Canon Digital Rebel...reasonable starting point?

[RHWeiner]

I just got an email from one of the members of the photoclub I belong to. She's looking to sell her D30 (body and peripherals) for CAD $775 (approx. $600 US). This means we now have another possibility to consider...with it's own limitations (older technology, smaller capture capabilities) but at 1/2 the cost of the DR and 1/3 the price of the 10D...AND...no taxes (14.5% provincial & federal). The other bonus...I've used a friend's D30 so I have familiarity with it.

So...what's the assessment regarding this camera as a starting point?

Hi Richard... fancy seeing you here!

If you are going to be happy with 8x10 prints (11x14 also doable) for headshots, the D30 can get you started.

I've seen LARGE prints made from D30 files where the file was suitable for interpolation (basically no more than a head-and-shoulders closeup) and the lighting was dead on; but it is not suitable for large prints where there is lot of fine detail (landscapes, full body shots, etc).

I've personally made 12"x16" prints from carefully processed 3MP files, so it is possible... on the other hand with my Fuji S2Pro I don't even have to think about it, 12"x18" prints are great straight from the camera. With a bit of PS I've printed extremely detailed 20"x30" and 24"x36" prints from my s2.

Hope this helps,

Bill

[cindavphoto]

HI, My husband and I are both photographers. We have a 10D that we bought about 2 months ago and absolutley love it. However, we are also wanting a Digital Rebel. I want it for my use because I don't need all the bells and whistles on the 10D. I shoot mostly indoors, and like you, am very careful with my camara. I don't need the faster frames per second. The digital files sizes are the same. Think about what you really want to be able to do with your camera. My husband shoots sports action, he needs the faster frames and the magnesium body,(he already has a very bad scratch across the lcd screen on the back), for my purposes, I don't need that stuff, so I'll be happy with the Rebel.(As soon as we have money for it, the other one broke us!) I agree with needing a good, fast computer, we have a 512 and a 256 card which suits us fine. If you watch,you can get good deals on these. We just bought the 256 with a $20.00 rebate from Best Buy. And as far as programs go, Adobe Photoshop Elements 2 comes with either of those cameras. I'm sure there are better programs, but when you're just starting out digital, it's a beginning. And you don't really miss, what you don't know yet.

Hope this helps some.
Cinn
PS~I don't use raw files at all, I've blown up a pic to a 16x20 with beautiful clarity!! I just shot it at "large-fine" and I was really impressed. The 16x20 was better than any other 16x20 I've ever shot on 35mm film.

[tortuga337]

I've owned a D60 since new and though it was great, but like the 10D much much more, especially if you shoot under available and mixed light. The Digital Rebel may not have the rugged construction that the 10D has but I schlepped one all over Japan for a week shooting in the pouring rain and bounced it around getting in and out of cars, buses, and trains. Similarly, I shot with one at the American LeMans series races in Montery on a hot dusty weekend. On both shoots I didn't baby the DR and it did quite well delivering nice photographs.

This image was made at the Tokyo Motor Show with the Digital Rebel, whose pop-up flash is much higher than the D60's or 10D's. It is now my wife's camera who has been bugging me for a digital SLR and she loves it too.

Joe




Joe Farace

[RHWeiner]

Hi Bill...yup, I show up now in a few places we two frequent.

The decision has been made and the HotShotz Photo Production studio is now shooting with a Digital Rebel. So far I've been happy with it and when the focus hits the sweet spot it's dead on.

Of course now I want one...well, perhaps not the DR but definitely the 10D.

[trwphoto]

I own both the 10 D and the Rebel. Put them side by side and shoot the same thing and their is no diffrence in performance except the rebel is just a mite slower. Quality and color are the same. I shoot circles around my friends Nikon by the way. The Rebel will use all the same lenses and accessories of the 10D. The factory supplied lense on the Rebel wil not fit on any other canon camera. Be sure you can try out the cameras and if you have sharpness problems you can exchange it out for another. I have had some problems with these cameras that way. Took two bodies and lense combinations in the 10D to get one i liked. Sooo be sure you have a good relationship with your camera store.

[andymeng]

My recommendation.

For most anything, the DR is going to meet your needs. I forget whether it has a pc connector, but you can get a hotshoe adapter if not.

Vs. the D30, it's new. warranty. shouldn't break any time soon, larger image (if you even need it), and did I say it's new, won't break, and has a warranty?

Remember shutter life is limited, and it's about 200 to repair.

Also, you should be able to get the DR for 900 US (you gotta do your own conversion), so only 50% more.

The 10D may be a nice thing to strive for, but for limited use, particularly studio, the DR should give the same results.

My 2 cents.

Andy