Maybe silly, but should I? (upgrade 300D? )

Upgrade my camera, that is? I've got a 300D that I've had for about 5 years now. I'd really like to get more serious about my photography but have limited funds for more gear. Of course, lenses are on my "wish list" but I'm wondering if I should start with improving the camera first. I have wild dreams of doing photojournalistic type work one day but don't know where I should start concerning equipment. Thoughts?

Thanks!

I have no idea how one would get in to photojournalism right now but I understand your dream. Photojournalists typically look for cameras with fast AF and fast FPS. Typically faster than a 300d.

By "photojournalistic", I mean the style, not actually being a photojournalist or working in that type of field. Sorry if I'm stating something you got already....just wanting to clarify in case there is any confusion. I'm just not a big fan of things that are too posed. I like the style of photography that is sorta "fly on the wall" stuff - catching interesting things that others might not think twice about or notice.

If you plan on getting a better "walk around" lens with the camera, I say go for it. Get at least a xxD series though to make the upgrade worthwhile.

DStanic wrote in post #8449629
If you plan on getting a better "walk around" lens with the camera, I say go for it. Get at least a xxD series though to make the upgrade worthwhile.

What lens would you recommend as a good (ah, let's go ahead and specify "quality", too) "walk around"?

Maybe candid would better describe the style I like? It's somewhere between the two I should think. .......just thinking out loud, or rather typing out loud, .

daystar wrote in post #8449678
Maybe candid would better describe the style I like? It's somewhere between the two I should think. .......just thinking out loud, or rather typing out loud, .

A 35mm prime (about a 50mm equiv.) might serve you well.

What's your budget?

daystar wrote in post #8449442
Upgrade my camera, that is? I've got a 300D that I've had for about 5 years now. I'd really like to get more serious about my photography but have limited funds for more gear. Of course, lenses are on my "wish list" but I'm wondering if I should start with improving the camera first. I have wild dreams of doing photojournalistic type work one day but don't know where I should start concerning equipment. Thoughts?

Thanks!

Think about getting a 30D. It's a GREAT camera and can be bought used now for $300-$380 bucks! A BARGAIN. Back when I had some money and a decent job I bought a 40D, sold it, then grabbed a 50D, I wasn't as impressed with the 50D as I thought I would be for costing $1200 bucks so I went back to the 40D, I really liked that camera but as money got tight I was forced to sell it and some lenses until I got back on my feet. Recently I picked up a nice used 30D body from a member here, and since I had already owned it's two successors I didn't expect to be to impressed... Well, I was For half the price of what a used 40D is going for now this camera is a great bargain. Granted, it does lack some of the cool features and speed of it's replacement, but I don't find myself missing them in what I use a camera for. I don't sell huge poster size prints and the 8 MP looks great, plenty of detail for what I do and I honestly can't tell any difference in IQ from the 40D. I personally like the fact that it's smaller than the 40D, it just feels better in my hand and it's lighter to carry around. I thought the smaller screen would bother me but it doesn't....it looks just fine. I shoot some H.S. sports and the question of whether or not AF Servo and FPS performance would be up to the task worried me, but they perform just fine although I do notice it is slightly slower. I know that people on here like thier 40/50D's, and they should...they are fantastic cameras and I liked mine too. I'm just saying that If your tight on cash and on the fence about which canon XXD series you want, then definitely give the 30D a look . The 30D is not the dinosaur that I expected it to be, and it still performs damn good. You can pick them up at bargain prices and I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you do

Do you feel limited by that camera? IQ-wise it will take some great pictures. What lens(es) do you have now?

I suggest a good zoom lens first. I know it's not as exciting as a new camera though.

Not at all, I thought that I would initially since I was "Downgrading" from the 40D... but other than it being a tad slower at FPS I really don't have any complaints. Like I said, it's a bargain right now and I think anyone on a budget would be wise to give it a try ( Spend the money on good glass!).

EDIT: I thought you were asking me the question about "feeling limited" itzcrypic ...sorry about that.

10megapixel wrote in post #8449800
Think about getting a 30D. It's a GREAT camera and can be bought used now for $300-$380 bucks! A BARGAIN. Back when I had some money and a decent job I bought a 40D, sold it, then grabbed a 50D, I wasn't as impressed with the 50D as I thought I would be for costing $1200 bucks so I went back to the 40D, I really liked that camera but as money got tight I was forced to sell it and some lenses until I got back on my feet. Recently I picked up a nice used 30D body from a member here, and since I had already owned it's two successors I didn't expect to be to impressed... Well, I was For half the price of what a used 40D is going for now this camera is a great bargain. Granted, it does lack some of the cool features and speed of it's replacement, but I don't find myself missing them in what I use a camera for. I don't sell huge poster size prints and the 8 MP looks great, plenty of detail for what I do and I honestly can't tell any difference in IQ from the 40D. I personally like the fact that it's smaller than the 40D, it just feels better in my hand and it's lighter to carry around. I thought the smaller screen would bother me but it doesn't....it looks just fine. I shoot some H.S. sports and the question of whether or not AF Servo and FPS performance would be up to the task worried me, but they perform just fine although I do notice it is slightly slower. I know that people on here like thier 40/50D's, and they should...they are fantastic cameras and I liked mine too. I'm just saying that If your tight on cash and on the fence about which canon XXD series you want, then definitely give the 30D a look . The 30D is not the dinosaur that I expected it to be, and it still performs damn good. You can pick them up at bargain prices and I think you will be pleasantly surprised if you do

man, you covered it better than I could.

hehehe... in my previous post is just say "xxD"... I love my 30D as well! Buy whatever your budget allows and it will make you happy! the 300D is 'old' by today's standards a 30D(or even 20d) or newer will be faster and have better high ISO performance. I'm not scared to shoot ISO1600 at all (same goes for my XTi) but I was surprised how decent ISO3200 (shot in RAW) was when I was shooting the other day.

Good lens starts with your Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, Tamron 28-75 f/2.8, Sigmas of similar range (looking at $300-400 used) and go up from there to your Canon 17-55 f/2.8 IS which is IMO the nicest walkaround to use on a APS-C camera.

I agree with you on the Tamron 17-50 2.8, that's a nice little lens for the money. A good used 70-200 F/4 can be picked up between $400-$500 bucks if you look around...It's a great lens as well.

daystar wrote in post #8449442
Upgrade my camera, that is? I've got a 300D that I've had for about 5 years now. I'd really like to get more serious about my photography but have limited funds for more gear. Of course, lenses are on my "wish list" but I'm wondering if I should start with improving the camera first. I have wild dreams of doing photojournalistic type work one day but don't know where I should start concerning equipment. Thoughts?

Thanks!

I used to have a 300D but upgraded because (mainly) I felt it was too slow waking up from standy-by - missed some (potentially) good shots out of bus window in Egypt. Kept having to tap on button to make sure camera was ready to go. Then got 30D - still have it ( & also 5D but thats another story).
Found 30D great - did all I asked of it. Only went to 5D because wanted to go FF. Still use 30D as backup .