I am considering a SERIOUS upgrade to a Canon 5D, 10D, or 20D camera. Does anyone have any experiences or preferences with these?
I say go for the 20D cuz the number is higher.
Digital Cameras - Unbiased reviews, prices and advice from DigitalCamera-HQ
IMO. If you are going to go with an SLR style camera, get one that has a detachable lens. As you learn to use that camera and it’s functions (assuming you don’t use/know how to use professional style cameras) You will quickly out grow it’s abilites.
Take a look at Sigma Corporation of America They make some of the best lenses and camera’s next to Nikon. Unfortunatley sigma is less known, but their prices are great and their quality and features are top notch.
I wish I could buy the SD 14. That’s about all they have camera wise(they have a film camera). They make top notch lenses though. Very comparable to Nikon who makes some of the best lenses in the world.
I’m a film fan. You can’t beat atomic resolution, and the skill it takes to work with film. You can’t just photoshop out things you don’t like with film. If you want the lighting just right, you make it right, or you adjust your camera with filters and settings. It’s more of a challenge, and that’s what I started with. Completely manual Cannon A1 form 1989. It was stolen 6 months back. I miss it. It had more manual features than my Cannon EOS rebel T2. Take the electronics off of my new camera and compare it to my old one and the Rebel is a piece of crap.
will I can say that I have a good experience in digital photography, so if you are going to upgrade to a digital SLR Canon and Nikon are the best and I prefer Canon more. If you want to save some money you can get a Canon digital rebel 350 xt: it’s an 8 MB and it’s very popular, but if you are going to the 5D and 20D that’s a different story. Both cameras have a great picture quality and if you need a good place to know more about them I think you should go to Digital Camera Reviews and News: Digital Photography Review: Forums, Glossary, FAQ and look for them there. They have a great review for them.
I have a friend who bought a SLR type Nikon a couple months back (about $800) and he STILL hasn’t been able to figure out the buttons/controls. We struggled for days trying to figure out how to get it to do a “fill flash” (flash all the time) and could never get it to work. And trying to get manual control on “shutter” speed and f-stop is still a mystery (depth of field sucks). So I just grabbed my $130 Nikon Coolpix 4600 and blazed away (have to do a lot of pics for eBay). Sure I like the interchangable lenses and all like my old 35mm Pentax cameras had, and total manual control, but eBay required the digital age…
Actually I still kinda prefer my Sony Mavica (uses 3.5" floppies) w/10x zoom.
In general Canon makes a very good camera though. There are times for quick point and shoot (like my 4600) and times for careful shoots (like with an EOS). I’m also tempted to try one of those $10 keychain digital cameras…
And a digital back for that 4x5 Crown Graphic… (HA! $$$$$$)
Canon is a great company. They are relatively easy to use and durable. Think of them like the Kenwood of car audio. They may not compete with high end Alpines, Pioneers, and Calrions; but they are well worth the investment regardless of the other systems. (that’s a matter of discression as well)
Nikons are fantastic, but as RBT showed, they are very tricky to use at times. They are more of a profession type camera.
I still encourage looking at Sigma closely. They don’t dissapoint, I promise. They are the easy to use Nikon. The best of Canon and Nikon combined for a great price.
Hey boss -
What’s your budget for this?
www.photosig.com is another good source for reviews.
I can tell you that the 5D is VERY impressive (and it’s rumored that a price drop is imminent). The images hold together admirably well at 1600 and even 3200. If money is an issue, however, I might go with the 10 or 20 and splurge on the glass. Frankly, I might do that anyway. 
As for the Nikon/Canon debate…being that I’m several celebrity robberies away from a Hassy H3/PhaseOne setup, I’m currently corroding my kishkas trying to decide between a Mark II and a DX2s and I don’t know what the hell to do.
toilofday - I’m a film fan, too - I love my 645 and 6x7 - but figure it’s time to take that leap into the land of filmlessness.
I agree, but I’m holding off for a few more years until I can buy a very high resolution camera for a decent price. 800 bucks for 14-20 megapixles isn’t my idea of cheap. I could buy a very nice medium format camera for that, and set up my dark room. I already have an enlarger.
I’m still a novice so you just talked me under a table. I only know 35 mm black and white
I should do some research on color. It’s much more difficult from what I hear, and know about it.
Understandable. Digital still isn’t as good as film (IMO), unless you’re talking a $30,000 camera (like the Hassy H3). Although from what I’ve read, the latest Canon Mark II approaches MF quality (which I find hard to believe, but whatever) and the Nikon D2Xs (especially with the Zeiss glass) isn’t far behind. But yeah, right now, you’ll be paying through the nose for quality.
Anyway, bosshank…the 5D is a great camera which you probably won’t grow out of right away. I’d imagine the 10D, 20D, and 30D models are decent as well and maybe with the money you save on any of those you could go for an L series lens. You’d basically be giving up a few megapixels for better-quality glass.
If you want to bridge the gap between point-and-shoot convenience and SLR flexibility, go with something like the Fuji E900. Amazing camera in its own right.
That’s a good thing to know. What do you shoot mostly?
I’ll upload my best piece. I like industrial setting, and things like abandoned factories. There was this sweet factory I took pictures at when I was learning. the place was half demolished and it had been around since the 50’s I think. Empty rooms with wood floors and pits. Ancient skylights. I think it may still be up. I’ll have to go back and see.
I’d like to do close up portraits, and think I have a nack for it. I seem to be able to get the lighting and facial expression I need, but I haven’t worked with it much.
When I post that pic, i’ll tell you the story behind it’s developing. It was a ture miracle with what I had to use.