Canon 30D, 17-40 F4L, 70-200 F2.8L, 580EX II [Archive] - Sports Car Forum

03-14-2007, 04:01 PM

Well, need some suggestions. Wise move? Wrong moment?

Let's consider I don't want to spend 1D money at the moment and still prefer to buy a new camera rather than second hand. Also, not interested in full frame 5D.

I know the 30D isn't the latest model, but rather than having a 400D, I'd get the 30...

The reason I am considering this is because I am starting to think my 350 isn't working as good as it did in the past.

I only use L lenses now, and I think I know how to take pics, and yet, focusing is often really wrong, so is sharpness and so on. my guess is that it got damaged somewhere in the accident I had in december and that it is showing now that the winter is going and I am taking more pics.
possible that something got damaged inside preventing me to obtain good quality from my shots? if you think the Milano-Sanremo shots were ok, well, yes, some of them were, but you should have seen all the crappy ones I took home..

I should maybe do some more testing, but today I stopped to take some quick pics of 5 430 Challenge side by side (red, red, yellow, white, gunmetal, no stickers on them) and well, 10 pics, 9 blurry ones and only barely ok...

maybe I am just paranoid and I should concentrate more on my pictures taking, but considering how bad the accident was, I could understand if something isn't working anymore in the 350D...

Anyway, the basic question is: is it worth to spend 30D money atm? It's not like there are that many options in the new Canon cameras range anyway...

sameerrao

03-14-2007, 05:30 PM

Your picture taking ability is above reproach so issues you are facing must be due to the camera. I assume you clean your lenses and mirror inside the camera on occasion. If so, something must have gone out alignment in the camera. It might be expensive to fix anyway. So I would say trade in the Rebel for the 30D. I am sure with your bigger L lenses, the 30D will be a lot more comfortable in your hands.

I am contemplating upgrading to the D200 in a few months myself for the following reasons:
- bigger body makes it easier to hold with my 70-200 3lb heavy lens
- faster autofocus
- 4 extra MPs - little better cropping possible
- More buttons on the body rather than scrolling thru menus
- Depth of field preview (you can stop down the image in the viewfinder to selected aperture and check out the quality of the bokeh)

The D2X is way beyond my budget.

The D200 is about $1300 now for the body. If I can find a used one or something for a couple $$$ less I might spring for it. I might be keeping my D50 to use with the 18-70 lens and the D200 for the 70-200 lens. That way I can take both cameras to a race or something and quickly switch between cameras rather than go thru process of de-attaching and re-attaching lenses. :)

SDK2003

03-14-2007, 05:40 PM

The 30D is a good upgrade from the 350D. Not only does it have more functions but it's also built better and is easier to use with the quick control dials etc..

Buy, buy, buy :)

03-14-2007, 05:49 PM

Haha you guys are like me LOL :D

What bothers me is that some pics taken these days are top notch, others are utter crap!

Let me see if I can find the pics form this morning and post some 100% crops

03-14-2007, 05:56 PM

Well, this one was sort of ok.. ISO400, rushed, but once resized the final pic, although a bit overexposed, was ok
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l306/ttsib/14_03_2007-003.jpg

And this was the average pic
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l306/ttsib/14_03_2007-005.jpg
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l306/ttsib/14_03_2007-005_filtered.jpg

SDK2003

03-14-2007, 06:51 PM

I'm assuming those last two images are 100% crops ?

03-14-2007, 07:15 PM

They are. If this would be the result after some editing, it would really be damn bad :D

sameerrao

03-14-2007, 07:20 PM

Were these taken with a tripod or handheld? There is some blur and the color looks a little oversaturated

03-14-2007, 07:41 PM

Handheld, 1/160 F4.5, of course IS on.

Sadly I am not used to keep my originals as you know, but usually with such relatively quick speed the originals are perfectly sharp.

I don't know, all of a sudden the pics seem just "soft", rarely really sharp, even at 1/250 and faster, and even if I have shaky hands, I never had problems above 1/100...

As for the color, contrast and general light in the shots, yes, I fucked up the manual settings and they are a bit burned ;)

Also, something weird: when in aperture priority, in the past the camera was able to perfectly judge the speed. now I always shoot in manual but in Monza out of curiosity I tried aperture mode again, and I was surprised the camera was always underexposing EVERY shot and by quite some margin, just picking high speeds as it never did before...
And in the past I was using that mode a lot and never noticed it.

Maybe I just want a 30D and trying to convince myself this 350D is crap :D

ae86_16v

03-15-2007, 12:25 AM

Just wondering how many pictures have you taken w/ the 350D? Maybe it is starting towards the end of its life already?

Yeah, I would definitely get a 30D over a 400D. That's the only camera that will make me jump ship from Nikon.

Speaking of which, I changed cameras myself. Unlike you ballers, I ended up downgrading back to the D50. So D50 to D70, and now back to the D50. I really do like the smaller size of the D50 more. And picture quality wise, I found myself liking the images from the D50 more than the D70. :)

Pokiou

03-15-2007, 01:40 AM

Question is .... how much will you sell your camera for cause i might be intrested.

03-15-2007, 02:36 AM

Difficult to guess how many pics I took with the 350. Somewhere between 10'000 and 20'000 I think. Not that many for such a camera.

And Pokiou, I am aiming at getting 500 CHF, which is around 520 AUD. trouble is, shipping to Australia would be kinda expensive; if the camera really has a prob, I don't want to see it to somebody I sort of know ;) and finally, if I'll do this upgrade, it has to be done quickly, this WE.

dingo

03-15-2007, 04:11 AM

I've seen some stunning photography with a 350D, so I can't see a real need to upgrade just yet.....we always want something bigger/better but need to resist sometimes. :D

I would just get your camera checked out, wouldn't that be cheaper? If its a big problem then yes go ahead and get a 30D.

Pokiou

03-15-2007, 08:29 AM

well let me know TT ... im looking for a slr camera to begin with.

dingo

03-15-2007, 08:47 AM

Pokiou, buy a 2nd hand one locally for around $650-700 - will work out about the same cost and ALOT easier.

03-15-2007, 01:52 PM

Dingo, I was weak and placed an order with my local store. 30D + grip...

I'd like to have the 350d checked out, but can't live without my camera honestly..

And I got quite an offer: 1640 Swiss francs for the 30D and they'll buy my 350D back (not sure about how much I'd get from it). I should be able to come home with 30D + grip for some 1500 Swiss francs I recon...

MartijnGizmo

03-15-2007, 02:20 PM

I went from a 350D to a 30D a year ago, and never regreted it. 8)

sameerrao

03-15-2007, 02:24 PM

Congrats Matteo! Bastard will start the trend now and force all of us to upgrade too. think of us poor followers next time before you buy stuff :lol:

03-15-2007, 02:57 PM

LMAO it's MartijnGizmo's and others' fault if I keep upgrading LOL!

Now let's cross the fingers hoping the camera will indeed be available and arrive in time as I have an important indepth sunday...

Pokiou

03-15-2007, 06:29 PM

03-15-2007, 07:26 PM

IMO in Melbourne there must be a store or two selling second hand cameras.

Sadly you can't hope to find a 30D for a bargain yet ;)

But I am sure you can find some 350D for 500-700 depending on the conditions. if well kept, the 350D is still a great buy and IMO the extra money to get a 400D isn't really worth if it wasn't for the fact we are talking about new vs second hand

dingo

03-15-2007, 07:53 PM

ae86_16v

03-15-2007, 08:08 PM

Pokiou, buy a 2nd hand one locally for around $650-700 - will work out about the same cost and ALOT easier.

Hey Dingo,

Im looking @ getting them but they are WAY WAY over priced on ebay. i found a 2nd hand body 30D or something and they wanted ... ??? 1000 well it was getting bidded upto that price.

I saw a brand new Sony DSLR camera and that was about 1200 brand new..

so if u can assist me and point me in the right direction i would be greatful.

Pok

Yeah, I don't know about Australia, but here in the US, the market for used SLRs are very expensive. Most of the time, you are really just saving tax on the item. At which point, I would rather just buy new and have the warranty.

Congrats on the purchase TT. Damn, everyone is upgrading ;) .

TopGearNL

03-15-2007, 08:08 PM

With your new lense and a new camera I can't begin to imagine how your pics are going to be TT! :shock:

Anyway about the 400D, everybody go's on about it cleaning its own sensor and so on, but what Ive heard from it, it doesn't do its job..

And seeing what Martijn did with that camera! :D

03-16-2007, 02:32 AM

Yeah just have a look at a few photography forums or whatever locally, I'm sure they will pop up. I know of one in Perth on the WRX forum going for $750 I think (thats a 350D, not 30D).

LOL, congrats TT - I think you and I are very similar - once we get something in our head we want to buy its almost impossible to stop yourself. :P Now whats this important photoshoot....any hints?

You drove this car already, in the depth of your country ;) but well, I prefer not to talk about it too much as it is not yet done and as it won't be online for a while probably ;)

Anyway yes, the moment I decide I want something, I need it right away and it's just impossible to think about it with a cold mind.

dingo

03-16-2007, 04:24 AM

:drool:

That narrows it down. :D

03-17-2007, 07:17 AM

Here we are: the 30D arrived at the store today with its battery grip.

It's here beside me now. I must admit it makes perfect sense. You just have to hold it once to understand the 350D is really the basic model: too small, shitty commands and all. It was a great way to enter the SLR world, no doubt, but as soon as you take one pic with a 30D, the 350D seems sooo yesterday!

The 30 is bigger, much better in my hands, every control is at reach and all of them are easy to understand and use.
The bigger LCD is a nice plus too IMO.

The first thing I had to try was the 5 fps which sounds professional as hell, even after having seen the 1D Mk III video with its 500000 fps :D
The shutter sound is also better.

All in all, can't see a single downside in this new camera and can't wait to test it (must wait for the damn batteries to be charged as they aren't the same as the 350's.

While going to the store I managed to shoot the last pics with the 350: a Testarossa, which was a nice farewell :)

Igorionia

03-17-2007, 10:56 AM

my congrats man :)
I really like my 20D too!
nice step forward :good:

03-17-2007, 02:06 PM

First quick pics thsi evening
http://img102.imagevenue.com/loc479/th_54322_17_03_2007_020_122_479lo.jpg (http://img102.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54322_17_03_2007_020_122_479lo.jpg)h ttp://img102.imagevenue.com/loc443/th_54325_17_03_2007_023_122_443lo.jpg (http://img102.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54325_17_03_2007_023_122_443lo.jpg)h ttp://img165.imagevenue.com/loc449/th_54327_17_03_2007_040_122_449lo.jpg (http://img165.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54327_17_03_2007_040_122_449lo.jpg)h ttp://img129.imagevenue.com/loc545/th_54334_17_03_2007_044_122_545lo.jpg (http://img129.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54334_17_03_2007_044_122_545lo.jpg)
http://img174.imagevenue.com/loc328/th_54344_Mot1_122_328lo.jpg (http://img174.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54344_Mot1_122_328lo.jpg)http://img175.imagevenue.com/loc439/th_54345_Mot2_122_439lo.jpg (http://img175.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54345_Mot2_122_439lo.jpg)

http://img164.imagevenue.com/loc511/th_54571_lotuseuropas01_122_511lo.jpg (http://img164.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54571_lotuseuropas01_122_511lo.jpg)h ttp://img169.imagevenue.com/loc434/th_54578_mercury01_122_434lo.jpg (http://img169.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54578_mercury01_122_434lo.jpg)http://img175.imagevenue.com/loc386/th_54579_porsche993c4s01_122_386lo.jpg (http://img175.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54579_porsche993c4s01_122_386lo.jpg) http://img23.imagevenue.com/loc486/th_54580_porsche997c4s_122_486lo.jpg (http://img23.imagevenue.com/img.php?image=54580_porsche997c4s_122_486lo.jpg)

TopGearNL

03-17-2007, 03:03 PM

^^ Love the pannings, especially the bike ones!

And that mansion driveway pic is very cool!

Looks very promising TT! :wink:

03-17-2007, 03:20 PM

The mansion is actually a cemetery ;)

TopGearNL

03-17-2007, 03:22 PM

The mansion is actually a cemetery ;)

Oops, I thought it was a driveway up to a mansion.. :oops: :lol:

MartijnGizmo

03-17-2007, 07:41 PM

When is the 1D/5D coming?

03-18-2007, 09:16 AM

I hope I'll be able to make the big step to a 1D one day, but will be hard to justify it :bah:

MartijnGizmo

03-18-2007, 05:19 PM

I'm sure it'll come one day. :P

Pokiou

03-18-2007, 08:32 PM

Man i want a digital SLR camera :(

Pok

sameerrao

03-19-2007, 01:13 PM

I must say TT the pics look crap. You need to go back to the 350D and stop forcing all of us to upgrade.

Its like the War readiness policy. You go from DEFCON 1 to DEFCON 2 we have to follow suit. Think of the global $$$/EU/etc being wasted in this totally unnecessary one upmanship.

Let us leave the Gizmo's of the world in their league and stay in humble league.

;) Pics look sharp. Have you noticed an improvement in autofocus speed? :)

03-19-2007, 02:01 PM

LOL!

And nope, not really noticed any improvement in focusing speed. I guess most of it is up to the lense anyway

TopGearNL

03-19-2007, 02:13 PM

Im sure you'll get the most out of it soon TT :wink:

sameerrao

03-19-2007, 03:02 PM

LOL!

And nope, not really noticed any improvement in focusing speed. I guess most of it is up to the lense anyway

I was reading the review of my 70-200 F2.8 lens. It was mentioned that going from D50 to the D200 will improve the focussing speed and also get more quality. It is already fast in the D50 soit should ultra quick in the D200 8)

I am thinking possibly the same would hold true for the 30D. You are moving from consumer to a Pro-am lens after all.

03-19-2007, 04:03 PM

Well, it was already fast enough on the 350, so even if faster, I doubt I'd notice :)

sameerrao

03-19-2007, 04:36 PM

Considering that most of your subjects are moving at a rapid 0.0 mph, it wont matter I guess ;)

03-26-2007, 05:01 PM

dutchmasterflex

03-26-2007, 05:12 PM

Those cockgoblins. I guess they figure if you can shell out a few thousand bucks on a professional SLR you can spend more money on the remote. :fist:

sameerrao

03-26-2007, 06:43 PM

I hate it even for Nikon when virtually every lens comes with its own filter size. It makes it real expensive. My 70-200 lens takes 77mm filters, my 18-70 takes 67mm filters, other lenses have 52, 72 mm filters. And remember you need to buy the UV and Cir polarizer. So in the end you spend a lot more than just for the lens

03-27-2007, 02:04 AM

I refuse to buy the UV filters just to protect the lense :) I always have the polarizer on, and when it is too dark, I just try to be carefull and hope the suncap will be enough of a protection :bah: :)

stmoritzer

03-27-2007, 04:12 AM

^agree with you guys, it sucks to change batteries and remtoes just for upgrading the equipment :? ... I undertsand, that a Nikon remote is not supposed to work on a Canon ( same for batteries), but within the brand :roll:

Considering that most of your subjects are moving at a rapid 0.0 mph, it wont matter I guess ;)
LOL

MartijnGizmo

03-27-2007, 10:55 AM

Bugger! Just found out the other day, almost by mistake, that the remote I was using for the 350D has of course a different plug and won't fit the 30D :) bastards :roll: don't see how they could justify it. It just another way to make me by another fucking remote :(

It's the other way round: the 30D uses Canon's regular connection (N3) while the 350D had a minijack-connection. ;)

12-27-2007, 05:00 PM

Got a new bit of kit today.. couldn't resist...

Speedlite 580EX II
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l306/ttsib/Untitled-1-1.jpg

Bought it some hours ago, and I am in love.

Tried two sec, indoor and it's damn impressive:

polarizer filter, F4.5 1/125 with the 70-200 F2.8 IS, at 190mm from about two meters, indirect flash...
http://i99.photobucket.com/albums/l306/ttsib/23_12_2007-003-1.jpg

Can't wait to really need it at events or such :D

volkoff

12-27-2007, 05:28 PM

TT just keep buying stuff))
It is a good flash, I made some shots with it and it was working really good.
Hope to see some new pics)

Smartdriver

12-28-2007, 12:25 PM

Well, nice buy TT. This flash is awesome and I love mine (580 EX I). :thumbup:
When you come in Italy we try if is really tropicalized...:mrgreen:

12-28-2007, 03:34 PM

No please, no more italian rainstorm for me!!

harryo2b

02-07-2008, 04:48 AM

TT, you shoot with the 580 mounted via camera hotshoe or off cam?

I have the 580EXII as well and in reality it's overkill unless you shoot fast or with multiple Canon EX flashes where E-TTL comes into play but shooting E-TTL is no fun. Not saying I don't like mine but on camera flash is boring anyways, and only when a person understands light and off camera flash will they learn more of being a photog, is what I have experienced.

As far as filters I know all "L" lenses are sealed but from what I have gathered from a many photogs "L" lenses are only fully sealed with a filter mounted to them.

02-07-2008, 04:41 PM

I use it on camera, and I am honestly not interested in mastering complicated flash techniques. I just need it to obtain decent pics with difficult light conditions, indoor or out, that's it :)

harryo2b

02-08-2008, 03:55 PM

I use it on camera, and I am honestly not interested in mastering complicated flash techniques. I just need it to obtain decent pics with difficult light conditions, indoor or out, that's it :)

My bad TT, I meant it as a general comment to the thread. Your photos are pretty damn good as is and you have a nice use of ambient light reflected in your photography.

shadows

03-15-2008, 06:12 AM

Think you made the best choice with the 30D, most people prefer it to the 350D, 400D and 450D. I'd like to change from my 350D to a 30D soon, but still need to upgrade some lenses first. I don't know if you've seen this, but there is a really good Canon forum at:

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/index.php

They have almost 140,000 users and there's 5 million posts you can read through which should answer most questions!! It is mainly American but there are a lot of British photographers there as well.