've just sold all of my stuff from my old hobby(nitro RC cars) so I was kicking around the idea of buying the 70-200L IS USM that I'll buy no mater what now that the rebates are going on. Could still use it on an old 300V I've got lying around (Father's). How much bigger in thickness is the 20? I really like how the 350 matches the contour of my hand. Dunno, I'm still quite torn.

[wannasmaxx]

Anyone else want to offer up their opinions?

[grego]

Well, i'd go with the 20D. It's just better, if you have the money. It's just a faster camera all around. And if you don't upgrade your camera a lot, I think you'll find yourself using the camera for a long while. I bought a 10D, and am still very happy with it. I do think I'll add a 20D soon, since I can't afford a Mark II, but for most things the 10D, still holds up will against others.

[chemicalbro]

I guess comfort depends on the size of your hands............. I agree that the 350D is small/light and a grip is definately next on my list

[symes]

20D if your goal is to shoot a lot of sports...

Cheers,

[Neilyb]

Had another play with the Girlfriends 20d at the weekend (yes I only play with her 20d!) and it feels great, rubber grip, weight, size....but that is the only advantage I can see over my 350d that I would find useful....did feel nice though....!

[rabidmoose171]

Can you go to a store or something, and just get the feel of the 2oD, and then base your purchase off of that?


I guess what your saying, is that you know the 20d is a better camera, but you want to know if its enough better to jusitfy the price/feel?

[wannasmaxx]

Can you go to a store or something, and just get the feel of the 2oD, and then base your purchase off of that?


I guess what your saying, is that you know the 20d is a better camera, but you want to know if its enough better to jusitfy the price/feel?
Kinda along those lines. I'm basing all my savings on the price of a 20D and a 70-200/2.8L IS USM piece of glass. I'm figuring in the region of $2900? I'm basically asking if the layout and controls, and most importantly, size would be noticably different than the 350 I currently shoot. I know it'll be different, but how much bigger does the 20 feel in the hand. I don't have any shops near me, so I'm basically buying blind. Good news is that I have about a half year to decide and save, so I'll eventually get my hands on a 20.

[hodad66]

Just got the grip for my new RebelXT.... feels great! Being smaller than the 20D
w/ grip... it fits into my bag great. The feel in the hands is very
comfortable now & the cam just feels "responsive" coming from the 10D.
Having the portrait grip is super, although I have to remember it's there.. :)
Very happy :cool:

[wannasmaxx]

Just got the grip for my new RebelXT.... feels great! Being smaller than the 20D
w/ grip... it fits into my bag great. The feel in the hands is very
comfortable now & the cam just feels "responsive" coming from the 10D.
Having the portrait grip is super, although I have to remember it's there.. :)
Very happy :cool:
I know how the 350 feels, I've shot over 8000 photo's with it. What I wanted to know was how much bigger is the 20D? I really do basically need the 20D for my sports shooting. The extra .2MP and battery life is just a bonus.