Arrrgh I can't decide.......

What a problem, the wife has now opened the purse strings and I'm allowed to buy a new camera. I've nailed it down to Eos 20D with grip and 580ex flash or Eos 1v HS.

I love the look and feel of the Eos 1 it's a joy to behold and makes the juices flow. On the other hand digital is the way of the future and maybe I should jump on board now! I can't afford a 1D Mk11, pricing for them in NZ is nuts.

Trying to decide which way to jump is a real trial. HELP!!!

Anyone got any good suggestions to help me decide.

I mainly shoot landscapes, the occasional motor race and take loads photos while travelling with my job.

Since you don't have really overwhelming demands for the camera, I'd probably suggest the 20D, although it can defintely take higher demands... I'm actually not sure about how well the 1v HS holds up, but I know the 1D Mk II is usually good for fast action sports, etc.

For one thing, as you said, digital is growing in popularity, plus it's just much easier to deal with in terms of long term cost and trouble- you don't have to constantly develop film, you instantly have a general idea of how your shot turned out, you can quickly swap media to take more shots...

Then again, I'm fairly young (21) and I've grown up around electronics and they appeal to me much more. In the end, it's your decision, of course, but being a 20D owner, I think it's a great camera.

Go digital. There is no doubt in my mind that I made the right decision.

How much do you shoot. Consider this times whatever your processing costs would be.

With digital you will shoot way more than you would with film because of the cost of the processing. This is the fun part you get to try things that you would never do before. On your landscapes you can bracket easily without thought to cost and then merge these in post processing to get your highlights, midtones and shadows properly. It is just so much fun.

The EOS 1V is a great camera and I have it's predecessor the EOS 3 sitting in my closet collecting dust.

Today I got back 2 16X20's that I had printed from my MKII. Absolutely awesome. I'm sure that I can go quite a bit bigger even yet. The 20D will allow you to do the same.

Not to knock film shooting but digital is just so much more fun and versatile that even if you do go film in this case I'll bet you have a digital SLR in no time.

With all due respect to the 1V HS.. the grand dady of the current 1D mkII and 1Ds MkII...

I don't even know what film is anymore..

The 20D with is such a sweet little machine.. I do not think I would have sprung for the MkII if the 20D had come out first.

(relax.. no flame.. this is not to say I regret the MkII in any way,. I love it and I'm keeping it.. I'm just saying of the 20D had come out first.. I would have grabbed that... and armed with it. I would have been much better equipped to resist the call of the MkII)

But I digress..

Get the 20D

20D...all the way.

I've been shooting 2-5 rolls a week for the past few months so cost is going up. I would love a tough body, my Eos 33 just doesn't cut it like my old Minolta 9xi did, that's why I dubious about the build on the 20D, will it take a hammering?

I haven't put it through rough tests or anything, but the feel of it, to me, seems like it's quite sturdy and could put up with some rough handling. Naturally I'd try to avoid those situations at all costs... but I think it'd hold up nicely

About a year and a half ago, I was getting ready to take an overseas trip. I wanted a camera to take with me, of course. As I had no experience at all with digital cameras, but had owned a number of film slr's, I was "this close" to buying a new film slr. But, after reading a bunch of web sites (like this one), and a bunch of reviews, I bought a Canon G3 with some accessories. I'm REALLY glad I did. Have no regrets at all.
In fact, 2 weeks ago I bought the 20D. For me, there's more of a "fun factor" with digital than with film; I'm more involved with the whole process.

Digial is the way to go buy used 1v later on if you feel the nedd to shoot film. I bet you won't once you get in to digital, You may want to look around for a used 1D

Exactly, this is a huge thing I love about digital over film. With film, unless you make your own darkroom and get all the supplies needed to develop the film, you give it to a film development place, go back several hours or days later and get your finished product, usually as a 4x6 and have those to look at... pretty boring.

With digital, I can immediately see how my picture looks on the LCD of the camera, then see it in an enormous amount of detail on-screen on my computer, open it in Photoshop and do all the editing I want to it, and then print it at basically any size I want. For those that don't have the capability to print directly at home, places like Walgreens, CVS, Wal-Mart.... they have some booths that let you print different sizes off your media card. I want to try one of those to see how they turn out.

in two words: go digital

I would recommend going digital. many years ago I would have gone film myself. Last year I decided to give photography a go and never thought about a film camera.

I first had a canon G3 and found ok to use, then got myself a 10D and found enjoyment in taking photos.

Mark

You've come to a digital photography forum seeking objective advice on a film SLR vs a Digital one? We are the converted

Buy the 20D.

Do it NOW ... you know you want to.

Cheers,
Pete

If you really want to have a 1 series, why not go with a used 1D?

A cheaper alternative (if you can find one) would be the Kodak DCS 560 ... 6 MP sensor in a 1N housing. This camera is not as fast (FPS) as the 1D, however.

Best Regards,
Andy

I have got to go along with just about everyone else and say 20D.
I have the 10d and was my first digital. The whole digital process just seems to free me up. Can crop, clone, etc immediately after taking picture and I can throw away images at virtually no cost, not the same with film.

I agree with Andy try and find a used 1D and shoot in raw if you need larger prints the camera is an all around excellent.