Rebel?

I have been shooting sports--mostly gymnastics and motorsports for the past 2 years using a Elan 7 with a 70-200 2.8 and am thinking of making the jump to the 300D. I've never even held a digital camera in my hand, so I am totally clueless. Is the 300D a good choice for low light/no flash -gymnastics-- and fast action--motorsports? I am just a photomom, so I can't justify spending a huge amount of money on a professional system.

Welcome to the forums, KartGirlsMom!

If you ask "the professionals", they will say the 300D / Digital Rebel isn't really fast enough for fast action shots. They'll probably say you'll need an 1D or 1D Mark II, which are very expensive professional cameras, but you've already said that's out of the question for you.

Compared to a compact (non-SLR) digital camera, the 300D is much, much better for fast action and low light / no flash photography. So you'd better get the 300D or the 10D instead of a compact digital camera.

The 10D is more or less the digital equivalent of the Elan 7, and it's one step up from the 300D, but I don't think it's significantly better than the 300D for fast action shots.

If you were happy with the performance of your Elan 7, you'll most likely also be happy with the performance of the 300D or 10D.

I have a DRebel, and I think that it's not the best choice for fast action shooting due to its AF and speed restrictions. If sports photography is your primary use for the camera you will be much happier with something else (10D or may be even Nikon D70 if 1D cameras are too expensive for you).

For the type of photography you are looking at the AF, if managed correctly, will be fine on the 300D. However you will get problems with the buffer as it can fill up much quicker on the 300D than the 10D

I would recommend you look out for a 10D or even a used 1D (not the mkII) for your shots

I have the 300D. It has features not even dreamed about 30 years ago & we took pretty good pics then. Listen to the advice, buy what you can afford, & go out & have fun!

I think that you'll find the 10D to be closer to the Elan in terms of how things operate. It has the same control dial on the back as the Elan. I made the transition from an Elan II to the 10D rather easily (well, there's plenty to learn, but I basically could pick up the camera and already know how to operate at least some of the features).

Thank you all. I am already learning so much from reading this forum. I guess I will save a few more pennies for the D10.

KartGirlsMom -
I would go to your local camera shop and try out both cameras. The smaller buffer may be fine for your needs. I purchased the 300D/Rebel because it was what I could afford at the time. I would live a 10D or it's successor as an upgrade later.

Keep in mind that if you buy the 10D you will also have to purchase a lens right away which will add to your ultimate cost. If you buy the Rebel kit you can at least get started now (or sooner).

If I sold my Rebel now I would only lose ~$150 or so based on the resale values I have seen on ebay. In the mean time I have had a great digital SLR to work with for almost a year. $150 for a years rental is not too bad a price to pay. I love the camera.

The cost differance between the 2 cameras is significant & intentional.

My thoughts were - buy the Rebel now. Purchase quality lenses while I learn & work with the camera, upgrade the body at a later date (keeping the quality glass & investing the resale dollars from the used Rebel sale into a 10D).

Best of luck,
Michael

I would go directly to the 10D.
I bought the 300D in October, then I started buying L lenses, and at the end I trade the 300D for a 10D.
I payed 1250€ for the 300D and I've got 850€ selling it, so I've lost 400€.
In my opinion it would be better to buy directly the 10D

I was shooting motor sports today at Brands Hatch. I got talking to a guy who was using a 300D (I have a 10D). He had two complaints about his camera. 1) Buffer size - he said he sometimes missed shots whilst waiting for the buffer to clear and 2) That he couldn't manually select the auto focus mode. Other than that he seemed happy with the camera.

Not true. If you look at KartGirlsMom's original post you will see that she says she has a 70-200mm f/2.8 that she's been using on her Elan 7. She could use that lens on a 10D (or a 300D of course).