Advice on Canon EOS 300D Digital

[DoW-Oldman]

Greetings all!

I had been considering for my first Digital Camera the EOS 300D. However, after reading the thread concerning Canon's service treatment of owner of Canon G1 ( see this thread: Canon G1 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5153&page=0) ) I have good faith doubt about doing business with Canon.

Now I have read several other threads and have not seen the same type of posting concerning Canon.

I would like advise or your thoughts in a few areas please.

1.) As an owner of a Canon what is your overall view of their product and service?

2.) What was the factor that caused you to pick your canon over another brand?

3.) If your next camera is not going to be a Canon what will you purchase next?

I've been told that the level of camera I wish to purchase is too much for a newbie. However, at my age I've learned there is no value in entry level only to upgrade a few months later down the line. Of course I have budgeted X amount of dollars. ($1100.00--out the door.)

Any advise or information you can share with me and I will be all ears!

Much thanks for your reply!
Olds

[Motorsports Photo]

DoW-Oldman wrote:

1.) As an owner of a Canon what is your overall view of their product and service?

2.) What was the factor that caused you to pick your canon over another brand?

3.) If your next camera is not going to be a Canon what will you purchase next?



1. Product seems to be very good but not without flaws. Some have been major and some have been minor. Many problems I think were a result of bringing a product to market a bit too quickly. Service? Hard to tell. I was very satisfied with the service I got on my A2E, however the wifes Rebel was repaired 3 times and is still broken. My D30 has also been to NJ numerous times. My 10D probably needs to go there, but I can work around its flaws for the moment. Getting any real answers out of Canon service is next to impossible. It appears to be give them your CC number and hope for the best.

2. Canon seemed to have a product that met my needs and (at least in the recent past) was very well made and reliable. My switch to digital was based on price (Before the D30 most bodies were in the 15k + range) and the fact I already had Canon lenses.

3. I seriously considered switching to Nikon this past Summer with the crap that Canon service put me through. However chatting on the Nikon board, the conclusion was that I would be trading one set of problems for another.

I hope this gives you an idea on what to expect. I've tried to give a short accurate decription of my Canon experience. I have been increasingly perplexed at soo many companies marketing (I'll put this bluntly) crap! In my history as a consumer I have never had so many problems with so many products and SO FEW COMPETENT PEOPLE in a role of "customer service" as I have in the last few years. Maybe that Y2K thing was real. We just missed how it would really happen!

-Pete

[DoW-Oldman]

Pete,

Thank you very much for your reply!
Olds

[sdominick]

I love Canon, I have been a user of their products for years. I have always been delighted with the results that I get from their cameras. I have never had any problems so I never had to deal with them personally.

However...

I did purchase the Digital Rebel and I just got it the other day. I have been frustrated with it thus far. I am having issues with the sharpness/focus of the photos. I have yet to figure out if it's me or the camera...

I also have a Canon Powershot A40 (2 MP) and it takes AWESOME pictures. I only paid $249 for it! It's not an SLR (but it does have manual functions) and you really can't print much bigger than a 5x7 with it...

Good luck!
Sharon

[jthomaslambert]

I just picked up the 300D last week, switching from my film-based...NIKON. Am very happy so far and definitely wouldn't consider this "too much camera" for any amateur.

The major difference that I've noticed from my Nikon lies within the program metering: one, with the flash pictures (both on-camera and 420EX), some of my portraits come out a little underexposed (in program mode)--nothing too serious but they did require some levelling in photoshop.

I've seen a number of posts re: sharpness but I haven't noticed any problems whatsoever. I have the standard lens, the 28-135 IS, and the 75-300 IS. The first 75-300 IS was faulty but everything else has been great.

[rdenney]

DoW-Oldman wrote:
Greetings all!

I had been considering for my first Digital Camera the EOS 300D. However, after reading the thread concerning Canon's service treatment of owner of Canon G1 ( see this thread: Canon G1 (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5153&page=0) ) I have good faith doubt about doing business with Canon.


Don't put too much emphasis on individual accounts, especially on a public forum. People who feel wronged tend to be quite vocal about it (including me), and those who are happy aren't really motivated to say so. Probably with any product there will be a skewed emphasis towards those who have had problems.

...
1.) As an owner of a Canon what is your overall view of their product and service?


I've owned Canons since 1972, and still own an F-1, a TX, a T90, and an Elan IIe. None have needed factory service, though the T90 now needs a shutter box which can be done by an aftermarket repair shop.

As with any huge company, getting personalized service is usually cumbersome. Generally, I buy my stuff at a pro shop and pay extra to do so, and get good service from my dealer when I need it. So far with Canon stuff I haven't needed it, other than to diagnose the early problem I had with my Sigma lenses.


2.) What was the factor that caused you to pick your canon over another brand?


Sensible user interface. I've never been attracted to the Nikon camera controls. Before electronic cameras, I wasn't attracted to Nikon lens prices.


3.) If your next camera is not going to be a Canon what will you purchase next?


I collect so many different cameras in so many different formats, that there's no telling what my next purchase will be. I've had no experience with Canons to suggest that buying a Canon would be ill-advised.


I've been told that the level of camera I wish to purchase is too much for a newbie. However, at my age I've learned there is no value in entry level only to upgrade a few months later down the line. Of course I have budgeted X amount of dollars. ($1100.00--out the door.)


The 300D is intended for newbies, being essentially a Rebel with a digital sensor. But it is good where it counts. The potential image quality is right up there with some of the best digital cameras on the market. Just don't let it get rained on or bang it up against stone walls.

You'll blow your budget, but not on upgrading the camera. You'll just have to have more lenses!

Rick "who has spent more since buying the 10D than the 10D cost--on lenses" Denney

[AliasMoze]

First, if your budget is $1100, it sounds like the argument is over - 300D.

1. I have the 300D, and I own a GL1, a Canon DV cam. I've never had to go to Canon for service. The products themselves are fine. These days, especially when it comes to digital, Canon is a market leader.

2. I bought the Digital Rebel because of the price and because I found the camera was more than adequate for my needs.

3. I also like Nikon and would consider a D100. I used Nikon film cameras before and loved them, but Nikon is a little behind Canon in the digital market.

Which camera you guy depends so much on what features interest you and what you're used to using. I myself used all-manual film SLR's, so the Digital Rebel is a step up in terms of features. Having owned it for a while now, I can safely say that its feature set is not hindered in any significant way, certainly not enough to interfere with 95% of typical shots.

The body is cheaper. Does it matter? Not to me; I don't tend to bang the camera around. It may be important to you, depending.

I've spent, including the kit lens, two additional lenses, a 550EX flash, and an ST-E2 wireless flash trigger, and various accessories, around $2000. The 10D body alone is around $1500. Easy math for me. If you are new to digital, consider the 300D and spent the extra money, if you have it, on lenses and whatever accessories you need. Later on you can always upgrade.

[ruby]

Hi I was wondering which lens you bought to go with your Rebel? I am considering biuying one and am trying to figure out a budget?
thanks ruby

[AliasMoze]

Sigma 70-300mm f/4-5.6 APO $209
Canon Normal EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens $69.95

From B & H.

[robertwgross]

DoW - Oldman, you should probably drop the Dogs of War graphic in the signature line. We don't need to waste that bandwidth.

---Bob Gross---