Decision that much closer........

[cirks]

Well, after all the helpful replies I got to my original thread about moving to a DSLR see here I have got a bit nearer making a decision and any further input would be appreciated.

I've sold just about all of my Pentax film SLR kit on ebay and, having played again with the Minolta AF lenses on a film body, I won't want to keep them even if moving to a newer Monolta.

So, to the point. I was originally considering the 350D the D50 or 5D (KM). However, I've now dismissed all of these! The 350 is a fraction too small and feels really cheap. The D50, I just didn't like the feel of. The 5D, a bit ugly, and heavier than these Nikon/Canon equivalents and for my fingers, shutter in the wrong place! (the 7D is also now dismissed for the same reasons).

So, I've moved up the 'ladder' and am now considering choosing between:
Canon 20D and Nikon 70s (I know there's a reasonable difference in price).
I've now played with the 20D a bit and was very impressed with its speed, feel, quietness and build quality.
However, no one seems to have a 70s in stock for me to play with...So, if I go for the Canon, is there anything specifically that I might regret? I'm not looking for the good old Nikon / Camera supporter punch up, just honest opinions that I might want to consider. Both cameras get excellent reviews and I'm sure the image quality would be fine for me....So....over to you!

(p.s tried the 20D with a 17-85 ISM lens. Kit ~£1240 or £940 with the 18-55)

edited to say have no idea why the thread has ended up with a rolleyes emoticon- I didn't set it!

>> Edited by cirks on Thursday 10th November 17:07

[beano500]

cirks said:

... no one seems to have a 70s in stock for me to play with ...

Apart from back screen size, it's the same as a '70 (OK technically there are a few differences, but in general feel and control at least). If you don't like the 50 or 70, you won't like the 70s.

[406TM]

Have you considered a D100?

[V6GTO]

I have been taking photos for years now, and am totally happy with my 20D, apart from the fact that I have an EOS1n for film and the 20D can't match the "indestructible" feel of the pro camera. I will be getting a 1 of some description soon, but for me it's worth it, I take hundreds of images a week, and sometimes thousands. The 20D is all the camera I need, but I want a 1DsII

Martin.

[Bee_Jay]

V6GTO said:

The 20D is all the camera I need, but I want a 1DsII

Just need the money and permission from the 'financial approvals board' in my house...

[cirks]

beano500 said:

If you don't like the 50 or 70, you won't like the 70s.

Haven't found a 70 to handle yet either

>> Edited by cirks on Thursday 10th November 17:05

[beano500]

cirks said:

Haven't found a 70 to handle yet either

...whereabouts are you?

[_dobbo_]

If you were previously considering a Minolta then you really aren't far off 20D or even D200 money...

[cirks]

beano500 said:

...whereabouts are you?

Same county as you according to your profile. I'll PM you to give a bit more detail and perhaps arrange a meet up?

[GetCarter]

You'll be fine with either (I have a Nikon)

Did I post this twice?

[simpo two]

beano500 said:

If you don't like the 50 or 70, you won't like the 70s.

I'd agree with that, and the same probably goes for the D100 (now only £800!) and D200 as well. If you like the feel and ergonomics of the Canon better, that's the one for you.

[V6GTO]

GetCarter said:

Did I post this twice?

Steve's losing it...it's an age thing

Martin.

[GregE240]

Mate of mine has just bought himself a 5D.

Its a hell of a camera.

[tuscan30]

[quote=cirks]I've sold just about all of my Pentax film SLR kit on ebay[/quote=cirks]

Without being nosey enough to ask how much you got - but were you satisfied with the price you got for your cameras ? I've got a couple of 1970's Pentax bodies, flashguns and half a dozen lenses that I would love to change for a DSLR but am unimpressed at the money they appear to make on ebay.
Also, as you say, the "feel" of the modern stuff lacks any sense of robustness or longevity that the solid old bodies have. Wife has a 300D and I'm scared to put it down on a breezy day!
Is it just a case of biting the bullet and letting my stuff go regardless, then getting the DSLR. I feel I'll need to keep on changing cameras once I've jumped on the digi wagon.

[simpo two]

tuscan30 said:

Is it just a case of biting the bullet and letting my stuff go regardless, then getting the DSLR. I feel I'll need to keep on changing cameras once I've jumped on the digi wagon.

If you like, get the DSLR first. I'll wager you'll never want to use the old film camera again, and you'll have no hesitation in getting rid of it for whetever you can get.

[beano500]

V6GTO said:

GetCarter said: Did I post this twice? Steve's losing it...it's an age thing Martin.

Perhaps he was just bracketing?

[cirks]

tuscan30 said:

Without being nosey enough to ask how much you got - but were you satisfied with the price you got for your cameras ?

I'm not to worried about you being nosey, after all, you could just look at the complete items on ebay and work it out The Super-A went for £39 the lenses (all Vivitar) 35-70 for £15, the 28mm for £13, the 19mm for £46, the 2x converter for £10 and a Hoya 100-300 didn't sell.
I suppose that although I would like to have got more for them, the above seems to be pretty much the average based on my analysis of previous ebay sales. I did enquire about part-exchange on a DSLR and either shops weren't interested or they offered prices way lower than this. Seems a bit strange when a number of dealers are selling 2nd hand Super-As for £120!

tuscan30 said:

Wife has a 300D and I'm scared to put it down on a breezy day!

That's exactly why I've been put off the 350D - the reviews all say it's a good camera but it just feels so horrible in comparison with the 'proper' old film SLRs I've used. I don't like cheap feeling things. That's one reason (but not the only one) that I'm almost certainly going for a Canon 20D - it feels like a proper camera!

tuscan30 said:

Is it just a case of biting the bullet and letting my stuff go regardless, then getting the DSLR. I feel I'll need to keep on changing cameras once I've jumped on the digi wagon.

Simple answer to whether you should bite the bullet - Yes, if you want to go digital. Depends on how many shots you normally take, it will still take some time to recoup the cost of a new camera compared with film processing and wasted shots. However, the ease of use, ability to see what you've taken and not have to wait for a week or so to see whether your bracketing etc has worked has to be a good enough reason to go digital. It is for me despite previously mainly shooting Kodachrome 25 or 64 and B&W.

simpo two said:

If you like, get the DSLR first. I'll wager you'll never want to use the old film camera again, and you'll have no hesitation in getting rid of it for whetever you can get.

Have to agree with simpo two, I was very anti-digital before I got my Ixus to play about with. With two young kids, loads of DIY going on, and my interest in photography returning, there is nothing to beat the digital age for my type of photography. I've still got a film Minolta to get rid of and am going to try to use my last roll of Kodachrome this weekend, as I know when I get the 20D, the film would never see the light of day.....

Have we convinced you?

p.s If you have a Pentax 28mm K-A mount, I know someone who wants one!

[tuscan30]

[quote=cirks]Have we convinced you?[/quote=cirks]
Yes guys, Cirks and Simpo have tipped the balance! Looks like it's out with the old and in with the new.
Next problem is do I go the Canon route (so that I can borrow her-indoors' dedicated flashgun) or do I branch out into Nikon-land ? I think that particular thread has been well documented so I'll do a search later. Next step is to get down to the bazaar and feel how the latest offerings feel and perform.
Thanks again - looks like my Saturday will be busier than I anticipated.
See u in next months photo competition !
Edit - sorry, no I don't have a K-A adapter, mine is all K mount.

>> Edited by tuscan30 on Saturday 12th November 10:01