First Post to this Forum

[Malok]

I've been using a Canon G3 and pushed it to the limit until it died this week from a fatal drop onto the parking lot. My focus is landscape photography. I sell both framed enlargements and greeting cards in the area around Rocky Mountain National Park.

I now need to purchase a new camera, however I only have $1,000 to work with. Would I be better to purchase the new "Pro 1", "300D" or the "10D"? The advantage of the "Pro 1" is that I wouldn't need to purchase any additional lenses and it has a substantial zoom, however it may have a lot of noise and will not support additional lenses. The advantage of the others is that they are more professional cameras which are closer to the pro level. I am unsure what to do. What would you suggest if you were in my situation with a very limited budget and a focus on landscape photography?

I look forward to your input.

Malok

[Icecamp]

The only camera that fits in your budget is the Pro 1. I am an EOS 3 and G2 user currently and the Pro 1 looks very interesting to me. I have already made the descision to buy a 10D, but a Pro 1 would make a nice replacement for my G2. The only concerns I have with the Pro one are the number of pixels they crammed on that little chip(noise), and in some of the early sample pictures I have seen, the lens is less than sharp at the corners. I have to say that the pictures I have seen though aren't from a reliable site. That being said the noise levels on the early pictures I have seen are surprizingly low.
The Drebel or the 10D would not only stretch your budget just for the body, but to buy an L lens and the body would effectively double your budget, and more if you were to buy the 10D. I think in the long run though the 10D or Drebel would be a much more versatile system, any EF lenses you bought could be used on any EOS camera.

[PacAce]

If $1000 is your budget then wouldn't the logical choice be the 300D with the kit lens since it only costs $999? The Pro1 isn't available yet, is it? And it's going to cost more than $1000, isn't it?

The 300D with the kit lens should at least get you started shooting landscapes for a grand.

[tpinchback]

If $1000 is your budget then wouldn't the logical choice be the 300D with the kit lens since it only costs $999? The Pro1 isn't available yet, is it? And it's going to cost more than $1000, isn't it?

The 300D with the kit lens should at least get you started shooting landscapes for a grand.

I did not see any room in that 1000 dollars for
memory cards, 512 if you dont have one $150
Bag (cheap one) $ 40
Warrenty $100
tax $$$$
tripod $50

In the long run the Drebel is going to cost alot more than the Pro1, but you get a more versital camera, and alot less noise.

I would go to best buy and take adavantage of the 1 year no intrest financing.

[Tom W]

If $1000 is your budget then wouldn't the logical choice be the 300D with the kit lens since it only costs $999? The Pro1 isn't available yet, is it? And it's going to cost more than $1000, isn't it?

The 300D with the kit lens should at least get you started shooting landscapes for a grand.

I did not see any room in that 1000 dollars for
memory cards, 512 if you dont have one $150
Bag (cheap one) $ 40
Warrenty $100
tax $$$$
tripod $50

In the long run the Drebel is going to cost alot more than the Pro1, but you get a more versital camera, and alot less noise.

I would go to best buy and take adavantage of the 1 year no intrest financing.

Most of those items apply whether he gets a 10D, a 300D, or a Pro-1. But the SLR's will offer a much cleaner image, particularly if he decides to use higher ISO settings. As for tax, if he buys over the internet, there won't be any sales tax. And I'm not one to go for the extra $100 warranty - It is peace of mind, but I've never gotten any use out of an extended warranty before.

I do agree that in the long run, the SLR will be more costly as one adds lenses and such, but if the buyer takes their photography seriously, it is probably the best route. I'm not saying the Pro-1 is bad, but it isn't as versatile and provides no upgrade path, plus its smaller, denser sensor does produce noisier pictures than the SLRs do.

I'd recommend the Digital Rebel (300D).

[Belmondo]

Malok:
Welcome to the dark side. We will, given enough time, turn you into a very poor person.

Your question has many possible answers (well, really only two), but the factors that will help you in that determination are things that only you can decide for yourself.

I think you can generally expect this group to steer you to the Rebel/300D. After all, this is the DSLR board, and the biases run pretty deep here. There is no question the Drebel is the cornerstone of a much more versatile (read: expensive) system than would be the P&S. On the other hand, the Pro 1 might very well be a more capable camera for your purposes and level of ability right out of the box. Also, you raise a good point about not having to buy additional lenses for it. You can't.

I don't know that you need to be terribly concerned about sensor noise unless you are doing very large prints. Until we learn more about the performance of that particular camera, however, we have to trust that Canon will not be selling anything other than a first-rate piece of equipment. On the other hand, if the Sony 8mp camera is any indication of what the state of the art is right now, you could have a problem.

I guess the important thing for you to decide is how committed you are to a future in this field. If you believe you're going to be doing this years from now, then you're probably better off with a camera system that has the bits and pieces available to allow you to grow in your abilities and to improve your equipment as you develop/improve. It that's the case, you're proabably better off with the SLR. With the P&S, the only way to truly upgrade the camera in the future will be to replace it.

It’s a tough decision. I wish we could be of more help, but ultimately, these are questions only you can answer for yourself. All we can do is offer opinions.

Thos.

[Malok]

Thank you all for your advice. It is a difficult call. I have the tripod, memory cards, filters, bag, etc. I do intend to pursue photography fairly seriously and as more stores and galleries in the area cary my prints, I am hoping that I can upgrade my equipment. You are very correct that only the true SLR cameras have a clear upgrade path. I guess I need to come to grips with whether I can get the shots I need with the Rebel's included lens. I'm leaning towards the Rebel and am thankful for all of your thoughts. If you have other comments that you think might help me, I'll be watching this post.

Thanks again!

Malok

[roanjohn]

Get the Rebel. IT will be a true upgrade in terms of image quality compared to the pro-1.

IF you do mostly landscape photography, the kit lens should be a good deal. Stopped down to f8, it is as good as any L lens out there.

Ro1