EOS 10D?

[Big E]

In a bit of quandary, camera-wise. A few years ago, thinking I might like taking pics, I picked up a Canon A2 35mm setup off ebay, mostly on the recommendation of folks on here. At the time, I had never used anything but a crappy P&S or disposable, and I also was 'puter-less at home, so I didn't really want to plunk down serious coin on a DSLR setup and discover I didn't really use it.

Now, having had a chance to use the A2 a bit (sadly, not much for skiing it seems), I love the camera, and enjoy shooting pics, but I know for a fact that I would use it a lot more if I didn't have to buy film, then drop it off for processing, wait a couple of days (or weeks! depending on where I take it), and then pay again. I also have a computer at home now.

So I'd really like to pick up a DSLR. Part of the reason I like the A2 is because it feels like a camera, rather than the P&S ones. I don't think I'd use a digital P&S that much because I just dislike the process. Now, on to my question. I'd love to get a 20D (or 30D). But I just don't have that kind of coin right now. Anyone have any experience with the 10D? I'm not shooting for a magazine or anything, so having "only" 6MP doesn't concern me too much. Honestly, at my very amature level, the only thing that makes me wonder about the 10D is its burst rate (3fps), which might be a little slow for action stuff (like, say, skiing).

I'm open to suggestions. I would probably sell the A2 to defray the costs a bit, but keep the only lens I actually own (50mm) if I went with the 10D or some other Canon. Ordinarily, I would happily wait say 6 months and let prices fall more, but I have a 2+ week trip to Hawaii in May and would like to have something before then.

[1000-oaks]

I shoot for work and really love my 20d, as does one of the other guys here. The third guy has a 10d, and though a great camera I hate using it compared to my 20d. It's heavier and doesn't have the "joystick" for scrolling around a photo during playback. How much will the 10d run? for $700 bones you can get an XT Rebel, which isn't as "semi-pro" but is quite lightweight.

[summit]

10D and 350D (DXT) are about equal for action 3fps 9frames vs 2.8fps x 14 frames

Coming from an A2, you wont like the Rebel XT... it doesn't have the real camera feel the 10D and 20D have. Based on my experience shooting:
DSLR: 20D, 300D
DP&S: A610, S45, A60
35mm: EOS-3, A2, Elan IIe, AE-1, FTb, OM-4, Prego 90

If action is your real game go for the 20D/30D, otherwise you are better off with the A2's 5fps. Don't forget the importance of a GOOD QUALITY lens.

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+1 on the 50mm ruling as a lens (i have both the 1.4 and 1.8) and sympathize on the 1.6x multiplier effect on my lens lienup: which was 17-35 2.8L, 50 1.4/1.8, 70-200 2.8L, 2x, 15 fish

[The Jackamo]

i will also second the 20D over the 10D. 10D is 3fps, 20D is 5fps, plus the joystick on the 20D makes everything a lot easier. get a good standard zoom and you'd be good to go.

but if a 20D isn't in your budget, (they're around 1110 new just for the body), then i'd opt for the 10D over the 350 (rebel xt), just because the rebel just feels cheaper (it's pretty much a 90% plastic body), and doesn't have as many custom functions, which you'll be thankful for once you start shooting more and your needs are such that you demand more abilities in terms of your equipment.

for reference i've used the 10D, 20D, 350D, 300D, 1D MkII, A2, and Rebel T2. i like my canon stuff.

edit: for lowdown on canon lenses, check out the review section at this place http://www.photozone.de. they give you raw figures in terms of contrast and light transmission so if you're a bludgeoning perfectionist like i am, you'll know exactly what you're getting when you throw down for a lens.

[Meathelmet]

Yup.

I´ll second or third or whatever on the d20 thing.

The d10 is a decent body (hell,i used it for certain kind of assignments for a half a year!) but it has it´s problems.
Certainly for me the biggest gripes was (is) to get neutral (color balance) enough pics. The ccd sensor is quite primite in that sense that is has quite a lot of different cut-offs and,well,in general aint no good.
d20 is has a whole lot better color reproducion.

So,in short, pony up the extra 100-200$ and get the d20.
It´ll save up your time (no need to postproduce the pics so much) and nerves in the short or long run.

And yes,the 1.6x factor is a pain in the ass. A big one. But you´ll learn to live with it,unless you are working with the camera.

[eug]

Big E, keep in mind that when 10D first came out it was the best thing since sliced bread just like 20D is now. There are thousands of people taking awesome pics with 10Ds, check dpreview.com or pbase.com for samples. There is no question that it is a very capable camera. Is 20D better of course, but there will be another body in a year that will blow 20D out of the water.

Find 10D in good condition, pick up good lenses, enjoy your camera. Even today I would get a good lense/10D, rather than a shitty lense/20D combination.

[1000-oaks]

There already are: the 30d basically updates the 20d.

And the 5d...simply kicks ass, I want one so bad but can't justify a $3K body when I already have a 20d...sigh. I could have sold my like-new 20d to my brother for $900, but that still means coming up with another $2K. And if your job requires you to have a camera body of such caliber, it probably means you really need to keep the 20d as a back-up body anyway...a vicious cycle.

[1000-oaks]

Even today I would get a good lense/10D, rather than a shitty lense/20D combination.

Absolutely. Just like firearm optics; the rule of thumb is to spend more on the scope than the rifle.

[pechelman]

for me Im still waiting for a reasonably priced full sensor DSLR.
when I see something decent in the $1500 price range maybe then Ill get one.
In the meatime, I like my super wide angles too much to compromise my 12-24mm Sigma.

[Big E]

Big E, keep in mind that when 10D first came out it was the best thing since sliced bread just like 20D is now. There are thousands of people taking awesome pics with 10Ds, check dpreview.com or pbase.com for samples. There is no question that it is a very capable camera. Is 20D better of course, but there will be another body in a year that will blow 20D out of the water.

Find 10D in good condition, pick up good lenses, enjoy your camera. Even today I would get a good lense/10D, rather than a shitty lense/20D combination.

That's sorta what I'm thinking. If I get a 10D, love it, and get a lot of use out of it, then in another couple of years, the new 29854710D will be tons better. I'm not a pro, hell, I'm not even a good amateur, but I'll get a lot better if I actually have a camera that I shoot a lot with, as opposed to now, where I just don't shoot a ton because of the hassle of developing and the lack of instant feedback/gratification.[/run-on]

[The Jackamo]

for me Im still waiting for a reasonably priced full sensor DSLR.
when I see something decent in the $1500 price range maybe then Ill get one.
In the meatime, I like my super wide angles too much to compromise my 12-24mm Sigma.

you'll be waiting a while