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The Digital Switch

No Mark, I am not buying the 16mp pro camera, cost too much for someone who is only taking photography as a hobby. I am still using my 12 year old film canon eos500. I was just figuring out if I should make the switch to digital, which seem to be the way to go for most people I read in this and other forum. Like I said, I was unsure if the move is right as I notice the short life cycle of most digicam. I don't think I would ever give up film.
 
Analog cameras were no different. SLRs started with either no internal meter, or a cumbersome add on for TTL metering. Films were slower, and fast ones almost unusable. Lenses had to be stopped down for metering and shooting. Motor drives were huge contraptions. To get the most from what you had to work with took a steep learning curve in the darkroom.

Then came more streamlined designs, true TTL metering with auto stop down aperture lenses. Then TTL flash, and the films got better, especially the faster emulsions. Then AF hit, and some makers launched whole new lens mounts making everything before it obsolete (if you applied today's logic). Even motor drives became internalized right into the camera. Darkroom work remained a steep learning curve.

So what's new other than the time frame? If a Canon FD system works for you, use it. If a Canon D20 works for you, use it ... and don't worry if the next thing might make it obsolete.

If you're worried about it as an investment, camera gear is the last place I'd put my money. The value is in using it.
 
Totally agree with that Marc :)

I use a 20D for wildlife, surfing etc, where the 1.6 crop makes the phenomenal Canon 300mm f2.8 IS into a 480mm f2.8 - WOW! Couple that with very good quality 400 ISO (and useable 800) and it's like a dream come true. I can finally get shots that have been difficult for years due to low light levels, slow film and small aperture telephotos.

However, I still use my 30yr old Contax RTS and a 10yr old RTSIII for landscape, for the superb Zeiss wide angle lenses. New technology hasn't reduced their quality. Horses for courses...

Get what suits you, use it to the best of your ability and enjoy it!
 
Sometimes it is fun to go back to using older cameras. Technology iscgreat, but we forget the techniques we used before technology automated photography. Shutter speed - f stop - focus; still the basic elements to capture the image. The rest comesc from the photographers skills.

The equipment is not important as it works!

Jim
 
Mark - the 1-series bodies are a different league altogether. It would be like comparing a medium format to a 35mm camera. The 1Ds Mk II cost $8,000 whereas the 20D cost "only" $1,500. So, one would normally upgrade from a dRebel or 10D to a 20D ... or a 1D Mk II or 1Ds to a 1Ds Mk II.

Jim - I agree with you to a certain extent. But if you are used to shooting with analog SLRs on manual mode most of the time, I think you will probably still remain a control freak - and use manual settings rather than the fully auto/program mode. I shoot on manual most of the time with my 20D.
 
Bobby - I agree about being a "control freak". I do use some of the automation, but usually shoot in aperature priority mode. I use manual mode when I feel the camera is making the wrong decision. I also focus manually when necessary.

It took me a while to get used to automatic cameras, and I am still not trusting them all the time.

I like my Pro1, but have been thinking of getting a 20D. I can't get one yet as most of the stores here are out of stock and units coming in are already sold.

Jim
 
Jim - try getting a used 20D. I have seen the 20D on the Photo.Net classified pages and FM's buy-and-sell section. If you don't need the speed of the 20D, the 10D is exceptional value because of the price drop.
 
Bobby - I got to hold a 20D at my local camera shop on Friday. They got 2 in, but both are sold.

I is a fast camera - the startup and autofocus are very fast. I left the store impressed, but on my way to work I realized the LCD screen is only useable for viewing shots after they are taken. I use my LCD screen on my Pro1 for closeup work.

So, I probably will stay with the Pro1 for now. I don't want to spend the money just now anyway.

Jim
 
All digital SLRs use the same idea. There is no point whatever in taking a picture looking at the LCD screen, even if it were possible. You are looking through the lens anyway, unlike on other digital cameras. The LCD is just used for checking the picture after it is taken. Close ups are no problem, as there is no parallax, and you see exactly what will be recorded.

Buy with confidence.

Andrew >
 
Andrew,

There is no point in using the LCD screen in taking pictures?

I use the LCD on the Pro1 for all my close-up work of small flowers and anything else closecto the ground. I also use it 60-70% of the time when the camera is on a tripod. There is no parallax with the LCD panel, as you are viewing EXACTLY what the lens is seeing. Also, the image is EXACTLY what the sensor is capturing.

This in not true, of course, with SLRs. Optical viewfinders on all SLR cameras, film or digital, are not 100% accurate. (Many of the older SLR's - 60s & 70s vintage - had viewfinders that would show the approx. image area of the Kodak cardboard slide mount. Some even had the round corners.) Today's cameras are probably closer to 100%.

I was thinking of replacing my Pro1 with the 20D, but now realize I will need both cameras, so I will get the 20D sometime this spring or summer.

Jim
 
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