First DSLR - 30D or 400D

[dEthANGeL]

Considering you own a pentax SLR (depending how basic the model) and assuming you're pretty familiar with controls - i'd say a 30D would suffice.

Don't bother with what other say about going round looking pro and stuff.

At the end of the day if you find that equipment is limiting you due to certain "trade offs" then i'd suggest getting the 30D - in the end - you'll find that you'll need some of the features in the future as you progress along.

The rest of the money - well - invest on lenes. (Invest in EFS if you know you'll never go FF) The EFS 17-55 IS or 17-40L is a good place to start off coupled with a Sigma EF500DG (more powerful than the 430EX and recycles faster).. whether you need the grip is another.

The batteries on the 30D run longer and easier to obtain (and swop around if you have friends using canon as the batteries are based on BP-511 series)

 

[nigelc]

Thanks for all the comments so far! Really appreciate

If I do get the 30D, should i get the kit len or juz the body and some other lens? Any recommended lens?

 

[nigelc]

3K is ample for a 400D body @ 1150SGD, a 17-55mm @ 1400SGD, plus a 430ex @ < 500SGD.. a gd combo for u to begin with..

Thanks for the suggestion!

Will consider this combi if I decide on the 400D!

 

[mtunlinn]

Thanks for all the comments so far! Really appreciate

If I do get the 30D, should i get the kit len or juz the body and some other lens? Any recommended lens?

I recommend tamron 17-50 2.8. Value for money. At this focal length, you don't need IS. I believe you have steady hands since you used slr before.

for tele, 70-200 F4L($1100+/-) or Sigma APO 70-300($320+/-). Getting 430EX flash will be nice too.
for Ultrawide, EFS 10-22 is the only choice for me.

 

[xunjas]

for telephoto lens, it is better to get IS ones unless u are always using tripod.. camera shake occurs more often during telephoto end unless u have very steady hands or tripod.. tt's my personal opinion.. not forgetting about budget for buying IS lens.. hehe

 

[dan_1337]

Thanks for all the comments so far! Really appreciate

If I do get the 30D, should i get the kit len or juz the body and some other lens? Any recommended lens?

honestly, i reckon that u shouldn't go for the kit lens since u've been using an SLR before.

depending on what u like to shoot, some of the recommendations in here have been pretty good - esp the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS.

 

[nigelc]

honestly, i reckon that u shouldn't go for the kit lens since u've been using an SLR before.

depending on what u like to shoot, some of the recommendations in here have been pretty good - esp the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS.

I am more into landscape, architecture and night shoots.. not quite a portrait person as at now

Recommendations?

 

[jervislim]

I am more into landscape, architecture and night shoots.. not quite a portrait person as at now

Recommendations?

EF-S 10-22mm for you?

 

[Frijj]

I am more into landscape, architecture and night shoots.. not quite a portrait person as at now

Recommendations?

Since you're intending to get the 30D (~$1800 body only), for your $3K budget, I'd recommend:
EF-S 10-22 ($1000 - Oracle)
EF 50 f/1.8 (~$130)

Next purchases:
1) Tripod - there are some good Benro deals in the Mass Order section ($175)
2) Flash - 430EX or 2nd hand 550EX (~$350)

Then when you have more $$$ or decide on other focal lengths,
3) EF 70-200 f/4 L (~$1100)
4) Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (~$600) or If you have more dough and want USM, IS and a Canon original, get the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS (~$1600)

 

[calebk]

Since you're intending to get the 30D (~$1800 body only), for your $3K budget, I'd recommend:
EF-S 10-22 ($1000 - Oracle)
EF 50 f/1.8 (~$130)

Next purchases:
1) Tripod - there are some good Benro deals in the Mass Order section ($175)
2) Flash - 430EX or 2nd hand 550EX (~$350)

Then when you have more $$$ or decide on other focal lengths,
3) EF 70-200 f/4 L (~$1100)
4) Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (~$600) or If you have more dough and want USM, IS and a Canon original, get the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS (~$1600)

Good recommendations in there. However, take note that the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM now costs $1480 or thereabouts.

 

[xunjas]

EF-S 10-22mm for you?

yup.. gd choice for landscape if using 1.6 corp factor dslr~~

 

[xunjas]

Since you're intending to get the 30D (~$1800 body only), for your $3K budget, I'd recommend:
EF-S 10-22 ($1000 - Oracle)
EF 50 f/1.8 (~$130)

Next purchases:
1) Tripod - there are some good Benro deals in the Mass Order section ($175)
2) Flash - 430EX or 2nd hand 550EX (~$350)

Then when you have more $$$ or decide on other focal lengths,
3) EF 70-200 f/4 L (~$1100)
4) Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 (~$600) or If you have more dough and want USM, IS and a Canon original, get the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS (~$1600)

17-55mm about 1.4-1.5kSGD from CP marina

 

[xunjas]

Good recommendations in there. However, take note that the Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM now costs $1480 or thereabouts.

yup price has droppped

 

[calebk]

17-55mm about 1.4-1.5kSGD from CP marina

yup price has droppped

Don't have to reiterate what has already been said.

 

[JimmyH]

Some other points to note:

*The 10mp on the 400D IS a improvement in resolution over 8mp.

*The 400D has noticeably better dynamic range in the highlights.

*the grip /shutter button placement is very different you may like one over the other

 

[xunjas]

plus there is self cleaning sensor system on the 400D which is an added advantage.

 

[calebk]

Some other points to note:

*The 10mp on the 400D IS a improvement in resolution over 8mp.

*The 400D has noticeably better dynamic range in the highlights.

*the grip /shutter button placement is very different you may like one over the other

Actually when there are more pixels on a sensor of the same physical size, I would consider it a bad thing. You are going to get higher noise at higher ISOs. However, Canon seems to have done well to have reduced the noise levels on the 400D's sensor to an equivalent noise level of the 350D's sensor.

IMHO, the "trigger area" where the shutter release and main dial are located is very similar for both. However, because the 400D has a thinner, shorter grip, you may find it uncomfortable. I have used the 400D with and without a battery grip. With short, light lenses mounted, the grip is adequate (I'd say I don't have hands that are that big). The 30D, in contrast, gives you a much sturdier, larger grip (that some might find too large and robust), so it boils down to what you need/prefer.

plus there is self cleaning sensor system on the 400D which is an added advantage.

Actually, there was a test across all DSLR auto sensor cleaning systems. The Olympus sensor cleaning came out tops, and was the most effective. Canon's was "almost useless", and Sony & Pentax: "virtually no effect at all".

 

[xunjas]

this thread is about 400D n 30D so lets keep within topic

 

[calebk]

this thread is about 400D n 30D so lets keep within topic

Am I off topic? You really don't want to get me started on the number of times you initiate OT on other threads.

Read carefully; the 400D is still, very much, in discussion.

Actually, there was a test across all DSLR auto sensor cleaning systems. The Olympus sensor cleaning came out tops, and was the most effective. Canon's was "almost useless", and Sony & Pentax: "virtually no effect at all".

 

[xunjas]

Actually when there are more pixels on a sensor of the same physical size, I would consider it a bad thing. You are going to get higher noise at higher ISOs. However, Canon seems to have done well to have reduced the noise levels on the 400D's sensor to an equivalent noise level of the 350D's sensor.

IMHO, the "trigger area" where the shutter release and main dial are located is very similar for both. However, because the 400D has a thinner, shorter grip, you may find it uncomfortable. I have used the 400D with and without a battery grip. With short, light lenses mounted, the grip is adequate (I'd say I don't have hands that are that big). The 30D, in contrast, gives you a much sturdier, larger grip (that some might find too large and robust), so it boils down to what you need/prefer.



Actually, there was a test across all DSLR auto sensor cleaning systems. The Olympus sensor cleaning came out tops, and was the most effective. Canon's was "almost useless", and Sony & Pentax: "virtually no effect at all".

Am I off topic? You really don't want to get me started on the number of times you initiate OT on other threads.

Read carefully; the 400D is still, very much, in discussion.

topic is comparing between 30D and 400D, happened to see olympus.. no hard feelins hor~~