Definitely in need of New DSLR advice again.......

[Elmo18]

Hi again ;)

So now I've been persuaded over to get a Canon line of DSLR rather than Nikon, although I'm sure both are great cameras.

I have been looking at a Canon EOS 30D, since it does have features that the 20D and the 350D Rebel XT does not have....ie. spot metering and such. Now the cheapest 'body' only price i have come up with is $1179 with free shipping from a reputable dealer.

Is there a chance this will come down again with the advent of new DSLRs at the 10MP levels?

The 8.2MP of the Canon EOS 30D will be sufficient for me, as I am not a professional, but would love a decent enough camera to take photos of my reef animals...both macro and other scenic types.

So I would like to hear those with this camera, or one like it, and see if you have any opinions.... Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ has given it a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED rating...and I do trust them..but I would like other's opinions.

On another note....what does everyone think of the Tamron 18-200M lense? I have heard good things about it, and such a nice zoom lense. I will probably get my lense separately, so I am just looking for the EOS 30D body first......although if only the price would fall..

Best,
Ilham

[Poseidon]

Hi Ilham,

I am sure you would be quite pleased with the 30D. I have used the 20D for 2 wedding seasons now, and I like it very much. As for price, I don't think it will come down significantly in the nest few months. Canon is quite pleased with the current sensor, even at 8.2 megapixles. The competition from Sony/Nikon is good, but early reviews still give the nod to Canon for high ISO performance. Plus there is not much difference between 8 and 10MP cameras, certainly not enough to see in anything but the LARGEST prints. (Over 16x20)

I don't think you could go wrong with any of the current Canon line. I have heard rumors of a new Rebel, I think it was the XTi or something like that. Here is the link.

Maybe youo should read up on that Rebel, unless you REALLY need the spot meter, or Magnesium body....

[Elmo18]

Thanks for the feedback!

Can you explain obvious and other advantages of magnesium over the plastic bodies of Eos 30D and Eos 400D (Rebel XTi)?

Also, I have heard that Canon is not afraid of losing the 30D market because of its 100,000 shutter cycle life. Now if this is the case, what is the shutter cycle life of the Rebel XTi?

I probably don't need the spot metering.... at $799 for the Rebel XTi body...the price sounds just right..

Best,
Ilham

[Poseidon]

No Problem Ilham,

A magnesium body is nice because of not only durability, but also feel. I can't really put a finger on the difference, other then the plastic bodies just feel "cheap" to me. I had my wife test me on this too, we went to a big retailer where both the XTi and 30D were on display. With no lenses on either, I was able to tell the difference with my eyes closed 4 out 5 times. She even tried to trick me, and handed me the Sony A100, that feels like a TOY to me.

As for shutter life, I would expect it to be at least 50K for the XTi. I wouldn't worry about that too much though, unless you are going to be taking TONS of pictures. I have had my 20D 2-2.5 years now, and I have only managed to take 25-27K pictures...

[Elmo18]

Hmmm....

So what would you think? Xti or 30D? hmmm....

I will in all likeliness just get the camera bodies, and then get the TAMRON 18-200 mm tele lense for an all around lense.

Best,
Ilham

[Poseidon]

Even though the XTi is more MP, I would get the 30D. Now the other thing you amy want to consider is waiting a few more months, I'll bet the 40D or whatever Canon is going to call the 30D replacement will be announced soon. Photokina saw the release of the G6, and the next show is in Feb. I think. At the very least there WILL be a camera with the 10MP sensor and a Magnesium body. What else will Canon do to such a body, who knows, but it is sure to be a good camera! Heck the 30D already has the 1/3 stops in ISO, so the Prosumer models are getting pretty close to the Pro series 1 camera's....