30D Withdrawal :(

JackProton wrote in post #3535662
My XT had been shuffling around Canon for a month (night of the living front-focusing issue). In the meantime, I was lucky enough to be have been able to borrow a 30D as well as burn off a few aging rolls of Fuji Reala (to make more room in the frig for Stella). Took a little getting used to the 30D's controls but I quickly found them a nice addition. Today, I finally got my XT back all tuned up and ready for some hot flora/fauna action. Wow, I this is a much bigger adjustment than I ever imagined. My hands suddenly feel way too HUGE and I had to immediately screw the battery grip on. The LCD looks so very tiny now. How did I ever use this small LCD? And I keep trying to turn the non-existent back dial and navigate with the non-existent joystick. Damn 30D has completely ruined me. Argh!

i went from the 20d to the 5d and when my 5d broke and i needed a back up i bought another 20d. i couldn't get used to the tiny LCD and non-adjustable iso.

so i sold the 20d and bought a 30d. love the 30d and i color coded my straps so i can easily tell it from my 5d because the controls are identical .

ed rader

Heh. What's better'n a 30D? A 30D and a 5D. Colored coded no less. Nice.

For true mental torture, I highly recommend shooting some film with a very similar camera. Nothing like staring stupidly at the back panel waitin' for the image to pop up.

Talk about spoiled Just wait until you try out the 1D series! Talk about hook line and sinker

I know exactly how the OP feels. I just upgraded to the 40D from the Xt and decided to keep the Xt. Now everytime I pick up the Xt and go through the menu or review pics it's amazing how much I hate the tiny 1.8" LCD, but since it's not critical to IQ or function I'm trying to just blow it off. I am looking to buy a 1Ds MK1/2 or 1D MK2 so I'm not going to write off the poor little LCD's yet.

Second bodies are great!

Lenty007 wrote in post #3536068
Yep, I'm next in line. Just ordered a 30d for 16/08. Think it's a good step up from the XT (which of course I'll keep for second body)

I am a great fan of multiple body camera systems since IMO, there is no one lens available that can do everything I want with the type of great imagery that I demand. Even the super hyped 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens (although it is a great lens within its very limited focal range) certainly cannot get as wide as my 12mm; nor as long as my 70mm. The lenses of 17 to 40 or 55mm are IMO a compromise (on a 1.6x system) and are neither wide enough nor long enough for me.

As an old film and prime lens shooter. I always like to have two or more bodies. Multiple bodies are a great advantage since I don't have to switch lenses in the field as often with all of the inherent dangers (dust on sensor - danger from dropping lens, missing important shots etc.)

I use my 30D with my 24-70mm f/2.8L along with my 350D (plus battery grip) with my 12-24mm f/4 Tokina.

Both of these cameras swing from my OPTECH Reporter Strap which really facilitates the use of two cameras.

The two body system is a bit heavier than a single body but, I have a step-less focal range from 12-70mm with top-notch imagery.

I doubt if you could match that with any single lens - despite the price.

I like multiple camera systems so much that I have kept my old 10D! When I expect to need a tele lens; the 10D rides in a top loading holster case on my left side with a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens attached..

I use a hand strap on this camera and a screw-in metal hood instead of the Canon OEM monster. I cover the hood with an OPTECH Hood Hat and this system is very quick to go into action. Open the top of the holster, insert hand in strap, rip off Hood Hat and shoot!

I also have a great 400mm f/5.6L lens which I use on my 30D most often on a tripod. When I am shooting this way, I keep the 70-200mm f/4L on my 10D in the holster bag for when I need a slightly wider focal length. I don't like having a camera swinging from my neck when I am using a tripod.