300D to 30D, really worth £500

[Mr_Sukebe]

Chaps,
I've had a 300D for just over a year, to which I've added some nice L and Tamron XR Di glass.

I'm now left wondering whether to upgrade the body or not. I'd love a 5D or 1D, but both of those are prohibitively expensive. Seems to leave me with the 30D as the obvious next step.
From reading around, I get the impression that the 30D isn't actually massively better in outright picture quality, and that it's like moving from a 300D to a 350D. What I understand is that the improvements are in build quality, autofocus ability, longevity etc.
The question is whether it's worth my existing camera body plus £500 (which is what I'm guessing it'll cost me).

Thoughts?

 

[Rich]

Dunno to be fair, but i just rang a high street supplier and they will price match the internet and give me 12 months interest free credit. Kinda makes the price difference less of a hassle.

I like you have the 300D and am struggling to decide what to do. The build quality is what appeals to me, along with the bigger buffers (11 raw shots back to back iirc), not to mention spot metering and improved AF.

I also held a Nikon D50 the other day and was suprised at how well built it felt. Much better than the 300D imho. If the 30D is built better than this again then it will be very nice indeed.

Anyway, im going to drive out to said retailer tonight and have a play, if i like it i might just buy it.

 

[Rich]

Ok, i went as planned to The High street camera retailer to have a closer look at the 30D....and bought one

Firstly, i got them to price match to the internet (they do this and have a big poster up confirming this). Secondly, i got the buy now pay in 12 months deal.

The camera itself compared to the 300 (i havent had time to go out with the 30D yet so that part of things will have to wait):

First things noticed.

1)Build quality - its top notch, MUCH MUCH better than the 300D.
2)The interface - Again, top notch, the jog wheel is fantastic and really speeds things up.
3)Speed. OH MY GOD. how fast is this thing? 12 back to back raw shots in quick order and when i pressed the "play" button to review the images it was INSTANT. No waiting around like with the 300D. It also writes images to the CF much faster than the 300D ever did.
4)LCD - its massive. Its like carrying a mini TV around. Very bright, large and clear.

Other than that i havent had much time to play with it or go through the manual. Ill try and post more info as i find out more about it, so far though im very impressed.

 

[Raymond Lin]

Rich, How much did you get it for in the end and di you get the Kit or body only?

 

[Rich]

I went body only and im using the lenses from my 300D for the time being.
I paid £764. Not sure if i can mention where from here as OCUK now sell cameras.
The store i got it from are doing internet price matching as long as the website have the camera in stock and are in the UK. They also only match the online price including shipping, which is ok because i pricematched against a place with free next day delivery

Edit: Just need that all important walkabout lens now. The 17-85 IS looks nice but is a ripoff at £400. Guess it will have to be a Tamron 28-70

 

[stu.artd]

I'm in the same boat, trying to decide whether to replace my 2 year old 300D with a 30D or keep the 300D and get a 70-200L F4 along with a macro lens.

Rich, I used a 28-135IS as my walkaround lens and it did very well. I got a 17-40 though and use that more now.

 

[Rich]

In an ideal world i would have the 24-105L. Might get the Tamron as a stop gap tho