Which SLR to get

[Ursidae69]

So, I'm planning on upgrading to a digital SLR this year. I have a big Brazil trip in June and I would like to have a better camera for that trip. I'm looking to spend up to ~1k, so I am looking at either the Canon 20D or the Canon Rebel XT. There are several members here that are very camera savy and maybe you can help point me to the best choice.

Here is a good comparison of the two. ***LINK***

So the question in my kind really is: How much will I use the faster shutter speed, higher ISO, faster fps, and with a few more focal points with the 20D to justify the larger price?

I don't know enough about cameras to answer that question right now.

The XT is cheaper, lighter and will fit my needs now, but as I get more advanced in my photography, how much will I start needing the higher options of the 20D? I don't want to upgrade camera again for many years after this purchase.

Thanks for any insight.

[jeffryscott]

Chuck,

If you don't want to upgrade for many years, be aware that with digital cameras you are basically buying a computer. New models will be coming out every 1 to 3 years, depends on the target audience for the camera. Pro models have a lifespan of maybe 3 years, max. Consumer cameras are on one year cycles. (of course, times are approximate, but fairly accurate).

Between the two, the 20d will be vastly superior over the long haul (build quality, general usefulness, camera controls) - and the high ISO is absolutely fabulous.

I'd recommend two lenses to go with the camera: the 17-40 4L and the 70-200 4L. The two lenses together are about $1,200 and are optically fantastic and are Canon's high end L glass.

Be aware the EFS lenses that come in the kits will only work on the XT and 20d - as CMOS sensors get cheaper and bigger, it is hard to say whether the EFS will be supported. I.E. the EOS 5d, a full frame camera for $3,000.

Good luck with the choice, the Canon's make a good product.

As an aside, you may want to look at the Olympus E1. I had one for nearly two years and loved it. Only reason I sold it was work went all Canon and I wanted access to the big lenses.

The E1 has beautiful color (film like quality) out of the box, two lenses, the 14-54 2.8/3.5 and 50-200 2.8/3.5 give you 35mm range of 28 to 400. The camera body is all metal, seal against dust and the elements and has a nifty feature on the sensor that shakes off dust (no annoying dust marks on pictures in the whole time I owned it, on my Canon's dust gets on the CCD routinely and is a pain).

The downside, somewhat, is the "noise" at high ISO is worse than the Canon - but looks a lot like film so I never was bothered by it and used it at 1600 all the time.

I really liked the E1 and if I was wealthy, I'd have stuck with it because Olympus makes some killer lenses for the system - but too expensive for me.

Good luck,

Jeff

[Life_in_4Lo]

Nikon D50 and D70s are real bargains and I like both better than the Rebel XT

You can go up the Nikon food chain from there but the Nikon stuff is really good, the D50 is alot better than my Rebel Digital, I like the body shape better than the XT and the features/pic quality is better, imo.

Take a look at the Nikon stuff too.

[DaktariEd]

I've had Canon's for more than 20 years. Terrific optics and always reliable (almost...except after dunking in a river once).

Having amassed a great lens system I wanted to get a digital body that would take my EF lenses, so I got the D60. Probably not made any more as Jeff said...but the 20D would be a great choice, IMO.

Ed

[Scott Brady]

Spend the money you have on glass before the body. Optics and composition/lighting are the most important IMO (well, negative/image size does help a bit too).

Just look at the pictures Chris takes, all with a point and shoot and a high quality 2.8 lens. His images kick *** because of the composition and lighting. The attributes of a great image that cannot be purchased, despite the price.

[Ursidae69]

Thanks for all the comments and I will be looking at Nikons too now.

Scott, no question that operator skill is the biggest component of a good picture. I just feel like I ahve maxed out my capabilities with the Fujifilm S3100 (4megapixel) I am using now. It is great and all, but I want more. I want more megapixels and I want better quality.

I have aspirations to publish stuff someday and I want to get more into wildlife photography. I often find myself in remote places and I can't tell you how many times I've missed cool shots of some critter doing something because of the huge lag in startup time or the lag between frames. The <1 second startup and fast fps are two of the main reasons I'm looking into SLRs to be honest.

Thanks again for all the feedback from everyone.

[OutbacKamper]

Spend the money you have on glass before the body.

I agree: buy the cheaper camera body (Canon XT Rebel) and spend the money on the lenses. The price of digital slr's is dropping, but the lens prices usually stay fairly constant. So learn on the cheaper camera and only replace it when your skills demand a more advanced camera. By then the equivelent of a 5D should be available at the current 20D price. I also agree that you should avoid the EF-s lenses as they will soon be obsolite (sp?). If possible ($) buy EF-L series lenses, the difference in quality is significant. I would also highly recommend the canon image stabilization feature, it really works.
Good luck with what ever you decide.
Mark

ps: I would recommend EF 16-35 F2.8L USM (77mm)- or- EF 17-40 F4L USM (77mm)
and EF 70-200 F2.8L USM (77mm)-or- EF 70-300 F4.5-5.6 DO IS USM (58mm)
Also circular polarizer filter(s) - size shown in brackets

[jedi]

So, I'm planning on upgrading to a digital SLR this year. I have a big Brazil trip in June and I would like to have a better camera for that trip. .......... I don't want to upgrade camera again for many years after this purchase.

Thanks for any insight.

I would say that if you wanted a camera that you would be able to use for years you might actually look at a film camera. Nikon FM3 is a manual focus bomb proof unit. It will work as long as they keep making film. It is ultra reliable and I believe will even work w/o batteries. I have an Olympus OM-4, which is similar but Nikon gear is better supported and easier to find.

Digital is like a computer and puts you on forced obsolensence every few years. You would not want to be using a 486 chip and win 95 today, and you will probably find your digital camera to be just as outdated in 2-3 years. There are some nice advantages, like free processing, but all the required extra stuff (cards, readers, hard drives, photoshop cs, laptop for field use)adds up and needs regular replacements (like still using a 32mb CF card).

Having said that, the Canon Rebel XT is in the current sweet spot of dslrs. You get the Canon 8mp chip. It is a better imager than the 6mp Sony sensor that Nikon, Pentax, and Minolta use. It costs a little more but you get a little more. Canon has the the best modern lenses. Canon is also the most stable camera company. You may have heard Minolta quit the biz recently (sold it to Sony). Nikon is is good too but Pentax is a little bit of a question-they build some great stuff but Canon really is the 800 pound gorilla of the industry.

BTW-Pentax has lowered the price of its dslr kit (w/lens) to $599, so that would be a great bargin buy.

Finally, the big photo show PMA is the 26th of Feb and some new models will probably be announced, so if you are still looking, check dpreview then for info and maybe some preice drops too.

Good luck!!

[jedi]

One more idea- do not rule out the used market for equipment, especially for lenses. www.keh.com is a great place for good stuff. They grade equipment very conservatively so even bargin level equipment is better than "mint" on eb&y. They also give you a few weeks to try it out and have a good return policy. Prices are fair too.

[UncleChris]

Hey guys,

Thought I would drudge up an old thread.

I have been reading everyone's post and getting a lot of info out of this.

My issue is that I have a Nikon Pronea 6i which uses aps. I got it a few years ago and loved it until I realized how convenient digital is(I love taking pictures...but I am lazy).

So after reading all of the posts, I figured these are what I am looking for;

Something that is relatively bulletproof. (dustproof, sealed)

Something that could take my old Pronea 24-70mm zoom(?Is this possible)

Something that is not too expensive (~$700)

I am looking at the Nikons (D50, D70). Would it be worth it to even try to use the old lens?

My old boss at work is big time into photography. He is a big Canon guy. He claims that he has one gray hair for every time I mentioned the N-word(he is pretty gray!)

Does anyone know how bulletproof the low end Nikons are?Canons?

Thanks