Upgrade from a Canon D30 (yes D30)

dipper17

dipper17

dipper17

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Hi all

This is my first post in the photography sections - so bare with me.

I am looking for a new DSLR - it must be Canon as I have a number of lenses and other accessories for Canon - I have not really got a budget so was looking for what you guys and gals thinks above various current models or discontinued models that are a good buy.

Now the funny part - I'm upgrading from a D30 (not a 30D - do not worry boys you will hear about it in history lessons!). This was Canon's first affordable DSLR and I've had it since 2001. Done 27500 pictures and still going well, just need a few more pixels to play around with.

From reading through the forums 40D seem popular but come on let me have your suggestions, ideas and comments.

Cheers

Dipper
 
Dipper, 40D will be a massive improvement and let you keep all your accessories, and is what I'd be looking at in your situation...
 
IIRC the Canon D30 was EF only, so you could go full frame if you have the cash without losing any of your lenses.

The 40D can be had for <£500 though, well worth a look.
 
try and go 5dmkII, you wont need to upgrade for years and full frame is worth so much more!
 
Another vote for a 5DmkII if you can afford it.

Especially if you like wide angle, as they will give the same field of view as a 35mm film SLR again, rather than the cropped view of the smaller sensors of the D30, D60, 10D....40D, 50D.

Not that there's anything very wrong with the cropped cameras either. To be honest they will all be a massive improvement, so in your position I'd just check all the prices and work out where your budget leaves you.

If full frame becomes important and you can't afford the 5DmkII you might be able to get a used 5D. Still a great camera, but it won't have the features of newer models. Not that you will miss them coming from a D30.
 
What lenses do you currently own and what is your budget? There isn't much point going for a 5D Mark II if you don't have decent quality lenses to go with it. I also dont see a massive advantage in going for a 50D over a 40D.
 
Hi

I've got the following lenses:

Canon EF 24mm f/2.8
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM
Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS
Canon EF 2x II extender

I'm very happy with the performance of the lenses so far. I did have a 70-300 Canon Ultrasonic lenses which I picked up secondhand and you could definately tell the difference between them. So I decided to stick to one or two good lenses and have not regretted the decision.

Thanks for the help

Cheers

Dipper
 
Considering the quality of thelenses I would definitely consider the 5D MkII if you've got the cash, it will be a huge upgrade and the 24mm will make a fantastic landscape lens on it.
 
I think I'd go for a classic 5D unless you find yourself at the 400mm end of your 100-400 a lot of the time.

I'll probably get flamed for this but the 5D II doesn't really do anything the original can't do aside from video. Not many people really need 21mp, 3fps vs 4fps is no deal breaker. High ISO performance would be nice but not for £1000 difference when the classic 5D performs so well.

If you "just need a few more pixels to play around with" I don't think you really need 21mp. Anything made in the past 3 years is going to be a massive jump in performance for you.

If you fancy something really quite fast for £400-ish get a 40D. If you want gorgeous image quality for £800 get a 5D classic. If you want to blow a load of money just for a laugh get a 5D Mark II.
 
olv said:
I think I'd go for a classic 5D unless you find yourself at the 400mm end of your 100-400 a lot of the time.

I'll probably get flamed for this but the 5D II doesn't really do anything the original can't do aside from video. Not many people really need 21mp, 3fps vs 4fps is no deal breaker. High ISO performance would be nice but not for £1000 difference when the classic 5D performs so well.

If you "just need a few more pixels to play around with" I don't think you really need 21mp. Anything made in the past 3 years is going to be a massive jump in performance for you.

If you fancy something really quite fast for £400-ish get a 40D. If you want gorgeous image quality for £800 get a 5D classic. If you want to blow a load of money just for a laugh get a 5D Mark II.
Click to expand...


I'd agree, the 5DMKII is not really that tempting, you pay a lot of money to get those 21MP. And thats it', you really pay a premium for the sensor, the focusing, ergonomics, speeds, functionality is not really there. On the Nikon Side if you go to the Full frame D700 then you gain hell of a lot. The 5D MK1 takes images more or less as good as the Mk 2 in a body that does basically the same thing., you just miss some mega pixels. The 40D gives a fast responsive body , enough resolution for most people, and saves a lot of moeny for more lenses.

For Landscape work, the 5D will really shine on some of your lenses. And if you are a die hard landscape photographer, the then 5DMK2 is probably justified if you have a cash since the deficiencies of the 5DMK2 don't really affect landscape photogs.
 
D.P. said:
I'd agree, the 5DMKII is not really that tempting, you pay a lot of money to get those 21MP. And thats it', you really pay a premium for the sensor, the focusing, ergonomics, speeds, functionality is not really there. On the Nikon Side if you go to the Full frame D700 then you gain hell of a lot. The 5D MK1 takes images more or less as good as the Mk 2 in a body that does basically the same thing., you just miss some mega pixels. The 40D gives a fast responsive body , enough resolution for most people, and saves a lot of moeny for more lenses.

For Landscape work, the 5D will really shine on some of your lenses. And if you are a die hard landscape photographer, the then 5DMK2 is probably justified if you have a cash since the deficiencies of the 5DMK2 don't really affect landscape photogs.
Click to expand...

Hi

So it looks as if my choice has narrowed to a 40D or a classic 5D which I assume is the 5D, the predecessor of the 5D Mark II. The 40D is 10 megapixels which is 3 times higher than my current camera so I will notice the difference!. The 5D is 15 mp so again a big improvement;)

So now I need to source one of these bodies. I expect that the 40D will only now be secondhand, but I may get a 5D from old stock.

Anybody got any suggestions as to where to get one from?

Cheers, Dipper
 
If you're happy with the price of the 5D, then I personally wouldn't see it as a choice between the two.

Look for refurbished from the official dealer on auction sites, or check around for used dealers such as mpb. I'm not entirely sure i can give you the name or link as OCUK stock 2 digital cameras, and thus could be classed as competitors.
 
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