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30D vs 350D

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IncaRoads

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I was wondering what the real differences between the two are when it comes to picture quality.

Putting aside photographer ability etc is it really worth investing a little more in the 30D rather than buying the 350D? I have a feeling I might try and want to sell it on and probably make little from it in the future, whereas the 30D looks like more of a long-term investment.

What do you think?
 
Im in the exact same boat as you.

Im pondering over the two also. with about a £300 difference ( the cost of a decent lens or two ) im wondering where my money will be better spent also.

Im really looking to do mostly portrait photography and need to convince myself ( and the wife ) where to spend the money....hmmm
 
Well, not all investments are strictly financial.

By investment I mean in terms of longevity - if the 30D is vastly superior to the 350D then I'm far less likely to feel the need to buy another camera in the short-term.

The idea is to have a machine I'll still be happy with in a years time or longer. That's the kind of investment I'm after!
 
Yep - buying a 350D will give me more cash to spend on a new lens and a polarising filter.

Buying the 30D means I have no spare cash to splash out. I don't necessarily mind this, but I just want to make sure it's a worthwhile compromise.

I guess the question should be:

a) 30D

or

b) 350D + Lens Upgrade + Polarising Filter (with £300 to spend on both the lens and filter)
 
If you have been following the 400D threads you may have picked up on a couple of major differences between the two: size and view finder. I suggest you pick both cameras up and peer through the view finder. If the 350D works for you I suggest saving the money and putting it towards glass. For me the XT line size and view finder just didn't cut it and I have smallish hands.
 
and 2/ certainly not worth it with the 400D Rebel XTi availasble.

BAK
 
Image quality between is very nearly the same. Any differences will hardly be perceptible. The 30D is faster in all ways (fps, autofocus etc), has a deeper buffer (for more continous frames) and has better ergonomics. Whether or not these are important only you can tell.

The ergonomics thing is the toughest call because no two people hold or use a camera the same way. I find 350D way too small for my liking. I use the grip with my 20D because it is marginally too small without the grip (especially with large lenses). But the 5D, without the grip, fits my hands near perfect. And there is very, very little difference between the 5D and the 20D/30D. Go figure.

You really should try both cameras in your local camera shop. Hold them both in shooting positions make sure the 350 works for you.

Although image quality is the most important factor, there are other issues, like ergonomics and speed, that determine how useful (or fun) the camera will be to you.

jack
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http://web.mac.com/kurtzjack/iWeb/ or
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IncaRoads said:
is it really worth investing a little more in the 30D rather
than buying the 350D?
Click to expand...
It is if the 30D allows you to capture photographs the 350D won't. Certainly the 30D is a more capable camera, but whether it's worth the extra price depends on what you want to do with it.

You ought to try one, even at a store. I found that the "is it worth it" question was answered after just three exposures.

Anyone who says it's worth it or not worth it is simply telling you about their needs. If they don't qualify their statement, it's useless to you as they really don't know what your needs are. Try one and you'll figure it out pretty quickly.
 
I might get a chance to try them out next weekend although I'm not sure Ill find out much about the cameras except for their feel in such a short space of time.

My main concern is that although the 30D might be the better machine, if the lens isnt all that special, I wont afford to buy a replacement for sometime.

At least with buying the 350D I'd have quite a bit more to splash out.

Most of the photos I want to take would be in low light settings i.e. dusk/dawn and with plenty of sky etc so Im guessing I'd need to buy some additional kit to be able to take photos in these settings effectively.

I'll make my mind up soon enough!
 
IncaRoads said:
Most of the photos I want to take would be in low light settings
i.e. dusk/dawn and with plenty of sky etc so Im guessing I'd need
to buy some additional kit to be able to take photos in these
settings effectively.
Click to expand...
For this kind of shooting, a good lens will make much more difference than the 30D/350D difference. For landscapes with plenty of sky, the 17-40L, or even better, the 10-22 would be great choices.

--
Alastair
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The 30D is great in low light - don't know about the 350D as I still have the 300D(still great outdoors & up to ISO 800). But the 30D is a badd boy as far as a DSLR goes! I Love mine! Also - the new XTi has gotten some favorable reviews on - http://www.luminous-landscape.com
 
Are there any lenses around the £200 that would do a good job?

Looking at one of the other threads I might be able to get the 30D body from Jessops with their price match and 10% discount for around £673.

That'd leave me with about £230 for a CF card and a lens

I absolutely cannot go about the £900 mark as a total.
 
I own both the 30D and 350D.Both are fine cameras. I had the 350D first and thought it was awkward to handle. THe screen size was also an issue.In important portrait or wedding shoots I couldn't see if anybody blinked if it was a group shot.

After getting the 30D, I put the 350 as back-up.If I had bought the 30D before the 350 I wouldn't have bothered with the 350.I have to use the grip with it to feel comfortable.

Personally the spot meter, PC flash connection, and large screen sell it. Although don't forgrt the tougher body. I think it could survive a few knocks whereas the 350? I wouldn't like to say.

That's my opinion. Good luck with your buy.
 
Hi incaroads, if you're looking at buying the camera as a longer term exercise and not worried about upgrading every time a new version comes along, the 30D is definitely the way to go, I've had a 10D since 2003 and just upgraded it yesterday with a 30D, 3 years on, I took the picture last week with the 10D and its still achieves good quality shots IMO anyway. If you are planning on using any lens on the 350D other from the kit one forget it, the grip is tiny, 90% of the time I have the 24-105mm f4L fitted as a walk about lens, which would be a nightmare on a 350D.
Go get the 30D, you wont regret it.

 
just took delivery of the 30D today, my 350d id now relegated to back up cam, or second cam with wide angle lens.I cannot really say there are great differences in regards to the VF, Image quality does (at first impression) seem a slight notch up on the 350D, albeit slight. The LCD on the 30D is welcome and bright, though I cannot say its top notch when compared to say the D200 LCD, (I might get flamed for that!!) As to wether its worth the extra bucks, well that depends on if you can afford it. Personally I don't think so, especially when you put a grip on the 350D, which you can pick up quite cheaply these days.I for one (if I was coming in new) would plump for 350D grip and a good fast lens like the Tamron 28-75 Xrdi...forget the kit lens. That would be a great way to start. Then pick up a 50mm f1.8 prime and decent flash when you have a few spare
bucks. 430ex over the 580ex if only for size!!!

cheers

phil
--
http://www.pbase.com/digitaldreams
 
Thanks for all your advice.

Putting everything into perspective I think the 30d really is the better option.

It seems the better camera, and considering everything from the size of the LCD screen, size of the camera, and the fact that its not made of plastic are the factors that clinch it. I can just imagine dropping the 350 and it falling to pieces, where as I know the 30d would be intact.

I dont plan on buying another camera for quite some time after this so I dont really mind the initial extra cost, although I'm sure Ill have plenty more expense when it comes to lenses.

I'll have to live with the kit lens for some time though (at least a couple of months)

Does anyone have any images taken with the MkII lens?

Hopefully it wont put me off taking pictures altogether!
 
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