Holy Cow! This 30D is complex.

I just received my new 30D today, along with 17-85 IS and 70-200 f/2.8 IS lenses plus a 580EX flash. In its automatic mode, it seems about as simple as an SLR gets, but the options for customizing settings and functions is almost limitless. Although I scanned the downloaded manual before I even ordered the camera and was familiar with using a borrowed 20D, I'm not sure I was quite ready to absorb all of the choices available for modifying the settings. I'm really looking forward to using it, but I wonder if I'll ever utilize most of its full potential.

I made the mistake of picking one up tonight and shooting it in the store, I didn't want to hand it back, now I'm thinking upgrade. OR should I wait for the next full frame sensor model?? HMMM.

I got my 30D last night, and already I find it easier to use and the buttons more intuitive than my Pentax DSLR which i had for almost 2 years.

The menu system is genuisly arranged and the Wheel makes things a breeze, the setting will all come in time though, I agree, it can be a bit daunting at first.

Read over the manual. It'll be a great teacher. But the controls are setup fairly easily to pick up.

Yeah there's a lot to it but for the most part once you get your preferences set up (custom functions, parameters, etc) it's not too bad. I like mine a whole lot more than my XT, and I was an avid defender of the XT...

LOL If you think the 30D is "complex" just wait until you get your hands on a 1D. I can already hear the gears grinding in your head from here.

If you dont know the right answer to a good (I wont say right as there are many) settings for a custom function, search for it here. Chances are there are lots who have tried the options and can give you the plusses and minuses. A manual can never be that comprehensive

Lord_Malone wrote:
LOL If you think the 30D is "complex" just wait until you get your hands on a 1D. I can already hear the gears grinding in your head from here.

haha. All the button combinations...reminde​d me of the first time I sat in a 737 simulator.

It really is a lot of stuff to learn all at one go. The idea is NOT to learn it all at one shot

Take your time and it will reward you. When I first got my 350D, I wondered how I would ever remember all the things I needed to set and all the controls. Now it's second nature, 350D or 5D. That's 18 months and 20000 frames later!

I moved up from a 300D to the 30D and after reading over the manual and setting it up for the way I like to shoot I found it very easy to use. I now have problems using my back up 300d..
Sam

You don't have a gear list posted, so I'm wondering.... is this your first dSLR? I'm guessing not because of the beautiful lenses you purchased as well, but I just thought I would ask!

If it's not your first, what did you upgrade from?

Anyway, congrats on the new purchase! You have a fine set up there!

I'll second the original poster. I received my lovely box from B&H yesterday containing my 30D and a Canon 28-135 EF-S

This is the first time I've picked up an SLR in 10 years and I can tell it's going to be a challenge. I think I've picked up about half of the functions so far, but it's going to take practice to be able to set it up quickly when I want to

I upgraded from a G3 to a 30D about a month ago. My first thought was the same as the OP, but it starts to sink in quite quickly. The only way you'll learn is to shoot and post.

I bought my 30D about a week and a holf ago and I am still reading the manual, and reading ,and reading. I still use my 300D just as much though. Take it one step at a time and you will get it. READ THE MANUAL! again and again... Good luck..

M

Once you get a grasp of dSLRs in general it's not bad going from one body to the next. I bought my 30D a few weeks ago, and less than 2 weeks after receiving it I was shooting a wedding with it, even though I had been using an XT for a full 15 months before that. It's superior in every way...so much so that not using it would have been a sin. Everything's easier to navigate and AF is a lot more reliable...and it feels a helluva lot better in the hands even with no grip and a big lens...much better than the XT even with a grip.