Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D

Andrew Khan · 12th of March 2006 (Sun)

Which camera is better and operates better at nightime and lowlight situations, and produces sharper results?

wolf · 12th of March 2006 (Sun)

Quotes from bobatkins.photo - Canon 20D / Digital Rebel XT comparison:

The EOS 20D has 9 autofocus zones, the Digital Rebel XT has 7
The EOS 20D provides full cross-type performance with maximum apertures as small as f5.6, yet it achieves up to 3 times the standard focusing precision when used with EF lenses featuring maximum apertures larger than or equal to f/2.8. The autofocus system of the Digital Rebel XT is inherited from the film Rebel XT body and has normal precision f5.6 sensors.
The EOS 20D autofocus is specified to operate in 1 stop lower light than the Digital Rebel autofocus (-0.5 EV vs +0/5 EV)
The EOS 20D autofocus is faster than the autofocus on the Digital Rebel XT

Looks like the 20D is the winner.

dmwierz · 12th of March 2006 (Sun)

Andrew,

Let's make it simple: the 20D goes to ISO 3200 and the XT doesn't and the 20D focuses much faster with a f2.8 lens. That is all you need to know. I own them both, and the 20D is the one I use for Friday Night Football.

Dennis
http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/sports_shots

LeggNet · 12th of March 2006 (Sun)

Nightime example from a 350D: http://www.leggnet.com/2006/03/provo-at-night.html

hth... RL

Jetmech1 · 12th of March 2006 (Sun)

The 20D will be better, but is the difference worth the price? For me it was not.

MagentaJoe · 12th of March 2006 (Sun)

Focus may be a bit faster with the 20d but I don't think the image quality is any better. Glass is more important. Examples are always better than words.

First is on a tripod with the 100-400L the forefront buildings are 2 miles and the background factories are 6 miles.

This second shot is handheld with a 50mm 1.8 at iso 1600.

The Rebel XT is perfectly capable of allowing you to take some great night shots. This one is also handheld.

MagentaJoe · 12th of March 2006 (Sun)

LeggNet I just looked at some of your pics. Some nice stuff. I love the downspout!

Dorman · 13th of March 2006 (Mon)

LeggNet, much thanks for the link to your site, you have some great captures there.

Choderboy · 13th of March 2006 (Mon)

350D may have an advantage for night time photgraphy.
Quite a few owners of both cameras have reported less mirror slap for the 350D. So maybe a 350D without mirror lockup would be similar performance to a 20D WITH mirror lockup?

I have only recently become aware of this difference. Some nature photogs on this forum have also stated they get more sharp pics form their 350Ds due to the lack of mirror slap induced vibration compared to a 20D.

Waiting to hear from 30D owners regards the mirror.

Juan Zas · 13th of March 2006 (Mon)

All depends on what shots are you going to take. If currently you are going to shot in low light conditions or if you are going to take "night static shots".

I think from the AF point of view the 20D is "better" prepared in low light enviroment IF YOU HAVE FAST LENS. If you are going to shot "static", I have seen some comparations where the noise of the 350D at ISO 800 & 1600 is lower than in the 20D.

Anyway, the 350 is capable of very good night images. Here is another one:

12th of March 2006 (Sun)	#1
Andrew Khan Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fall Branch, TN Posts: 187	Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D Which camera is better and operates better at nightime and lowlight situations, and produces sharper results? __________________ Canon EOS 350D (Silver) \| Canon EF 18-55mm \| Canon EF75-300mm F/4-5.6 III \| Lowepro Micro Trekker 100 Circular Polarizer (Hoya) \| 6x Neutral Density Filter (Hoya) Canon RS-60E3 Shutter Release \| Canon BG-E3 Battery Grip

12th of March 2006 (Sun)	#2
wolf Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 738	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D Quotes from bobatkins.photo - Canon 20D / Digital Rebel XT comparison: The EOS 20D has 9 autofocus zones, the Digital Rebel XT has 7 The EOS 20D provides full cross-type performance with maximum apertures as small as f5.6, yet it achieves up to 3 times the standard focusing precision when used with EF lenses featuring maximum apertures larger than or equal to f/2.8. The autofocus system of the Digital Rebel XT is inherited from the film Rebel XT body and has normal precision f5.6 sensors. The EOS 20D autofocus is specified to operate in 1 stop lower light than the Digital Rebel autofocus (-0.5 EV vs +0/5 EV) The EOS 20D autofocus is faster than the autofocus on the Digital Rebel XT Looks like the 20D is the winner. __________________ <> My Gear <>

12th of March 2006 (Sun)	#3
dmwierz Goldmember Join Date: May 2005 Location: Chicago Area, IL Posts: 2,128	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D Andrew, Let's make it simple: the 20D goes to ISO 3200 and the XT doesn't and the 20D focuses much faster with a f2.8 lens. That is all you need to know. I own them both, and the 20D is the one I use for Friday Night Football. Dennis http://www.pbase.com/dmwierz45/sports_shots __________________ http://www.denniswierzbicki.com http://www.sportsshooter.com/dmwierz http://www.sportsphotographycast.com Dennis "Yeah, well, sometimes nothin' can be a real cool hand."

12th of March 2006 (Sun)	#4
LeggNet Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 97	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D Nightime example from a 350D: http://www.leggnet.com/2006/03/provo-at-night.html hth... RL __________________ Visit my PhotoBlog: LeggNet's Digital Capture www.leggnet.com

12th of March 2006 (Sun)	#5
Jetmech1 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,189 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D The 20D will be better, but is the difference worth the price? For me it was not. __________________ Canon Rebel XT (350D) W/Generic Grip - Canon 17-40mm L - Canon 75-300mm IS lens - Canon 85mm 1.8 Prime - Olympus SP-570UZ (Point & Shoot)

12th of March 2006 (Sun)	#6
MagentaJoe psycho clown Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Having breakfast at the circus, with the lions and the clowns. Posts: 1,357 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D Focus may be a bit faster with the 20d but I don't think the image quality is any better. Glass is more important. Examples are always better than words. First is on a tripod with the 100-400L the forefront buildings are 2 miles and the background factories are 6 miles. This second shot is handheld with a 50mm 1.8 at iso 1600. The Rebel XT is perfectly capable of allowing you to take some great night shots. This one is also handheld. __________________ Arguing with a psycho clown can be harmful to your funny bone. 5D-Grip, 40D, 35f2, 50f1.4, 85f1.8,100f2.8macro, 135f2.8sf, 17-40f4L, 24-70f2.8L, 100-400f4.5-5.6isL, 580ex, 420ex, 430ex, 430ez Last edited by MagentaJoe : 12th of March 2006 (Sun) at 23:35.

13th of March 2006 (Mon)	#8
Dorman Goldmember Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Halifax, NS Posts: 4,503 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D LeggNet, much thanks for the link to your site, you have some great captures there. __________________ Dorman Photography\|Flickr \| Gear List

13th of March 2006 (Mon)	#9
Choderboy I Chimp, therefore I am Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,533 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D 350D may have an advantage for night time photgraphy. Quite a few owners of both cameras have reported less mirror slap for the 350D. So maybe a 350D without mirror lockup would be similar performance to a 20D WITH mirror lockup? I have only recently become aware of this difference. Some nature photogs on this forum have also stated they get more sharp pics form their 350Ds due to the lack of mirror slap induced vibration compared to a 20D. Waiting to hear from 30D owners regards the mirror. __________________ Dave http://www.flickr.com/photos/12185187@N00/sets/ 1DMK2N, 40D ,50 1.8, 17-40, 24-105, 85 1.8 ,200 2.8, 300F4 IS, 400 5.6, MP-E 65 , Sigma 180 Macro , 430EX 580EX MT-24EX

13th of March 2006 (Mon)	#10
Juan Zas Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Madrid - ESP Posts: 1,512	Re: Nightime Photography with 350D VS. 20D All depends on what shots are you going to take. If currently you are going to shot in low light conditions or if you are going to take "night static shots". I think from the AF point of view the 20D is "better" prepared in low light enviroment IF YOU HAVE FAST LENS. If you are going to shot "static", I have seen some comparations where the noise of the 350D at ISO 800 & 1600 is lower than in the 20D. Anyway, the 350 is capable of very good night images. Here is another one: __________________ Cheers Juan __________________________________ My Gear My Photo Gallery

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