I need another camera

[JustKat]

I've been in the photography business for over 30 years, but only digital for about 7 months, so I'm very new to all this and I have gotten some excellent advice in this forum...so here I am with another dilema. My 2nd has been backing me up at weddings with a film camera and now that I have the digital to compare with the film images, I don't want to use film at all. I am currently using a Rebel XT(with some great lenses you people suggested) and my images are very pleasing. My question is, what overall difference am I going to see, if any, if I get a 20D or 30D instead of another Rebel? I have yet to have the XT let me down, other than my own ignorance of how to use it properly. Over the years, I have went through LOTS of cameras, I wear them out and it's usually cheaper to replace than repair so I started buying less expensive models. Generally the end results (prints) are just as good with the less expensive cameras as they are with the top end "pro" models. The "pro" cameras just have more functions that I find mostly useless since I shoot in Manual. Please, someone let me know what the advantages would be and if they are worth the price difference of about $700. With the film cameras the difference wasn't worth it to me, but I have nothing to compare yet with digital.

[tim]

The image quality from the 20D/30D is meant to be about the same as with the XT. Even the 5D will have only a bit more resolution, and the 1 series will give you slightly better pictures, better build, and a much higher price. In your place, if I kept wrecking cameras, i'd stick with the XT.

[PIXI_666]

well id suggest sticking to the cheaper camera's and getting mroe expensive lenses and equipment to go with them. Trial off your rebel for a year or 2 and see if you wear that out jsut as quickly as your film camera's?

Del

[RobKirkwood]

20D/30D have bigger viewfinder, and I find it much easier to focus manually with 20D than with XT/350D - I've also installed a Haoda screen in our 20D which makes it immediately obvious when the autofocus has missed the mark.

20D/30D have direct access to more settings - such as ISO, metering, shooting mode, etc, ...and if you're shooting manual you can change aperture and shutter speed immediately using the two dials (with XT/350D you have to switch functions).

20D/30D are also bigger cameras, and if you add the battery grip they're pretty imposing, which can impress some people.

Rob

[JustKat]

Thank you for the quick responses. I see that Canon has a $100 rebate on the XT thru July 15 so I'll order today. I knew with film more depended on film type and who developed & printed than what camera body I was using, but with digital, I didn't know. I am also not very "high tech", all computer problems are still solved by my kids:) .
As for my "wrecking" cameras, I really don't wreck them by being careless, I wear them out. I don't know how often the normal professional photographer actually uses their cameras on a daily or weekly basis, but I use mine 6 out of 7 days a week all year, every year. Besides weddings, I photograph almost everything that involves people.
Now I'm going to tell you about me, briefly, wheather you want to know or not. First, my father was a photographer so I walked into the business naturally. Second, I live in a town of about 20,000 people where I have been a middle school teacher(my other job) for 24 years. I was also a softball coach for 14 years. The teacher and coach positions have made my photography business, as I personally know so many people with kids. Kids play sports(sports packsge photos), kids go to school(class photos) kids become High School Seniors(senior portraits), kids grow up and get married(wedding photos, I'm now taking wedding photos of the children of past bride & grooms that I photographed their weddings years ago), kids grow up, get married, have kids and the cycle starts all over again. I have a reputation of not only taking great photos, but being easy to get along with and patient(at least I put on a good show :confused: ).
To sum it all up - I take a lot of pix and I do wear out equipment. The teacher in me makes me write these lengthy messages(essays), I'll stop making them so long. Thanks again!

[ianj]

As an owner of both an XT and a 20D, I can tell you that image quality from the 20D is only marginally better than the XT - they are both superb. The big advantages of the 20D/30D (for me at least) are the faster write speeds to card, faster continuous shooting rate, and the better general build quality. I have taken over 15,000 error free shots with the 20D and its shows no signs of giving up yet. I would thoroughly recommend it. Having said this, I do envy the larger LCD, and the tighter spot metering of the new 30D.
With regard to the XT, I particularly like its compactness, and it serves me well as a second body onto which I permanently have attached a 60mm EF-S Macro lens, which I use for insect photography.
Incidentally, the 5D has slightly less resolution than the 20D/30D/XT since the 12MPixels are distributed over a larger sensor area. If you do the math, you will find this is so. The 5D, having a full-frame sensor, obviously has a larger field of view than the others, and is better suited to landscape photography (i.e. no crop factor).

[Scott B]

How is the XT when using higher iso settings? I used to have a 10D and it sucked at iso 800.

I've since purchased a pair of 20Ds and been much happier. I then borrowed my brothers DR (not the XT) and it really suffers at higher iso settings as well.

I'm contemplating purchasing a third body for my daughter who assists me. If I thought the XT could handle it I would go that route ... but from what I've seen of the original Rebel there's no way I could do it.

[ianj]

Hi Scott B,

I have never used the XT or 20D at higher ISO settings - I never go above 200. I used ISO800 once on a 300D. Too much noise - have never gone that high again.

[Scott B]

Around here flash is prohibited after the processional, so we're shooting at 2.8 and 800 iso. I've even had to shoot at 1600 iso. It's not the greatest, but will a little help of noise reduction and some gently PS work, it's very useable.

That's the only reason I'm a bit concerned about using an XT as a backup. Cost wise ... that would be terrific!

[ianj]

Hi Scott B again.

Yes, I see the problem. Sorry I can't be of more help. All I can say is that the 350D (XT) has more in common with the 20D than the 300D (Rebel) with regards to the sensor pixel size and DIGIC II processor. I can only imagine is that if you are happy with the 20D, then you should be happy with XT (shoot me down in flames anybody?)
Also, if you are a dab hand with PS then you should be OK anyway.

[RobKirkwood]

I've used the 20D at 3200 handheld with an f2.8 lens and obtained perfectly useable images (son's band playing gig in dimly lit venue). XT/350D only goes up to 1600 (although the 20D's 3200 is really a software dodge on based on 1600 anyway). I don't see any major difference in noise performance between the 2 camera bodies at identical ISO.

If using 1600 (or 3200) was the difference between getting a shot and not, I'd use it - the results on 350D/20D/30D can be perfectly acceptable.

Rob

[OdiN1701]

I prefer the interface of the 20D and higher cameras.

I really hate the 4-way pad thing on the XT vs. the jog dial. I find the 20D and up much easier to work with in manual mode.

[newgenphoto]

I prefer the interface of the 20D and higher cameras.

I really hate the 4-way pad thing on the XT vs. the jog dial. I find the 20D and up much easier to work with in manual mode.

Very good point!

[Scott B]

I prefer the interface of the 20D and higher cameras.

I really hate the 4-way pad thing on the XT vs. the jog dial. I find the 20D and up much easier to work with in manual mode.

From my standpoint I would guess that it would be much easier to pick up any body and be able to run with it and not have to adjust to a different layout ... particularly if I'm not shooting with it on a regular basis.

I'll probably wait till next year and see if I can find a used 20D or 30D.

[newgenphoto]

Hi Scott B,

I have never used the XT or 20D at higher ISO settings - I never go above 200.

Are you kidding me?? 20D (and up) 800 speed and even 1600 are very useable. If your exposure is really good then you shouldnt have any problems. Yes, the first digital rebel stunk it up in this area.

[linarms]

One comment on wearing out these cameras: 350D/XT's are rated for 50,000 actuations where 20D's/30D's are rated for 100,000. So the extra $700 is probably worth it, especially given the ease of using the 20/30D's in manual mode (I'm keen to upgrade simply for that reason, much less for the larger viewfinder and better AF...)

[JustKat]

linarms, thanks thats good to know. After the responses I got and some real thought, I ordered another XT. As I origanally stated, my 2nd is using a film camera and sometimes she has to ask me questions(very quietly) concerning how to's or what happened at some inoppertune times. I used the camera model that she's using for several years so I can usually give her a quick answer without much thought. I am so new to digital and this XT that I'm thinking it would be best if we both used the same model at least until I have more experience. The XT has been working fine for me so far and I learn more every day.