First, what is the 30D?
It's a replacement for the 20D. It has some minor improvements, and it will be slightly cheaper. I concur, that the changes are so mild, it should be the 20D+ or following Canon's corporate naming logic, 20Dmk2.
Second, why are people dissapointed?
They Expected more. The problem of the 20D has of late been that it produces as many megapixels as the 350D, but costs almost twice as much. This will not significantly change. Clearly, the current prosumer evolution process for a canon dSLR user is supposed to be 3 digits, 2 digits, 1 digit, meaning 350D, 30D, 5D. The step between the 350D and the 30D is too small, there's not very much you can accomplish with a 30D you could not achieve with it's little brother, whereas, there's a huge step from the 30D to the 5D, as well pricewise, as otherwise. I hope this spells for the launch of a 7D, placed pricewise (and otherwise) smack between the 5D and 30D, but I guess that won't be happening.
Third, why are we worried?
Canon user's like me, are (want it or not) prettymuch married to their system. Changing over to, say Nikon, would mean not only learning a new system, but also an immense loss of money.
Changing system is not much easier than getting a divorce in real-life (depending on where you live).
Every time there's a trade show, like the PMA, the people who are married to a system sit at home and hope that there will be new announcements for their system.
This is not so much based on the logic: "Let's see what new canon gear I will buy...", It's mostly that those who are married to a system want to see announcements, which strengthen their belief that the marriage (read system), they've spent a lot of money to buy themselves into will be a lasting investment.
Most canon users like me, are probably looking at the PMA announcements to see signs of:
1# Canon's continued dedication to provide cutting edge gear.
2# Canon's continued support for the gear (e.g. EF or EF-S) the user carries in his bag
3# Clear signs of product evolution
4# Keeping in front of Nikon
This last thing is not just a typically male territorial dispute. I've spent almost all my spare cash on cameras and optics for the last 18 months. Seeing Canon in front of Nikon makes me feel better of my investment (read squandering). These thingies cost immense amounts, and two critical points of view every marketing person must think of is "How can we help the customer justify his spending?" and "What can we do to avoid buyers remorse?"
The three pre-PMA announcements so far are a minor upgrade to a dSLR body, an new version of a very nice piece of glass, and a new EF-S lens.
Now I personally hope there will be much more to come, because:
- a 1100$ EF-S lens will not be at the top of the buying list for very many. EF-S is the choice of a person who has comitted himelf to the 1.6 crop, and althought that lens will be very needed, many will feel anxiety at the thought of buying it. Also anyone who owns even one EOS dSLR which does not support EF-S (Incidentally I do not have a single EF-S compatible body), will not buy that, or any other EF-S lens.
- an update on one of canon's admittedly finest pieces of glass. Now frankly, I've been around many current 85L users (I personally make do with the 85/1.8), and have read many threads and discussions about the previous version of the 85L, and NEVER have I heard anyone seriously complaining about the AF speed or the need for improving support for E-TTL II.
It's a super-wide aperture lens for cryin' out loud. You buy it not only for a shallow DOF, You want to use it in natural light. I've actually never seen it used with a flash (although I assume some might do that).
- the 20Dmk2, is not what was expected. Canon-husbands and -wives worldover had hoped to see Canon's answer to the Nikon D200, which this clearly is not. What peeves me personally is that although the 20Dmk2 is slightly cheaper than the original 20D, I'm ready to bet a small fortune it's profitability is waaay better.
Current 20D owners will not upgrade in flocks. current 10D, 300D and 350D owners will consider it, but they might just as well go into the single-digits or buy a used 20D.
What would I need to make my investment feel secure?
- A top-notch APS-C dSLR (min 10 mpix) or an entry-level 1.3 or 1.0 crop body by the end of the year. An update of the 350D by summer 2007 (at the latest)
20/1.8 USM
35/1.8 USM
50/1.2L USM
135/2L IS USM
200/1.8 IS USM
200/2.8 IS USM
EF 12-24 L4
EF 70-200 L4 IS USM
EF-S 18-200 IS USM (comp. NIKKOR AF-S DX VR 18-200/3.5-5.6G IFED)
2much said
Pekka
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