Upgrade from 350D TO 30D?

[scotttnz]

Just wondered if anybody has done this upgrade and can share their experiences.

I've had my 350D about 2 years and am starting to feel limited by it. I have been hoping for a 40D anouncment for PMA, but that is now looking unlikely.

So is the 30D worth the price to upgrade? or do I hold on to the 350D for another six months and hope Canon comes out with a bigger upgrade?

[Tsmith]

It was for me and have throughly enjoyed using the 30D. The extra features + the adjustment control wheel for changing settings is a big plus over the 350D's cursor buttons and the set button. Faster more accurate focusing too.

[Heatseeker99]

I was in the same boat as you. I felt limited by the XT, (in terms of ISO1600 performance and AF performance). I was waiting for a 40D to come out but I started to shoot alot of indoor sports and couldn't wait any longer.
I am happy I got the 30D. Once you have it, you realize it has alot of advantages over the XT. Like Bluedog said, the controls are so much better. The XT got frustrating at times. Plus the bigger viewfinder, better AF, 1/3 stop ISO selection, bigger & brighter LCD, and build have made me happy I switched.
If the 40D is that great, I can now wait a little while to get one when the prices go down instead of needing it as soon as its released b/c I had waiting so long to upgrade. My .02

[hdco1209]

I went to the 30D from XT recently for the same reasons you are considering doing so: more controls that are more accessible more quickly. The ergonomics are much better if you find yourself changing settings a lot. Just having the wheel to change exposure (in P etc) or aperture (in M) is a big step up. I've also grown very attached to checking the ISO in the viewfinder (but wish they would display it full time in the top screen also).

Haven't noticed any difference in focusing capabilities and it doesn't "take better pictures" than the XT. However, I am beginning (just) to recognize that *I* take better pictures with it in more and more cases. With controls that are easier/quicker to get to, I take that extra beat to check, think and adjust, and I'm looking forward to the 30Ds controls becoming as 2nd nature as the XT's were after 1.5 years.

But this is not a case of "thank god I'm rid of that POS." I love the XT. It's a sturdy, well thought out, compact camera that was great while I had it.

Hey ScottNZ, your avatar shot looks like the view at the end of my street when I shared a house in St Helier's Bay when kicking around there for a few months in my 20s (15 yrs ago). Is it taken anywhere near there? New Zealand is a truly amazing place...seems like the entire world's climates and geography are there in microcosm.

[whchan]

There is no question that 30D is better than 350D in many ways (spot metering, better AF, noise, bigger screen, ...etc). However, I would suggest you to wait for the 40D unless your circumstances require you to have a better equipment in the next few months (get paid for shooting, having a new born...etc.)

[gjl711]

....
I've had my 350D about 2 years and am starting to feel limited by it. ... Just out of curiosity, what feature is limiting you? There are a few more features on the 30D from the 350. Would one of those features open new areas? Maybe you should concider moving into a 5D?

[folville]

I made this switch after a long, hard look at the 5D, but I would say that I have absolutely no regrets about making it. After switching I finally felt able to use something above iso 800 (though I probably could have before), and I felt that the AF was much more intuitive (much less hunting). The biggest improvements that I saw came in the design of the body itself, the controls, and in the flexibility in settings (1/3 stops).

It's not an upgrade that'll be worthwhile for everyone, but if you're starting to feel limited, then maybe it's time you switched.

[Digitalwave]

I am feeling the same urge to upgrade my XT to a 30D. The reasons vary from AF speed to the click wheel controls.

My XT serves me well but there are times where I wish I had faster/more accurate AF. With mostly f/2.8 and faster glass, I do believe I will notice an AF speed difference by switching to a 30D. I also do a lot of extreme sports and action photography and sometimes the controls hamper my ability to change settings on the fly without having to lower the camera from my eye, etc.

However, it is not urgent to the point that I cannot take it anymore, so I have decided to wait til the 40D is announced to upgrade. Even if I don't get a 40D, 30D prices will come down as well.

[scotttnz]

Thanks for the replies everyone!

Hey ScottNZ, your avatar shot looks like the view at the end of my street when I shared a house in St Helier's Bay when kicking around there for a few months in my 20s (15 yrs ago). Is it taken anywhere near there? New Zealand is a truly amazing place...seems like the entire world's climates and geography are there in microcosm.

It was taken from North Head, but yeah, the view would be similar from St Heliers.

Just out of curiosity, what feature is limiting you? There are a few more features on the 30D from the 350. Would one of those features open new areas? Maybe you should concider moving into a 5D?

I want better AF performance, High ISO low light noise, spot meter, and ergonomics. The 350D gets pretty uncomfortable with the 17-55 or 70-200 after a while, even with the battery grip. I want to do more motorsports shooting so the 5fps would be nice. (Which along with the cost of replacing my lenses puts me off the 5D)

I'm going to sit tight untill PMA is over and see if anything else appears.

I've got someone who really wants to buy my 350D off me, and will pay a good price for the 350D kit + battery grip and bits and pieces. I have a family member who works for Canon, so the change over price will probably not be too much, I was just hoping for a 40D to give me more! (Greedy I know:evil: )

[rogernoel]

In July 2004 , I bought the 300D, original Rebel DSLR. I got the kit lens and also bought a Sigma 55-200 lens. I have since added, Canon EF 28-135,Canon EF 70-300, Canon EF 50mm 1.8, Sigma 10-20, Canon EFS 17-55 2.8. I had hopes of upgrading to the 40D which has not materialized. So now I am trying to decide whether to buy the 30D, wait until September with the hope that the 40D will be marketed or buying the XTI. I have no interest in going FF or I would consider the 5D. I decided that when I bought the spendy 17-55. Curious why the XTi is not a consideration. I have a friend who has the 30D and was also hoping to upgrade to the 40D, he thinks I would do as well going to the XTi versus buying the 30D. I will be following this thread.

[scotttnz]

In July 2004 , I bought the 300D, original Rebel DSLR. I got the kit lens and also bought a Sigma 55-200 lens. I have since added, Canon EF 28-135,Canon EF 70-300, Canon EF 50mm 1.8, Sigma 10-20, Canon EFS 17-55 2.8. I had hopes of upgrading to the 40D which has not materialized. So now I am trying to decide whether to buy the 30D, wait until September with the hope that the 40D will be marketed or buying the XTI. I have no interest in going FF or I would consider the 5D. I decided that when I bought the spendy 17-55. Curious why the XTi is not a consideration. I have a friend who has the 30D and was also hoping to upgrade to the 40D, he thinks I would do as well going to the XTi versus buying the 30D. I will be following this thread.

I want the bigger body, mainly for the more comfortable grip with heavy lenses on. Also I prefer the controls on the 30D. Spot meter and 5fps, better high ISO performance......there are lots of little things about the 30D that to me at least, make the 30D more attractive. Of course I would love to have the 10MP (I print big from time to time!) anti dust, and higher resolution LCD of the 400D as well......which is why I have been hoping for a 40D!

[gjl711]

Well then, go for it... What are you waiting for?

[JJH64Miles]

Just wondered if anybody has done this upgrade and can share their experiences.

I've had my 350D about 2 years and am starting to feel limited by it. I have been hoping for a 40D anouncment for PMA, but that is now looking unlikely.

So is the 30D worth the price to upgrade? or do I hold on to the 350D for another six months and hope Canon comes out with a bigger upgrade?

Made the change last year and have never looked back !
I photo wildlife and birds so it's the only affordable (ish) Canon alternative -
a cropped 5D just doesn't have the resolution at the long end.

If you shoot critters -30D is a must
Landscapes and portraits - 5D better
both are the best at their jobs unless you have DEEP pockets for 1 series

I cant see mythical 40D performing any better for me unless they can up the res while keeping the 1.6x crop factor AND keep the noise as low as the 30D in RAW that is.

A neighbour has 400D and I have used it a couple of times. I found it good but noisier than 30D and when aperture gets smaller than f11 the pics get fuzzy earlier - anybody else found this?

[rogernoel]

JJH64miles, you said "A neighbour has 400D and I have used it a couple of times. I found it good but noisier than 30D and when aperture gets smaller than f11 the pics get fuzzy earlier - anybody else found this?"

Interesting, I know several who have this camera and no reports on fuzzy pics at f8 or smaller. Seems to me that would relate more to the lens than the camera, unless there is sensor problem on that particular camera. I think Scott's reason for going for a 30D versus the 400D is certainly logical. I have do something as I am giving my 300D to my son next month. aagh.

[freakeystyley34]

I'm kinda in the same position as rogernoel, as I have the 300d, and am wanting something with better noise levels, more intuitive controls and more creative control too. I won't be buying until august at least i would have thought, as I'm at uni, and won't be able to afford anything until i work full time in the holiday. I would love to hold on for the 40d, but I might end up just getting a second hand/refurbished 30d as soon as i have the money.

[gjl711]

... A neighbour has 400D and I have used it a couple of times. I found it good but noisier than 30D and when aperture gets smaller than f11 the pics get fuzzy earlier - anybody else found this? Fuzzyness as the aperatures closes is diffraction and is unaviodable. It also is compleatly a function of the lens and not the body. A cheap lens may show diffraction induced fuzziness at lower apertures though usually it's not evident until f/22 or higher. But put that lens on any body and the loss of detail will be just as apparent. Maybe what you are seeing is that the additional 2 mp gives enough extra resolution so that the loss of detail is more evident.

[koekeloer]

I had my 350D 14 months, but sold it to pay for my 30D. I liked the 30D for the 5fps and the spot method. Also it is a bit "more camera".
In the past 14 months, I already sold all my old lenses to pay for my 2 new L lenses.

[Tareq]

Simply i upgraded from XT to 30D and i am so happy, better build, Noise level better, spot meter and the most omprtant to me is faster than XT and AF is fast as well, simply 30D is higher level than 350D (but note that all will say that IQ will not be big different).

[superdiver]

OK, mine JUST got here TODAY. I put the grip on and OH MY!

1)much bigger, but in a good way in my hands at least.
2)totally different feel and sound
3)huge screen
4)will take some getting used to the different locations of buttons and functions
5)focuses fast (how accurately we will see tonight when I am PPing them
6)batteries are much bigger as well
7)essentially the same functions, but in different places and a couple more options


TOTALLY happy I moved up from the 350D to the 30D...