30D vs. 350D... Surprising opinion?

[deniska]

Based on all the recommendations (and my own desire), I returned the 350D and bought a 30D... I have to try both do decide, right? ;)

Since I got over the price difference, this was supposed to be a no-brainer... But after having the camera for several hours, I have mixed feelings.

First, the ergonomics: I found the 30D to be heavier and bulkier than I would've liked (the weight is more of an issue that the size, but I noticed both). I felt some strain after a couple of hours of shooting. The 350D felt just right. Maybe with a heavier lens I'd feel differently. The control LCD on the top of the camera took some adjustment too. I liked the control LCD on the back of the 350D (after just a couple of days) -- I could adjust the settings and shoot without "turning the camera over". Finally, I ran into a bizarre issue: the prominent LCD seems to be less recessed against the eyepiece... so my big got in the way! I found it a challenge to look through the viewfinder without tilting my head. I sort of found a comfortable position after about an hour. Maybe my big schnauz is to blame, but it's just weird. I did not have the same issue on the 350D.

Second, the features: I absolutely love the LCD. It does make a difference in my opinion. Also, the fact that you can zoom in and then go from image to image while maintaining zoom does make it easy to validate images (it's a pain on the 350D -- you have to zoom out/zoom in for every image, and that just takes too long). The control dial and the four-way controller in the back are great. I was a little confused when in the P mode I had changed the exposure compensation before focusing, and then after focusing noticed that the back dial adjusts the AE comp starting at 0 rather than the point I had pre-selected. I suppose that would come with experience. Same goes for the AF/ISO/Drive mode/WB buttons. More difficult to use at first -- you need to learn which dial to use, and unless you want to waste time you need to be able to find the buttons without looking at them. That said, it's great that the ISO display is in the viewfinder. I didn't mind the extra "Set" press on the 350D -- I think it's actually easier to use for amateurs like me. But I can see how the 30D can become much more intuitive after some experience. Finally, the two extra focus points do help. Not significantly, but I did notice the improvement in several occasions. I think the kit lens really precludes the fast focus, so it's hard to judge.

So while I am torn (I covet the 2.5" LCD and the second dial), I am leaning towards going back to the 350D. The most important reason: weight/size. Maybe once I get some experience and accumulate better (and heavier) lenses, 30D will become a more natural choice.

I lost my chance at the $100 rebate, but I am sure I'll find a comparable price. I'll keep the camera this week to see if my feelings re: the 30D change.

Thanks for all your advice!

[molesrkool]

(it's a pain on the 350D -- you have to zoom out/zoom in for every image

you dont have to do this.. you turn the control dial (the one that changes ss and aperture)

[adas]

Don't change back. Go the gym.

[rjcanon]

Have you considered the eyepiece extender for nose comfort?

[lakiluno]

(it's a pain on the 350D -- you have to zoom out/zoom in for every image

you dont have to do this.. you turn the control dial (the one that changes ss and aperture)

Not only is he good at selling stuff, the man has brains as well!

wow! I never knew that!

[jevidon]

Although the 30D is a little bit heavier, imo it feels a lot easier to hold with the slightly wider and padded gripping for the right hand. maybe your hands are smaller than mine, but i was getting annoyed with my fingers feeling wedged all the time with the 350D.

[vetkrazy]

You might want to try the ep-ex15 eyepiece extender. I use them on my 1 series because of my glasses. My vote is keep the 30D.

[deniska]

Don't change back. Go the gym.

Smart a$$ :D

[deniska]

Although the 30D is a little bit heavier, imo it feels a lot easier to hold with the slightly wider and padded gripping for the right hand. maybe your hands are smaller than mine, but i was getting annoyed with my fingers feeling wedged all the time with the 350D.

Thanks. I am not a large guy, so my hands are relatively small. I am going to try the eyepiece extender, see how that works out.

[Lavarama]

I have both cameras and would definitely say keep the 30D. Once you use it for a little you will adjust and IMO the controls are easier to use;)

[Digitalwave]

I'll trade you my 350D for your 30D, just say the magic words ;)

[delhi]

(it's a pain on the 350D -- you have to zoom out/zoom in for every image

you dont have to do this.. you turn the control dial (the one that changes ss and aperture)

whoa didn't know that.
Also I discovered that the D-pad buttons can be used to change the focus points rather than wheeling away with the top wheel.
One of the main reason I pick the 350d over the 20d was the size. Coming from film SLR I felt the 350D's size and weight was a welcome. It didn't feel clunky or bulky. I do a lot of street photography so alot of walkaround. I didn't get tired at all whereas my friend who has the 20D whined about walking so long. :rolleyes:
Also perhaps I am young and years of flickering around with the Playstation has honed by fingers and thumbs fairly well so it wasn't difficult to change things on the fly. YMMV.
I'd go for the 30D if it was smaller. Perhaps the new 350D replacement will be just that!

[Roach711]

I used the eyepiece extender on my Drebel and found that it made the viewfinder window smaller and it kept coming off in my camera bag. I ended up selling it with the Dreb when I upgraded.

I have the same problem with my nose hitting the LCD screen but I have just gotten used to cleaning off the nose oil once in a while.

[zacker]

i had the 350D and sold it to get the 30D and i gotta say, there is a huge difference... at least to me in Pic quality... Maybe i had a bum 350D but it just seemed too noisy for me and I always saw pics made with the 20D and then the 30D when it came out and would love the clean pics... like i said, it could have been my camera but im sooo glad i went to the 30D..plus i love the spot meter and bigger screen but most of all, the added weight..and i even put a grip on it.. now it feels much nicer....-
zacker-

[zacker]

I have the same problem with my nose hitting the LCD screen but I have just gotten used to cleaning off the nose oil once in a while.

lol how true this is!
-zacker-

[allenko]

There is a rumor that Canon will come up with a 350D replacement in the coming fall with a larger 2.5 inch LCD screen and a few other minor changes.

[CoolToolGuy]

The difference in the weight of the body (30D vs. XT) may be inconsequential, depending on the type of photography you want to do - the lenses can rack up the weight, and actually make a light body like the XT feel unbalanced. If, of course, most of what you do will be done with the kit lens or a walkaround, it might not matter. Beyond that, the features and the feel of the 30D are quite a bit more advanced than the Rebel. Good luck with your decision - at least its not a Ni*on. Have Fun,

[deniska]

Thanks, all! What a bunch of wizards you are :). I really appreciate the advice.

[Suedezu]

My advice is obvious if you take a look at my signature: keep the 30D! :D

It's a fabulous camera! Remember that the extra weight can actually help you in some cases to hold the camera steadier. For me it's a perfectly balanced camera.

If I liked the 30D after jumping to it from my G6 I see no reason why you don't prefer it over the 350D

[Ocelot]

i had the 350D and sold it to get the 30D and i gotta say, there is a huge difference... at least to me in Pic quality... Maybe i had a bum 350D but it just seemed too noisy for me and I always saw pics made with the 20D and then the 30D when it came out and would love the clean pics... like i said, it could have been my camera but im sooo glad i went to the 30D..plus i love the spot meter and bigger screen but most of all, the added weight..and i even put a grip on it.. now it feels much nicer....-
zacker-

How's the image quality different? come on... they both 8mp!

[deniska]

The 30D is going back to the store, and a new 350D with a Sigma 17-70 lens should be on its way. Thanks for helping out. In the end, I just didn't find 30D to be as comfortable for my "everyday amateur use", even after several days of trying. Yup, I'm wacky that way.

[delhi]

Congrats. I admire you for going with your heart and not out of peer pressure. It is your money and your personal enjoyment. No stop wasting time here and start shooting pix!

[ChopstickHero]

30D too heavy? i have the 17-55, rebel xt, battery grip, extra battery, 430ex and 4 AA batteries. try carrying that around all day. :) haha... well, honestly it's not that bad.

i figure it's not a compact camera, so the bigger and heavier weight shouldn't be too much of an issue for most.

[deniska]

Huh! Does that come with a shopping-cart mount? ;) I am hoping that 90% of the time I'll make do with the 350D/17-70 combo. The rest of the time.... we'll see. 430ex is already on my want list. For now I'll use my good old non-TTL single-contact flash (I don't even remember the name, it's been collecting dust for 4 years. All hail manual flash adjustment!

[liza]

There's no way I would send a 30D back for a 350D. The 30D will last longer and has better features. I carry a 20D, a 10D, and a bag full of equipment to sporting events during the school year. It's not bad once you build up the musculature in your arms and wrists. Just takes some getting used to. :)

[grego]

How's the image quality different? come on... they both 8mp!

Depends. Image quality can vary by situation. But the 30D should win in more situations. Its a camera set in a different price level by Canon. They need some things to be advantages.

[Papaw]

I used the eyepiece extender on my Drebel and found that it made the viewfinder window smaller and it kept coming off in my camera bag. I ended up selling it with the Dreb when I upgraded.

I have the same problem with my nose hitting the LCD screen but I have just gotten used to cleaning off the nose oil once in a while.

This doesn't help answer this post, but I have been searching trying to find the avatar of the a gentleman with the cherry red nose. I just bust out laughing everytime I see the avatar of his post. It is one of those pictures that tells the whole story if you have been there.

[grego]

This doesn't help answer this post, but I have been searching trying to find the avatar of the a gentleman with the cherry red nose. I just bust out laughing everytime I see the avatar of his post. It is one of those pictures that tells the whole story if you have been there.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/member.php?u=10859

Belmondo.

[Papaw]

Thanks Grego -----
It's belmondo! That just cracks me up every time I see it.

[kennys350d]

idk, but one of my friends have the 30d, and i feel like im in heaven when i use it, none the less i heart my XT.

[NickAA]

How's the image quality different? come on... they both 8mp!

Image quality doesn't come down to megapixels, though.

I think most tests I've seen show almost identical IQ for both the 350 and the 30 - the 30D technically has more pixels (but whos counting the extra few thousand, its entirely pointless).

What I suppose could make quite a difference is the increased number of ISO levels on the 30D. Instead of going 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 the 30D can stop at 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600 and 3200 as well, allowing it to take clearer shots in some cases.

I think you'd be really hard pressed to find too many IQ differences though.

[grego]

What I suppose could make quite a difference is the increased number of ISO levels on the 30D. Instead of going 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 the 30D can stop at 320, 640, 1000, 1250 and 3200 as well, allowing it to take clearer shots in some cases.



Big thing. When shooting basketball. When you can shoot at 1000 or 1250 rather than 1600, it makes a difference.

Also, the AF is better, so you'll do better in action shots. The buffer is also better. 3fps is fine, but the buffer is better because you can shoot 3fps but still kill the buffer and lose a shot.

But it all depends on what you shoot.

[NickAA]

Looks like I missed a few - 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600 and 3200.

I have the 30D and I didn't even realise it had so many stops...

[grego]

Looks like I missed a few - 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600 and 3200.

I have the 30D and I didn't even realise it had so many stops...

:lol: In a sense that's gotta feel good, like finding a 20 dollar bill underneath the pillow or in a chair. Now you have more versatility.

[BryanP]

If you really can't stand holding an additional half a pound or so, then maybe it's not the camera for you.

All I can say that besides image quality (where both are quite similar IMO), the 30D in terms of versatility and overall camera control ergonomics just wins over the 350D flat out. AF speed and accuracy is also much better as been said many and many times before. The LCD again is a big bonus (and literally a /big/ bonus compared to that puny little screen the 350D has), and we cannot forget about the better build.

Then again to have the luxury of these things, generally you have to sacrifice some weight. IMO it's not that much of a difference. But if it does hurt you a bit, then I guess it's a serious reconsideration. Personally I'd keep it and enjoy the workout.

[NickAA]

:lol: In a sense that's gotta feel good, like finding a 20 dollar bill underneath the pillow or in a chair. Now you have more versatility.

I'm sure I've seen them before, I've passed by 125, 160 etc trying to head up to 800 before. I just went on holidays and spent most of my time shooting in shady conditions at 1000 or 1250, but having so many on the lower scale is a nice surprise - even though I ran right past them before, it just never quite struck me.

I'll have to experiment now!

[BryanP]

Looks like I missed a few - 100, 125, 160, 200, 250, 320, 400, 500, 640, 800, 1000, 1250, 1600 and 3200.

I have the 30D and I didn't even realise it had so many stops...

1/3rd stop intervals IMO should be standard.

[grego]

1/3rd stop intervals IMO should be standard.

That's where I like Nikon. They at least offered that in their 10D, 20D competitors. They don't skimp out. Took Canon long enough to offer 1/3 stops, only after the D200 had that plus more!

[kram]

Hope you are happy with your decision. Its very rare in this forum for anyone to scale back :)

[dpastern]

30D too heavy? i have the 17-55, rebel xt, battery grip, extra battery, 430ex and 4 AA batteries. try carrying that around all day. :) haha... well, honestly it's not that bad.

i figure it's not a compact camera, so the bigger and heavier weight shouldn't be too much of an issue for most.

Lightweight :P Try a 1D with 430ex flash, delta flip flash bracket, Sigma 150mm macro lens and #2 offshoe adaptor :P Weighs in at over 3kg, one develops big muscles to carry it ;)

To the OP - go with whatever you prefer. You're the one spending the money and using the camera. I personally think that a few days is far too shot a time span to get used to a camera, but...it's your choice.

Dave

[gcogger]

Just thought I'd chime in in support of the OP :)

Even if they cost the same, I'd still choose the 350D over the 30D for size/weight reasons. I use mine while hiking, and you would really feel the difference in weight (especially when I have the camera bag on my waist strap). Even for other uses, I always think the gear is too heavy - who wants to carry excess weight around if they don't have to.

I also differ with many people on the issue of balance. I find the 350D 'balances' better with heavy lenses than light ones - it means that my left hand is supporting the weight under the lens, rather than awkwardly where the camera body meets the lens.

Each to their own...

[form]

If I could comfortably afford a 30D, such issues as weight and size would be absolutely irrelevant to me.

[zacker]

How's the image quality different? come on... they both 8mp!


In my opinion, I just feel even at ISO 100, the XT, At least mine, was a tad noisy over the 30D's and 20D's. Like I said, every time I looked at the shots taken with the 20D's, I was blown away and then the 30D's hit and I was blown away again, that was when I decided to go with the 30D over my beloved XT. hey, I was the first one to ask 20D owners what the difference was, two 8 MP cams Image quality should have been the same, and it is... but my XT shots just seemed a bit too noisy. Im on cloud 9 with the 30D no doubt about that.

[delhi]

Perhaps balancing a lens and the camera has alot more to do with technique than the camera choice? ;)

[AustinWolf]

I can see both sides and I totally agree that it's the one who writes the check that has the say.

I have an XT (need to set up a sig line some time during this age of man) and I do prefer the weight for hiking.

I had a chance to play with both before buying and I really did not want something as big and heavy as the 20D at the time. The last thing I wanted was to feel any hesitation about taking the SLR out with me for a day trip, etc. Now I am back into the swing of SLR photography I know that the $1.5 k investment in a 30d will not sit on a shelf, with the other expensive, rejected gadgets that were going to fill some hole in my soul. :confused:

[deniska]

I am already compiling a list of "must-have accessories"... I am glad I'll have a few bucks left over after the 350D+lens. I think that once I accumulate enough weight, it may not matter any more :p .

I am also hoping (being a geek that I am) that once of these days someone is going to release a hacked version of the 350D firmware to allow more granular ISO adjustment.

To an earlier post, I took some idendical images with the 350D and 30D (same crappy lens), and I see no difference in the noise levels. I do see less noise on the 30D shots when I was able to scale back to 1000 on 30D but had to stay at 1600 on the 350D (hand-held nightshots).

[grego]

Perhaps balancing a lens and the camera has alot more to do with technique than the camera choice? ;)

Try using a heavier body with the 70-200 IS(the heaviest from that range) or 300 2.8L or Sigma 120-300 2.8.

Defintely a heavier body, helps balance it out. Of course not everyone has those lens, but it does help, when you start using bigger lens.

The OP though, has the right to do whatever he wishes to do. I don't necessairly agree, but as long as he is happy, that's what counts.

[BryanP]

Well the funny thing is how you would probably want to get the 30D if you were to upgrade to better lens (and generally heavier). It doesn't make sense if you are already complaining about weight issues now. Half a pound isn't all that much, and if you're bound to upgrade, it would make sense to just keep the body.

[byso]

I got the 30D a few weeks ago and I've also got the 350D which I've used for 18 months.

For landscape shots etc I feel the 350D is great. But for sports etc the 30D kills it.

[BryanP]

I got the 30D a few weeks ago and I've also got the 350D which I've used for 18 months.

For landscape shots etc I feel the 350D is great. But for sports etc the 30D kills it.

I'm curious, but what is it from your use that makes the 350D better in landscape shots opposed to the 30D?

[allenko]

IMO what he means is that for landscape, the 350D will give you the same quality except it is smaller and lighter. The controls and ergonomics not as critical as sports and event.

[deniska]

Well the funny thing is how you would probably want to get the 30D if you were to upgrade to better lens (and generally heavier). It doesn't make sense if you are already complaining about weight issues now. Half a pound isn't all that much, and if you're bound to upgrade, it would make sense to just keep the body.

Perhaps... But I think the size has more to do with it as the weight. I used a friend's Nikon D70 today (with a quality 18-200 lens), so it was pretty hefty. Funny, but the weight didn't bother me as much because the grip fit my hand better than the 30D. Hated the controls though :)

[delhi]

Try using a heavier body with the 70-200 IS(the heaviest from that range) or 300 2.8L or Sigma 120-300 2.8.

Defintely a heavier body, helps balance it out. Of course not everyone has those lens, but it does help, when you start using bigger lens.

The OP though, has the right to do whatever he wishes to do. I don't necessairly agree, but as long as he is happy, that's what counts.

It's not about what heavy lens is attached to it. I have seen so many dSLR users shooting with one hand on the grip with button and the other holding the other side of the camera body instead of supporting the lens barrel itself. It amazes me that such fundamental technique is not learnt! It reminds me of some many people driving the car with one hand or worse have the seat reclined ghetto styled. :rolleyes:

[grego]

It's not about what heavy lens is attached to it. I have seen so many dSLR users shooting with one hand on the grip with button and the other holding the other side of the camera body instead of supporting the lens barrel itself. It amazes me that such fundamental technique is not learnt! It reminds me of some many people driving the car with one hand or worse have the seat reclined ghetto styled. :rolleyes:

I use fundamental technique, but then that's hard to show to you. You still feel it. Even with a monopod. Stick a 300 2.8 on a body, and you can feel the difference.

[BryanP]

Perhaps... But I think the size has more to do with it as the weight. I used a friend's Nikon D70 today (with a quality 18-200 lens), so it was pretty hefty. Funny, but the weight didn't bother me as much because the grip fit my hand better than the 30D. Hated the controls though :)

If you look at the dimensions, and put them side by side, the 30D is definitely larger, but the weight difference isnt much. In fact, its surprising that even after adding the 2.5" LCD over the 20D's 1.8", it's still pretty much the same weight. And remember, the 20D and 30D are pretty much the same size! :)

[BryanP]

IMO what he means is that for landscape, the 350D will give you the same quality except it is smaller and lighter. The controls and ergonomics not as critical as sports and event.

He has to be more specific with what landscapes he's talking about. If he's talking about nature type of landscapes, then weight isn't solely an issue since some landscapes take upon using a tripod.

[_andrew]

I have the 350D at the moment and have been really getting into motorsport/sports photography and I tell you what. I cannot wait to upgrade to the 30D, by the sounds of it I should expect a noticable difference in my photos! So does the 30D tend to give crisper images?

[grego]

I have the 350D at the moment and have been really getting into motorsport/sports photography and I tell you what. I cannot wait to upgrade to the 30D, by the sounds of it I should expect a noticable difference in my photos! So does the 30D tend to give crisper images?

The AF is faster, more accurate. So you should do better in the sports/action side of it. You still need good glass as always, because glass is the most important tool of it all.

[BryanP]

I have the 350D at the moment and have been really getting into motorsport/sports photography and I tell you what. I cannot wait to upgrade to the 30D, by the sounds of it I should expect a noticable difference in my photos! So does the 30D tend to give crisper images?

I definitely do believe that the differences in IQ between the 350D and 30D are very minimal, if not equal. I've seen the images created by my friend whos owned a 350D for quite awhile now and with the same glass, I saw no diff between my camera and his.

It all boils down to focus accuracy, af speed, portability, controls, and those little bonus features like the LCD to differentiate them.

[calden]

Hello, first time caller long time listener. I just recently bought a 350D as a more portable secondary to my 30D. So I might have a little insight in this debate. I have to say I think I’m using the 350D most of the time. I absolutely love the size and this is some one who uses both the Canon EF 28 - 300 and 100 - 400 with the 1.4 extender on a daily bases. The picture quality is exactly the same between the two. I have never owned a SLR that felt so good in the hand either, add the separate battery grip and you have a match made in heaven.

[molesrkool]

Not only is he good at selling stuff, the man has brains as well!

wow! I never knew that!

thanks
i didnt know how to do it and i was sure there was a way so i pressed and turned everything.. finally got it!

[_andrew]

I definitely do believe that the differences in IQ between the 350D and 30D are very minimal, if not equal. I've seen the images created by my friend whos owned a 350D for quite awhile now and with the same glass, I saw no diff between my camera and his.

It all boils down to focus accuracy, af speed, portability, controls, and those little bonus features like the LCD to differentiate them.

So basically the 30D has a better focus accuracy, af speed etc than the 350D?

sorry for the stupid question :oops:

[deniska]

So basically the 30D has a better focus accuracy, af speed etc than the 350D?

sorry for the stupid question :oops:

The 30D has 9 AF points as opposed to 7 on the 350D. The 9 points are also arranged a little better. So yes, it will have marginally better AF performance. That said, I found myself selecting a single AF point for the shots that I was truly trying to make, so that was about the same. For spontaneous shots, the 9-point AF will give you a slight edge.

I know that on the 350D only the center AF point is cross-sensitive in terms of contrast detection; I don't know if it's the same on the 30D. There are other "performance bonuses" on the 30D: more granular ISO adjustment and more versatile exposure comp. adjustment to name a couple. The rest is ergonomics, I believe.

[grego]

The 30D has 9 AF points as opposed to 7 on the 350D. The 9 points are also arranged a little better. So yes, it will have marginally better AF performance. That said, I found myself selecting a single AF point for the shots that I was truly trying to make, so that was about the same. For spontaneous shots, the 9-point AF will give you a slight edge.

I know that on the 350D only the center AF point is cross-sensitive in terms of contrast detection; I don't know if it's the same on the 30D. There are other "performance bonuses" on the 30D: more granular ISO adjustment and more versatile exposure comp. adjustment to name a couple. The rest is ergonomics, I believe.

You are right. the 20D/30D and up have more sensors that take advantage of 2.8 or higher lens.

But aside from just more focus points, the 20D/30D allows you to access them more more controls, like the wheel.

But AF accuracy is better(faster, more accuare) with the 30D/20D compared to the 350D. It's just like the AF of the 1D series is faster and more accurate than the 30D/20D series.

Canon needs some reason to have separate price points for various bodies.

[byso]

I'm curious, but what is it from your use that makes the 350D better in landscape shots opposed to the 30D?

What I meant is, both the cameras set up on a tripod using ISO100 would offer similar results.

[BryanP]

What I meant is, both the cameras set up on a tripod using ISO100 would offer similar results.

You said the 350D "feels" to be great for landscapes. If you're just mounting it on a tripod I don't really see the difference between a 30D and 350 unless you're talking about the weight it puts on the tripod itself (even though 0.5lbs doesn't really make much of a difference when mounted anyways).

[byso]

Wrong choice of word I guess. To be honest I don't notice that much of a weight difference between the 2.

[StewartR]

I bought a 350D a few months ago. I couldn't afford a 30D - no, make that I coluldn't justify a 30D - my photography isn't that serious - but having handled it in the shop (as you do) it just didn't feel right. I've got quite small hands and the 350D fits them very well; I just didn't find holding the 30D comfortable at all.

Each to their own. And well done to the OP for not following the herd!

[delhi]

Only this morning I was just wasting some time before heading out to work, I decided to just hand hold and play around with the XT and compared it to my old EOS 88 which is prolly even bigger than the 30D. While I have to admit the plasticky construction of the XT leaves me wanting, I find the size to be perfect resting nicely on my palm vs my 30D sized EOS 88. It was one of the reason why I left SLR world a few years back as I didn't like the bulkiness. It feels clumsy to me. Then the smaller XT came out and I tried it and immediately loved the compactness. My friend has a 20D. Bulky just like my old EOS 88. Didn't feel that I was losing out without the wheel. I attribute my thumb/fingers dexterity to my daily ritual of Xbox. :D

[fivefish]

Where the 30D really excels compared to the digital rebel (300D, 350D, etc) is in the burst mode shot... 3 fps and 5fps is a big difference (at least for me). If you're into sports or action photography, the 30D is nice.

For me, it's being able to capture the shot, with the chances of mising it minimized.

If you're not into sports or action photography, then the 350D will be just fine.

As for the weight issue... try a 30D with a battery grip loaded with 2 batteries and a zoom lens. Heavy stuff! A monopod helps!

[deniska]

I bought a 350D a few months ago. I couldn't afford a 30D - no, make that I coluldn't justify a 30D - my photography isn't that serious - but having handled it in the shop (as you do) it just didn't feel right. I've got quite small hands and the 350D fits them very well; I just didn't find holding the 30D comfortable at all.

Each to their own. And well done to the OP for not following the herd!

Thanks.... And who is OP? :)

[BassBiggieD]

i feel the more ISO speeds in the 30d is worth the moeny, but that was money i didnt have unfortunitly

[Digitalwave]

Thanks.... And who is OP? :)

OP = Original Poster (the starter of the thread).

[deniska]

OP = Original Poster (the starter of the thread).

Thanks. Live and learn ;)

[rklepper]

I had the XT and now have the 30D. the biggest differnce that I have noticed is in AF speed and accuracy.

[Tareq]

I had the XT and now have the 30D. the biggest differnce that I have noticed is in AF speen and accuracy.

that what i found when i tried 30D 2 days ago. i feel to replace or say to get another body faster then my XT. Too bad, i am not happy before my lenses order coming in the way, just because thinking of body, i will try to get 30D free (my dad money;))