New guy, looking for thoughts

[formula4speed]

I'm new here, so I'll introduce myself first then ask questions. My name is Brian, I'm the tender age of 20, I was into photography for a long while (starting around the 4th grade when I got my first camera until my senior year of high school). I started taking photography classes which seems to be a sure fire way to make me not want to do something anymore. My current passion is cars, which is part of the reason I'm here as I spend a lot of time at shows taking pictures of classic cars. Right now I'm just shooting with an early model digital elph, 3.2 megapixels, nice for parties but it doesn't have the SLR feel or control. My question is, what does cannon have in a reasonably priced package that I should look into? One thing to keep in mind is that I have a Rebel G 35mm with a decent selection of accessories so if I could use them on the new camera that would save me a good chunk of change.

[joeseph]

First Up, welcome to the forum! you'll be sure to get lots of useful info here.
Into cars eh? you're in good company. Really hard to point you in a direction for a camera package without knowing what you personally class as "reasonable" but going on what I see as that, you could start by having a look at the 300D or 350D. Visit a good camera shop & ask if they'll let you take some shots with different ones to see if they're anything like what you're looking for.
If your Rebel G lens are in good nick, as you say, keeping with Canon makes good sense.

[robertwgross]

Even though most items for a film Rebel will carry over to the digital equivalents, you might want to check your flash first. Most flash units for film cameras are for TTL only (or worse), and for digital you'll want something compatible with E-TTL.

For example, lots of film users had a Canon 540EZ Speedlite. For digital, it won't be compatible, so you may want anything xxx-EX, such as 420EX, 550EX, or 580EX.

---Bob Gross---

[tim]

The new Rebel 350D/Rebel XT would be a good start for you, I think, or the 300D if you're short on cash. Both are excellent cameras, the 350D is 2-3 years newer and is a lot nicer to use in general.

[condyk]

I would go for the Rebel/300D. Check out ebay for good second hand or new examples and the Marketplace section of this forum. I think for price/performance it is unbeatable, given its price has lowered so much since the introduction of the 350D.

I preferred it to the 350D when I tried both, but very personal choice and you should try a few different types in the hand in a shop before buying. Handling and feel are very important so don't get TOO carried away with the minutia of specifications. The Undutchables hacked firmware adds many useful features from the higher priced Canons. If the camera feels right then you'll use it more. Many people are upgrading and so you can get an outstanding camera at a great price :)

If funds are short, putting money into a nice lens is possibly better use of cash than spending it all on the body.

[mdr]

Let us know what lenses and accesories you have, so we can comment on their compatibility and quality for digital.

Depending on your budget you have four choices: 300D, 350D, 10D and 20D. I would go with the 10D or 20D as their built quality and features are much better for very little more. You should be able to find a mint second hand 300D or 10D for a bargain price.

Of course you can remortgage your house an go for the ultimate 1Ds Mk II...

[formula4speed]

Off the top of my head I couldn't even tell you what I have in the old camera bag, I haven't shot with my old Rebel in a long time now since I got my first digital camera. As far as prices go, I figure I want to stay under $650 for a body, probably a used one. I'm trying to keep an eye out for a deal on a DRebel/10D but I'm pretty open to trying different things.

[mdr]

Maybe check your bag out and sell some kit on eBay so you can afford the 20D.