which is the better camera?

My 16 yr old son is thinking about taking photography next fall for his junior year. I would like to get him a good dslr so that he can practice with it over the summer. He is into cars and skateboarding so keep that in mind.

Which would be the better choice?

1. 10d
2. 20d
3. 30d
4. XTi

what would be some good prices for each? I have seen some 20d's going for $200-$300 and even some 30d's for around $300. Is there much difference between the 20d & 30d?

all suggestions are appreciated.

30d is probably the best IQ and performance and even price on that list, but it is bigger and heavier than the XTi after all

PSSSSSST!!!! BILL! Give him your 40D and upgrade. wink wink. This may be the best excuse you will ever get, especially if you have a wife.

Image quality wise there is zero difference between the 20D and 30D. The 30D is a newer model that has a better rear LCD and spot metering.

Personally I'd take a 20D or 30D over an XTi, not just because of the better build quality, but for the better control layout.

While it was a great camera in it's day, I'd forget about the 10D.

Well, you have a 40D so you know about the differences in build quality between the Rebel cameras and the XXD line. I'd try for a good used 30D. It's only one-generation removed from your 40D, has excellent ergonomics and a solid build that would be IMO better for a teenager (friends handling it, etc.). Good, solid camera that's available for, as you said, around $350 or less used. The added wheel on the back helps with photography classes too, where they often want students to shoot in manual.

Just factor in the cost of lenses, unless you want to be loaning him yours all the time, although I've read that many HS photography classes require a prime lens.

Brett Michael wrote in post #7333411
Well, you have a 40D so you know about the differences in build quality between the Rebel cameras and the XXD line. I'd try for a good used 30D. It's only one-generation removed from your 40D, has excellent ergonomics and a solid build that would be IMO better for a teenager (friends handling it, etc.). Good, solid camera that's available for, as you said, around $350 or less used. The added wheel on the back helps with photography classes too, where they often want students to shoot in manual.

Just factor in the cost of lenses, unless you want to be loaning him yours all the time, although I've read that many HS photography classes require a prime lens.

This is why I asked. I know that his friends will want to use it to take pictures of each other doing their "tricks" on skateboards and need something a built a bit more rugged.

I told him to get more info on the class this week so that we can get the correct equipment for him.

ex-wife, besides I just upgraded to the 40d, so no more body upgrades for awhile. I might upgrade some of my lenses instead and give him my old ones.

for the difference between the 20D and 30D now on the used market I would just get a 30D. Great camera, I still use mine today.

You should consider that it is very likely the class he is taking is for film...

I vote for the 20D/30D. There is no difference except for the size of the LCD and spot metering as stated above.

Get a gripped 20D.

The 30D has a bit of a bigger buffer (bigger burst rate. [11 Raw with a 133x card]) and a bigger lcd, but it's not worth the extra $100 or so over the 20d, IMO.

In my limited experience with both the Xti and 30D the 30D will be a much better choice for sports, more fps and better tracking.

FWIW, my daughter took the beginning photography class in HS last year and they didn't let the students use digital. It was all film.

Man, I wish my school had photography classes... Oh well.

When I had a photography unit in comm tech (all photography classes left with one of the teachers) we only had K-1000s with 6 or 8 exposures of B&W in them...
It was nice to be able to sleep through the class when the teacher was explaining how to use them =)
That in mind, for skateboarding shots, I'd DEFINITELY go with the 30D. Better buffer, good frame rate, boss LCD, durability, and it's an all around great cam.

rdompor wrote in post #7333524
You should consider that it is very likely the class he is taking is for film...

highcountry wrote in post #7333574
FWIW, my daughter took the beginning photography class in HS last year and they didn't let the students use digital. It was all film.

I shot film for years, and while it's all fine and good, it's a shame that schools would still be behind the fold on the technology. If the student is to ever pursue a career in photography, they'd almost certainly be using digital.

It reminds me of learning to draw blueprints by hand. The professor told us on the first day, "you'll likely never use this skill; it's all CAD (computer-aided design) now".

But, I do know that learning photography with film is a rewarding experience. Every shot has to count, because each has a certain monetary value, and there's no chimping.

Duncan Frenz wrote in post #7333387
PSSSSSST!!!! BILL! Give him your 40D and upgrade. wink wink. This may be the best excuse you will ever get, especially if you have a wife.

If not what Duncan said, then I'd go with 30D.