Need some help deciding.

Hello everyone,

I have decided to get another dslr, I use to have a Nikon D40 that I started with but then sold about 7 months ago. Now I have been wanting to get back into photography so I have been talking with some local guys and they have me leaning towards getting a Canon. My wife gave me a limit for now till I sell some more stuff (car parts.. too many lol)

Basically these are my options (I know not the best, but its temporary)

1. Used 30D w/ a Kit Lense

2. Used 20d w/ a Better lense

What are ur guys' thoughts? I have already looked at the difference in the 20d vs the 30d and I could live with the 20d even though I have been told the 30d is better.

Thanks in advance

Nothing wrong with a used camera. What is your dollar budget? I have been online lots lately searching for a new camera. Shoot me a PM or post here. If I think of anything you might like, I will send you a PM. Lots of good deals out there. You can get a new 50D with lens for around a grand. Awesome set up.

Dan

An exact amount you are willing to spend would be nice. In general better lens wins tho.

Definately better lens usually wins.. Although whats the 20D? 9MP or so? I think thats a bit small for prints. But I would go with 20D

Well for now about $400 is tops... I know that isn't much at all. Thats why I'm going used. I have been looking around and I think if I shop enough I could pick up a 30D for 350 and there is a guy locally with a kit lens for 40 bucks. If the 30D is truely a better camera by quite a bit its something where I can get the basics down with the kit lense then upgrade lens in the future. If the 20D w/ a better lense though is the better option I can deal with a smaller lcd and no spot focus

Better lens

DANATTHEROCK wrote in post #10002649
Nothing wrong with a used camera. What is your dollar budget? I have been online lots lately searching for a new camera. Shoot me a PM or post here. If I think of anything you might like, I will send you a PM. Lots of good deals out there. You can get a new 50D with lens for around a grand. Awesome set up.

Dan

Also thanks for the offer, let me know if you come across anything bc I am def looking to buy.

I had both 20D and 30D, seem like the same camera to me.

With the money you want to spend right now, I would agree with others and opt for a better lens. I just got into photography two years ago. Well, that is when I got my first dslr. Had P&S for 20 years and love taking pictures. Point being, I got my 40D and at that time, I thought the camera was the biggest factor. Turns out I was wrong. It is in fact the lenses that make the biggest impact to my images. I gave my 28-135 kit lens to my younger brother who has the Xti, and bought a 24-105. Talk about an instant jump in image quality. Wow! Then the 100-400 for wildlife. Then the 10-22 for landscapes. Then a 100 f/2.8 for macro. It is all about the glass man. One disclaimer, I did just buy a new camera myself. But it was long time in the making. However, without getting some decent lenses first, I would have never been able to justify this new 5Dii. Point is, focus on the lenses at first. I think you will see a more immediate improvement in your images in doing so. Also, depending on what you shoot, be sure to invest in a tripod. It is boring. It sucks. But I heard it here two years ago and it is very true. Getting a tripod is the single best thing you can do to improve your images. I have since bought three, upgrading each time in fact. Tripods are worth their weight in gold man. For used cameras, check out Adorama, KEH, B&H, and Usedcameras.com. Never bought used, but in recent weeks scoured over these websites. Some good deals are there, many of which I saw on Adorama. All reputable places, the only one I am not as familiar with is Usedcameras.com but they look totally legit. The first three I mentioned are well known and established for sure.

-Dan


http://www.adorama.com …tal&cat3=Camera​s&sf=Price

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Awesome, thanks for the advice, what in ur opinion is a good lens to start off with just for general stuff. I want to get something I can use for anything till I get back on my feet with a dslr, also I luckily kept my tripod from my Nikon, and the one time I drug it out I actually did like the shots I got.

Reading another thread just now, "5D Mark II with 50 f/1.8" (or similar) inspired me. I have this lens as well and it is quite impressive considering you can buy a new one for under $100. I say get you a nice used DSLR for $300-350 and pick up a "nifty fifty". Use that set up with your tripod and have fun. As someone said in the other thread I mentioned, "I just took pictures". Simple enough. Refreshingly so.

-Dan


Here is the thread I spoke of...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=855138

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