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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
What is a good upgrade from a Rebel XT
Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 2:32 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> I'm looking to buy a new body for my camera. Right now I use a rebel XT and want to upgrade to another canon body. I am looking between the $1000-$2000 price range since I'm still in school. I shoot a lot of sports and concert photography. Any suggestions on a body to buy would help a lot. |
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Ric Tapia, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Santa Barbara | CA | USA | Posted: 2:38 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> The new Canon 40D looks good, even a 20D or 30D would be a nice upgrade. What glass do you have? Also you could pick up a used 1D Mark II for around $1800-2000, you have alot of options. |
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Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 2:42 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> I have a 70-200 f/2.8L and a 28-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS. I need more money to buy more 2.8 glass. Also what is a good website to rent lenes from? |
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Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 3:58 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> I was thinking about the 40D. What is the live view function thats on the 40D and the mark III? |
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Paul Nelson, Photographer
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Temperance | MI | USA | Posted: 4:08 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> I'd look at a 20D or 30D as a primary, keeping the XT as a backup. You should always have two good cameras for a few reasons - one to keep you shooting, second is to reduce lens changes. I'd recommend making it possible to always be working than getting into the highest end gear. You'll get there in time. A 40D is certainly a good option - just don't know how much free $$$ you have floating around. |
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Joel Kowsky, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | United States | Posted: 4:09 PM on 10.07.07 |
->> I second the 40D, but if you found a good deal on a used 30D that hadn't been worked too hard it would also be a good upgrade that would leave you more money to put towards lenses.
As far as lens rentals go, I've used lensrentals.com on various occasions, usually for longer glass, but they have a wide variety of Canon glass and the prices are pretty good. |
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Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 4:11 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> What is the price difference between the 30D and the 40D? |
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Paul Nelson, Photographer
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Temperance | MI | USA | Posted: 4:13 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> Ok, I still misread the original post. My point was to get your workflow going strong & solid before (or continued) heavy investments in glass. More equipment options are better than desiring the best at the beginning, but if you can swing payment on some nice gear, think about it and go that route if you don't sacrifice other tools you need to complete your current work. I know that you can quickly make no profit if you can't justify the $$$ for 2.8 or less gear or the absolute newest stuff on the market. Many of us are still using older gear with great results :) Just make sure you're always capable of shooting!!!! |
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Ric Tapia, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 4:27 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> the 40D is what the one that i'm going to get a my main body and keep the XT as my second. But what is the live view function is doesn't say anything about it on the website. |
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Ric Tapia, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Santa Barbara | CA | USA | Posted: 4:38 PM on 10.07.07 |
->> From Canon website:
"Live View option, where the photographer can compose and shoot directly from the LCD monitor...Live View function enables the photographer to zoom in and navigate the composition at 5x or 10x normal size, while enabling critical manual focus and allowing more attention to detail." |
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Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 4:43 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> Thanks Ric I didnt see it on the 40D page but it talks about it on the mark III page. Also what is a good why to get your name out to people for like freelance or assiant work well besides this website. |
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Kevin Leas, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 4:46 PM on 10.07.07 |
->> Eric,
If you're budgeting $2k, I'd consider a 1D mk II. I owned that and the 30D at the same time, and eventually sold the 30D because it almost never got used. The 1D series is quick, durable, and as shallow as it sounds, the physical appearance of the camera can actually come in handy when dealing with people at events. I've found, especially at concerts and games, that the people who look the part with "bigger & better" equipment are often given fewer problems by the people who control access.
Of course, I'm still primarily suggesting it because it's a tank of a camera. |
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Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
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Palm Desert | CA | USA | Posted: 4:55 PM on 10.07.07 |
->> Eric, I don't have a camera with Live View, but from what I've read, you can have your camera hooked up to a 3-inch monitor that is located off of your camera and see what you are photographing. I believe the live view locks everything into place and the settings cannot be changed unless you turn live view off and make the adjustments, but I could be wrong.
Right now a new 40D goes for about $1300 plus tax and shipping. New, a 30D goes for $1000 plus tax and shipping. The 30D is 8.2 megapixels and shoots 5 frames per second. The 40 D is 10.1 megapixels and shoots 6.5 frames per second.
Most 40D's are on back order:
http://www.samys.com/product_detail.php?item=10941
You could get a 30D here:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/423708-REG/Canon_1234B004_EOS_30D_Dig...
Switching gears to the 20D vs the 30D: The main difference between the 20D and the 30D is that the 20D does NOT offer ISO's in 1/3 increments. This is important at high ISO because you cannot shoot at 1000 or 1250 ISO with the 20D. You have 800, 1600 and H (3200). Also, the 30D has a larger view screen on the back of the camera. The 30D has 2.5" screen compared to 2" on the 20D. There are other differences, but these affect me the most.
I like the 30D better than the 20D, but I paid $750 for my used 20D and $1300 for my new 30D about 1 1/2 years ago. The focus on the 20D and the 30D seems to be about the same although in my mind it feels like the 30D is just a tad better than the 20D.
If I were you, I'd get a used Mark IIN. That is one heck of a camera! The Mark IIN is far superior to the 20D and the 30D in every way! Especially in the autofocus department. I use all three of these cameras and when I have the Mark IIN, I rarely use the 20D or 30D. The Mark IIN is really head and shoulders (and maybe the waist too) above the others. It shoots at 8.5 frames per second and the autofocus is phenomenal. From what I've read, the Mark IIN would tower above the 40D too, but since I don't have a 40D it would just be a guess.
Just my 2 cents. |
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Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 5:01 PM on 10.07.07 |
| ->> What makes a good used camera? Should I look for how it was used and how much it was used and the appearence of the camera itself. What advice could you give me about looking for used equipment. |
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Kevin Leas, Photographer
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Rochester | NY | USA | Posted: 7:29 PM on 10.07.07 |
->> While looks can help determine the overall state of a used camera, they can often be deceiving. A camera with lots of small little scratches, for example, may actually be perfectly fine. A camera with one odd looking dent, in just the right spot, may indicate that it's been dropped and has a much higher potential for premature failure.
The number of actuations is something many people look at, as it helps give a rough idea of how long it *should* last you before it needs shutter repair. Knowing how the camera was used can help, too. Find out of what kind of shooting has been done with it, and where. Is it coming from a very hot and humid environment? Has it been restricted to a nice climate controlled studio?
Also, try to find out if it's ever been in for service, or if there are any little bugs that appeared and seemed to go away on their own. Also, was the owner a professional photographer who took good care of the body and possibly had it checked out by CPS? Or was this a hobbyists camera that got banged around? Not all pros treat their equipment well (and not all hobbyists are careless), but in my experience that's how it works more often than not.
And of course, try to stick with a reliable source. If a deal online looks too good to be true, then it probably is. Sites like FredMiranda.com have trading posts, but there's no guarantee that you're dealing with a legit individual. Same goes for ebay, but at least there's some recourse for getting your money back if you're scammed. Of course, finding one locally is your safest bet, even if it means you might pay a few dollars extra.
I for one purchased my camera right here on the SS.com classifieds, and it was a great experience. |
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Eric Linsley, Student/Intern
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York | PA | USA | Posted: 2:43 PM on 10.09.07 |
| ->> What number should I look for when look at the number of actuations. I see that there is a markII with like 43,000 actuations. Is that good or bad? |
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Brian Resac, Photographer, Assistant
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Loves Park | IL | United States | Posted: 3:38 PM on 10.09.07 |
| ->> I just purchased a 40D as a backup camera and have another option you may consider. The 40D body sells for $1299 while the 40D with the Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens sells for $1499. That lens is routinely selling for $375 on ebay (I got $380 for mine) which effectively brings the purchase price of the 40D body down to around $1100. I think the little extra money is a good investment over the 30D for faster fps, sensor cleaner, increased shutter life, larger screen, etc. |
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Joel Kowsky, Student/Intern, Photographer
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Columbia | MO | United States | Posted: 3:49 PM on 10.09.07 |
->> If I remember right the shutter on the MkII is tested to about 150k actuations. (someone correct me if i'm wrong) So 43k would probably be ok. But 150k is just an average time to failure, it could go before if it's been bounced around a bit more than tolerable, or it could go much longer.
I have a pair of 20D's that are both pushing 120K and are still going strong.
I agree with Kevin on sticking to reliable sources, you can never be to sure what you're going to get online sometimes. I took a chance last year and bought a 1D Mk I off of ebay, it could have gone horribly wrong, but thankfully it didn't. I got a wonderful, low-count camera. But would I ever buy another camera on ebay? no, I wouldn't, it's not worth the risk. |
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