Tough Question?

[photo_luver]

Which would you get if you were kinda on a budget but you could get either or...

Please tell me and reasons why? I cant decide on either!



Canon 20d and 400 5.6L prime....

Or

Canon 350D (XT) and 70-200 F4 and 400 5.6L?



i want the FPS of the 20D but the quality of the L lenses...

What do you guys think?

[Belmondo]

If it came down to an absolute either/or, I'd go with the 350D and the two lenses. The body is only going to satisfy you for maybe two years anyway, so you're really better off investing in the glass. Those are both excellent lenses, and the XT will shine with them. Just one man's opinion.

[thomasrhee]

Always invest in the lenses over the body if it's a one or the other choice. Great lenses can last you a LONG time with proper care without getting dated whereas bodies become outdated as fast as computers.

[Sam]

Always invest in the lenses over the body if it's a one or the other choice. Great lenses can last you a LONG time with proper care without getting dated whereas bodies become outdated as fast as computers.

yep.

[photo_luver]

WOW you guys are great!!!

I will be doing bird photography and maybe ( and i mean maybe) sporting events!

Anyone have any other opinions!

Thanks guys this really helped me alot! and i have to agree with you!

Garrett

[LightRules]

If it were me, and those were my only options, I'd do the 20D + 400 prime. It's not like you're going to trade in the prime later (since it's part of option #2). The 20D has significant perks over the XT (e.g., magnesium body, 5FPS, better AF system), and you can always "add" other good lenses in the future, like the 70-200 f4 or its bigger siblings. If you got the 20D and the prime, I guarantee you'd be finding ways to get more glass within a month anyway. ;)

[Belmondo]

Let me add to my original answer:

I have both bodies. The 20D is more substantial and suggests a more capable image recording device. I suppose it is in some respects, but in reality, it doesn't do a lot more than the Rebel XT......certainly not when you're capturing images one at a time.

[photo_luver]

For bird photography i think that if a camera can process at least 3 fps that will be fine for me cause its not like youll have only that one second to take some pics and if you do i think 3 will be more than enough!

Now also another question...

I would like to sit inside and take shots with the camera outside with a wireless remote... can this be done especially with a bird feeder?

I want to get pics of hummers and other small birds...

Thanks guys

Garrett

[photo_luver]

I may also have to go and check them out and how they feel and if i can reach every button and everything on the body... since the 350D is small it does kinda feel plasticy but hey illtell you guys what i think when i hold them both together at the same time tommorow (i still dont recall which one i liked better when i held them today lol)

Thanks again...

Garrett

[condyk]

I may also have to go and check them out and how they feel and if i can reach every button and everything on the body... since the 350D is small it does kinda feel plasticy but hey illtell you guys what i think when i hold them both together at the same time tommorow (i still dont recall which one i liked better when i held them today lol)

The 350D is plasticky and small. In 'theory' I don't actually like it but in reality I think I am getting used to mine after doing a bit of a 'sidegrade' from a 300D. Buttons and menu no problem. I wanted to give it a chance because small and light is better for travelling, so is more of a priority than if I was just a regular day to day user. I prefer the 20D in hand, no doubt, but Belmondo is right re. facilities. If choosing only on that basis then I would go with the 350D too.

As to lens ... I prioritise shooter, lens, body in that order so that's another reason to buy a 350D and major on lens choice. Thinking of handling and overall flexibility I prefer the 300mm f4 IS L and a TCon. You have IS, which means you are not always stuck to a tripod, and adding a TCon you reach 420mm (we all know length counts, even an extra 20mm). Image quality degradation is minimal. You can also use the pure 300mm, so there is some flexibility if you need shorter. That's an issue for wildlife in safari conditions. May be less so for most birding.

The 70-200mm f4 is a great lens of course, so if I had chance of adding one, and needed one, then I would. I'd go for the 350D and 300mm f4 IS L and TCon. It may take you over budget tho' adding the 70-200mm f4 too. The 400mm is a cracking lens too ... but I need IS. If you don't then a really good choice with the 70-200mm f4.

[Salleke]

WOW you guys are great!!!

I will be doing bird photography and maybe ( and i mean maybe) sporting events!

Anyone have any other opinions!

Thanks guys this really helped me alot! and i have to agree with you!

Garrett

For birds you will need as much reach as you can get with your lens, so go for the 100-400. But like you I'm on a budget ... :evil: :rolleyes:

[Outdoor23]

def. the latter one. lens is soo much more important than the camera itself. 2 "L" lenses!!! nothing beat that (IMO)

[Future Blues]

If you have big hands, I'd go for the 20D. I held the XT and the 20D at my Best Buy and couldn't decide. Now that I've had the 20D for a week or two, I'm totally glad I picked it over the XT.

The 20D is perfect for my hands and if I had gotten the XT I'm sure I would have been disappointed by the size. If the size isn't an issue, go for the 350D probably.

I'm still biased towards the 20D though. =)

[RikWriter]

I would go for the 20D. Yes, glass is more important, but the glass isn't going anywhere...you can save up and buy it later.

[photo_luver]

Well since there are more bodys coming out the 20D price may fall dramatically or become on sale... same with the XT body.. i think im going to wait around christmas to purchase when ALL of the big sales are going on and jump on it and do this!

I think if nothing gores on sale or anything like that happens around christmas ill have to go with the 350 but if the new camera comes out and theres a huge price drop for the 20D... i think ill pounce on that... either way i want to end up with the 70-200 F4 and the 400 5.6L...

What do you guys think?

Garrett

[RikWriter]

Don't wait, find yourself a used 20D. You can find amazing deals on barely used 20D bodies on the for sale forums of places like this and Fred Miranda's board.

[KevC]

Maybe 20D and Sigma 50-500? :) Or 350D, 50-500 and 70-200.

[photo_luver]

Maybe 20D and Sigma 50-500? :) Or 350D, 50-500 and 70-200.
Hey man i was just going to ask about that!

Would the 50-500 have anything over the 400 prime?

I know that its heavy but with the right tripod im sure i can make this work!

Now with the 70-200 im going to be using it handheld for most of the time cause its too expensive for the tripod collar but when i get it im sure ill use it on a tripod or monopod... but a tripod is a must for the 50-500

Now what would you guys choose...

the 350D and 50-500 and 70-200
or 350D and 400 prime and 70-200?

I am also for sure getting the 1.4x tamron converter!

Thanks guys

Garrett

[photo_luver]

I cant get on fred miranda because i dont have a proper email...

And im sure when this new camera comes out the 20D prices will drop and lots of people will be selling there 20Ds...

Garrett

[KevC]

Hey man i was just going to ask about that!

Would the 50-500 have anything over the 400 prime?

I know that its heavy but with the right tripod im sure i can make this work!

Now with the 70-200 im going to be using it handheld for most of the time cause its too expensive for the tripod collar but when i get it im sure ill use it on a tripod or monopod... but a tripod is a must for the 50-500

Now what would you guys choose...

the 350D and 50-500 and 70-200
or 350D and 400 prime and 70-200?

I am also for sure getting the 1.4x tamron converter!

Thanks guys

Garrett

I'll state the obvious. The 50-500 will absolutely destroy the 400 prime in these areas: 50-399 and 401-500 :)

It's about flexibility. I know shooting wildlife you sometimes can't just creep up at little closer, or move back a little further that often. The 400 prime is a BEAUTIFUL piece of glass. It'll be sharper, faster, contrastier, and more colourful than the Bigma. But, BUT, the Bigma is one of the best deals in long glass, it's cheap, and it gives you the flexibility that you may need.

Also consider the Sigma 70-200/2.8. It's not as expensive as Canon's 2.8 and almost as good. You may need the faster aperture in 2.8, and with the money saved by going to the 50-500 you could probably get the 2.8.

As for the 50-500, there's really no point to shoot it under 200. Lol, the image quality isn't spectacular, and the 70-200 would be far better. The EF-S 18-55mm kit lens that comes with the 18-55 is an AWESOME deal for almost nothing more (~$50). Get it, you'll need the wide angle and short length for some shots!

[ed2day]

Go with the extra glass! No matter how slick the 20D looks now(and it looks slick to me, wish I had one!), in a couple years you'll think it's dogmeat. Your love for the lenses will last much longer. Just look at some of the new 20D owners already bemoaning the release of a new camera body next week. Kind of silly, really.

[photo_luver]

K i see... lots of options...

So what do you guys think would be better off for birding and regualr shooting?

350, 70-200 f4, 400 5.6
OR
350, 70-200 f4, 50-500 bigma?

[KevC]

If it were me:

350D w/Canon 18-55
Sigma 70-200/2.8 (look for this one used, it's not much more than the Canon 70-200/4 new)
Bigma 50-500

Maybe throw in a 50/1.8 prime for light sucking capabilities in dark rooms :)

[photo_luver]

the sigma 70-200 2.8 i dont want cause of the reviews on fred miranda this lens is probably alot lighter and better for me to use...

Garrett

[mebailey]

In order not to be a hippocrite I have to advise you to do what I did. Go with the cheaper body and get more L glass!!!!

[Salleke]

In order not to be a hippocrite I have to advise you to do what I did. Go with the cheaper body and get more L glass!!!!

That's what I would suggest to.

[photo_luver]

k well then thats what ill do ;)