Digital Rebel or D30, D60

[jgbryan021900]

Looking to purchase another Canon camera. Had a D30 earlier and got rid of it. I was wanting opinions on if I should get a digital rebel or another used D30 or perhaps a D60. I checked out the Rebel at the local camera shop. Didn't really seem to feel as solid as my D30. Any advise would be appreciated. Thanks.

[phidong]

Get the dRebel. It uses the newer DIGIC processor (like the 10D) which is good. It has low noise, and enough functions to get you going. I'd take a couple function hits for better image any day. :)

[Doug Rowan]

The Digital Rebel is driving prices down on the D30 & D60 (along with every other digi-cam). I managed to get enough for my Minolta 7i that it coverd the cost of a mint D30 body. I shoot model portfolios...indoors & out & I wanted the custom settings available on a D30 or D60 (plus I only print 8x10's as a rule).

[rickm]

Call me crazy but I think I would take a D30 for around $700. If your not going to be printing over 8x10, the images from a D30 are outstanding - new Digic processor or not.

This camera cost $3k when new and maybe in a few years we will learn there were some higher end components that were sacrificed in later models - who knows. Portriats are warm and saturated and look better out of the camera than the D60 IMO.

[lightandlife]

I am not parting with D30 for $700 either.

It is reliable, and I don't need all that extra pixels when D30 is combined with a good lens. 10% cropping of 2Mb still gives 200Kb pics, good enough for Internet.

But if you are buying a new camera, 300D may be a better bargain. Don't look back unless you are a collector.

[jgbryan021900]

Well I bought a mint condition D30 today. Got it at a great price, the gentleman I bought it from had taken about 500 pictures total. I mean this thing is like new in the box. Thanks for all the advise.

[jinushaun]

If I'm not mistaken, D30->D60->10D so it would be like getting a 10D. The 300D is a different beast altogether.

[Carbon]

phidong wrote:
Get the dRebel. It uses the newer DIGIC processor (like the 10D) which is good. It has low noise, and enough functions to get you going. I'd take a couple function hits for better image any day. :)

Uh... the Digital Rebel is NOT a 10D with fewer custom settings.

I upgraded from a D60 and actually bought a Digital Rebel before trading up to the 10D.

Digital Rebel shortcomings:
0. shutter life: don't assume they use the same shutter in the 10D/D60 and the Rebel. According to a senior Canon technical advisor I spoke to, the Digital Rebel is a consumer grade camera and its shutter is designed for 20,000 shots. This is plenty for some, but not heavy users. Don't believe me? Call Canon yourself. I could be wrong. I would have killed that sucker in less than a year. Note: Original D30's used shutters rated for around 30,000 shots. If you sent it in for service on the shutter, they replaced it with a shutter similar in life to the D60 shutter (50-70,000 shots, according to sources and this advisor).
1. build: The Digital Rebel couldn't hold my 24-70L without creaking. Granted, it's a two pound lens, but the D60 never made a peep. The 10D is rock solid, of course.
2. shutter lag/mirror blackout: much longer on the Rebel than the D60 or the 10D. Shot to shot slowness compared to the D60 is definitely noticeable on the Digital Rebel
3. lack of easily-accessed 1-shot autofocus. This is a huge problem in my opinion.
4. vastly inferior controls. You can't really argue with this one. Why do I need to jam a button and then hit more buttons just to adjust exposure compensation for highly light reflective/absorbent scenes? The 4-way controller just plain sucks compared to the rear control wheel on the D30/D60/10D. I guess it costs less?

Don't get me wrong, I liked the Rebel a lot and it has a lot of stuff going for it. I'm excited that it will get more people into the EF world so Canon will have more money to make awesome new lenses. It's lightweight, and it handles almost like a prosumer camera in your hands (like the G1/2/3/5 or the Nikon 5700). Don't think the size difference is so great, though. Side by side, it's really not that much. Unless you're soooo cramped for space that your bag can't hold an extra half inch or so, the size isn't a relevant point. It's not like you can stick any of these D-SLRs in your pocket, anyways.

The EF-S is another story... I don't know where they plan on going with it. I don't think they will turn out pro lenses in that format, but who knows. It would be cool to have a 3x f/2.8 constant aperture zoom that isn't the size of a hero sandwich. The 18-55 EF-S was small in diameter and somewhat short, but it was slow as heck and quality wide open is so-so. But hey, it's $99.

Anyways, if the D60 and the Digital Rebel were the same price, it would be a tough call. I'd probably get the Digital Rebel since 1. it's new vs. a used D60 2. it has superior autofocus vs. the D60 3. lower noise at higher ISO settings than the D60. But if you're pro or semi-pro, you'll need the 10D or maybe the D60. I don't think the Digital Rebel would survive a hard year. Shoot around with one and squeeze that grip hard enough to hold up a 2 pound L lens: you'll know exactly what I mean.