Canon EOS 30D. Options, opinions, experience?

Question

I'm looking to purchase my first real camera, rather then a point and shoot.
I've heard good things of the Canon EOS 30D and I want to know whether or not there are any other competitive options.

My main uses for it will be capturing my overseas travel, documenting social events and the occasional arts photography. Nothing that requires a huge level of professionalism but I do want the ability to enlarge prints without them losing quality and to shoot RAW images that are manipulatable in Photoshop and other softwares.

Price isnt too much of a hassle as I plan on purchasing this as my 18th present and the funds will be accumulated through family and friends, I'm looking around the $800 mark including things such as a memory card, camera bag, etc all the basic essentials.

So in my situation, with my budget, what would you suggest? Have you owned a Canon EOS 30D, what do you think of it? Thank you.

Ps, is it worth buying new, or looking second hand? Any good creditable websites for buying online or stores in Australia that you would recommend?

Answer 1

JimA is wrong... the Rebel cameras are plastic junk bodies. The guts may be OK, but the bodies are not.



As above, ANY of the mid range Canon bodies are much, much better than the Rebel stuff. Even the old, original 300D/Digital Rebel was a better body, soft plastic or not.



I put 50,000 or so images through a 30D... damn fine camera. Prints at 17x22" were no problem at all. That camera has been retired and passed on now, upgraded to the 7D.



The only issue with the 30D is that it is what, 6-7 years old now? You can only find it second hand. But with your budget, it is certainly a good option.

Answer 2

I've previously owned a Canon 350D, a 40D and I currently own a 20D. I have to be honest and say that I could never go back to the all plastic, creaky XXD/Rebel Canon bodies, I'm sure that once you handle a XXD Canon body you will agree there is a world of difference. The 30D is a great camera, some argued that it was not a particularly impressive upgrade from the 20D, it remained relatively unchanged, but the 40D was a very good upgrade. I suggest you also consider that body. I would be very happy with either a 20D, 30D or 40D.. In fact any XXD body. I would honestly rather have a Canon 20D body than the very latest Rebel body. Be aware though that the camera body is certainly not the most important part, the lenses are far more important.



.

Answer 3

Any EOS camera is a good investment.



I only have one thing. The 30D is an older model. Are you buying it used? If so be very careful to know how it was treated.



With your budget consider the EOS t2i. It's an excellent member of the Rebel line that also does

1080 HD video. It's currently running about $750 the last time I checked. Just a thought.



Good Luck

Answer 4

Canon EOS 30D 8.2MP Digital SLR Camera is awesome! I know how to set parameters on my XT to suit the shooting situation (portrait vs. nature for example). However, many of my friends who own the XT don't bother to make any changes. With the 30D, however, changing the parameters is as easy as dialing in what you are shooting. You set it on portrait and no more over saturated pictures of your friends! This new feature makes the professional level 30D extra friendly for amateurs.