Help me with the next step to my camera purchase

[ChrisN]

So, I am starting to save up for my next camera.
Thing is, I am not sure which one is going to be right for me. I have the S50 right now and it is really limiting my growth as I cannot expand it to explore other avenues of this hobby.

I am running a poll, but I would also like opinions on other cameras (don't necessarily have to be Canon.) They should all be in the range of the DRebel, or within a couple of hundred either way.

Thanks for any comments you can provide.

[Digital Prophet]

I have a Digital Rebel and I love it. Of course I bought it months before the D70 was released.

Aside from the frame buffer speed I don't know that there are really too too many advantages that one can have over the other. At first I really wanted a D70 for the frame rate. But in reality the 2.5 fps I have now are more than I need in 90% of the shots I take. So I had to ask myself, was the extra money really worth a feature that in the end, for me at least, was just going to end up in more shots that got deleted? Nope, it wasn't.

As for the Pro1 you have to ask yourself the fundamental SLR or non-SLR question? For me I knew I wanted the creative freedom that only an SLR could provide. I wanted the TTL focusing and framing. I wanted to be able to buy lenses that grew with me and could be moved to my next body.

But if you feel more comfortable with the active LCD framing or prefer the attached lens format then go for the Pro1. Perhaps size and weight are issues you need to look into. Maybe you need more magnification out of the box than the Digital Rebel kit lens can give you. And remember the D70 doesn't come with a lens. Or maybe there is a kit now, but not for the same kind of cash that you can get a 300D for.

In the end you have to think about how much you want to spend. Then you have to consider the TTL or LCD factor. But in the end it is the camera that is most comfortable for you. The best camera is one you will use, not the one with more features than you can understand.

- Digital Prophet -

[Big_B]

Do a search for 'D70 300d'. You'll find tonnes of discussion about the relative merits of the two cameras.

[ChrisN]

Thanks for the info. I have spent a few months already looking, researching and learning as much as I can and I don't intend to purchase until at the very latest, December. So I have lots of time to change my mind ;)

My local camera shop will even let me test drive the camera for a few shots in their "lab".
But no amount of research can indicate real world testimonials and opinion. I trust that most of the people on this board use and abuse the camera that they have and are very well qualified to give detailed opinion on why one camera is better than the other and for what reason.

I don't know if I trust user opinions on the retailers opinion forums which is why I a come here. :)


Oh. I forgot, for the DRebel, it is available in 2 kits. I would also appreciate comments on the 2 lenses and what they might be better suited for.
Kit 1 - CANON DIGITAL REBEL W/18-55 Lense
Kit 2 - CANON DIGITAL REBEL W/24-85 Lense

Thanks again guys, keep it coming.

[Penguin_101_1]

Thanks for the info. I have spent a few months already looking, researching and learning as much as I can and I don't intend to purchase until at the very latest, December. So I have lots of time to change my mind ;)

My local camera shop will even let me test drive the camera for a few shots in their "lab".
But no amount of research can indicate real world testimonials and opinion. I trust that most of the people on this board use and abuse the camera that they have and are very well qualified to give detailed opinion on why one camera is better than the other and for what reason.

I don't know if I trust user opinions on the retailers opinion forums which is why I a come here. :)


Oh. I forgot, for the DRebel, it is available in 2 kits. I would also appreciate comments on the 2 lenses and what they might be better suited for.
Kit 1 - CANON DIGITAL REBEL W/18-55 Lense
Kit 2 - CANON DIGITAL REBEL W/24-85 Lense

Thanks again guys, keep it coming.

the 18-55 would be more of a wide angle and the 24-85 would be a zoom.

[ChrisN]

thanks Penguin for clearing that up.

Looks almost unanimous, everyone loves the DRebel.


Please, people keep voting. Opinions are extremely welcome

[Belmondo]

Knowing what I know now, I would either bite the bullet now and buy the 10D, or wait until its successor comes out later this year. I would certain opt for a Canon SLR of some kind just to have access to the EF lenses. I voted for other, but if pressed to pick out one of the cameras on the list, I'd take the Rebel just to position myself for the future.

[CyberDyneSystems]

Forget the Pro 1

This is the most important thing... where you are right now.. your outgrowing of the S50.. you are itching for an SLR.

I voted DRebel.. as I think Canon is best.. but so long as you go SLR you are on the right path.

[Jesper]

I agree with CDS: if you've outgrown the S50, the Pro1 won't give you many significant new possibilities - you want a DSLR.

The Canon Digital Rebel and Nikon D70 are both fine cameras. Both have their pros and cons. The D70 can't go lower than ISO 200, and the Digital Rebel produces cleaner (less noisy) images at ISO 100 than the D70. The Digital Rebel takes a few seconds after switching on the camera before it's ready to shoot; the D70 is almost immediately ready.

But don't look only at the camera, but also at the lenses and other accesories that you can get for it. I've never had Nikon stuff, but I like Canon's range of EF lenses better.

[msvirick]

Knowing what I know now, I would either bite the bullet now and buy the 10D, .

For a little more dough, 10D is the way to go. It has and feel of a pro camera.

[ChrisN]

I had thought of the 10D. I thought long and hard, but there is a $500 dollar +tax difference that would postpone my purchase by a few months. I really want to get a more professional looking camera as it is difficult to prove you are serious about something with a point and shoot. I have tried to convince a few friends who are rather photogenic but when I break out the S50, I sorta look and feel like a perv.

Edit: I also understand, with the "hacked" firmware, you could make the 300d more like the 10d, or have I been led astray.

[Belmondo]

I also understand, with the "hacked" firmware, you could make the 300d more like the 10d, or have I been led astray.
Generally true (with some limitations).