What does everyone think to the Canon EOS 350D?
Discussion
I have seen some pics taken by this and looked pretty impressive. I have always been interested in photography. At the moment I have a simple Casio Exilm EX-Z30 which has been great, but I would really prefer to have something a little more advanced, and have a few more over the 3 million megapixels it has.
I was considering a Sony Cybershot T7 which has 5 million megapixels, but thought if I got the Canon I could keep the Casio for point and shoot thing.
I was considering a Sony Cybershot T7 which has 5 million megapixels, but thought if I got the Canon I could keep the Casio for point and shoot thing.
I've had a 350D since October, and it was a big step up from a point and shoot to my first 'real' camera. It's been enormous fun, and I've learnt a huge amount about photography.
If there's a downside, it's that it's easy to start spending a *lot* of money. I think it's inevitable that you'll want to start picking up more lenses; you can get a lot out of the normal 'kit' lens, but it doesn't have a huge zoom range. You'll likely become very critical of each photo, because once you seen what's *possible*, you won't be satisfied. Be ready to haunt eBay endlessly looking for bargains.
I can't say much about the 350D as opposed to other cameras; I bought it as the camera in my price range with the best reviews I could find. There are good forums on www.dpreview.com and www.fredmiranda.com where you can see what other users are saying about it.
Oh, and also budget to spend a lot more time playing with the images in Photoshop, or whatever!
If there's a downside, it's that it's easy to start spending a *lot* of money. I think it's inevitable that you'll want to start picking up more lenses; you can get a lot out of the normal 'kit' lens, but it doesn't have a huge zoom range. You'll likely become very critical of each photo, because once you seen what's *possible*, you won't be satisfied. Be ready to haunt eBay endlessly looking for bargains.
I can't say much about the 350D as opposed to other cameras; I bought it as the camera in my price range with the best reviews I could find. There are good forums on www.dpreview.com and www.fredmiranda.com where you can see what other users are saying about it.
Oh, and also budget to spend a lot more time playing with the images in Photoshop, or whatever!
Polarbert said:
You mean the camera is small? I thought that would be a good thing.
How big is the LCD screen on the back?
1.8" screen, you wouldn't want any smaller than that. It can be a bit awkward to hold the camera for long periods due to the small hand grip on the right, the older 300D was a better physical size. Apart from that its a sophisticated machine capable of producing good results.
Love my 350d, I went for it (over the 20D) because its smaller and lighter. Better for carying around and my hands whilst not small cope fine.
Picture quality is excelent, I do miss osme of my minolta A2 prosumer functions (real time histogram, hires evf) but its such a joy to use.
Coming from junk P&S you'll notice 1st the speed at which it operates, startup time, focusing, shot taking, all happens when you want.
ISO performance will blow you away, noise stops being a problem, thats why you have the big sensor.
Interchangable lenses - a money sink but its the way to sharp pics, the A2 would produce soft shots more often than not.
BUT you have to learn how to use it, cant just go poping shots off with the kit lens and expect good results, learn the camera, basic photography, how each lens reacts , what to do (dont shoot wide open on most lenses, dont blow out highlites etc).
IMO a cheal (350d) and its canon 50mm f1.8 + the kit lens will get you going, then get a midrange or zoom (70-200 sigma or 70-300IS canon). Personaly I love my 10-20mm sigma UWA.
Picture quality is excelent, I do miss osme of my minolta A2 prosumer functions (real time histogram, hires evf) but its such a joy to use.
Coming from junk P&S you'll notice 1st the speed at which it operates, startup time, focusing, shot taking, all happens when you want.
ISO performance will blow you away, noise stops being a problem, thats why you have the big sensor.
Interchangable lenses - a money sink but its the way to sharp pics, the A2 would produce soft shots more often than not.
BUT you have to learn how to use it, cant just go poping shots off with the kit lens and expect good results, learn the camera, basic photography, how each lens reacts , what to do (dont shoot wide open on most lenses, dont blow out highlites etc).
IMO a cheal (350d) and its canon 50mm f1.8 + the kit lens will get you going, then get a midrange or zoom (70-200 sigma or 70-300IS canon). Personaly I love my 10-20mm sigma UWA.
robdickinson said:
Love my 350d, I went for it (over the 20D) because its smaller and lighter. Better for carying around and my hands whilst not small cope fine.
I would second this. While the Nikon D70 has a more solid feel the 350D is much more readily carried in a discrete bag. In terms of picture quality it exceedingly hard to split the difference. All my Eos cameras have been light in build but have, over 10 years, been more reliable than my father's less heavily used and more upmarket Nikons - obviously that's purely one user's experience but, IMO, the toy like quality of the 350D shouldn't put you off.
The screen size is fine.
Polarbert said:
I looked on pixmania as they have the cheapest price, but have heard VERY bad things about them.
Having just agreed not to 'name and shame' this is me not naming and shaming but, rather, recommending 7 Day Shop or Warehouse Express. Read into that what you wish.
said:
Love my 350d, I went for it (over the 20D) because its smaller and lighter. Better for carying around and my hands whilst not small cope fine.
I would second this. While the Nikon D70 has a more solid feel the 350D is much more readily carried in a discrete bag. In terms of picture quality it exceedingly hard to split the difference. All my Eos cameras have been light in build but have, over 10 years, been more reliable than my father's less heavily used and more upmarket Nikons - obviously that's purely one user's experience but, IMO, the toy like quality of the 350D shouldn't put you off.
The screen size is fine.
Polarbert said:
I looked on pixmania as they have the cheapest price, but have heard VERY bad things about them.
Having just agreed not to 'name and shame' this is me not naming and shaming but, rather, recommending 7 Day Shop or Warehouse Express. Read into that what you wish.
Thanks for that, but who are you? You have typed this message with no username. I'm lost.
J111 said:
Having just agreed not to 'name and shame' this is me not naming and shaming but, rather, recommending 7 Day Shop or Warehouse Express. Read into that what you wish.
Yeah I got my Casio from 7day shop, very good service, although I cannot for the life of me find the 350D on their site. Can you?
Will have a look on warehouse express now.
Just to step in at this point - the 350D is a great camera, as is the Nikon D50. Go into Jessops and handle them both and buy the one you like the feel of. Originally I wanted the canon, but ended up with a D70 cos it felt better. If I'd known how badly I'd get the upgrade bug, I'd probably have gone canon originally with a view to upgrading.
The comments about the 350D being smaller and more descrete are only true until you put a fat lens on, then it becomes just as big and obvious as almost any other DSLR.
badbeachbuggy on here uses a 300D and produces some really great pictures - his site
The comments about the 350D being smaller and more descrete are only true until you put a fat lens on, then it becomes just as big and obvious as almost any other DSLR.
badbeachbuggy on here uses a 300D and produces some really great pictures - his site
I think you will find thet 7dayshop are almost out of the Camera and lens market - just existing stock being shifted at low prices. Which is a shame.
Have a look on eBay at the Canon Outlet shop. Gives an idea of what people will pay for damaged box/ex-demo and 'refurb' kit so long as it comes with a 12 month warranty. Sets a target price for high street negociations, though to be honest sometimes there seems to be little difference in price.
Have a look on eBay at the Canon Outlet shop. Gives an idea of what people will pay for damaged box/ex-demo and 'refurb' kit so long as it comes with a 12 month warranty. Sets a target price for high street negociations, though to be honest sometimes there seems to be little difference in price.
J111 said:
I think you will find thet 7dayshop are almost out of the Camera and lens market
Looks that way. I haven't ordered anything other than consumables from them for about 18 months. I hope it's not a bad sign, as their service for cartridges is excellent.
Yeah I remember they used to have a lot of cameras. I got my Casio from there and also my parents Casio which was the successor to mine and both times had excellent service.
Maybe they got clamped down due to selling VAT free goods?
Polarbert said:
Maybe they got clamped down due to selling VAT free goods?
I think it is a conscious decision based on there being little price advantage available where VAT was to be charged. The bi g palyers like Pixmania and the eBay options must have made it difficult to justify stocking high value goods when most sales would have been further down the scale. Maybe the suppliers made life more challenging as well.
I'm guessing, but the low value higher volume market probably make more sense from the location.
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