Would a Canon 30D be a good camera to learn with?

tobsmonster2

tobsmonster2

tobsmonster2

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Hi all,

I hope you're all enjoying the Christmas period :).

I've been enrolled on a photography course and I'm needing a camera to practice with.

I'm looking at the 30D mainly because it offers a more professional Canon body at quite an affordable price (~£180 for body alone).

I should say I've owned a Canon 400D previously, and while I enjoyed my time with it, I really didn't enjoy how it felt in my hands and I knew I'd be moving onto a bigger body ever since I sold it.

My question is, would you recommend the 30D as a good platform to learn with?

From what I can see, lower resolution and poorer ISO performance are the only drawbacks to this older body...is there anything I've overlooked?

Those two issues aren't too major for me as I'm not expecting to take masterpieces at this time, but it's important I have a body/platform I'm comfortable with and won't be limiting to me in anyway.

Before I enrolled on this course I was considering a buying a 7D, but I've decided on holding off until I really know what I want out of a camera :).

...anywho...I hope that wasn't too long for you all and any thoughts and opinions on the 30D would be appreciated. I'm also happy to hear about any other cameras in the price range, but try to keep it Canon as I'm more farmiliar with that ecosystem than any other.

Thanks :).
 
I would opt for the 40D as you can get it pretty much the same price as the 30D. But yes, they're both still excellent for starting with.
Regarding lens, if you're looking to get just the standard kit lens, get the one with IS as it's better optically than the old non-IS one, plus the IS can be useful.
 
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I had the 30D and preferred it over my 60D. Saying that, have you tried looking for the 50D? Body wise, they're nice until they got to the 60D and changed the feel, plus the 50D had micro adjust.
 
Any camera with full manual is fine for learning with.

I have a 30D and my only issue is the weight. I does put me off carrying it everywhere.


My compact (Canon G12) does full manual for half the weight and is starting to creep into the daysack when out walking.
 
If you don't have any canon lenses invested then I would look at buying something like a Nikon 5100 which can be had for crazy prices these days and the sensor is light years ahead.
 
In all honesty a 30d is an amazing tool for learning. It allows you to capture light and see immediately what you have done.

It is a fantastic tool even compared to a top of the range film camera just because of the immediacy of the results.

I would say get a 30d (or a 40d for very little more) and a 50mm f1.8 (nifty 50mm) lens and get out there. You DO NOT need expensive stuff to take good photographs.

Your eye sees things so differently from a camera and you need to learn how the camera will see them.

Every time you press the shutter think about the image you want to capture. Then compare it to the image you did capture. The difference (or lack of it) is the best measure I know of how 'good' you are getting.

Post your images, ask for honest critique and above all enjoy it. It is an amazing hobby and one that can last a lifetime.

I look forward to seeing your posts in the future.
 
D.P. said:
If you don't have any canon lenses invested then I would look at buying something like a Nikon 5100 which can be had for crazy prices these days and the sensor is light years ahead.
Click to expand...

My main motivation for going for the 30D was the more robust body over an average entry level dslr.

Interestingly (or stupidly :p), I've taken a completely different route and sprung for a Panasonic GX1.

My thinking being I'll be able to carry the far smaller camera everywhere and have more time to play around :).

Still, thanks for all the opinions and recommendations. 'The_Blue's' suggestion is what openend my mind to trying manual cameras outside of DSLR category.
 
you could look to getting a cheapo film dslr off ebay too, there's a nice mechicalness to them, its missing from modern cameras.

or get a holga :-)
 
Sensors are so much superior now than what they were in the 30D. I have had a 20D, 30D and a 40D.

I would try your best to scout a 40D. you have the added benefit of live view with the 40D.

The ISO performance and the dynamic range are so different now in current cameras. But as someone said. any camera with a manual mode is pretty much ok. Nothing has really changed in the use and functionality of DSLRs just the performance of the image quality.
 
I started with a 30D before progressing to the 40D, which I found much better. The addition of Live View was a real bonus for me. They are getting pretty cheap now. Are you a Talk Photography member? There's a few for sale in the classifieds at the moment.
 
Hi all,

I finally got a chance to have a play around with my GX1 today.

Down on ideas of what to shoot at home at 9 in the evening (with a not so fast lens), I chose to do this:

P1030492_zpsf6034da5.jpg


I was quite impressed with how well the GX1's built in flash performed being bounced.

What do you all think?

EDIT:
The ghetto rigged set-up I came up with for the shot:
D9404DC4-240F-4AFB-9C55-73565E4BF292-92665-000009EF3951C81E.jpg


I'm planning to head out a little earlier before work tomorrow to catch some shots of the morning sun. Can't wait :D.
 
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