RIP 20D

Our faithful old 20D has bit the dust, or is rapidly biting the dust, anyway.

It was acting funny, so we sent in in to Canon for examination. The diagnosis? Needs a new mirror box. The repair estimate? $580.48!

Sorry, but no cigar. we can get a used 20D in E+ condition from Adorama for $400. Heck, we can get a brand new one with full Canon warranty for $600.

Our old one is on its second shutter. It had over 120,000 clicks on the first one and has almost 45,000 clicks on the second one (44,962, to be exact). I'd say it has had a good life. It's time to go to Canon heaven.

Now comes the big decision. Should we get another 20D, so we can transfer over the Katz-Eye split-prism screen (thus saving $150 or so)? Or should we opt for a 30D, or perhaps a 40D, and invest in a new SP screen)?

May sound like a simple decision, but it's not. The SP screens for the 30D and 40D have a much greater effect on exposure than the SP screen for the 20D. This is because of spot metering, not because of the screen itself. Naturally, we would learn to compensate, but it's nice to not have to worry about such things.

And no, skipping the SP screen is not an option. We find the split prism indispensable for macro and very valuable for birding. No more flat screen for us.

Fortunately, we are not camera-deprived. We have a 30D we use for general photography. For the short term, we may just get a split-prism screen for it. Then we can see first hand just how it affect exposure. That will make up our mind for us. If the effect is too severe, we can always remove the SP screen.

Besides, if we don't get another 20D, what do I do about my POTN name?

And, no, we are not royals. The "we" breaks down as I do the buying, mounting of screens, driving, carrying of equipment, etc., and she-with-the-good-eye does the photography. It's an equitable division of effort.

Hi, Roger -

Huh. I thought the screen for the 20D was the same as the 30D. But I see it's not. So what's the difference? I thought the bodies were mostly the same.

I have the Katz Eye screen for my 30D - FYI, spot metering is unusable. I'm not complaining, they told me up front and I seldom used it anyway.

-js

Sorry to hear about your 20D. I still have one of my 20D's and still used it every few months. I have had many bodies--- 10D, 20D, 30D, 40D and still think that the 20D has one of the best sounding shutters in the xxD series. It also for me has more consistent results. I have done a lot of weddings with my 20D's and truly will miss when this last one goes.

If you were happy with the 20D just go for a used one and save some money

You can buy my XT and change your name to 350droger.

number six wrote in post #7024851
Hi, Roger -

Huh. I thought the screen for the 20D was the same as the 30D. But I see it's not. So what's the difference? I thought the bodies were mostly the same.

I have the Katz Eye screen for my 30D - FYI, spot metering is unusable. I'm not complaining, they told me up front and I seldom used it anyway.

-js

I have an email into Katz Eye to find out if they are interchangeable.

Spot metering can be used, you just need to apply a suitable exposure compensation.

AngryCorgi wrote in post #7025641
You can buy my XT and change your name to 350droger.

I see. You think I should exchange my Corvette for a Chevette.

Oh wait! I should exchange it for your Chevette! Now it's clear!

20droger wrote in post #7026250
I see. You think I should exchange my Corvette for a Chevette.

Oh wait! I should exchange it for your Chevette! Now it's clear!

Whoah there simba...referring to a 20D as a Corvette and a 350D as a Chevette is a bit dramatic. I'm thinking of something more like an '82 Camaro RS and an '82 Chevette.

20droger wrote in post #7026234
I have an email into Katz Eye to find out if they are interchangeable.

Spot metering can be used, you just need to apply a suitable exposure compensation.

I'm not sure of that. I found spot to overexpose by 3 to 5 stops rather unpredictably.

-js

I just received word back from Katz Eye Optics about their focusing screens. I'm citing their email verbatum as it may be of interest to others. Their email reads:

-----
Hi Roger,

It is good to hear from you and I'm sorry to hear of the demise of your 20D. Fortunately, the focusing screens for both models are identical, so you can transfer the screen to the 30D without a problem. The viewfinder appearance and description are slightly different (mainly because of the addition of spot metering in the 30D), so we had to list them separately on the site; but the screens themselves are physically and optically identical. Thank you very much for your continued patronage and if there's anything else I can do for you, please don't hesitate to ask.

Best regards,
Rachael Katz
Katz Eye Optics
-----

So, with this in mind, I think we'll be upgrading to a 30D. This will make us a two 30D family: one with the Katz Eye screen for macro work, and one without for general photography.

Excellent. But you'll have to petition the Title Fairy for a change of your name. Good luck with that - Zeus only knows what you'll end up with.

number six wrote in post #7029333
Excellent. But you'll have to petition the Title Fairy for a change of your name. Good luck with that - Zeus only knows what you'll end up with.

Especially since I'm not exactly on the boss's "most favorites" list. Maybe I'll just be "The Member Formerly Known as 20droger."

20droger wrote in post #7029366
Especially since I'm not exactly on the boss's "most favorites" list. Maybe I'll just be "The Member Formerly Known as 20droger."

They might change your title to that and make your name some dumb character (like ℘, ℑ, ℰ, ℥, or ⅋).

AngryCorgi wrote in post #7030784
They might change your title to that and make your name some dumb character (like ℘, ℑ, ℰ, ℥, or ⅋).

That'd be fun, trying to log in

sadler21 wrote in post #7033422
That'd be fun, trying to log in

True, true...