Wedding coming up...need a DSLR

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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I got to do some shots for a Friend's wedding in 3 week's time so in need to get a camera probably next week in time for me to learn the controls and be familiar with it. It'll HAVE to be Canon as I already have Canon lenses, now I dunno if I should get a 30D, 400D or something older like a 10D (I would worry about the usage the shutter has done) ?

I know the 350D/400D is plastic-tastic and will probably regret it in like a day since I am used to the metal body of the EOS30, is the 30D similar to the EOS30 ?

What about a vertical grip? I love the vertical grip on the EOS30, is there one out yet for either 30D or 400D since they are both really new models. I am guessing the 550EX will be fully compatible too (except i know there isn't the White Balancing thingy)?

Last question, what is the best price at the moment for either camera? I only have a 50mm MKII and 28-105 MKII so may be the Kit Lens (althought pap) might come in handy.
 
How about a 20D? A bit cheaper than the 30D, but I don't think there's that much difference. With the money you'd save get yourself an f:1.8 50mm jobbie for peanuts and that'd do you nicely. Better that what you already have, esp for indoor shots w/o flash.

What's your max budget?

/edit

missed that you already had the 50mm. Duh!
 
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Like Danaza suggested – check out the 20D's on e-bay, one went for £460 the other day with only 5,000 shutter actuations.

In answer to your questions.
- The battery grip for the 20D fits the 30D. I’m not sure about the 400D though.
- The 550EX is compatible with all Canon D-SLR's and it’ll even work in ETTL-II
 
arcamalpha said:
Why not rent one for a couple of weeks? It'll cost you 50 quid or so and you'll have the opportunity to take more time deciding on the model to buy long term.

http://www.fixationuk.com/rentlist.htm
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I thought about that, no where local lease cameras, that site seems expensive

Eos 30D Digital Kit inc.battery daily £60.00 weekely £240.00.

I need it for 1 day but I wont be at home to recieve it that morning time to pick it up from anywhere and same with return so realistically I need 3 days hire, £180......total cost + Vat and insurance. Not really value for money when you could get a body for £700 for keep, then probably sell it for that much the week after.
 
Rental is very expensive, but it's normally one days rent for a weekend :) However, the nearest place is Bristol so it's not that useful, and they don't stock much either!

Anyway, get a 20D/30D and a grip.
 
afaik the grip for the 350D works on the 400D

really handy stuff I must admit

a 20D is a great piece of kit to go with if you're on a budget
 
I would buy a DSLR rather than rent as I can't imagine they would be particularly well looked after. I dread to think of the amount of dust that clogs up rented camera sensors and I'll be surprised if they bother cleaning them between users.

Not only that you'll keep it, use it A LOT, and look after it well. I know it's expensive but knowing how much you like your photography, Raymond, I think you'll make the most of it.

As far as which camera to get I can't really advise you as I've not used a 10/20 or 30D. I own a 350D and find it sturdy enough. I cant imagine a situation I would be in where it would get damaged. I'd be much more concerned about the lenses. Yes, it's plastic but it's not made out of cling film. It's sturdy enough unless you are particularly fond of dropping it on concrete floors..
 
dropped my 350D on the dance floor at a wedding
filter cracked and the speedlite knackered on the hotshoe
apart from that it's fine
about a waistheight drop, not onto concrete thankfully
with the grip the 350D is a very usable camera
the 20D is better for a couple of immediate reasons
the wheel on the back is great for changing settings
the metering will be better
just make sure you have a great flash to work with too
the body and seals are better for semi pro work but for one day of wedding...
 
Some thoughts:
- You might want to look at a dedicated flash. Built in units are generally not that great for bigger stuff, which you'll be probably working with.
Linked to that, would be worth getting a decent tripod.
- I get the impression that the 400 has seriously closed down the image quality benefit on the 30D, particularly with the use of most of the AF system from the 30D into the 400. So if you can stand how plastic the 400 is, it's definitely worth considering.
- The 400 does use the same grip as the 350, though it does push the price towards a 30D
- Haven't seen any real bargains on 20Ds, though there might be some s/h
- The only other potential option that might be worth considering is an older 1D. The price of these s/h is now not much above the cost of a new 30D, and do remember that these cost £5k when new. What you don't get is amazing battery life, built in flash (not a big loss), huge numbers of megapixels or great ability at high ISOs. Making up for it you get a unit that could happily be used as a mace if you're ever attacked, has the best AF available on any SLR (not really massively improved on with newer 1Ds), stunning frame rate and lots of great functionality.
 
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the 1d is only 4.2 mp though! For wedding shots high resolution is essential - if the shots are good they will be reproduced...
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
Some thoughts:
- You might want to look at a dedicated flash. Built in units are generally not that great for bigger stuff, which you'll be probably working with.
Linked to that, would be worth getting a decent tripod.
- I get the impression that the 400 has seriously closed down the image quality benefit on the 30D, particularly with the use of most of the AF system from the 30D into the 400. So if you can stand how plastic the 400 is, it's definitely worth considering.
- The 400 does use the same grip as the 350, though it does push the price towards a 30D
- Haven't seen any real bargains on 20Ds, though there might be some s/h
- The only other potential option that might be worth considering is an older 1D. The price of these s/h is now not much above the cost of a new 30D, and do remember that these cost £5k when new. What you don't get is amazing battery life, built in flash (not a big loss), huge numbers of megapixels or great ability at high ISOs. Making up for it you get a unit that could happily be used as a mace if you're ever attacked, has the best AF available on any SLR (not really massively improved on with newer 1Ds), stunning frame rate and lots of great functionality.
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I already have a 550EX with diffuser + a off-shoe sync cord, and also have a Manfrotto tripod so those bases are covered. I basically after just a body since I have a Canon set up already to go.
 
morgan said:
the 1d is only 4.2 mp though! For wedding shots high resolution is essential - if the shots are good they will be reproduced...
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Just bear in mind that when the 1D was new, that it was primarily used by Pros, meaning that a lot of magazines 4-5 years ago would have included shots made by that body. Do you remember mags looking that bad a few years ago?

Furthermore, go check on forums like Fredmiranda for a comparison of shots between a 20D and a 1D. The 1D users a CMOS sensor, as against the CCD in the 20D. It's well recognised by many as having better image quality than the 20D, despite it's apparent lack of resolution.
As I say, don't take my word for it, go check a forum where people have genuine experience of both side by side.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
The 1D users a CMOS sensor, as against the CCD in the 20D.
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It's the other way round ;)

20D - CMOS
1D - CCD made by Panasonic

The 1D is really a sports camera so isn't ideally suited to Wedding/Studio photography.
 
Mr_Sukebe said:
Just bear in mind that when the 1D was new, that it was primarily used by Pros, meaning that a lot of magazines 4-5 years ago would have included shots made by that body. Do you remember mags looking that bad a few years ago?

Furthermore, go check on forums like Fredmiranda for a comparison of shots between a 20D and a 1D. The 1D users a CMOS sensor, as against the CCD in the 20D. It's well recognised by many as having better image quality than the 20D, despite it's apparent lack of resolution.
As I say, don't take my word for it, go check a forum where people have genuine experience of both side by side.
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4-5 years ago is a long time in dslr advancements. The detail from a 4.2mp camera just isnt enough...especially if a shot needs to be cropped. Sure the body and AF is great but the output isnt up to todays standards...
 
morgan said:
4-5 years ago is a long time in dslr advancements. The detail from a 4.2mp camera just isnt enough...especially if a shot needs to be cropped. Sure the body and AF is great but the output isnt up to todays standards...
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The 1D is the same generation as the original 1Ds so it's still a quality camera.
Like I said above; the 1D is not a people photography camera but if you just wanted one for Sports use then it would make sense to go for the 1D over a 20/30D.

Images from the 1D have been blown up to poster size for the backing boards around pit garages and hospitality suits and they look awesome.
 
SDK^ said:
Like I said above; the 1D is not a people photography camera but if you just wanted one for Sports use then it would make sense to go for the 1D over a 20/30D.
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For those without the opportunity to actually compare the meagre 4Mp 1D to the 8Mp 20D, have a scan through the following links, you might find them interesting. As so well said, "not all pixels are made equal":

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic2/282123/0
http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic2/125369/0

If you can't be bothered to read them, the basics are that the 20D does clearly have advantages in lower weight, better high ISO performance and better battery life.
Picture quality is clearly highly debated with different people siding with different bodies. Neither is clear cut, implying that there really isn't that much in it. Of course with the 1D you then add massively better AF, improved controls, weather sealing etc.

It's clearly a choice, and whilst I'm not saying that the 1D will win in every area, the old "higher MPs is obviously better" argument really isn't that relevant.
Just trying to give a more rounded view of the situation...
 
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