Canon 20D....hmmmmm.

[Cowgirl]

Hi ya'll!

I'm wanting to buy another DSLR, and I have been looking at the 20D. I already own the 10D. Anyway, the reviews here are a bit low (4.27 11 reviews), and I have seen many other wedding photogs comments about the 20D locking up, even with the new downloads. Some are saying that it is not nearly as trusty as the 10D.

I want another DSLR before wedding season picks up again (Feb 2005), so what do ya'll think? Try the 20D, get another 10D, wait a while longer, or what? I don't want to spend the extra $$ on a Mark II, I'd rather spend that money on more 'L' lenses... ;)


Thanks in advance-

Kathy

[Trevor Ash]

Is there anything the 20D has which the 10D doesn't that you NEED? If not, I'd just get another 10D to keep things simple.

[Mike Platts]

Why do you want another body? Back-up? not happy with the 10D?

I'm actually looking to get another DSLR as I am borrowing my BIL's D30 for back-up. After using his D30, I am now getting one for myself (EBAY $500). It is very reliable and the image quality is excellent. The inability to focus in low light is easily overcome by using a 550EX.

BTW, I also use a 10D for my main body.

Mike

[Asylum Steve]

I haven't heard any feedback from anyone about the 20D yet, but I do remember the 10D had a flurry of technical problems (and complaints) when it was first released.

Personally, I'm hesitant to get a new DSLR model (or software title) right off the "assembly line", mainly because tech companies seem to have developed a bad habit of making their intiial release a sort of BETA, which they then fix or patch based on initial consumer feedback.

BTW, I don't pay a great deal of attention to reviews, either, uness a bothersome problem turns up over and over on many different ones.

Unless money is a big issue, I'd still go with the 20D, as it seems to be much more camera for the buck...

[Lionheart]

Get the 1D Mk II, you know you WANT it!!! Make the 10D your backup
Just kidding. It's midnight and I'm feeling punchy. Seriously though, UNLESS the 20D is a quantum leap forward from the 10D in terms of performance (as in AF speed and AF tracking), and performance is why you need to get a new camera body, I'd save my money and buy another "L" lens, or another 10D if a second body is what you really need. Everything I've read hasn't convinced me that the 20D was that much better than the 10D, which is why I splurged and bought the 1DMkII, for the quantum leap in performance over the 10D, and it's been around long enough for the software glitches to be ironed out. Just my 2 Abe Lincolns.

Edit:
Of course, it might just be I'm feeling guilty about my 1DMKII, and trying to rationalize the expenditure of now squandered resources.

[SmartWombat]

Of course, it might just be I'm feeling guilty about my 1DMKII, and trying to rationalize the expenditure of now squandered resources.

Here's me trying to decide whether to jump for Canon (with a 20D now and a 1DsII later) or Nikon (with a D2X in January) and you're not helping
The local store has a 20D on the shelf, with a reserved tag in my name.
I'll only have the one kit lens to start out with though - I don't have that much money to indulge my wishes for IS, USM on good wide angle and long lenses.
But I do see the 20D as better for motorsport than the 10D.

[shadz]

A little off topic I guess; The starter kit will do you fine for a while. I ran right out and bought a 70-300 Sigma zoom, used it for a while, now it mostly just sits. Not because it's bad glass, I LOVE it. Just most shots I can and do get with the 18-55 that came on my dRebel.

If you are going to get a 10d, do it now. I have a Rebel because I couldn't FIND a 10D and didn't want to wait 30+ days to get a camera. The 1DSII was a bit out of my price range, tho it's the cat's arse, hands down. 10D/20D who cares. Practically the same camera, with a few bells and whistles. Bet you can find a 10D pretty darn cheap on EBay (etc.) about now.

$.02

;)

[Asylum Steve]

Everything I've read hasn't convinced me that the 20D was that much better than the 10D

I understand your point, but I suppose it all depends on your needs. And, of course, I've based my thinking on the premise that the 1D MK II is still a bit of a luxury item, and for most shooters out of reach finacially...

Truth is, the 20D looks to be much better in some rather important ways for a pro or seriour amateur. IMO, quantum leaps are not neccessary to want to upgrade.

The 10D is very much a "prosumer" DLSR, and in many ways a compromise for a pro shooter (compared to the top EOS film cameras). With the introduction of the 20D, yeah it's still a compromise, but bridges the gap a bit more.

Increased resolution, increased FPS continuous shooting, much quicker start-up time, better focusing, and overall better electronics and controls are just some of the features that make this new model appealing.

But yes, if these are not things that will make a noticable difference in your digital workflow, then simply getting this camera because it's the newest model makes no sense...

[Lionheart]

I understand your point, but I suppose it all depends on your needs. And, of course, I've based my thinking on the premise that the 1D MK II is still a bit of a luxury item, and for most shooters out of reach finacially...

Truth is, the 20D looks to be much better in some rather important ways for a pro or seriour amateur. IMO, quantum leaps are not neccessary to want to upgrade.

The 10D is very much a "prosumer" DLSR, and in many ways a compromise for a pro shooter (compared to the top EOS film cameras). With the introduction of the 20D, yeah it's still a compromise, but bridges the gap a bit more.

Increased resolution, increased FPS continuous shooting, much quicker start-up time, better focusing, and overall better electronics and controls are just some of the features that make this new model appealing.

But yes, if these are not things that will make a noticable difference in your digital workflow, then simply getting this camera because it's the newest model makes no sense...

Good points, Steve. I was just being a spoiler last night. I realize the majority of folks, including myself wouldn't buy the 1D MkII just for the performance leap- the price doesn't justify the difference between the 1D and the 10D/20D for most folks. If not for the fact that I purchased the camera for use everyday at work, I couldn't afford to get my hands on this camera if I had to purchase this as a personal camera with after tax dollars instead of pre-tax dollars. We have two 10D's at work, which are great cameras, but the AF can be very frustrating at times. The 1D MKII has been a huge leap forward from the 10D's in terms of AF, making my work simpler and more efficient, definitely worth the extra dollars from a clinical standpoint, both for myself and the patients (they're not gagging with an intra-oral mirror in their mouths longer than needed, and I'm not holding a heavy camera longer than needed.)