Help with camera choice

[Tom W]

OK, my turn.

So, I've been waiting a bit before jumping into the digital SLR world. I have a pretty good film SLR, the Elan-II. I wanted to wait until after the show in February before taking the plung.

But, my sister is getting married and wants me to do the photography. She and the husband-to-be aren't financially well off, and its going to be a very small, intimate wedding. I already suggested a pro and all that, but they aren't going to spend the money. Anyway, that issue is not what my post is about.

My question centers around equipment, and primarily the camera. I have some very good reasons for switching to digital. I already have a digital P&S camera, and have found the medium very useful with its quick feedback and the ability to deal with errant photos. But, I was really wanting to wait for the next generation of digital SLR to come out before I bought into the medium.

My hope here is that I can get some input from those that have been around the medium in both an amateur and a professional perspective. I want to know whether you think I should buy the DigiReb or the 10D or if you think I should wait and just shoot the wedding with film.

Oh, BTW, the wedding is on February 14, so I really don't have time to wait until the results of the show come out.

[gsmx2]

I would shoot film because a wedding is too important an event to trust to unfamiliar equipment. Depending on how much you want to spend on their wedding gift, give them the negatives, the prints, or a whole book as their wedding gift.

Good luck shooting it. My son asked me to shoot his wedding. OMG, I have never been so anxious about photos until I had the developed prints in my hot little hands. NEVER AGAIN will I do that.

gsm x2

[Chazs]

Also, double check your settings. I shot a wedding 20 years ago and accidentally had the shutter set too fast for flash for about 15 pictures. Needless to say, half of each picture was black. We had about 4 rolls of film of decent shots, but I was very upset with myself with that oversight. Good luck!

[arthurb]

I went from the Elan II to the Digital Rebel with no trouble at all.

You should get it as soon as possible so you have a couple of weeks to practice. Also there is a mini-manual that comes with it that you should keep in your pocket in case you need any special settings during the wedding.

You don't mention if you have an external flash, but even if you don't go digital, you should use a good external flash.

Also go by the book store or library and read a book on wedding photography. There are certain poses that are standard, and certain techniques to make the photos more memorable that are better explained in a book.

If you are going to be part of the wedding be sure to show your wife or date how to use the camera in program mode before the event. For the shots you need to be in. Even if you are not an usher or best man, you are still family so there will need to be a few pictures with you in them.

Be careful of time delayed shots on a tripod, with kids and other clumsy folks running around, your camera may hit the floor.

Depending on the sect, some religions don't allow pictures during the actual service, so be prepared to restage the important shots in the church after the service.

[Tom W]

I went from the Elan II to the Digital Rebel with no trouble at all.

You should get it as soon as possible so you have a couple of weeks to practice. Also there is a mini-manual that comes with it that you should keep in your pocket in case you need any special settings during the wedding.

You don't mention if you have an external flash, but even if you don't go digital, you should use a good external flash.

Also go by the book store or library and read a book on wedding photography. There are certain poses that are standard, and certain techniques to make the photos more memorable that are better explained in a book.

If you are going to be part of the wedding be sure to show your wife or date how to use the camera in program mode before the event. For the shots you need to be in. Even if you are not an usher or best man, you are still family so there will need to be a few pictures with you in them.

Be careful of time delayed shots on a tripod, with kids and other clumsy folks running around, your camera may hit the floor.

Depending on the sect, some religions don't allow pictures during the actual service, so be prepared to restage the important shots in the church after the service.

I believe that intuitively, the 10D and the Elan II operate in a similar manner. For example, both allow separate exposure compensation for the flash and the camera, which is a great help in fill-flash situations. Also, both appear to have their controls laid out in a similar manner.

I failed to mention that I have the 380 EX flash, which works very well with the Elan II and the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 lens. The flash adjusts its "angle of view" along with the lens as I zoom. I also have a mini-softbox for it, to lessen the harshness that a flash sometimes produces.

I've been experimenting quite a bit with the Elan, using bounce flash and fiddling with the exposure and flash compensation. The biggest problem I have is waiting for the film to get developed (There's no such wait with my S-400, but it is hardly suitable for a wedding, though it might come in handy for some candid shots during the reception).

This will, fortunately, be a smaller, more intimate wedding with no large crowds. They were originally planning to have a large wedding in April, which would have given me more time to buy a digital and learn its functions, but the decision was made to do it this way, primarily due to our father's health (they wanted him to actually enjoy the wedding). Anyway, there will be few, if any children, and a very small reception at the home, so most formal pictures will be at the church. I'm going to scout around their location to see if I can't get a couple of nice outdoor formals in a park setting as well. Unfortunately, the wedding is in Florida so it won't have the wonderful natural settings that we have here in Tennessee.

BTW, I forgot to mention also that I did pick up a book on wedding photography. So far, I've only skimmed it, but I guess I'll have to buckle down and read it more thoroughly. I always found my National Geographic Pocket guide to be quite useful, even if it won't fit in my pocket. :)

[DaveG]

I went from the Elan II to the Digital Rebel with no trouble at all.

You should get it as soon as possible so you have a couple of weeks to practice. Also there is a mini-manual that comes with it that you should keep in your pocket in case you need any special settings during the wedding.

You don't mention if you have an external flash, but even if you don't go digital, you should use a good external flash.

Also go by the book store or library and read a book on wedding photography. There are certain poses that are standard, and certain techniques to make the photos more memorable that are better explained in a book.

If you are going to be part of the wedding be sure to show your wife or date how to use the camera in program mode before the event. For the shots you need to be in. Even if you are not an usher or best man, you are still family so there will need to be a few pictures with you in them.

Be careful of time delayed shots on a tripod, with kids and other clumsy folks running around, your camera may hit the floor.

Depending on the sect, some religions don't allow pictures during the actual service, so be prepared to restage the important shots in the church after the service.

I believe that intuitively, the 10D and the Elan II operate in a similar manner. For example, both allow separate exposure compensation for the flash and the camera, which is a great help in fill-flash situations. Also, both appear to have their controls laid out in a similar manner.

I failed to mention that I have the 380 EX flash, which works very well with the Elan II and the 28-105 f/3.5-4.5 lens. The flash adjusts its "angle of view" along with the lens as I zoom. I also have a mini-softbox for it, to lessen the harshness that a flash sometimes produces.

I've been experimenting quite a bit with the Elan, using bounce flash and fiddling with the exposure and flash compensation. The biggest problem I have is waiting for the film to get developed (There's no such wait with my S-400, but it is hardly suitable for a wedding, though it might come in handy for some candid shots during the reception).

This will, fortunately, be a smaller, more intimate wedding with no large crowds. They were originally planning to have a large wedding in April, which would have given me more time to buy a digital and learn its functions, but the decision was made to do it this way, primarily due to our father's health (they wanted him to actually enjoy the wedding). Anyway, there will be few, if any children, and a very small reception at the home, so most formal pictures will be at the church. I'm going to scout around their location to see if I can't get a couple of nice outdoor formals in a park setting as well. Unfortunately, the wedding is in Florida so it won't have the wonderful natural settings that we have here in Tennessee.

BTW, I forgot to mention also that I did pick up a book on wedding photography. So far, I've only skimmed it, but I guess I'll have to buckle down and read it more thoroughly. I always found my National Geographic Pocket guide to be quite useful, even if it won't fit in my pocket. :)

I've been a pro photographer for over 20 years. During the last 10 years I've shot 150 weddings. I've had the 10D since last March and I still won't use it for weddings. The instruction book is 185 pages long and I thumb through it every day. The instruction books for the 550 flash is about half that size, and that gets read at every opportunity.

I just don't trust the camera yet. It controls me instead of me controlling it. I want to make every mistake I can think of before I shoot a wedding with it. The 550 flash for example will underexpose - by two stops - table type shots. I don't know why it does this. There's plenty of power but I think it's that stupid and completely undependable E-TTL. In any case I want to know what this will do to the bride coming down the aisle with her dad. You get one kick at that cat and do you KNOW how it's going to look?

My point is that you have some film camera experience but none with the 10D and the 10D WILL bite you. If you got it today you'll take some nice pictures today. But you'll also mess up things. As long as those "things" aren't mission critical who cares, but a wedding?

If you must shoot this wedding shoot film. Wait until next month to see how the worm turns and then make the plunge.

[Tom W]

I've been a pro photographer for over 20 years. During the last 10 years I've shot 150 weddings. I've had the 10D since last March and I still won't use it for weddings. The instruction book is 185 pages long and I thumb through it every day. The instruction books for the 550 flash is about half that size, and that gets read at every opportunity.

I just don't trust the camera yet. It controls me instead of me controlling it. I want to make every mistake I can think of before I shoot a wedding with it. The 550 flash for example will underexpose - by two stops - table type shots. I don't know why it does this. There's plenty of power but I think it's that stupid and completely undependable E-TTL. In any case I want to know what this will do to the bride coming down the aisle with her dad. You get one kick at that cat and do you KNOW how it's going to look?

My point is that you have some film camera experience but none with the 10D and the 10D WILL bite you. If you got it today you'll take some nice pictures today. But you'll also mess up things. As long as those "things" aren't mission critical who cares, but a wedding?

If you must shoot this wedding shoot film. Wait until next month to see how the worm turns and then make the plunge.

Dave, I appreciate your input. While I've repeatedly told my sister that she should not expect professional results, it is pretty clear that she doesn't find that to be a problem. That means that I pretty-much must do it.

I've had this Elan for about a year now, and I still find features on occasion. But, I have built something of a mental checklist, developed from the school of hard knocks, to prevent major screw-ups. :)

As for flash, I have the 380 EX which uses E-TTL auto flash control with the Elan II. The only thing I have to compare it to is the electronic flash unit that I use on the FT. I'd call that a semi-automatic setup, since the flash does meter for itself, but the camera is set up manually, according to the chart on the back of the flash. I'd probably better re-familiarize myself with that camera and flash in case I need a backup.

The one downfall with the film is that I can't adjust the pictures at all, but have to rely on the lab for finishing. This may or may not be a problem depending on the lab, of course. I got a little spoiled with the S-400, since I can play with the pictures on the computer before I print them or have them printed.

Thanks again, all.

[arthurb]

The one downfall with the film is that I can't adjust the pictures at all, but have to rely on the lab for finishing. This may or may not be a problem depending on the lab, of course. I got a little spoiled with the S-400, since I can play with the pictures on the computer before I print them or have them printed.

For about one hundred dollars, you can get a decent scanner and scan the photos. Or most photo finishing places can supply the photos on cd for $6-12 a roll. Its probably worth it for once in a lifetime pictures like a Wedding.

The nice thing you get with a digital camera is instant verification that you "Got the shot".

Good Luck with whatever you decide!!!!

[Tom W]

For about one hundred dollars, you can get a decent scanner and scan the photos. Or most photo finishing places can supply the photos on cd for $6-12 a roll. Its probably worth it for once in a lifetime pictures like a Wedding.

The nice thing you get with a digital camera is instant verification that you "Got the shot".

Good Luck with whatever you decide!!!!

I got the photos-on-disk option on the last roll I had processed. It was useful for e-mailing copies around and all, but the resolution wasn't all that great. I'd guess it to be around 2 megapixels and about a medium-level JPEG compression. I suspect that a higher-quality processing lab could provide higher resolution. The accompanying prints were very crisp.

I'd really like a nice big, fat 6 megapixel photo to start out with. From there, I can do a lot. In fact, I may check with the local camera shop where I've had enlargements made before - they may be able to do something for me. Maybe I could get them to scan a few negatives after I get a good look at the prints.

BTW, what kind of resolution would a typical home scanner provide from a 4X6 inch print? Anybody have any idea?

I'm getting inclined now to take Dave's advice and use the tools I know best, since my good (or not so good) name is going to be put on the line. I really had my heart set on waiting for the next generation of Canon products to come out before I took the SLR plunge.

[defordphoto]

Well, I agree with the others in not totally relying on a new camera (not just because it's a 10D) to shoot a wedding. Shooting ANY wedding with ANY new camera is a mistake as you WILL make mistakes using new equipment.

However, the 10D is extremely capable of shooting weddings and after a couple of test sessions and learning your way around the camera and how it reacts in different situations I could not imagine it taking any longer than a couple of months to feel secure enough to shoot a wedding.

However, you MUST always have a working backup system available when shooting weddings no matter what type/make camera you're using. There aren't an re-do's for weddings so you have to get it right the first time and you don't want to spoil the party by flumbing around with new equipment and flipping through the manual while everyone looks on.

[defordphoto]

Doubled-up post from forum error. Seems we cannot delete posts anymore...

[Tom W]

Well, I agree with the others in not totally relying on a new camera (not just because it's a 10D) to shoot a wedding. Shooting ANY wedding with ANY new camera is a mistake as you WILL make mistakes using new equipment.

However, the 10D is extremely capable of shooting weddings and after a couple of test sessions and learning your way around the camera and how it reacts in different situations I could not imagine it taking any longer than a couple of months to feel secure enough to shoot a wedding.

However, you MUST always have a working backup system available when shooting weddings no matter what type/make camera you're using. There aren't an re-do's for weddings so you have to get it right the first time and you don't want to spoil the party by flumbing around with new equipment and flipping through the manual while everyone looks on.

Thanks, Jim.

I believe that I've been convinced that this job will be done with the Elan, with the FT as backup. I've got enough opportunities for error, so I don't need any help from a new camera. I know that the learning curve is quicker when you get instant feedback, but I don't think that a few weeks is enough time to become fairly consistent.

[TeraGram93013]

omg shooting a wedding.

Ayiyiyiyi

I've done wedding video work. It was a long, long time ago on a planet far, far away.

Nonetheless, one piece of advice I can give you is...

... Go to the church a day or three ahead of the wedding and scope things out. Bring a buddy or three. Figure out where your best shots are going to come from. Shoot film with the equipment you plan on using (this is where the buddies come in... shooting the altar is not the same as shooting the people, no?). Take notes on what you're doing. Get it developed ASAP and see where your mistakes were. Review your notes and plan accordingly.

The worst wedding video experience I had was at a church where I was unable to review the setup and lighting conditions before the actual ceremony. Add to this the minister was actually hostile to technology and well, you can see what formed the basis of my suggestion above.

Also, bracket, bracket, bracket! As someone else so colorfully put it, you only get one chance at this. Of course you may or may not be able to shoot the actual ceremony, but you SHOULD take posed shots afterwards, even if you are allowed to shoot the ceremony. Use more film than you think necessary. This is family you're dealing with.

Ayiyiyi

I do not envy you at all.

[Tom W]

omg shooting a wedding.

Ayiyiyiyi

I've done wedding video work. It was a long, long time ago on a planet far, far away.

Nonetheless, one piece of advice I can give you is...

... Go to the church a day or three ahead of the wedding and scope things out. Bring a buddy or three. Figure out where your best shots are going to come from. Shoot film with the equipment you plan on using (this is where the buddies come in... shooting the altar is not the same as shooting the people, no?). Take notes on what you're doing. Get it developed ASAP and see where your mistakes were. Review your notes and plan accordingly.

The worst wedding video experience I had was at a church where I was unable to review the setup and lighting conditions before the actual ceremony. Add to this the minister was actually hostile to technology and well, you can see what formed the basis of my suggestion above.

Also, bracket, bracket, bracket! As someone else so colorfully put it, you only get one chance at this. Of course you may or may not be able to shoot the actual ceremony, but you SHOULD take posed shots afterwards, even if you are allowed to shoot the ceremony. Use more film than you think necessary. This is family you're dealing with.

Ayiyiyi

I do not envy you at all.

Its just over a month away and I'm already anxious ... to get it over and done. :)

On the one hand, I see the challenge and I like that. On the other hand, there is little room for failure.

I really appreciate the advice. I'll make it a point to stake out the church and find the best shots and angles as well as the lighting conditions the day before. I can't get there any sooner, since I live about 550 miles away and won't be done working until 0600 hrs two days prior.

[Tom W]

Well well well....

Something very tiny, but very significant has taken place since I last posted to this thread. I got my new extension tube today and was setting up some "practice" macro shots. After about 3 shots, the film door popped open (and I wasn't even touching it - I was using the remote release). Turns out that the latch hook broke off (cheap little plastic part, too small to glue) allowing the film door to spring open.

I took the side panel off and confirmed the broken part, but I can't fix it without parts. Plus, I would need further disassembly to get to the spring mechanism. I do NOT like taking apart things with charged springs in them. Parts usually fly all over the place when I do so.

So, off to KEH it goes tomorrow morning.

But in the meantime, I still have exactly one month until wedding day and I'm down to one manual SLR, one cheap old rangefinder, and two point-and-shoots (one digital). :shock:

Is this a message from above? Should I be at B&H right now ordering a 10D? Arrrrrgh!!!! I may actually be the proverbial "last one" to buy a 10D! Or maybe not...

[Tom W]

Too late - the order's in!! :D

And here I was content to stick with the film for the next couple of months. I can't wait for my new camera.

[defordphoto]

Congrats!, but I didn't think they had any 10D's in stock?

[daaaveman]

Good luck Tom. A thought I had is that you haven't discussed your lens collection but it might serve you well to walk in there with the best glass possible. My thought was that if you can't afford to buy one, (especially given your recent major purchase - congratulations!) you might check with your local shop and see if you can rent a 24-70mm f/2.8L. It would provide good length for the wedding, help with any lighting issues, and give you a better chance of taking great pics "out of the box". You probably should also make sure you have a 50mm 1.8 on hand. Just a thought. Best of luck. We're all rooting for you. Let us know how it turns out.

[timmyquest]

Too late - the order's in!! :D

And here I was content to stick with the film for the next couple of months. I can't wait for my new camera.

I know exactly how you feel, i thought i wouldnt be able to get camera for 4months, that changed :-D

[Tom W]

Congrats!, but I didn't think they had any 10D's in stock?

Well, they didn't a few of days ago when I checked, but they did earlier this evening. Or maybe they saw me coming down the path...

Really, I was expecting a "not in stock" to show up when I looked at the camera on line. KEH has been out of stock for months. I had a couple of other dealers in mind from which to order, but B&H came through!

I am already anxious. :D

[Tom W]

Good luck Tom. A thought I had is that you haven't discussed your lens collection but it might serve you well to walk in there with the best glass possible. My thought was that if you can't afford to buy one, (especially given your recent major purchase - congratulations!) you might check with your local shop and see if you can rent a 24-70mm f/2.8L. It would provide good length for the wedding, help with any lighting issues, and give you a better chance of taking great pics "out of the box". You probably should also make sure you have a 50mm 1.8 on hand. Just a thought. Best of luck. We're all rooting for you. Let us know how it turns out.

Thanks, Daaaveman. I have a 1.8 50 mm, a 28-105 f/3.5, and a 70-210 f/3.5. The 24-70L is a good choice and I will probably get one some day. With the smaller sensor, a shorter lens might be a good idea as well. the 28-105 has been razor-sharp for me with the Elan, though its focal range isn't ideal for indoor use with a 1.6 sensor. If it isn't adequate, I'll know within 10 days and I will react accordingly. Again, I appreciate the pointers.

[scotgasch]

I have been under the training of a photographer for the past two years.
He has done over 1200 weddings and we went all digital in march. We got a 1ds and two 10d's. I had bought a 10d in a month before so I had some time to get used to it. If you are used to shooting Canon then the only thing you should have to worry about is exposure. You HAVE to nail it. When in doubt underexpose and if you have the memory, shoot RAW.
Since March we have shot digital only and have been very happy with the results and the options it gives the couples. Personally I have done around 30 weddings myself with the 10d and the 550ex on a stroboframe flipbracket. I have 3 512's and a 256 and I shoot only raw and process using Capture One DSLR. I get better results from my lab with digital than i did when I shot my Bronica. All this said, if you are not comfortable with the camera at the time of the wedding, then shoot film. There is nothing like screwing up wedding pictures. If there is one thing I have learned from my mentor, it's that you should charge someone what you think an ass chewing is worth if you screw it up!!!!

Happy Digital Shooting!!

[Tom W]

Thanks for the helpful words, scotgasch! I'm pretty anxious for both the arrival of the 10D and the wedding. Its family, so the exchange of cash will be 'nil', other than processing some enlargements at the lab.

Anyway, I really think that I'll adapt to the 10D rather quickly. Its control orientation appears to be very similar to the Elan II that I have, with the main finger dial next to the shutter button, and the thumb dial on the back. Hopefully, the ergonomics are very similar.

I will be shooting RAW as long as the camera comes with the appropriate software to convert it - I haven't checked whether Photoshop Elements can deal with RAW or not, but it works great on JPEG's (which is all I can get out of the S-400). I ordered 2 512's, and I have several 128 Meg CF cards along with a couple of 64's. I suspect that the 64's will be about useless, but I'll keep them with the S-400 which I will keep on my hip.

Its fortunate that the equipment I have is compatible with the 10D.

[4walls]

If you are unable to do flash photography in the church, then try to crank up the ISO during the ceremony. Use your longer zoom lens and stay out of site of the priest or minister. You will likely get some really good shots.

I think that most couples tend to get their really big enlargements from their posed shots anyway, not so much from the ceremony... those shots are for the wedding album and will likely be 4x6 or 5x7s anyway.

If you are able to shoot with a flash during the ceremony, try 1/30s and second curtain sync on the flash and shoot them by hand. This gives some really good results.

Invest in a good flash bracket as well. It gets the flash a little further from the lens (to further eliminate the risk of red eye) and when you tilt the camera, you can keep the flash over the lens rather than to the side. If you get the bracket, you will also need a Canon off-camera shoe cord 2.

Good luck with the wedding, post some shots when you are done.

Check out other wedding pros on the web too. Lots of good examples. One of my favorites is here. (http://www.trevorbrucki.com) This guy is 10)% digital (although he shoots Nikon). But it gives you an idea of what is possible. I have talked to him, he will never go back to film unless his digital camera is broken or stolen (although he always has the film cams available as backup).

My favorite quote from this thread: There is nothing like screwing up wedding pictures. If there is one thing I have learned from my mentor, it's that you should charge someone what you think an ass chewing is worth if you screw it up!!!!

[Tom W]

Thanks for the tips, 4walls!

My sister got a little worried today when I told her that I was planning to shoot digital. I had to explain to her what a 10D was. She thinks of the little HP that our mother has, rather than the decent camera that the 10D is. I had to explain to her how prints can be professionally made from files on a disk, rather than from negatives.

I also sent her to www.usa.canon.com to look at the stuff.

Now all I have to do is wait for my camera - B&H had them in stock when I ordered, but they are suddenly not in stock and they're still processing my order. I'm going to call them tomorrow and make sure they are getting things started soon. If not, then KEH just got some in and I'll get it there.

I'm getting anxious.

Oh, I downloaded and printed the 184 page instruction manual and am in the process of reading it.

[defordphoto]

When is this wedding again? Did you order a flash too? Heck, I am anxious for you too! That's quite an endeavour to take on for a first shoot with a new camera.

[Tom W]

When is this wedding again? Did you order a flash too? Heck, I am anxious for you too! That's quite an endeavour to take on for a first shoot with a new camera.

I already have the 380EX flash (which is practically made for the Elan, but will work with the 10D as an E-TTL). I downloaded the 10D manual and printed it for reading (yes, all 184 pages). I'm finding that the 10D operates somewhat like my Elan II but with the additional digital features of my S-400 (and many more). So, while it won't be "old hat" to operate it, I should have a handle on most normal functions such as ISO, metering, and flash compensation without too much trouble.

The Wedding is the same weekend as the Photo show in Vegas, unfortunately. I'm really more concerned with my ability to capture the right shots than I am with operating the equipment. I want the best, of course.

[defordphoto]

Well, from "talking" with you here the last few weeks I think you'll do fine. You're approaching it methodically and with determination. With the bride and groom's approval, I am really looking forward to seeing the results!

[TeraGram93013]

Congrats on the camera order, Tom.

If you're even one half as happy with the 10d as I am, you'll be one happy man!

- T, not generally easily pleased.

[Tom W]

Congrats on the camera order, Tom.

If you're even one half as happy with the 10d as I am, you'll be one happy man!

- T, not generally easily pleased.

I just checked my order by phone and it shipped out Friday!!!!!!!!

[PacAce]

I just checked my order by phone and it shipped out Friday!!!!!!!!

Congrats, Tom! I know you'll be more than thrilled with it when you have it in your hands and start playing with it.

And, if you're anything like a lot of us, I presume you've already read through the 10D manual forewards and backwards. :D

Now, can we expect some motion shots of your SUV? :mrgreen:

[Tom W]

Congrats, Tom! I know you'll be more than thrilled with it when you have it in your hands and start playing with it.

And, if you're anything like a lot of us, I presume you've already read through the 10D manual forewards and backwards. :D

Now, can we expect some motion shots of your SUV? :mrgreen:

I am in the process of reading through the manual, but I haven't quite finished it yet. What's pleasantly nice is that the camera appears to operate much like my Elan II ergonomically, but the intuitiveness of the digital controls is similar to that of my S-400 (even without the "circle of 4 buttons" layout on the back.

BTW, this may be the first time I've ever used two large words in one sentence - can you tell that I'm excited?

[PacAce]

I am in the process of reading through the manual, but I haven't quite finished it yet. What's pleasantly nice is that the camera appears to operate much like my Elan II ergonomically, but the intuitiveness of the digital controls is similar to that of my S-400 (even without the "circle of 4 buttons" layout on the back.

BTW, this may be the first time I've ever used two large words in one sentence - can you tell that I'm excited?

I don't blame you for being so excited. And you have longer to wait for it that I ever did. When they announced the 10D at PMA last year I had my heart set on getting it. But then, when I discovered that it would probably take a while for it to hit the shelves and then another while before people could buy it off the shelf without having to pre-order it, I decided to get a G3 instead...that's how badly I wanted a digital camera. I had the G3 for only 5 days when I called my local camera dealer just for "funzies" to see if they had gotten any 10Ds in. They said they gotten 6 units for pre-order customers but one had changed his mind so one 10D was sitting on the shelf as we spoke. Even before the guy had a chance to finish his sentence, I quickly drove myself to the store and plunked down my credit card to get it (I live only about 3 block from the camera store). It takes me less than 2 minutes to drive home from the camera store but when I had my 10D sitting beside me in the car, that was the longest 2 minutes in my life...well, almost. I just couldn't wait to get home and get my hands on it.

Like you, I came from the EOS Elan II but the "e" version. My first reaction upon taking the 10D out of the box was, "Man, this sucker really is heavy!" And it didn't even have a lens on. My 2nd reaction was, "Hey, how come I can't control the focus point with my eyes?". And my 3rd was, "Now where the heck is the IR sensor for the IR remote control?". :mrgreen:

I quickly got over my "shock" of not having these Elan IIe features once I started playing with the 10D and taking some pictures...of anything I could point my lens at...my monitor screen, my desk lamp, my hand, my feet, even the dark underside of my desk to see how the focus-assist light from the internal flash works. :D

[defordphoto]

Congrats on the camera order, Tom.

If you're even one half as happy with the 10d as I am, you'll be one happy man!

- T, not generally easily pleased.

I just checked my order by phone and it shipped out Friday!!!!!!!!

Let the band play on. :)

Congrats!