350D upgrade to 30D

[superdiver]

Dont worry, this is a sports question...LOL

Is the upgrade form a 350D to a 30D an upgrade for shooting sports? From all I have read I understand the 30 is at least a bit better.

For those of you who shoot alot of sports and have made the upgrade, was it noticable? and if so how?

[liza]

It's a lot better, actually. I use an XT, a 10D, and a 20D for shooting high school sports, and the 20D is far and away the winner. The XT, while a capable camera, doesn't have the autofocus speed of the 20D. To me, it's very noticeable. I may pick up a 30D myself after the PMA announcements. :)

[superdiver]

Thats what I was thinking...I may pick one up soon...a step up before I jump to a 1DMKIIN

[Sledhed]

As Liza said you'll notice an increase in AF speed, fps and a few other things like ISO 3200 and the 30D will do 1/3rd stop increments, I'm not sure if the XT will do 1/3rd stops. Build quality is much better and you'll get a bigger LCD and the command wheel.

[joe20d]

i shoot with a 20d also...its very nice.
also i suggest the 70-200l is lens. its great for sports. not sure if you sigma is IS or not.

[grego]

Yes, you get 1/3 ISO stops which is awesome. A better AF system. Bigger buffer. And the command wheel on the back is invaluable.

I'm not sure if the XT will do 1/3rd stops.

It doesn't. Only the 30D does it in the lower line cameras.

[WxGuesser]

does it tell you what iso setting you're on.. i forgot to take it out of 800 the other day.. and my pics looked crappy... i wish i could see it in the viewfinder....

[grego]

does it tell you what iso setting you're on.. i forgot to take it out of 800 the other day.. and my pics looked crappy... i wish i could see it in the viewfinder....

When you push down the button. The buttons actually feel diff.

[nickybegood1998]

This is good information to know....that is my next purchase. I shoot mainly my son's sports.

Karman

[folville]

I went from the XT to the 30D about one month ago, and I've definitely seen an improvement in my photos. I'm no longer afraid to shoot at iso 1600 (though I probably never should have been); the AF is faster, but it still leaves something to be desired, but a lot of that comes down to the lens in use.

Having the 1/3 stops of iso is particularly nice; I would recommend the upgrade, but don't think it will be an upgrade limited to the sports realm.

[grego]

I went from the XT to the 30D about one month ago, and I've definitely seen an improvement in my photos. I'm no longer afraid to shoot at iso 1600 (though I probably never should have been); the AF is faster, but it still leaves something to be desired, but a lot of that comes down to the lens in use.

Having the 1/3 stops of iso is particularly nice; I would recommend the upgrade, but don't think it will be an upgrade limited to the sports realm.

What is your custom function 4 set on to? The back button will give some more improvement if you are still using the default 4-0

[superdiver]

Where do you set the ISO to 3200, I heard that you had to do something special in the Cf area to use this...

[grego]

Custom Function 8. Change it to 1.

It's known as "H" when you look at the ISO's.

[emtp563]

I went from the XT to 30D last August to shoot primarily bicycle racing. The difference is very noticible and you won't be sorry.

1.) *better AF*: MOST noticible difference between the two cameras
2.) larger buffer
3.) 5fps as opposed to 3fps (doesn't sound like a lot- but it is)
4.) the camera itself has better ergonomics

[Jettin]

Yes i went from 300D to 30D

I think you will benifit for shooting sport because of the speed of the 30D.

[shaunknee]

I noticed much more accurate focus and the larger buffer. I've sold my 350

[superdiver]

I sent my 14 month old 350D + $600 off today and am waiting for a new 30D used only three times that I traded for. I think it was an OK deal, not screaming, but not bad...

[darktiger]

yes, love my upgrade from 350D to 30D especially for sports..

[grego]

I sent my 14 month old 350D + $600 off today and am waiting for a new 30D used only three times that I traded for. I think it was an OK deal, not screaming, but not bad...

You are already improving on the bball. This will just be an extra boost in your skill set.

[Gordeez]

Good Thread. I was thinking about upgrading to a 30D too.
After reading this thread, I think its going to happen sooner than I expected.

[Collin85]

I went from 400D to 30D. I did it because I wanted a backup body, and thought I'd go 30D instead of another 400D.

My impressions:

Much better handling ergonomics, although I was already happy with the XTi handling.

Top LCD not such a big deal - infact it seems to be more of a hassle at times than I expected (bright sun, night time etc.)

Better control ergonomics - back control dial, separate button for FEC and some of the C.Fns really makes things easier for me.
5 fps is awesome.

BIGGER BRIGHTER viewfinder. Very happy with this.

Doesn't underexpose like my 400D, although I've now concluded that I prefer the 400D's paradigm of metering. Infact to be honest, I actually like the results better from the 400D. I guess my advice is don't expect any real improvement in IQ. Just a higher feature set and better ergonomics.

ISO 3200 can be useful in desperate times.

I won't mention anything regarding the benefits of my 400D's 2.5' screen or the anti-dust since you're talking about a 350D to 30D upgrade.

AF will tend to be better too, in your case. This wasn't such a big deal in my case, since the 400D's AF is pretty good.

The larger buffer might also be useful for your sports photography.

Can't think of anything else right now!

Good luck,
Collin

[TheSteveMadden]

I also upgraded from an XT, and as has been mentioned before, the AF speed and precision is far better on the 30D, especially with USM fast glass and primes. I was blown away with the quality and percentage of keepers using AI Servo.

I can't imagine what the 1D would be like, as from all reports it's heads and shoulders above the 30D.

[jleins]

I upgraded from the 350D to the 30D a few days ago, and so far, I also agree that the 30D is worth the upgrade. The build quality alone and having the command wheel would have probably been worth it for me.

Add in the larger buffer (for sports in your situation), 5 fps, command wheel....
Worth it for sure

[superdiver]

So when shooting BBall with low light, I shouldnt have to shift to the right in EC? Is that what I am understanding? I was under the impression that in low loght I should shift to the right a stop or two in all canons?

[delhi]

I've a 30d as a backup to my 350d (weird I know). I wanted to use the 30d as the main cam, but I'm so used to the 350d and for my type of work (home interiors), speed is not an issue and so is ISO. Both are great. I'd only break out the 30d for event stuff. But I'm feeling that both the layout of these cameras are not very complementary. I find myself looking for the mono LCD at the back of the 30D and on top with the 350D... hahahahh! I haven't brought myself to let go of my 350d yet because it works well and its been through with me in all sorts of occasion. Now that I've "Ghetto-fied" with duct-tapes it looks even meaner. We'll see. Maybe sell it end of the year and get a 40D...