Buying new Camera need advise

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I am looking at going digital for my SLR camera and was just wondering what people thought about the Canon 20D, I know it a older model but it's still is brand new in the box.

Also was wondering if anyone had any comparitive models from other manufactures, I have always used Canon and never had any problems with them but this go round I am looking for the best bang for my hard earned money.

My main reason for the camera is mostly Family and Sledding (snowmobiling) pictures. I need a camera that will shoot fast as most of my pictures are of moving objects.

Price I can get the body and 18-55mm lense for is $1300.
Or just wondering if I should buy a Rebel, Rebel XT or Rebel XTi with a little better lense.

Thanks for any advice.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

I would buy the 20D over the Rebel, XT, and XTi, no question about it. It's a MUCH better camera.

Since you haven't invested heavily in lenses or accessories yet, be sure to check out the Nikon and Olympus systems as well - you might be pleasantly surprised.

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Do you know if there is much difference between the 20D and the 30D or is one like a 2005 and the other a 2006 model?

Thanks for you input BerserkerCatSplat

NM I used google.

There are three key features that distinguish the Canon 30D vs. the 20D:

1. Spot metering
2. Buffer size
3. LCD size

[muse017]

I am not a canon guy but, i'd take 20d or 30d over any of those canon's consumer level DSLRs(400d,350d,300d).
Also, I would get 70-200 F4L or 2.8L(If you have a enough budget) instead of the kit lens.
I believe that there isn't much differences between 20D & 30D except for the size and resolution of LCD screen.

[muse017]

You should get this lens with your 20D
Good Price~
http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156472

Check out
www.photosbygraham.com

[BerserkerCatSplat]

70-200 F4L is an excellent telephoto, but I wouldn't recommend getting that instead of the kit lens. I'd get it in addition to the kit lens, since telephotos are really special-purpose lenses. The mid-zoom will probably be what you use the majority of the time.

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I have come across his pic's on snowmobile forums and man is he good at what he does, I just have to convince him to get a shot with me in it.

Thanks for all you input in such a short time, I am heading out this weekend and want a new camera for the trip so this helped out a bunch.

I would love that lense but I have to sell off a few things first.


Originally posted by muse017
You should get this lens with your 20D
Good Price~
http://forums.beyond.ca/showthread.php?s=&threadid=156472

Check out
www.photosbygraham.com

[lint]

If you want bang for your buck on a body, buy it used. You can find a used 20d for less than $1300. A friend of mine picked up a 20d body + grip locally for $1000. You need to figure out if the spot metering, bigger lcd and buffer of the 30D are worth it, but my guess would be that if you're just starting out, you won't use spot metering, you'll have a few "ahhhhhhhhhhs" about the lcd, and the buffer won't be noticible unless you're shooting a whole bunch of continuous frames, since the burst rate is the same.

And I don't know why everyone keeps hating on the rebel xt or the new xti, especially people who've never used the camera before. They are very capable consumer dslrs, different controls than the 20d or the 30d, but still packed with features. If they had been out when I was shopping around I would have considered them. The problem I have is that they're a little small for my hands, but I never tried them with the grip and that could have made the difference.

Save some $$ on the body and put it towards lenses.

[AccentAE86]

20D is a great camera. I have both the 20D and 30D and honestly, the 30D is more like a 20D Mk2. It's new feature list is very small and nothing was a "must have" to me. The bigger LCD has been disappointing too.

[turboMiata]

apparently the 30D has a slight improvement in AF over the 20D but not enough for people to be raving about. get the cheaper one and save a few hundred bucks for a tripod or tele.

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Thanks for all the great advice, I have a 20D on the way.

[muse017]

Congratuation!!! Can't wait till your first shot~!

[msommers]

Stuck to Canon or would you consider Nikon? I'm considering selling my camera as I have no time it seems for it. It's a D70.