Used 20D or new 30D??

I can get a what I think is a great price on a used 20D, vs. the new 30D. I have a feeling spot metering would be handy, but I'm a second shooter for a local pro, and will be doing some of my own work as well.

Here's what I can get for $650CDN:

Canon 20D with 8900 clicks on it. Mint condition. Comes with grip, 5 batteries, box, charger etc....

I've never bought used, but this seems so much more practical than the extra $800 -900 (after tax etc..) it will cost for a new 30D for what I'd be getting.

I suppose some would say piece of mind buying brand new, but I'm seeing a load of refurbished 30d's out there as well......

Here's my current gear:

300D (will be backup)
50mm 1.8
24-70L 2.8 (just won last night on the 'Bay)

I figure if I bought the 20D, that's $800 towards that dreamy 70-200 2.8 IS to complete the package.

Much thanks in advance!

Id go the 20D and use the extra for the 70-200 you want ever so much.

The 20D is a great camera, i moved from a 400D to one and couldnt be happier. They would both be a decent step up from your 300d though, but the money you save is, as you say $800 towards your next lens.

I had 20D and now 30D and basically they are identical unless you cannot live without spot meter but so far I dont use it that much. And I will get the 20D and 70-200 because thats a super len that I use 70% of time in my wedding photography.

Not sure where you're located but if you buy out of province you'll save on PST (although pay for shipping) and if you do so before July 31 you'll still get the Canon rebate of 150. It would probably still end up being around 500 more or so than a 20D. I would likely go for the new body myself for no reason other than it being new with a full manufacturers warranty.

Spot meter is nice, but I'd say 20D, especially with the grip and extra batteries.

call me simple but due to the larger screen and the fact that the 30d puts your files into one folder and doesn't break them up like the 20d does I'd get a 30d...also I am not always huge fan of used cameras unless you know where it has been...

i suggest buying a new 30d from a reliable store in USA for around 950USD (usa->cad exchange rate rocks!) then applying for 150$ canadian rebate (ends july 30?)

What are the thoughts on a refurbished 30D???

I can get one of those for $918 CDN, with a 1 year warranty to boot! No rebate though.

I'd say get the 20D used in mint condition, and then apply whatever you have left over for some good glass.

The main reason I sold the 20D and bought the 30D is for the spot metering, everything, else e.g. 2.5" LCD, Picture Settings, etc., are just icing. It is bigger, especially since mine has the mead armor on it, and heavier than the 20D. I think with the sale of the 20D with a bunch of extras and the kit lens I had a $300 deficit by upgrading to the 30D. Which was worth it.

Well...I <JUST> learned that he sold above mentioned 20D....so perhaps refurbished 30D is the way....

I have always wondered how spot metering would help in pratical situations. I find my 20d is great but then again I'm certainly not as advanced a photographer as some on this board.

A friend recently asked me what the big difference was between the 20d and the 30d..is spot metering the biggest difference? (The larger LCD screen is nice too).

The biggest difference to me is the spot metering, at 3.5%.

Spot metering is great...

Especially when shooting relatively small areas against backgrounds which are darker or lighter.

I raise purebred Maltese dogs which have white coats. When I shoot pictures of my dogs, I want to get THE DOGS NOT THE BACKGROUND exposed correctly.

I use spot metering and then usually need to increase the exposure 1 f/stop or so, because the built in camera meter wants to make the dog's white coat into an 18% gray rather than white. That's a not so well known secret when using reflected light meters such as the one built into the camera - increase exposure for white images and decrease exposure for dark images.

Anyway, with spot metering, you have control over a small portion of your image.

Another plus for the 30D is that it is one generation newer than the 20D which will probably count for something if someday you want to sell it.

However, so far, I have not sold any of my DSLR bodies. I have kept the 10D, 350D and now have the 30D. I use all three of them, each with a different lens.

By the way, I really prefer the 30D overthe 350D becsuse the controls are IMO more intuitive and esaier to use.

I am likely going to get either a 30D, or have been eyeing a refurbished 5D from a well-reputable Canadian dealer, but still that's a lot of $$$$$$$$