10D or wait for 20D?

[bluebunny]

New poster, so first - hi to all! http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

I really need your advice. At the moment I'm still using a film camera (Minolta 303si) but planning to buy a nice digital camera. I shoot mostly car racing - rally, rallycross etc.

I've been offered a really good deal on a used 10D, but I'm also considering the 20D. My budget is tight so I would have to wait some months to buy the 20D... but it sounds so good (5fps up to 23 shots and such).

So help a girl out here - should I get the used 10D or wait for the 20D?

[timmyquest]

You will need lenses as well.

How soon do you need a camera?

What are you going to be using it for?

[chops]

Personally, I would go for the 10D (if in good shape), and a couple inexpensive yet good lenses to get the shots you want.

If you're making money with your photography, you can always upgrade to the 20D later and have the 10D as a backup body, or with another lens on it.

Oh yeah, I almost forgot....

Welcome to the forums!!!

[agwright]

go for the 20D - the colour in the photos is truer - the shutter noise is a bit loud but I love mine..

[bluebunny]

I do part-time work for a car magazine so the camera would be mostly used to shoot car racing in all sorts of light/weather conditions. I can continue shooting with the film camera for now, but I'd like a new camera before spring.

The used 10D is in good condition and would probably suit me just fine. But you guys have made the 20D sound so tempting I'm still undecided...

And yeah, the lens part I also have to figure out http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_confused.gif

[Enrique10D]

I've bought myself a used 10D ... and I'm perfectly happy with it !!!! The 20D is better -off course- but hardly ... if cash is an argument ... go fot the used 10D!! (you will need money for lenses ... after all, they are even more important than the body .... )
You will not make 1 good photo with a fabulous 20D and crappy lenses !!!


Erik

[chops]

after all, they are even more important than the body .... )

Erik
That used to be true with film cameras, but not digital.

[Jon]

My budget is tight so I would have to wait some months to buy the 20D... but it sounds so good (5fps up to 23 shots and such). You can take more pictures with the 10D you get now than the 20D you won't be able to afford until next year sometime . . . Get it now and use it.

[Mark_Cohran]

Can you borrow the 10D and use it for a while? If so, do so and evaluate whether it meets your current needs. If it does, buy it and use it, and save for your next generation camera (which will likely be the 30D). The 10D is a great camera and is by no mean obsolete.

[elbirth]

For a year or so before the 20D came out, I really wanted to get a 10D... then by the time I had saved up some money to get one, I hear announcement of the 20D, so I waited for it. In a way I wish I had went ahead and gotten the 10D, but since I don't make money doing photography, it doesn't pay for itself, so I waited.
If you get paid, I'd say without a doubt go on and get the 10D and get some good lenses and then upgrade the body later. The is still a great camera, and the amount you'd save between the two might allow you to get another lens, more memory cards, or other accessories.

However if you're not getting paid, then you have to consider how tight of a budget you're going to remain in. In this case, it really will end up being a judgement call on your end- do you want a great camera with some nice lenses, or do you want an even better camera with possibly not as great lenses, in order to remain in a similar budget range?

[kiwimichael]

Hello,

I also photograph cars whizzing by on race tracks. I have been using a 10D until upgrading to the 20D recently. My main reason for the upgrade is the buffer size. I shoot RAW and found myself hitting the buffer limit on the 10D every now and then. I shoot single frame but sometimes a group of cars comes along and I try and get each of them. You need to look at how often you shoot a rapid series of shots to see how much of a problem this will be. Having said that, the 10D worked well and I've been selling prints up to 50cm x 75cm (20" x 30").
If I had to choose between getting the 10D now or waiting several months for the 20D, and I really wanted to get started using a digital SLR, I'd go for a used 10D. The price has already dropped significantly and will probably not drop significantly more the next few months.
As others have already said, don't overlook the lens(es).

Cheers
Michael

[Cadwell]

Hi bluebunny.

Get the 10D and as another poster pointed out, spend the money on the glass. If you're in a "Northern Corner of Europe" as you mentioned, then the light isn't going to be great and you are going to need fast lenses to shoot motorsport. Fast telephoto lenses are not cheap and good ones will last you for several camera bodies so that's where your investment should go.

The 10D is more than capable of shooting motorsport. Some samples are in the gallery in my signature. Apart from the most recent two collections they were all shot with a 10D.

[bluebunny]

Thank you all for your replies. Well... I think getting the 10D, some good lenses and then upgrading the camera later is the best way to go. Since I can't use any of my old lenses this seems the smartest thing to do.

Cadwell - I like your gallery. Very nice pics! Even saw a countryman there (Marko Asmer http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smilies/icon_wink.gif ).

[Cadwell]

Thanks :) Good luck with the 10D. I am sure you will have much success with it.