D-Rebel got stolen, what to get next?

Well, last night when I went to grab my D-Rebel bag I realized it wasn't where I left it (at home.) So I went in to work to see if I had left it there (which I highly doubted) and figured out that someone stole it from work. Very very sad am I.

Now my family is offering to help me get a new one, but to get something even better than what I had before.

What's the next step up from the DRebel? 20D? Or do I use this time to switch to a Nikon? I loved my D-Rebel deeply, and was learning so much with it. I was really looking forward to getting the 70-200 f4L and a nice flash to round out my equipment. The only problems I had with the DRebel was focusing on couples where it would always focus on the object between the pair of people. Other than that it was great.

Any advice would greatly be appreciated.

I don't believe Nikon has any equivalant of the 20D. Unless you'd be looking to spend $2000+

If you decide to switch to the Nikon, you will be waiting longer for lenses as they cost more and they seem to have more problems with them. My uncle is a photographer with the Cleveland Plain Dealer and they are switching from Nikon to Canon for two reason.

One, because of cost.... Obvious... When you are dealing with that many cameras and accessories there is a HUGE difference. The quality between the two is really close and most people argue for nothing. It is all prefrence but when it comes down to the dollar, Nikon just wants more...

Two, reliability..... He tells me that the Nikon is not as good as the canon. His personal camera choice is a Canon but his work cameras are Nikon....

The photographers at the plain dealer got sick of the Nikons and revolted and now they are switching to Canon... I don't know if this helps you at all but if you watch any sporting event or any press event just look and see how many white lenses you see.... If the pro's trust it, I think I can too..

Allow me to start off by saying that none of us gain anything from you sticking with canon or switching to nikon.

That said, where is the logic in this? Why make the switch, why have the idea at all?

There is a reason that the media mainly uses canon equipment.

Hmmm i must remember that one mate!!! I'm gagging for a 20D and now i have an idea how to get one!

First, I am a 10D owner and a long time Canon user.

But between the 300D and the Nikon D70, I would chose the D70. I saw a demo, both cameras on program mode using the pop-up flash and the Nikon did better.

The kit lens for the Nikon is also better than Canon's kit lens.

Now having said that, let me make a case for the 20D. First, you have knowledge and experience with Canon bodies. That will translate very well from the 300D to the 20D. You have known places with people who can/will help you over the humps. You know what to expect from a Canon system.

I personally like Canon over Nikon though there are times I think I should have gone left instead of right. Then I played with a 1DMk2 and fell in love. If I could buy it I would.

I like CMOS of CCD for imagers. I like having ISO 100 over starting @ ISO 200.

Based on your prior experience, look strongly at the 20D.

Take care,

Lex,.. bummer about your stuff being stolen

Did you lose your lenses too


Right now the mid range market is decidely better off on the Canon side with the 20D. Yes as TokyInTexas says, the Ni*** D70 smokes the 300D.. but that's hardly the poiunt.. the 20D is where you should be looking.

Couple this with your allready built in familiarity with the Canon controls... software etc...

One of the improvements that the 20D has over the 10D and 300D is the focus speed.. as wll as the new one of a kind focus point selection method (the multicontroller) whch is like the little eraser head pointer they used to put on IBM laptops.. it makes focus selection virtually instantaneous and super easy!

I'd go for a 20D or a used 10D if you'd like to save some $$$

Thanks for the information. I originally was thinking I would be getting another Canon anyhow. I just wasn't sure what the next step up would be. Is there something between the 300D and the 20D? Because from what I know there isn't.

And yes, I lost all my lenses which wasn't much (50mm f1.8 and the 18-55 kit lens) along with my battery grip, spare battery, 1gb in CF cards, remote. They just grabbed the entire bag on their way out the door while I had my back turned I guess.

If it had to get stolen, I'm glad it got stolen now, because I was planning on getting a 70-200 f4L in the very near future. I would have been really upset then.

I guess I need to find a review that puts the 20D side by side with the 300D to see what I am gaining/loosing.

I second, or third you decision to go with Canon equipment. This is after all Canon Digtal Photography Forum. :P

In seriousness, a step up to the very capable 20D is worthwhile if you are looking to build a system for you to use in the long run. If you need a 300D replacement and don't have an investment in lenses, then consider the N***n D70.

But, if you want to become an accepted and loved member of this forum, then you will have to swear off N***n and go with Canon.

Sorry. You can't have your D70 and be liked here.

Let us know what you decide.

Between the 300D and 20D all there is would be the 10D.

The 10D is of course discontinued.. but you may be able to still find a new one from some vendors. I would not pay more than about $1,200.00 new for one though.

Used you should be able to find a 10D for under $1,000.00

I sold mine for $999.00... but it had the battery grip, extra batteries and 1.5GB of flash cards included as well

I just went from a 300D to a 20D, but because my 300D died, not that it was stolen. I must say that in the few days I have had my 20D it is a nice step up from the 300D. I particularly like the instant on - much easier to get a candid photo for me. Do you have insurance?

Good luck in whatever you decide!

If it is simply a budget issue, here is the order I would go with...

DRebel (black body) ... cheapest
D70 ... next
20D ... most expensive

If you have any Canon accessories left over, then the 20D may cost you
the same as the D70, because you will have to buy all new stuff for the
D70, i.e. flash, lens, batteries, etc.

The D70 lens is WAY BETTER than the 18-55 EFS lens you will get with the
Canon. So that might be a consideration too.

Go to a camera store. Pick 'em both up and try them.

The ISO 200 on the Nikon is about the same noise as ISO 100 on the
DRebel. So that is not really an issue. (I am going to hear about that
comment)

Also the D70 has compressed RAW (if you shoot RAW a lot) and 1/500
flash sync speed if you shoot fill flash outdoors a lot.

Good luck with your decision... all these cameras will do a great job for
you. Let us know what you end up with. Even if it is the Nik*n.

Pssst. Know anyone who wants to steal a good Powershot G3?

Bummer about your camera and lenses.

My vote would be to get the 20D with the 17-85 IS lens. The 17-85 has it all over the 18-55, and it gives you a real start. Coupled with the 70-200 f4L you were already planning to get, you would have great reach in two lenses.

I think you will find the 20D to be a great camera that will outperform the D70 in a heartbeat. And you will be into Canon glass, which is a much better place to be than ANY other brand of DSLR.

Have Fun,

That isn't the camera's fault - you were just pointing the AF point between the people, and the camera focuses on what's covered by the AF point(s) you're using. It will happen with any AF camera.

Next time, try focus-and-recompose: select, for example, the center focus point (instead of all focus points), point the camera to the point you want to focus on, half-press the shutter to focus, now recompose and fully press the shutter button to make the photo.

(Note that this doesn't work well when you're very close to the subject or when you're using flash).

Jesper, thanks for mentioning this. I did learn this when shooting my wedding reception which was _very_ dark and it worked out great. I found that about 90% of my photo's were useable, where as while I was down south getting married, only about 50% of the photo's turned out (then again, it was a friend using the camera for the first time on Full Auto. Wouldn't be fair to them to expect more.)