Advice on my first DSLR

I've wanted to get a DLSR for well over a year now and I'm finally trying to save up for one.

I first had my eye on the Rebel XT, but after to speaking to some people decided I'd rather have the 20D.

The problem is I want the camera by about June 9th(I have a photopass for an event) if I get the 20d, I'm not sure if I'll have enough money by that date(I could get it June 16th but then I'd have a total of about 2 days to learn the camera that I would have to use for roughly 10 hours in one day) but if I got the Rebel XT I could get it in just a couple of weeks and have time to learn it.

I would mainly be using the camera at shows/concerts(anywher​e from a couple hundred people to about 1,500) or just doing photoshoots with my friends for experience.

If I do decide I'd rather get the XT for now I'm sure a couple of months down the road I'll end up getting the 20d, but right now my main focus is getting a DSLR before June 23rd.

Opinions on what you would do in my situation?

If photography is something you really want to get into, I'd hold out for the 20D. Don't change your mind now for just 1 event and switch cameras again right afterwards. That'll be a waste of money. The 20D is a great camera and will serve you well for a long time to come.

100% agree!!

The 350XT is a great camera too and could serve him well for a long time. Not that I necessarily disagree with the above advice, but what are your reasons for suggesting the 20D over the 350XT?

And why is the show date so important? Are you doing it for pay? If so I'd take the side of getting whatever camera you can get into your hands the quickest. Are people counting on you? Or are you just doing it for fun? If it's the latter, and you know you eventually want the 20D then just hold out.

DONT BE IMPATIENT - WAIT FOR THE ONE YOU WANT OR LIVE W/ REGREATS & A POCKET THAT IS FULL OF HOLES

If you want the 20D, have you considered the new modle 30D? It is a little more expensive, but an upgrade.

I researched for a year now and was set on the 20D until the 30D came out...now I am waiting for the $$ to make the purchase of my 30D.

I agree with everyone here.

Basing a purchase on just one event is not such a great idea. You can always just shoot in thought-free auto (green) mode for the day.

since this is your firsl dSLR or perhaps any SLR, 20D and 350D no difference. By the time you master what an SLR can do for you, both will be outdated.
You should ask yourself do you need an SLR? Do you have the necessary commitment to learn what an SLR will provide. Or u just want it because a friend of yours just got one?
If you just want to get your feet wet, there are many user-friendlier and excellent P&S that has many SLR features like Av, Tv, P, M, AF points, EV etc.
Last thing is you rush to learn the features as the learning curve can be quite steep if you have no idea what is the difference b/t Aperture vs Shutter speeds.

Ed2day:

I'm a her.

I've spoken to some other photographers that do the same types of concerts/shows as myself, and most of them didn't feel the XT was a very good camera but loved the 20D.

No its not pay, I wish though, it is huge tour called Warped Tour(I have no idea if you would know what it is or not, but imagine about 7 stages 70+ bands, from 11am-8/9pm usually)

It's for fun as well as experience,I run a webzine with my friend, and thats where the pictures will be used for the time being. If all else fails I can use my PowerShot A510 again, which it did much better than I expected last year.

WhatEyeSee:

I have thought about it, but after finally deciding it was time to get myself a DSLR I don't think I could stand to have to wait longer to get the 30D. I'm already irritated that I have to wait until June for the 20D, my hands are just itching to get the 20D in them.


I think I may have to go to Best Buy this weekend and test out both cameras and see which I prefer. I happened to be at walmart the other day and they had the XT and what I picked it up all I could think was "this is all it weighs?" but when I've held my friends 20Dit feels much better in my hands.

If you are scrapping up the money for an XT and wont have enough for a 20D by the show, it tells me you havent considered the cost of owning a DSLR. The kit lens is OK but suffers in low light, you will want something with a larger aperture witch means much more money, some lenses being more than the camera itself. You will probably want a flash, an additional $200 to $350. The body is the cheapest part of the intire package. You will need a bag, memory, acessories, expensive softwere, lots of ram. Its not a one time purchase with a body. If money is so tight you may want to look at one of the higher end DSLR type digicams with a fast fixed lens that will accept a shoe mount flash.

delhi:

I've had a P&S(PowerShot A510) that has those capabilities for over a year and I'm ready to step up to DSLR. I do have a friend that has one, but I've been wanting one for much longer than I've known her.

On my list of things of importance, photography is right up there with breathing. I hope to take some photography classes in the fall, it's what I want to do with my life.

And I already know what the difference between Aperture and Shutter speeds is, mainly due to the two SLRs I have, I just want to upgrade to a digital, carrying around rolls of film isn't appealing to me


Headcase:

The reason why I didn't plan further back was because usually the tour that I'm going to isn't until August but this year it is in June so that messed up everything, and I do have all of this planned out, when I say I don't know if I'll have all the money I mean for the camera itself, I already have the money for the memory and accessories that I need set aside.

I dont understand how one can HATE the XT, but love the 20D as there arnt THAT many differences. as far as picture quality is concerned, its the same. Even at higher ISO, they still the same. The differences are in AF, and body build. I think the XT is more then suitable for a ameature. I have had my hand in photography for quite sometime, then I bought a XT and love it. Although I DO wish it had a better build but Im not all against the XT. Im also not saying they (xt and 20d) are the same. I would personally save for a 20D, but buy the XT with a nice lens or 2. I think lens will ultimatly make your picture better, especially when comparing the 20d and xt. If you want to get a better camera and spend the extra cash, you might as well make a big leap to the 30d then (the 20ds replacement).

this is my Honest Opinion.

Headcase brings up a very good point. There are several other things that you may need. If you're thinking of doing event or concert photography, you'd benefit from as fast a lens as you can afford. Not only that, you need reach. I don't know how good the lighting will be at the Metrodome, but it'll probably be challenging for a f/5.6 lens. Do you have a buget in mind?

The money I'll have to spend by June 9th will probably be about $1400 for the camera itself, I have some set aside for the Memory card I want, bag, etc. There's a photographer that is pretty well known in the music scene that I'm into, and she has a 20D and uses the kit Lens, and that's all she owns, and I love her photography. When the time comes, I would like to get a better lens but the kit one will suffice for now I'm sure. With the venues around here if I can't get a photopass(some don't have a photopit) I won't risk taking my DSLR into the venue, and theres a chance I may not be allowed in with it.

Its actually outside, in FL, and on the water, so pretty well lit until about 730.

Have you thought about a used 20D. I don't know how much cheaper it would be, but it is something you want to check out. This could allow you to have the camera sooner than later and give you the learning curve time that you are seeking. As was mentioned above, you do need to be mindful of the extra costs associated with stepping upi to a DSLR, it is amazing how fast those cost can add up. By the time you are finished with everything you are at a few grand with just getting a decent lense, not even an L! Good luck.

Get a 20D body and the 50mm f/1.8. Though the 50 is inexpensive, it works rather well in low light. The 20D will serve you well at high ISO's, and the durable body will last a long time. I use both camera bodies and prefer the 20D for its faster autofocus, build quality, and logical control setup. And they aren't the same camera.