I WANT MY FIRST DSLR WHICH ONE ?

[bstr]

Hello to you all

I'am wanting to buy my first DSLR i was thinking of getting the canon 10D do you
think this a good model to start whith or is it too advanced.
only had a canon power shot A80 up till now, but used SLR film cameras in the past
any advice would be very welcome indeed thanks IAN.

[willg]

300d...you can pick one up sooo cheap now..i am very happy with mine

[roanjohn]

10D 10D 10D!!!

Nothing is too advanced. You will learn it in due time. A lot of cheap 10D's running around looking for a good home.

Good luck!!!

Ro1

[Maureen Souza]

Get the best you can afford. I have the 20D and love it!!!! My hubby was just about to get himself the RebelXT when I asked him one simple question...."Are you going to wish you had the 20D every time you use the Rebel?"

He bought the 20D.

[dispatchermike21]

20D if affordable if not the XT then.

[DocFrankenstein]

1Ds MkII :)

[d123]

20D if affordable if not the XT then.


Definitely the BEST advice here, it really does boil down to one of the above, if you have the budget the 20D is really the best there is (price/performane/size/ergonomics).

If you cant or dont want to stretch to the 20D (or just prefer the small size/weight), then the 350D / XT is 90% the camera.

Forget the old models like the 300D / 10D, they offer such a drop in performance to knock them out of the equation.

[NickC]

Forget the old models like the 300D / 10D, they offer such a drop in performance to knock them out of the equation.

Such B.S. The savings in getting a used and more than capable camera can save you some money for some nice glass.

[Alan Neilson]

Well it has all ready been said, but I'll add my 2 pence worth, Get the bet you can afford, and like! It will have the features to enable to get straight out there and start shoting, and as you get use to the camera then you can use the more advance features. As you have said you have use film slrs, so the jump won't be that big.

Go to the camera shop and try them out, there are bargains to be had of 10D's and 300D's which might might well suit. But I think it would be worth sending that little bit more and getting one of the current models, which ever your choice have fun and take loads of photos, thats the main thing!

[d123]

My "upgrade" route went D30 -> 300D -> 10D -> 350D. No BS at all.

Take a fast memory card and insert into 300D/10D. Set large jpeg and continuous advance and hit the shutter. See how quick the camera hits snail mode, the 300D was the worst, it used to drive me mad with the slow write to CF. Forget action/wildlife/child photography with it - it's just not worth the stress.

Do the same in a 350D / 20D, when you get to 50+ shots and get bored of listening to the shutter, stop......................and reflect on how much better the DIGIC II processes images.

[d123]

Here are some facts to back up my assertion
The 350D will shoot 57 frames in 30 seconds large jpeg, the 300D will crawl in with 15,
The 350D will shoot 32 frames in 30 seconds in RAW! the 300D will just manage 9.
Write to CF is approximately 10 times faster on the 350D than either the 10D or 300D.
Read the full details, if you wish:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos350d/page6.asp
In the UK at least, the price difference is only about GBP150. The difference in performance is far higher.

[nitsch]

Sorry d123 but you are talking complete rubbish IMHO. Where did bstr say he needed this kind of speed? He didn't. If that is your sole criteria for what makes a better camera then great, but don't make sweeping statements. Bar the high ISO performance (which can be dealt with using NR software) you would be hard pressed to tell any difference between an image from a 300D/10D/20D/350D in the real world.

[d123]

I never said he would need it now, but the point being, why settle for an old, about to be discontinued model? Who knows whether the OP might take up bird shooting in 2 months, or perhaps want to take pictures of a toddler, or racing or aeroplanes or athletics or...............

If a person is wanting to purchase a new camera, to give advice on the basis of lowest common denominator is foolhardy. Buy the camera that will grow with the hobby. At the moment that would be the 20D or 350D if finances dont stretch. There isnt really enough of a price difference between the 350D and the 300D/10D to warrant them being recomended above the 350D/20D.

[Dante King]

All said is well and good. Some things to remember. Cam bodies are short term. Lenses are long term!

I say get the best boy you can. You will not be sorry. If you are like me you can avoid upgade fever. By the lens body comparison above, I do not mean that the best is most expensive. Long term, lenses hold value better. What I mean is that you are buying a system and the lenses stay with the system for much longer than a body typically does.

[nitsch]

Ok d123, that is a bit more of a reasoned statement and I won't argue with the logic behind buying the best you can afford. I just find blanket statements saying X must be better than Y based on one aspect of performance fairly unhelpful - the fact is that these are all GREAT cameras, most people would be happy with any of them. But until Bstr tells us his photography style and budget its all just conjecture.

[DocFrankenstein]

I never said he would need it now, but the point being, why settle for an old, about to be discontinued model?
2 times less money for the "old" model. Lots of people don't need 50 frames in continious mode.

He can get a Drebel/10D for 700 now, and use another 700 on glass which will keep its value.

Or he can plunk down on 20D and kit lens. :rolleyes:

I bet my 300D with 17-40 and 50/1.8 will make higher quality pictures than 20D with kit lens.

So, let's NOT forget the 300d/10d

Cheers

[nitsch]

I bet my 300D with 17-40 and 50/1.8 will make higher quality pictures than 20D with kit lens.

So, let's NOT forget the 300d/10d

Cheers

Listen to the Doc he speaks sense! :)

[d123]

2 times less money for the "old" model. Lots of people don't need 50 frames in continious mode.

He can get a Drebel/10D for 700 now, and use another 700 on glass which will keep its value.

Or he can plunk down on 20D and kit lens. :rolleyes:

I bet my 300D with 17-40 and 50/1.8 will make higher quality pictures than 20D with kit lens.

So, let's NOT forget the 300d/10d

Cheers

I know I will never get the DRebel / 10D owners to say anything bad about their cameras or recomend something else, even it better but I dont know where you get your prices from.

B&H Photo show the DRebel at $749, the XT is shown at $999. Hardly 2 times the price, $250 US is only about GBP 125, your price difference is actually less than ours.

Could you really buy decent glass for $250?

[NickC]

Apples to apples comparison:
Body only

New 350D = $899 US
Used 300D = $500-600 US

New 20D = $1499 US
Used 10D = $650-800 US

I fail to see how one can claim there's no price difference. Now, if you want to compare a new 350D to a used 10D, that's a debate that's been done here a zillion times, but it's apples to oranges.


>>>Could you really buy decent glass for $250?<<<

Toss in another fifty bucks and you get a 50mm f/1.4.

[DocFrankenstein]

Who knows whether the OP might take up bird shooting in 2 months, or perhaps want to take pictures of a toddler, or racing or aeroplanes or athletics or...............
You don't need 20D to "take up" birding. To "take up" birding is to make a few shots, and understand that without a 600mm prime the birdie is not going to take up the full frame. You probably understand implications of 600mm primes. ;)

Taken with 300D and sigma 70-200 2.8
http://andrew4137.fotopic.net/c447807.html

He has lots to learn with 10D right now. And if he discovers that he needs reliable AI servo, he'll pick up 20D from you in a year for 600 bucks.

[DocFrankenstein]

I know I will never get the DRebel / 10D owners to say anything bad about their cameras or recomend something else, even it better but I dont know where you get your prices from.
BH: 20D with kit lens is 1450
Used rebel is 600-700... as well as 10D

I don't know if you tried XT, but it's said the IA servo is n't that good anyways.

Oh please. My cam is not perfect and there are better bodies out there. But I mostly shoot portraits/landscapes, sometimes events. I can pretty much lose all the shots I've made on that day, and it has no financial/career consequences. I don't cry about 3 sec starter time. I'm not a cowboy on a duel, if I am shooting, I just keep the camera turned on. Lasts about 12 hours... more than enough for me.

Lack of AI servo, is not an issue. I do not need it.

B&H Photo show the DRebel at $749, the XT is shown at $999. Hardly 2 times the price, $250 US is only about GBP 125, your price difference is actually less than ours.

Could you really buy decent glass for $250?
Add 50 bucks, you have 17mm tokina
You can get used 550EX
50mm macro
35mm f/2
28 f/2.8

Decent enough?

The guy is asking for "first camera"

If you need to shoot planes, sports and kids on sugar, then you need a 1D with fast USM L glass and a totally different budget.

Cheers

[mikeymike]

My first question is on (Wednesday, 20 August 2003) what was people’s opinion about the 300d? My sec. question is what has changed about the 300d since then?

That said I am sure the 20d is a great camera as is the 10d.

Too answer a question like that we need more info.



Budget

Uses



So bstr if you can post that info I am sure everyone would be happy too help

[bstr]

Many thank's to you all for your comments I'am interested in bird photography and will have a
budget of around £800 for camera. then will come the next question what sort of lens should i be
looking at ? to get close up shots regards ian.

[doughboy]

My first post...This is still an apples to oranges comparison. It should be...

New 20D = $1350 USD (w/USM kit lens)
Used 20D = $1250 USD (w/kit lens and maybe some extras)

So if we're going to compare the price of a used 10D ($750 w/battery grip), it should be to a used 20D. The price difference would then be $500...not an earth shattering figure, but a significant one nonetheless.

My vote would be for the 10D w/battery grip and use the rest on a good lens.


Apples to apples comparison:
Body only

New 350D = $899 US
Used 300D = $500-600 US

New 20D = $1499 US
Used 10D = $650-800 US

I fail to see how one can claim there's no price difference. Now, if you want to compare a new 350D to a used 10D, that's a debate that's been done here a zillion times, but it's apples to oranges.


>>>Could you really buy decent glass for $250?<<<

Toss in another fifty bucks and you get a 50mm f/1.4.

[DocFrankenstein]

For birds you need at least a 1D or 1D mkII

And at least 500 f/4 L or sigma 500/4.5 EX APO HSM, wimberley head and a sturdy tripod.

[mikeymike]

I have a 300d and a 75-300 usm is , and it does not work very well for birds you have too be like 20 too 30 feet i guess to get a good shot.
And guess how hard it is too get a bird too wait untill you get 20 feet away:(

[mikeymike]

but i hear about other lens out here that are like 500 too 1300 but they say they give poor photos. Guess you could try them out and show us.

[arjay]

Get the best you can afford. I have the 20D and love it!!!! My hubby was just about to get himself the RebelXT when I asked him one simple question...."Are you going to wish you had the 20D every time you use the Rebel?"

He bought the 20D.

Your "one simple question" hurt so good!
I just returned from a cruise, on which I purchased the Rebel XT. I decided on it for two main reasons: lighter weight/smaller and wasn't sure about the noise of the 20D shutter. However, it's been nagging at me all this week since returning. Now I have decided to actually sell this new XT and go for the 20D - your question sinched it for me!
Core question in deed!
Anyone want to buy a Rebel XT? I got extras thrown in (daylight filter, 2 batteries, one 256 MB card, and paid no sales tax. All still in box.

[canon2od]

Go to a camera store and mess around with several models and do a feature comparison on the net. The dollar difference isn't really that big of a deal when you think about the length of time you may have the camera.


Go with features that you think you want and trust that "feel" you get at the camera shop.

[2goldens]

I have been reading all the threads and think everyone has some good information on the correct camera to buy.
I have the old slow 300d unhacked. Soon will be. I love it. For me at this point it works great. It was my first step into digital photography. I didn’t think I would like it when my wife ordered it for me back in November of 2003. I didn’t even use it much until this year. I have been a Nikon man and own 3 different ones. I have an old FM that is about 25 to 30 years old and a N60 along with another FM. The FM is the best. Now I am hooked on the Digital. I can’t shoot enough pictures. I do agree that you do need to get a camera for what you want to take a photograph of. You don’t buy a pair of pants that don’t fit. With all the information you should be able to make an informed decision. Go down to a camera shop that is a reputable establishment. Talk to one of the consultants at that location and discuss your needs with them. They should be able to show you what you will need to be able to achieve your goal. Remember you have a plus on your side. You were just given some of the best advice going today from this great forum. One of the best things you did was to ask questions. That’s how we all learn about our equipment. The people in this forum have purchased and regretted some purchases and they can tell you what will work and wont. With that information you will make your choice. What you decide to get will be great. Just enjoy your hobby. :)

All the best

[exposingmyself]

Topic should have been "I WANT MY FIRST DSLR WHICH ONE ? I'am interested in bird photography and will have a budget of around £800"

My first step into digital photography is the 300d. My 11 yr old and I are sharing some really great moments with it. And all the family and friends I've shot with it are so happy I get to shoot very nice printable pictures for them. :D

plus everything 2goldens says and Just enjoy your hobby.

[malla1962]

Many thank's to you all for your comments I'am interested in bird photography and will have a
budget of around £800 for camera. then will come the next question what sort of lens should i be
looking at ? to get close up shots regards ian.
for £800 you can get yourself a new 300d body and a new 70-200f4L and for a little more a
canon 1.4x11 telecon.www.7dayshop.com.or a new 350d with kit lens 2 years warranty and free post for £660 from best cameras.
malcolm

[CyberDyneSystems]

For lens choice check out the -=TOP 10=- lens recomendation sticky thread,...

Birding can be done with any f Canon's DSLRs quite well,. I strted with the 10D and could easily be still using it.

I would suggest either a 20D or XT/350D though.

However for a birding lens you will be spending about as much on the lens as you do on your Camera,.. the bare minmum lenses for birding all hover around the $1,000.00 US mark.

400mm f/5.6L
300mm f/4L IS with T-con
"Bigma" 50-500mm EX HSM
100-400mmL IS etc...
Sigma 100-300mm f/4 EX HSM with T-con