please help on choosing a SLR camera

Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 6

Hi...
Which is the best SLR camera for me:
1-canon 400D
or
2-canon 30D
or
3-canon 5D
By the way I'm interested in micro & landscape shooting.
Thank You.

Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 160 Location: Minnesota

Well you have to ask yourself what kind of a photographer are you...

You pretty much listed the canon series in order or 1) price and 2)advancements.

The xti (400D) is a very good camera for the price. The only drawback that I found when trying this camera is size. If you have large hands then this is NOT the camera for you because the body is so small. That is another drawback, having that small body if you plan on putting larger lenses (say 70-200L) or something like that. The 400D is thought of usually as the "entry level" canon slr, but it is extremely capable of taking fantastic shots, and has a great pricetag.

The 30D is what I shoot. I had previously a Nikon D50 and the upgrade is amazing. I cannon speak enough good things about the 30D, from size (feels like a real camera and feels really sturdy), the extremely fast shutter (5 per second), to the upgraded large lcd screen for viewing the pictures. I also love the For the price, if it is in your price range, that 30D is the camera to get.

The 30D has:
# 2.5" LCD display (up from 1.8" on the 20D)
# New spot metering option
# ISO can now be adjusted in 1/3-step increments
# Same Picture Styles and automatic noise reduction feature as on the EOS-5D

The 5D on the other hand is a step up from the 30D. Now personally from not having used the 5D in great amounts I cannot speak from experience, I do know, however, that many professional photographers shoot with this camera if they are not interested in going to the Mark 1D or beyond. The price tag will explain the upgrade on this camera though, as with a decent glass piece (ex. 24-105L) for upwards of $3500.00, while with the 30D you are looking at more $1600.00 and +.

So you have to ask...what do you really need, and can you justify all the costs. :)

Hope that helps!

Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 6

Strombo : Thank you so much sir,
I think I'll take the 30D,but it's a 8 m. pixels,on the other hand the 400D has 10 m.pixels.
Does it make a difference?
Thank you again!!

Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 160 Location: Minnesota

No there really is not a difference. The only extremely slight difference you would find would be if you blew the pictures up way over 8x12. For the features you get with the 30D to make you pictures better before post processing, I would take the 8 megapixels over 10.2 anyday.

Joined: 12 Jan 2007 Posts: 6

So, I'll take the 30D.
Strombo you are my hero!!

Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 160 Location: Minnesota

You're very welcome, anytime to bring another to photography (especially onto the Canon side :)

Can't wait to see you post up some pics!

If you have any other questions just lemme know.

Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 52

MUHCO3 wrote:

So, I'll take the 30D.
Strombo you are my hero!!

I agree with you, 30D is the best choice for you!