I'm new here and could use some advice...

[Nemesis311]

Hello, This is my first post here as I only found this site last night via email from another person. First off let me say that this site is a wonderful pool of information and knowledgable people. I only have one question that I hope can be fullfilled.

I am getting ready to make the leap into the digital camera world. My photographs will be motorsports/potrait/landscape photography. I am torn between the 10D and 20D Canon's. I have read review on top of review about the camera's but I still can't decide which is better for the type of photography I'll be doing. I need a camera that is going to fullfill all three of the catagories mentioned above. I know that the 20D will fullfill the motorsports section of the catagories, but what about the other two in potrait and landscape. Any help you can provide me will be greatly appreciated.

Again let me say that this site is wonderful and I appreciate such a site being out there to help people starting over into the digital world of photography. Thank you and God Bless.

[billsh]

Nemesis, you don't mention price as a consideration. If it's not, the 20D will accomodate the needs you mention. It's a newer model, more megapixels, faster, etc, etc. So if you can afford it, buy the 20D. Having said that, remember, its not the camera that makes good pics. You will see some great photos here shot with Drebs, 10D, even p&s. My first digital camera was the 20D and I have greatly enjoyed it.

Don't forget to allow money for lenses. The lenses you use generally will make a bigger difference in your pictures than the camera. With the range of photos you want to shoot, you are going to need a wide range of lenses. Hopefully, you already have some.

Have fun!!

[Nemesis311]

I have a couple lense, but they are the stock lense that came on my film EOS Rebel 35mm a few years ago and I have a Promaster 28mm -300mm Spectrum 7 AF lense that I picked up very cheap last year. That is all I have at the present time. I am leaning very strongly towards the 20D as I have been saving money up for a while to get into the digital world of photography.

How good are the lenses I have at the moment for this type of photography, and what lenses do you suggest I go with for the type of photography I'm pursuing. Thanks and have a good day.

[Andy_T]

How good are the lenses I have at the moment for this type of photography, and what lenses do you suggest I go with for the type of photography I'm pursuing. Thanks and have a good day.

Hi,

First of all ... welcome to the forum!

Four things ...

1) The 20D is a great camera and an improvement over the 10D in many areas. For motorsports, it should be the better one.

2) How good are the lenses you have?
Really hard to tell. Get the camera, slap them on, take pictures and decide yourself.
However, it has to be said that many people find their older consumer grade lenses that took fine pictures on a film camera to be less than optimal on a 6 or 8 MP digital body :roll:

3) Which lenses to get?

Landscape ... you want a wide angle lens. Either the kit lens or maybe the Tokina AT-X 17 mm prime. Canon 17-40/4 L is also very good, but maybe expensive.

Normal lens for portraits ... Tamron 28-70/2.8 XR DI and Canon 50/1.8 or 50/1.4. The 50/1.4 is a bit better than the 50/1.8, but not 5 times as good (but it costs 5 times as much).
Motorsports ... this is where it gets pricey.
In good lighting (on a sunny day), the 70-200/4.0 L is a very good lens, but short. This and the 1.4 extender might do the trick. Other than that, the 100-400 L IS ($$$).

4) Be very wary on this forum ... people will be very quick to spend your money for you :shock:

Having said that ... have you looked at the Canon 1D Mark II as well :lol: ?

Best regards,
Andy

[Nemesis311]

Thanks Andy for the welcome. Yes I have looked at the 1D M II. Little to much money for me at the moment. Thanks for the info on the lenses, and I appreciate the information. Thanks and have a good day.