Upgrade to D30 or G2 from Pro70?

[dobiesj]

The subject says it all. I own a Pro 70 and it has provided me with great
photos. Now it's time to upgrade and I find it hard determining which of
the two cameras mentioned above to get. To stay focused on the help
and advice I'm hoping to receive, I'll state what the camera will primarily
be used for followed by the Pros and Cons as they relate to what's
important to me. Here's a link to some of my Canon Pro 70 sample
photos - http://www.Attractive-Models.com/CanonPro70_Samples

How I'll use the camera:

1) The majority of my photos are of a single person, full body & portrait.
2) The people I photograph pose for the shots.
3) I shoot indoors with 3 hot lights (2 key and 1 fill light) and use a 380EX
flash when I'm not able to use the light kit.
4) The photos I take will primarily be used for the web and electronic
portfolios.
5) I shoot only in RAW mode.
6) I always use the tilt/swivel LCD to take photos - primarly because I'm
6'2" tall.
7) I take 500+ photos a day when I use the camera.

Things I'm looking to improve over the Pro 70:

1) Shooting speed - it takes 7 to 10 seconds to save the RAW images to
the microdrive before taking another photo, which limits the total
number of photos I'm able to take.
2) Faster zooming - Zooming in and out on the Pro 70 is painfully slow.
3) Better focusing - the Pro 70 sometimes takes a while to focus correctly.
4) Image quality - I find the Pro 70 image quality to be very good and
better then most current digital cameras. It would be nice to get
images that have less noise after they are cleaned up and to reduce
the image processing I do (color correction & sharpening).

Canon G2
Pros: + Cost ($673)
+ Realtime preview (LCD)
+ Tilt/swivel LCD
+ Less image processing (color correcting)

Cons: - Image Quality

• Have to use ISO 50
• Images not as clean at full res. on a monitor

Canon D30
Pros: + Image Quality

• Can use up to ISO 200 without image noise
• Images are clean at full res. on a monitor

Cons: - Cost ($2735 w/28-70L 2.8 - selling 1GB microdrive & battery
$3170 w/28-70L 2.8 + keeping 1GB microdrive & battery)

• No realtime preview (LCD)
• No tilt/swivel LCD
• More image fixing (color correcting)
• Might be replaced within 6 months with a better model, which is

something to consider based on the higher cost.

Thanks,

Jeff D.

 

[Peter Gregg]

If you are getting paid for this work then the answer is a no brainer - D30.

If you are not getting paid for this work then the answer is a no brainer - D30.

For what you are doing and the load of pix you are taking why are you asking this question? Is it a financial question? If it is not a financial question and you have a studio setup and take 500 pictures a day then I guess the G2 would be your best answer.

What are you thinking to be the best camera for your environment and workload? Which direction do you lean towards, the G2 or the D30?

Pete

 

[Andrew Grant27981]

The Pro 70 is a G1 with a big zoom. If you are unhappy in any way with the Pro 70, don't bother getting the G2. It will give you more pixels, but that is it.

The subject says it all. I own a Pro 70 and it has provided me
with great
photos. Now it's time to upgrade and I find it hard determining
which of
the two cameras mentioned above to get. To stay focused on the help
and advice I'm hoping to receive, I'll state what the camera will
primarily
be used for followed by the Pros and Cons as they relate to what's
important to me. Here's a link to some of my Canon Pro 70 sample
photos - http://www.Attractive-Models.com/CanonPro70_Samples

How I'll use the camera:

1) The majority of my photos are of a single person, full body &
portrait.
2) The people I photograph pose for the shots.
3) I shoot indoors with 3 hot lights (2 key and 1 fill light) and
use a 380EX
flash when I'm not able to use the light kit.
4) The photos I take will primarily be used for the web and electronic
portfolios.
5) I shoot only in RAW mode.
6) I always use the tilt/swivel LCD to take photos - primarly
because I'm
6'2" tall.
7) I take 500+ photos a day when I use the camera.

Things I'm looking to improve over the Pro 70:

1) Shooting speed - it takes 7 to 10 seconds to save the RAW images to
the microdrive before taking another photo, which limits the total
number of photos I'm able to take.
2) Faster zooming - Zooming in and out on the Pro 70 is painfully
slow.
3) Better focusing - the Pro 70 sometimes takes a while to focus
correctly.
4) Image quality - I find the Pro 70 image quality to be very good and
better then most current digital cameras. It would be nice to get
images that have less noise after they are cleaned up and to reduce
the image processing I do (color correction & sharpening).

Canon G2
Pros: + Cost ($673)
+ Realtime preview (LCD)
+ Tilt/swivel LCD
+ Less image processing (color correcting)

Cons: - Image Quality

• Have to use ISO 50
• Images not as clean at full res. on a monitor

Canon D30
Pros: + Image Quality

• Can use up to ISO 200 without image noise
• Images are clean at full res. on a monitor

Cons: - Cost ($2735 w/28-70L 2.8 - selling 1GB microdrive & battery
$3170 w/28-70L 2.8 + keeping 1GB microdrive & battery)

• No realtime preview (LCD)
• No tilt/swivel LCD
• More image fixing (color correcting)
• Might be replaced within 6 months with a better model, which is

something to consider based on the higher cost.

Thanks,

Jeff D.

 

[dobiesj]

Peter,

It's important to note that I have not used a SLR before, other than
handling my Dad's Minolta for taking a few shots. I've gotten spoiled
with the Pro 70 with it's reatime tilt/swivel LCD. I mention this because
I feel that the D30 may limit my shooting style because I don't use
the viewfinder on my Pro 70. I usually shoot from my chest level and
wonder how I would be able to shoot for a long time with the D30 and
still be comfortable - I'm 6'2". Of course, there's the cost factor along
with a good possibility that the D30 will be replaced by a newer model
within 6 months. The main thing going for the D30 is the image quality,
but considering my uses, will it be much better then the G2? As for
workload, both will do the task.

The ideal setup would be to purchase both cameras. But I feel that
would be too costly for my needs and budget, at least at this point in
time.

Jeff D.

If you are getting paid for this work then the answer is a no
brainer - D30.

If you are not getting paid for this work then the answer is a no
brainer - D30.

For what you are doing and the load of pix you are taking why are
you asking this question? Is it a financial question? If it is not
a financial question and you have a studio setup and take 500
pictures a day then I guess the G2 would be your best answer.

What are you thinking to be the best camera for your environment
and workload? Which direction do you lean towards, the G2 or the
D30?

Pete

 

[Divo]

From what you've described it would appear that image quality is the most important criteria in your decision making. However, your stated purpose for your photos is web and electronic portfolios, and your website appears to be a modeling agency. Is this correct?

I think as a business decision it doesn't make much sense to upgrade a camera that works perfectly fine for web use. Might I suggest you save your money and spend time improving your skills; ie, experiment with more flattering lighting, try using a cleaner background, improve your Photoshop skills, etc. If RAW is too slow, try a high quality JPEG setting, which should look perfectly fine for your intended use. I don't think an upgrade to a G2 will look that much better or different for web use, unless you plan on uploading larger photo files.

If you want a noticeable improvement in image quality, the D30 can deliver very flattering pictures. If cost is still a deterring factor, you can save money by choosing prime lenses instead of a 28-70L zoom. I typically shoot between 4-6 models and up to 2000 photos in one day, so I get quite a bit of exercise with my 50/1.4 and 24/2.8 prime lenses. With an SLR and a viewfinder, you'll be moving your body around a lot more than with a swivel LCD. Try shooting one day using only your Pro90 viewfinder and see how you like it.

Regards,
David H.

The subject says it all. I own a Pro 70 and it has provided me
with great
photos. Now it's time to upgrade and I find it hard determining
which of
the two cameras mentioned above to get. To stay focused on the help
and advice I'm hoping to receive, I'll state what the camera will
primarily
be used for followed by the Pros and Cons as they relate to what's
important to me. Here's a link to some of my Canon Pro 70 sample
photos - http://www.Attractive-Models.com/CanonPro70_Samples

How I'll use the camera:

1) The majority of my photos are of a single person, full body &
portrait.
2) The people I photograph pose for the shots.
3) I shoot indoors with 3 hot lights (2 key and 1 fill light) and
use a 380EX
flash when I'm not able to use the light kit.
4) The photos I take will primarily be used for the web and electronic
portfolios.
5) I shoot only in RAW mode.
6) I always use the tilt/swivel LCD to take photos - primarly
because I'm
6'2" tall.
7) I take 500+ photos a day when I use the camera.

Things I'm looking to improve over the Pro 70:

1) Shooting speed - it takes 7 to 10 seconds to save the RAW images to
the microdrive before taking another photo, which limits the total
number of photos I'm able to take.
2) Faster zooming - Zooming in and out on the Pro 70 is painfully
slow.
3) Better focusing - the Pro 70 sometimes takes a while to focus
correctly.
4) Image quality - I find the Pro 70 image quality to be very good and
better then most current digital cameras. It would be nice to get
images that have less noise after they are cleaned up and to reduce
the image processing I do (color correction & sharpening).

Canon G2
Pros: + Cost ($673)
+ Realtime preview (LCD)
+ Tilt/swivel LCD
+ Less image processing (color correcting)

Cons: - Image Quality

• Have to use ISO 50
• Images not as clean at full res. on a monitor

Canon D30
Pros: + Image Quality

• Can use up to ISO 200 without image noise
• Images are clean at full res. on a monitor

Cons: - Cost ($2735 w/28-70L 2.8 - selling 1GB microdrive & battery
$3170 w/28-70L 2.8 + keeping 1GB microdrive & battery)

• No realtime preview (LCD)
• No tilt/swivel LCD
• More image fixing (color correcting)
• Might be replaced within 6 months with a better model, which is

something to consider based on the higher cost.

Thanks,

Jeff D.

 

[Peter Gregg]

Everything aside, I strongly suggest the D30. It is a tool in the hands of a craftsman. There is no contest between the 2 cameras. If you want a suggestion for another camera to consider, look at the E10/20. It adds the LCD swivel, it's a pro camera, but takes away the interchangable lenses. It would be a serious contender. Your movements will be greatly different without the LCD and is probably something I would test and feel for myself before making a commitment.

The post processing might frustrate you, but automated batching will solve that. The learning curve will also be there for the D30 or the E camera, but it isn't anything super major.

Pete

 

[Dave Yeo]

I agree. I had a G1 before I got the D30, and a Kodak DC280, 240 before that. The D30 is in a different class of its own - compared to the standard point and shoots there is just no comparison. Sure the G2 is 4Mpixel and there are new 5Mpixel cameras upcoming, but as most people will agree, its the final image that counts and the D30 delivers there.

Just download a few images - the image is silkly smooth, noise free and even though its only 3Mpixel it can easily output to 18x12 with ease.

Sure its more expensive, but its a lot more that the G1 ( and probably the G2 ). I've had a look at most of my images and I can't see a trace of CA pn any of the photos - probably the large sensor helping out here, and compared to my G1 there is just no competition - I'd imagine a G2 is just a G1 with more pixels and some bugs ironed out.

When the D30 replacement becomes affordable, my D30 will simply be my spare body - I consider it cheap for what it provides ( remember I got it when the only other competition was the Nikon D1 ). If you're a pixel counter than perhaps the D30 isn't for you. But for me, and I suspect a few others, the D30 is everything it has set out to be ( faster Autofocus would help, but thats really about it ).

jUst my $0.02.

dave