BODY TALK - 300D Sturdiness & 10D Weightiness

[FotoPhreak]

This post is aimed at those users who either have a 300D, or have owned one and now moved onto something like a 10D ...

One of the most noticeable differences between the 300D & the 10D is the body.

Have any 300D users had any complaints/comments regarding its less rugged body?

If you have found problems, what situations has your camera been through?

With regards to the 10D, have any users found its quite sizeable weight to be a big issue?

If so, do you now take most of your photos with tripods or do you just have beefed up forearms?

Any other comments regarding body weights welcome.

[PaulB]

Is the 10D a sizeable weight?
Not really when you NEED to use it with a 300/2.8L handheld, or against a 1D/1Ds, or with a 500/4L, or......
Have you handled a 1D for the weight? And some of us need to carry two bodies and the longer lenses as well!

It is all relative.
The 300D is fine and built to do what it is intended for and the market it is aimed at.

[David Wild]

I have a 10D and have no problem with the weight.

My wife has one of the little Olympus Mju400, and I find that more difficult to hold still - but I have fairly big hands.

[vvizard]

I wen't from a DiMage 7i to a 10D. OMG! All I can say is that this body is amazing (never used any other (D)SLR). But it's rock-solid, and the weight feel just right for me. And I'm a little computer-geek without beefed up forarms =)

[iwatkins]

I actually find the 10D a little on the light side when fitted with a wide angle (i..e fairly light) lens.

Fitting the vertical grip and a couple of battries in there adds a nice wieght and gives a much better balance.

Cheers

Ian

[Andy_T]

Hi Photophreak,

my guess is there will not be too many users who rushed out to buy the 300D immediately after its release, found out it isn't what they really wanted and then upgraded to the 10D after two weeks of using the 300D.

Hopefully, also not many 300D owners have broken their 300D after this time because of its less rugged build. Now these would certainly kill the 10D, as well, within in a year.

And for those who have pursued this course - I really would think twice how to use their advice - with so many other people around here who inform themselves before spending a lot of money on a DSLR:).

Best wishes four aour inquiry, though!

Regards,
Andy

[defordphoto]

I have no issues with the perceived 'weightiness' of the 10D, or the D60 for that matter. In fact I prefer the balance of the 10D over the D60. The D60 has a similar plastic body as the Rebel (aka 300D in Japan). And that being said I have BigEd's on both cameras and wouldn't have it any other way.

[ilya]

I heard the 300D bounces higher :)

When you get used to the weight of the 10D, and go back to the 300D, it doesn't feel the same. There is something about that solid build and feel. (also on the cosmetic side, you would miss the "wheel" )

Ilya

[PacAce]

I have a 10D and, as someone already mentioned, it's all relative. When I first got the 10D, having come from an EOS ElanII, I thought the 10D was very heavy. However, after having used it for a couple of months, the weight doesn't bother me at all. AAMOF, with the 100-400 zoom lens on, the lens contributes more to the weight than the 10D does. When I then switch to my 17-35 wide angle zoom it feels as light as a feather. It's all relative.

[Malaxos1]

I used to shoot with an Olympus E10 before getting the 300D. The E10 was a lot heavier and was made from metal as opposed to the polycarbonite body of the 300D. The E10 just felt better. Anyway a few weeks ago I picked up the BG-E1 battery grip and a few batteries and what a big difference, the camera feels a lot better. Also it's more balanced now, esspecialy with a bigger lens. Nikons D100 also has a similar body as the 300D...Dean

[CyberDyneSystems]

I hav ea 10D and indeed ti does feel solid,. I do not think it is too heavy. I switch back forth from with or without the battery grip as the situation requires.

I have to say I think that most peoples perception of the 300D's "fragility" is VERY overblown.

Modern polycarbonates are exceedingly tough materials! Many of the materials are derivitives of military spec requirmenets for shipping containers that replaced less strudy and weather tite metal containers. The flexibility is a plus,. not a minus.

In a nutshell,. I personally see it as a non issue. The D30-D60 is a great example. Yes the 10D "feels" tougher,. and may very well be? But is it significantly tougher in reality?

[Stooge_UK]

I have the 10d with the BigEd always attached and with my large hands it is great.

Have no problem with the weight, even when using my 15-30 Sigma zoom. Battery pack actual bqalances it....