Re: Canon 10D to 30D

David J. Littleboy wrote:
"Bill" <chalky77@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

So the advantages in changing wouldn't be that great in your opinion?

You'll find the 30D is a _big_ step up from the 10D. The extra
resolution will be noticeble in 8x10 prints (if you like
detail/texture), the high-ISO noise is even lower, the camera is a
lot faster, you get a spot meter and RGB histograms, larger LCD
screen, and you can use the 10-22 zoom, which is a wonderful lens.

The problem is that those are all incremental improvements (you can
use the cheaper third party superwide zooms on the 10D, and they're
almost as good); in terms of image quality, moving to the 5D is a
_much_ bigger improvement.

That is really true (about the 5D).
I just created a ProShowProducer multi-media show, and even on the
television screen...the ability to keep zooming in on the 5D images is
incredible. The level of detail and color rendition really had the cliche'd
"Wow factor" in comparison to my 10D's images. Amazing, really. The 10D is
still a fantastic camera, and is capable of gorgeous renditions, but the 5D
is exactly the big improvement as you say (David is partly to blame for my
purchase of the 5D... :)

I've actually contemplated the addition of a 30D "replacement" of my 10D,
even though I now have the 5D.
There are several things that attract me to it beyond the modest resolution
increase (which I consider pretty insignificant over the 10D's 6+MP). Spot
metering is a big one, but also the huge jump in over-all responsiveness.
Start-up and function is almost instant with DigicII based Canon DSLRs
compared with the 10D and earlier's DigicI. I love the fact that even when
in "stand-by" (after power has turned off due to inactivity) there is ZERO
perceivable lag when it comes to the camera being up and ready to shoot.
The faster processor also means that review of images is very VERY fast.
Gone is the annoying two-step viewing (where you first see a blurred
rendition of the image, and then it sharpens your view after a moment--very
annoying). The other big attraction over the 10D (and 5D) is frame rate. 5
frames/second is fast enough for just about any action/sports/wildlife
moment where you need to blast away (OK...there's no such thing as "fast
enough" for times like Bill Hilton's Lion sequence...), and is a major
improvement over the 10D's 3fps. Add to this that the 30D has the option of
shooting at 3fps OR 5fps (which the 20D lacks) and its a great offering.

I see a 5D/30D combo as a great lower-cost alternative to a 1DsII/1DII
combo. -One full-frame at 3fps, and the other cropped, but great for fast
action and telephoto. Lastly--even though it has no effect on the captured
image--the comparably HUGE review screen on the 5D/30D really spoils you.
After getting used to it, the review/info screen on my 10D just seems
microscopic. Again--not an imaging factor, but definitely a "joy-in-use"
factor. :)

I just may break down and shell out for the "incrementally upgraded" 30D
very soon. Would I have preferred 10MP at 5fps? Of course! -But 8MP is
very decent, and the other improvements make it a worthy upgrade from the
10D in my book...even if not from a 20D.

Mark²



David J. Littleboy
Tokyo, Japan

--
Images (Plus Snaps & Grabs) by Mark² at:
www.pbase.com/markuson


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