New 30D - not very impressed

Yes I do think a pro would be better suited with a 1 series without a freaking doubt ! And, most Pros who shoot digital who make their livings from demanding jobs would not want to rely on a 20D or 5D period. I shot a wedding the other day and it was in my contract to get a certain # of poses and all I had was one shot in most cases to get them. Here is what happened- - - The couple was leaving the hotel getting ready to make a dash for the limo which was decorated to the hilt, and the only place that I could position myself was in the rain with my assistant holding a umbrella over my head ! I didnt have any time to prepare because the I was shooting some family portraits indoors and the brides mom comes to me and says "they are leaving now and heading outside" ........ I get outside and it's pouring down with no shelter in site! So I'm standing there in the rain getting the shots I'm contracted to get with my camera getting quite wet ! Now, you tell me my friend? Do you want to do this with a 5D or 30D ? Because I have done this before and totally fried the electonics in my first 20D. Luckily that day, I rented a 1 series from my local camera store. I have many stories like this one where my 20D failed during portrait sessions! The reason it failed was the the grip kept shorting in and out!! This is very embarresing and would not happen with a 1 series. What you need to take into account is that I'm a pround owner of a 20D and many film bodies but I know the difference between these fine cameras because of serious situations where I have been paid to photograph.. I have learned that the prosumer cameras just cant be trusted with your reputation on the line. I used to have the same feeling you did about the 20D being good enough until it failed me one to many times. the quality of the pictures has never been in question just it's reliablity.
I will say this- You dont need a 1 series to get the job done I just think as a Pro you would want the best possible tools for the job. I know the 5D will give you a full frame which is nice for a true representation of your chosen lens but I have learned from experience that it's not needed and you can totally get by without it. I have never been in a situation where I couldnt get a wide enough shot with my 16mm ...

It is useful if you want immediate prints.

When I ran a photoclub, we did 3 events where people got the prints back instantly. Bring the printer, plug it in and print!

I didn't have a notebook, obviously couldn't bring my 2 feet tower with 21 inch CRT and even if I did I wouldn't have time to make adjustments at all.

Great button.

Well, at least my original posting seems to have made some of you think a little bit about what your photography and equipment means to you.

Yes, we do live in a 'throw away' society. But does that mean that we have to accept what we are offered?

I've know doubt that my newly aquired 30D will be everything that I expect of it, in terms of image quality. But it would have been so much nicer if the camera, in general, was also a step forward; an upgrade, rather than in my opinion, a camera built to a price point.

I am a complete Canon addict, having owned just about every Canon SLR from the FX 35mm film camera onwards. And I hope to remain faithful to the marque. But lets not lose track of quality versus price, which is an ethos which has served Nikon very well over the past few decades.

Not all pro's. Some choose a 5D bc off the lower weight (for travel for instance), or bc they never go outside a studio, and can buy 2 5D's for the price of 1 1DsMk2. Different tools for different jobs. Some use a 5D, some a 1D2n, some a 1Ds2, some a Phase One back

I applaud your willingness to take on the elements for the shot but I'll be the first to put a customer in his or her place when it comes to putting gear at risk. Sometimes its just OK to say sorry no can do.

If photography was an easy business I'm sure many people would drop the day job to do it but it's a "Starving Artist" trade thus it requires gradual climb and investment to make it to the top. At this point personally I've got well in excess of 8K for camera gear and could use more. Imagine dumping a 1,500 body for another 8K just for a 1Ds ... 15+K is a lot of cash to make up for.

~peace

wouldn't a pro get like Mamiya or Leica and those exotic name brands?

If I didn't need AF, I'ld probabely use a Leica R9/DMR. Still waiting for Leica to bring out a digital M.

Just about everyone agrees with you on that one!
Not that Canon is listening (Mr Canon with fingers in ears ...'la.. la.. la.. la.. la.. la.. - can't hear you!')

I guess it's like my dad always said! "some people would complain that they were being hanged with a new rope!"

(i'll probably have to explain that)

Man walks into a bar... "OUCH" it was an iron bar. (groan)

^^^ must be a generational thing. LOL!

Great points guys I agree with all of them..... I heard a mention of medium format for certain jobs and agree.. I would choose this for still life or product. I still stand by the fact that a better built camera is the choice of most pros who work in harsh conditions. If you do landscape and have two 5D's then that is great I see that is a great situation. My logic isnt the correct logic just an opionion.

I guess then, Canon needs to make ALL the bodies weather proof... I said it before and Ill say it again!
Rubber Gaskets and O-Rings.. it cant cost that much.. I know, I work with Viton, Buna, Epdm.. Sillicone, Teflon.. And you dont need any corrosive proof rubber..straight up regular, bike tire tube rubber.... its cheap so They needent even raise the price much the little freaks!
lol
-zacker-

but it will add to the weight. might as well replace the body with Carbon Fibre shells. booyeah!

ALRIGHT!
Quick - some PHSP expert mock up a CF 5D upgrade and stick it on the rumour thread - OH wow will that ever be cool!