Sold my 20D, now what?! Going nuts without a camera.

[OceanView]

Well, I sold my beloved 20D, I wasn't expecting to sell it for the price that I was asking but someone stepped up and bought it. Although a great camera, I never really liked the AF. Not 100% accurate, not even 60%. Most of the time I had to refocus 2,3 or more times. And yes, I read and tried all the suggestions from the "experts".

Originally I was gonna buy the 1D Mark II or IIN but now that the Nikon D200 was announced and I am sure Canon will come out with something close or better to it in February, I am rethinking my options.

Of course I still would love to buy the 1DMII but it is after all $3500 - $4000.
I would hate to buy it and regret its purchase after I hear the 30D specs for $1500 - $2000. The 30D may have a more accurate AF than the 20D and will have more than 8MP. The price of the 1DMII will drop and effect the resellability. This is a valid concern for me because I tend to buy and sell my camera gear often.

If the 1DMII was full frame, I would buy it today but since it isn't, I feel that even if I buy it today, I would end up buying another camera in the next 1 - 2 years.

So, with all my beautiful Canon glass begging me to use them, I have nothing to shoot with, here are my options:

1. Wait till the next Canon announcement, then decide. (Will be hard)
2. Buy the 1DMarkII(N) and go shoot something.
3. Sell all my Camera gear and go buy a new Rolex (at least Rolex prices are still rising)
4. Suggestions?

Sorry for the long post. Just wanted to get some ideas from fellow Photogs.

Thanks

[robertwgross]

It reminds me of the case of the child who shot and killed his parents. Then he begged for the court to have mercy on him because he was an orphan.

---Bob Gross---

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Well one thing's for sure, don't ever buy a Rolex in place of your camera gear! The image quality just isn't good at all compared to your Canon! :-D

So how much money are you talking about spending? Also, you should list out your glass so we can see what you "need".

[Dante King]

Get a nice used 1Ds. Its 11mp and FF. Very nice and very resonable $$ wise on the used market.

[OceanView]

Well one thing's for sure, don't ever buy a Rolex in place of your camera gear! The image quality just isn't good at all compared to your Canon! :-D

So how much money are you talking about spending? Also, you should list out your glass so we can see what you "need".

Ha ha!

See my updated signature.

I want to spend the least as possible.
Realistically up to $4000

[daveh]

Maybe a manual focus (FD) camera? With a 40% AF failure rate, you either had a broken camera or didn't realize that you still need to think about focus (a little) even with AF.

[OceanView]

Get a nice used 1Ds. Its 11mp and FF. Very nice and very resonable $$ wise on the used market.

Good idea,
Haven't seen too many of the 1Ds for sale these days.
Will keep an eye on it.

[OceanView]

Maybe a manual focus (FD) camera? With a 40% AF failure rate, you either had a broken camera or didn't realize that you still need to think about focus (a little) even with AF.

Maybe it was broken. This thought did run through my mind a few times.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

Well there's nothing wrong with your 85 1.8, so I'd say hold onto that and skip the 85L for now. Seems like you have everything covered except ultra wide angle, and super telephoto. I don't know what to tell you about the camera...I'd have held onto the 20D and gotten a nice 300 2.8L if I were you, but hey. Now that you sold the 20D, you obviously can't go back :p I'd say shoot for a 5D if you want full frame, or go for the 1DMkII N. It's up to you.

[OceanView]

Well there's nothing wrong with your 85 1.8, so I'd say hold onto that and skip the 85L for now. Seems like you have everything covered except ultra wide angle, and super telephoto. I don't know what to tell you about the camera...I'd have held onto the 20D and gotten a nice 300 2.8L if I were you, but hey. Now that you sold the 20D, you obviously can't go back :p I'd say shoot for a 5D if you want full frame, or go for the 1DMkII N. It's up to you.

I like my current lens line up.
Not planning on selling them. I will get a wide angle lens and a few super tele primes but that will be next year sometime.

I really really want to hold out for the next announcement but this is becoming more of a struggle within than a monetary decision.

[soupdragon]

It seems to be something of a touchy subject on this forum but, if your are not heavily laden with L glass, the Nikon 200D looks about the best bet in prosumer at the moment.

[OceanView]

It seems to be something of a touchy subject on this forum but, if your are not heavily laden with L glass, the Nikon 200D looks about the best bet in prosumer at the moment.

Feature wise it seems pretty nice but I won't go to a CCD sensor.
That's like going back to 90's technology.

Oh, and it's still not available.

[RikWriter]

You can find a used 1DMKII on Fred MIranda for under $3000.

[Ogrt48]

Bleh, I can't believe that the 20d's AF was that bad. My lowly DRebel's is atleast 95%. Maybe you should learn how to use the camera before selling it ?

[JohnnyG]

I would imagine that one, you never learned how to use the camera properly or two, your camera was simply defective and needed repair.

I switched to the 20D and initially had trouble focusing but later found it was all my fault. Too low of iso usually which forced the camera to use a too low aperture which in turn resulted in a too low shutter speed which coupled with my shaky hands resulted in blurry pictures.

Once I learned how to use the camera, it works flawlessly. Unfortunately I don't!:o But, I'm learning day by day. I never hope to produce some of the work I see on here because of the pro level but I hope to come closer than I do now.

I love my 20D and would only sell it to get another Canon or to keep from living on the streets!!!

[OceanView]

Bleh, I can't believe that the 20d's AF was that bad. My lowly DRebel's is atleast 95%. Maybe you should learn how to use the camera before selling it ?

What makes you think I didn't know how to use my camera?
You can read all the posts about the AF problems associated with the 20D on this website, DPReview and FredMiranda.

[OceanView]

I would imagine that one, you never learned how to use the camera properly or two, your camera was simply defective and needed repair.

I switched to the 20D and initially had trouble focusing but later found it was all my fault. Too low of iso usually which forced the camera to use a too low aperture which in turn resulted in a too low shutter speed which coupled with my shaky hands resulted in blurry pictures.

Once I learned how to use the camera, it works flawlessly. Unfortunately I don't!:o But, I'm learning day by day. I never hope to produce some of the work I see on here because of the pro level but I hope to come closer than I do now.

I love my 20D and would only sell it to get another Canon or to keep from living on the streets!!!

Again, use the search function and read about the 20D focus problems.
Its not isolated to me. Also, once you have used a 1 series, you will soon find out that the 20D AF is really terrible.

[lkorell]

I'm more inclined to think it was a defective camera and since you never sent it in for repair, you acted a bit too quickly by selling it. But, now that you are in need of a camera, why not check out the Canon pro cameras? There's got to be a model in that lineup that will work well for you. The other choice is a 5D which is the latest, or dare I say it, a new 20D? Well, I bet it will work better than your last one and it is certainly cost effective compared to all of your other options. Personally my choice would be to try the 5D. At least it is newer and it isn't another 20D. (love my 20Ds)

And, yes, I do not have any issue with considering the alternative Nikon lineup. You are at a place where you can choose. But, you've already got some good Canon glass so why go through the hassle of making a whole new system?

Lou

[tim]

You had a faulty body, faulty lens, or a problem with your technique (probably one of the former). The only time my focus isn't dead on is in extreme conditions.

You could get yourself a 300D to tide you over, they're cheap and work fine. You have to draw a line in the sand where you're going to make a decision, there's always something newer and better on the horizon. I just bought a 2nd 20D, but if I were buying a single camera right now i'd prob get the 5D. My next camera will likely be a 1D Mk3.

[OceanView]

I'm more inclined to think it was a defective camera and since you never sent it in for repair, you acted a bit too quickly by selling it. But, now that you are in need of a camera, why not check out the Canon pro cameras? There's got to be a model in that lineup that will work well for you. The other choice is a 5D which is the latest, or dare I say it, a new 20D? Well, I bet it will work better than your last one and it is certainly cost effective compared to all of your other options. Personally my choice would be to try the 5D. At least it is newer and it isn't another 20D. (love my 20Ds)

And, yes, I do not have any issue with considering the alternative Nikon lineup. You are at a place where you can choose. But, you've already got some good Canon glass so why go through the hassle of making a whole new system?

Lou

Thanks Lou for the positive words.

I am not switching to Nikon. I think Canon still makes the best camera gear, both in cameras and lenses. I have no reason to buy another 20D, unless the price is so good that I wont worry about any depreciation in the near future.
So, I wait and wait.....

Time goes so slow when your waiting for a new camera....

[RikWriter]

What makes you think I didn't know how to use my camera?
You can read all the posts about the AF problems associated with the 20D on this website, DPReview and FredMiranda.


Yet I've never had it happen to me with two different 20Ds or heard of it happening to any of the people in my camera club who own them. Not saying it wasn't the camera, just saying it isn't as widespread as you would have us believe.

[Bill Hicks]

Hi,

I had a faulty 20D. Very poor focusing. I returned it, got another... what a difference. I know, personally, of one other person who had the same issue with her 20D and same scenario... she returned it got a perfect camera.

Since the exchange my images have been spot on. Struggles a bit in extreme low light... just a bit. But this is expected.

Pick up a new 20D. Then wait for the "phantom" 30D if you want. The 30D is all mere speculation, however it is obviously inevidable that Canon will release a new camera at some point. But a new one will come out after that, then after that, then after that, etc... you can't sit and wait for the latest and greatest. The fact is... you'll never have it, cause their will always be something new on the horizon.

Good luck in your quest... I can't imagine being without a camera!

Peace!

[cactusclay]

I just sold my 20D as well, thinking I would move up to full frame, but haven't done anything yet. I've been using my old 300D and I have to say that I always did like the grip better than the 20D and the shutter is oh so quiet. It's kind of nice to use a camera that I'm not really worried about. I just need something to take pictures with for now, while I make up my mind on what's next.

[OceanView]

Yet I've never had it happen to me with two different 20Ds or heard of it happening to any of the people in my camera club who own them. Not saying it wasn't the camera, just saying it isn't as widespread as you would have us believe.

I don't know how wide spread it is, but there are others.
I thought mine was working ok until I used a 1 series.
I think this is what opened my eyes.

I have used a 1D before and out of about 1000 shots that I took over the course of 2 days, most were focused.
I used the same glass that I used on my 20D so it had to be my 20D.
Did my 20D have a bad AF system? maybe but it doesnt matter now.
I am moving on.

It's funny that many people replied about AF of the 20D.
Not my intention to bad mouth the 20D.
My experience was not that great. It's just not for me.
If your happy with yours, more power to you.
Many people will be happy with 20D, XT, 300D or even a P&S.
Some have different needs.

[daveh]

One of the standard features of all the product-related forums that I visit is people saying they have a problem, and it can't be uncommon because they can find a bunch of other threads with the same problem. However, all of those other posts never add up to a hundredth of a percent of the total user base, and I never run into people with those problems in "real life". That's just the power of the Internet to find people who have the same problem that you have.

[Bill Hicks]

I don't know how wide spread it is, but there are others.
I thought mine was working ok until I used a 1 series.
I think this is what opened my eyes.

I have used a 1D before and out of about 1000 shots that I took over the course of 2 days, most were focused.
I used the same glass that I used on my 20D so it had to be my 20D.
Did my 20D have a bad AF system? maybe but it doesnt matter now.
I am moving on.
Hey Oceanview, I don't say this to change your decision, or try to burst your bubble. Just a bit of info. because I had the same views that you have now.

I sold my 20D and got a 5D. Focus appeared to be the same. I returned the 5D cause it wasn't worth the money to me (thats another story.) I then bought a MKIIn, used it for a wedding, and was impressed by it's fast AF. But for $2,700.00 more than the 20D, it just wasn't good enough for me. Returned that, bought back my 20D. Focus was poor, returned it, got a new one that is spot on 99.9% of the time.

My images are coming out as good as the MKIIn I owned. The focus is a tad slower in very extreme low light situations compared to the MKIIn.

For my needs, none of the other cameras screamed: "I am so far superior to your little girly 20D! You must own me! It is imperative!" The 20D, for my wedding needs, gets me great shots, and does the job. I think I got a bit of the "latest and greatest" bug, that seems to be going around lately.

Maybe you must try them, and maybe they will be worth the extra thousands of dollars to you, but I just wanted to share my experience.

Until Canon can release a 10+ MP camera with weather sealing, the ergonomics of the 20D, or better yet, the 5D for under $2,000.00 with a 1.6x crop, ("cough" Nikon "cough" D200 "cough",) I'll be holding onto my 20D.

JMHO...
Peace!