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

[tobsmonster2]

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 .

 

[tobsmonster2]

Thanks guys .

Now I just need to find someone selling one .

 

[tobsmonster2]

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.

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

Interestingly (or stupidly ), 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.

 

[tobsmonster2]

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:

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:

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