Get film rebel to buy time for new digital SLR this fall ?

[rudrasen]

I just sold my G3 to move onto the digital rebel. :oops:
After using a borrowed rebel on a weekend Yosemite trip, I was not too impressed with the ergonomics of the rebel. :?
I went to a good camera store & tried out the 10D, I liked it better.
But then salesman showed that one could add a battery grip to rebel. I do admit adding a battery grip made a huge difference to the ergo & the weight balance.
So I decided to get the Canon 10D.
But now all this talk about possible new EOS digital camera releases by canon in fall (before Christmas)
Is making me unsure; not to mention the 300D hack.

Here are my tentative options :idea:
-- OPTION #1 ---
1. Buy a used film rebel for ~$150 to buy time for 6 months.
2. Start with couple of decent lens
Canon Ef 50MM F/1.8 II
Canon 28-135MM F/3.5-5.6 Is USM Ef Lens

3. Get used the SLR style of shooting & workflow for 6 months till the prices hopefully drop.
4. I am guessing I would spend ~ $350 (max) on film & processing with the film rebel.

5. After the new lineup is in, I can jump in buy the then obsolete 10D under ~ $1000 or its replacement for ~$1500. (Big guess here)

6. I can then turn around the sell the rebel for $100.

7. It will cost me ~$400 at the end of January 2004 to do the whole thing.
Essentially I am trying to buy time with the film SLR.

-- QUESTIONS --- :?
Now the questions:
1. Will Canon announce an hugely improved EOS digital line up? (rumours ???)
2. Will the price drop below $1000 for a 10D, if canon announces a new lineup?
3. Do you guys seen any problem in this plan of mine? Has anyone tried regressing back to film only? What were your experiences?

-- OPTION #2 ---

But then again I think give the probable depreciation of the 10D, I will lose ~$400 anyway, So just get the 10D now.
Cost: $1300

-- OPTION #3 ---

Or maybe get 300D with a battery grip & install new Russian hack.
That I will get better ergo & bit more customization.
Cost : $845 + $150 = $1000
What are your thoughts? Some the above questions are Rhetorical , so don't mind .

- The Confused Scrooge

[DReb-MO]

I guess it depends what you plan to shoot and do with the camera. Frankly I'd save the money on the film and the developing and use it to fund your digital purchase and or some good glass. I have the DReb and am getting familiar with it and am glad I did not spend the extra $500 on the 10D. That being said that whole story may change the more I use the camera and understand the nuances of using an SLR camera.

[johneo]

3. Do you guys seen any problem in this plan of mine? Has anyone tried regressing back to film only? What were your experiences?


- The Confused Scrooge

Not regressed but I recently added a Canon Elan 7NE to go along with my Canon 10D. Great camera but it uses film :(

I've been through 4 rolls of film over the past couple weeks (96 shots) while I have been using my 10D sparingly (400 shots).

Personal opinion ... forget the film camera ... go for the 10D ... :shock: NOW :shock: ... and enjoy it. Even if it drops in price you will have missed all the fun and while I'm sure something is coming sooner or later, A 10D bought today will still be a great digital camera for a few generations of upgrades to come. (it's those pesky "L" lenses that'll get ya! :roll: )

Just to let you know ... the 7NE is a great camera and is very much like the 10D in size, weight and feel but it has no review screen ... I've taken 96 shots and have tried to see each one on the screen ... oops! no screen :lol: (it'll never replace my 10D)

[robertwgross]

7. It will cost me ~$400 at the end of January 2004 to do the whole thing.
Essentially I am trying to buy time with the film SLR.


You better hurry to make that deadline.

---Bob Gross---

[WestFalcon]

Buy the 10D...price has dropped to $1379 AT b&h.. I really love the camera(have two of them) and I would really be surprised if you want to replace it for a couple of years. I think the 10D will hold a good resale value compared to the Digital rebel. There will always be something coming out every year and it's silly to wait. I've had a D30, D60 and now 2-10D's. The 10D is really the only camera that I think I would be happy with 5 years down the line. Get it now, don't mess around with film. You are missing too much fun. Digital has really sparked a new interest in photography for me not to mention I've paid for my 10D's many times over with digital jobs. The profit margin on digital photography is a lot higher than film but even if I were not a part time pro, I still love the idea that I can take a butterfly in my garden and 5 minutes later I can have a breathtaking 8 x10 photo from my epson printer that rivals medium format pictures.....Don't wait!!!!!!

[rudrasen]

Looks I have finished oscillating. Thanks for the advice.
I will get the 10D & finish off the whole process. Let me slim down my wallet while my wife is on vacation. :P

I plan to start with the
50mm 1.8 L
& the
28-135 IS USM

Has anyone tried the new Sigma 18-125 mm DC lens ?

[PekkaM]

Yes, go for digital. With digital cameras, electronics and computers whatever you buy soon becomes outdated. I think if I wait for next version I'll never buy anything ;)

[WestFalcon]

Good move rudrasen.....I have both of those lenses. The 28-135 stays on my camera a lot. After you get your camera, please tell us what you think after the first week or so. I think you will be a happy camper. I'd grab a 500 mb card too...I like Kingston, Sandisk, Lexar...anything but Dane Electric. Buy a card reader too but you can get one of those locally for less than $20. Most photographers use Epson printers and photoshop(elements or full version if you can afford it) I'm a teacher and students /teachers can get it for about $250. Your initial outlay,as you can see, is rather steep but then you can start firing away for free(if you don't print them). Its made me a better photographer since I can bracket like crazy for nothing. Some day, when your wallet recovers(and your wife too), buy the BG ED battery pack for $169. It really gives a good feel to the camera and you'll shoot all day since it holds two batteries. Good luck

After reading your post, I realized that having had a G3, you probably already have some of the stuff mentioned above...well that's good, now you can spend on L lenses.