Which Canon dSLR..rebelXT, 20d, 30d

It is NOT actually an 80 mm lens. It's still and always a 50 mm lens. The angle of view of the 50 mm lens on an APS-C camera corresponds to the angle of view of an 80 mm lens on a FF body, but the optics are different. That's why this is a "crap" factor, and you can backspace (^h) over the "a" to put in the more genteel "o". It's a photo taken with a FF body and 50 mm lens that you've cropped to match the smaller sensor area.

Nice one Jon, theres enough threads on the forum stating that point and maybe the big red letters will help it sink in...

I should probably bookmark it and just paste the link in every time I see "1.6" in a post.
:{)#

HaHaHa.... Ok so what your saying is it's NOT[SIZE=1]an 80mm lens.... I get it, I get it....I think.....

bladepurveyor wrote:
HaHaHa.... Ok so what your saying is it's NOT[SIZE=1]an 80mm lens.... I get it, I get it....I think.....

Right - it's always a 50 mm len. Post was aimed at CanonConcord's perpetuation of misunderstanding.

i think the Image quality will be similar for the 20d, xt and 30d, it is about the feel of the camera that you will be paying the extra dollars, in your position i would definetly go for the 20d because of build quality and excellent overall package, but the xt is an excellent camera as well and if you spend the money on a good lens you will get great knives pictures and enjoy the 10% time a lot too, good luck

I would go for the 20D and put as much money into the lenses as possible. If you've got good lenses, then maybe 30D is the thing, but it's not so much different from the 20D. (Have the 30D myself with 4.0/17-85mm lens myself).

Goodness....you seem so worked up over this.

Of course the 50mm is always a 50mm and does not change magically into an 85 mm lens.

The point though, for people confused by the "crop factor," is simply to help them understand the impact of that crop factor on what a given focal length will provide them. In this case, an image comparable to what they would have if using a FF SLR with an 85mm lens.

I think your response was a tad over the top. Take deep cleansing breaths.

This is where the confusion lies "In this case, an image comparable to what they would have if using a FF SLR with an 85mm lens." an 80mm lens has a greater magnification than a 50mm lens... What you are actually getting is a cropped view of a 50mm lens...IE... A 50mm lens with the angle of view of an 80mm lens not the magnification that a 80mm lens would give...

Sorry if this is upsetting you but I've seen too many times people say "get a 20D/30D as it gives your lenses more reach" well It doesn't it only crops off the outer edges of the images...

Were splitting hairs here! We need to keep in mind our job on these forums, to assist lesser experienced photographers and learn. I more fall into the latter category but know most us here for information so lets not get OFF point here.

Again I apologise, but I thought the idea was to give people the FACTS not the assumption... Saying a 50mm is equivalent to an 80mm is more misleading than factual...

Hmph. i dunno, i have to agree, your photo's great as it is, unless you're doing it for like a very strict company that wants super high quality photos, then i don't see why u'd need the dslr for photos like these. *unless you actually want a nice dslr for your own personal use as well, but imo i can't justify getting it purely for taking these knife photos since you do a great job as it is* DOF won't change even if you get the DSLR with your setup, since the photo will be on a white / background instead. for product photography, i'd highly suggest you spend say 100$ instead, and buy a product lightbox setup instead, say something like this" http://cgi.ebay.com …8QQtcZphotoQQcm​dZViewItem

try that out first, since u're doing product photography, a product shoot table / cube would be the best investment, then work up from there.

but if you insist on getting DSLR, i'd go with the XT, and spend the god knows how much extra money compraed to buying a 5d, and get a nice L lens, and a tripod + the cube, you'll be taking awsome product photos.

my $0.02

bladepurveyor wrote:
First thanks for the compliments on my photo you guys really made my day ..the reason I want to get a better camera is to produce larger photo's...and have a better depth of field (Preview)...it took quite alot of shots to get this photo...I know I could do a better job with a dslr..but I did'nt know which type of lense to go with...can I ask why will the canon 60mm macro lense only fits on the 350xt and 20d or 30d and the others lenses mentioned will work on all others? it's this type of infomation I have no clue about..I truly appreciate any and all help you all have given me...

Oh yeah..this is a damascus blade knife..it's not wootz but similar...

Kennymc wrote:
Again I apologise, but I thought the idea was to give people the FACTS not the assumption... Saying a 50mm is equivalent to an 80mm is more misleading than factual...

Kenny, you are getting all worked up over nothing. For people who do not have your advanced understanding of optics, the distinctions you wish to assert as so important are meaningless and irrelevant.

The reality is that the crop factor does cause a 50mm to behave, in terms of the perceived focal length, like an 80.

Cool your jets guy, you are beginning to make yourself look like a man who forgot to take his meds.

I'm not worked up, just trying to get across the point that a 50mm lens will not behave like a 80mm one... For starters the DOF produced by a 50mm lens is greater than that of a 80mm lens per f/stop... The closest focusing distance of a 50mm lens is closer than that of a 80mm lens... I'm just a guy who is trying to put the facts across instead of misleading people and I haven't taken as much as an asprin in the last 6 years ... This is my last words on this subject as I don't want to highjack the thread, or baffle people with the facts ...

I'd suggest that the most cost effective solution is the rebel XT (350D over here) and the ef 50mm f/2.5. yes... it's a bit dated now and it's not a true 1:1 macro but 0.5x is probably fine for what you're going to use it for. Cost of this lens is around $230 as opposed to around $380 for the ef-s 60mm or $470 for the ef 100mm. Use the savings to go towards a decent tripod. You wouldn't see the benefit of a carbon fibre one as you're not planning to take it hiking, so look for a used good quality heavy aluminium one (no guys I haven't spelt it wrongly ) these seem to be going out of fashion as everyone is jumping towards CF and you can see some real bargains around which for studio use are ideal.
You'll eventually outgrow it and want something better/faster/sexier but we all do that...

cheers
Bill