Is your 30D/40D looking kind of wimpy lately ?

<p>Somebody talk me out of this, but have you ever compared your 30D/40D/50D even the 5d to the 1Ds ? That camera makes all those other cameras look a little wimpy and toy like. I guess this question should be addressed to all the semi-pros and enthusiast out there like myself. Last year I was at a shoot and one of the photographers had a 1Ds while I thought my $1000+ 30D could match it since we were both using the same lenses. Nothing could be further from the truth, I guess you get what you pay for ! If I throw the grip on the 30D it definately looks more professional, but it is still a 30D. You ever get that feeling ? </p>

<p>I usually keep the battery grip on both my 5D and 50D... with the petal lens hood on my lenses as well, I get strong reactions from strangers about the size of my camera. Something between astonishment and awe.<br>

But yeah, another way to describe what you're talking about is the descriptor I usually see in relation to the 1D series... "it's a brick". And yes, I regularly look at buying one, but then choke on the cost. It's not cost effective for my needs, simply because I'm not shooting under conditions that require it.<br>

Michail Yon, an online war journalist, carried 1D cameras in Afghanistan and Iraq. And even encountered some issues with L series lenses while in Iraq. Interesting reading.</p>

<p>Used 1D mkII's are selling for a very reasonable price but I'd rather not have one hanging on my neck unless really needed. One of the reasons I forget any possible size-envy quite quickly.</p>

<p>Why was it further from the truth? If you want a big bulky camera then buy it but unless you need really fast autofocus or more fps I don't know how it will help you make better images. Was the guy with the 1D making better images than you? Was it his camera or his experience as a photographer?</p>

<p>I am confused - do you want to own a camera because it looks big, or do you want a camera that serves your needs. If you need a pro-camera to make you feel like a better photographer, then go right ahead:-) The economy, Canon and the president will thank you!</p>

<p>-- "That camera makes all those other cameras look a little wimpy and toy like"</p>

<p>So what?</p>

<p>Why do you care what it looks like? Cameras are a tool to capture images, not a fashion statement. Unless there is something substantial that a different camera can do that your 30D can't, enjoy your camera and forget about it.</p>

<p>I went to a party recently where I met a fellow who shoots with a 30D. He exhibits his stuff all the time, and at the party, he gave the person whose birthday it was some of his prints, shot on his 30D and printed on an Epson 2400. They were breathtaking. We chatted equipment, because I am considering an xxD (probably a 50D, but maybe a 40D), and he expressed no dissatisfactions with his camera at all. If you hunt around on the web, you will find plenty of really superb images that were captured with equipment a lot cheaper than your 30D.</p>

<p>I hope you manage to get over it...</p>

<p>Someone else will always have a "better" (bigger, more macho, more expensive, etc, etc, and etc) camera...</p>

<p>Cheers! Jay</p>

<p>I don't think there's anything wrong with having some equipment envy.<br>

I have illusions of travel and would like to get a used 1ds, the mark II should come down in price even more when the mark IV comes out.<br>

I think its healthy to be honest enough to admit to lusting after better gear.... haha I'm guilty too, with my silver 300D with a worn through hand grip....<br>

but yeah, I agree with everyone else, get over it and the older cameras can do a whole lot. be happy when and if you do outgrow its capabilities.</p>

 

<p>No, my 20D, 40D and 5D don't look wimpy.<br>

Yes, a 1D would be nice.</p>

<p>The point I think is, of course, side by side the 40D looks like a wimp next to the 1D or 1Ds; just like a dReb 350 looks like a wimp next to a 40D, or a silver Reb looks like a power rangers toy camera compared to anything! Even a G10. ;-)</p>

 

<p>A friend who is a very skilled shooter is heading the other way, often leaving his Nikon D3 and pro lenses at home and getting astonishing results with a Canon G10.</p>

<p>He still uses the D3 for sports action and theatre shooting in low light, but at other times enjoys the freedom of carrying a light, unobtrusive, and highly capable camera.</p>

<p>Often, too much gear gets in the way of great photography by taking the photographer's attention away from the subject, light quality, proper exposure, and composition. Consider how many of the world's iconic, enduring photographs were taken with simple rangefinder cameras.</p>

<p>I don't take pics. I use the cam to pick up chicks!</p>

<p>Harry, I've been carrying around my 40D in my purse/bag everywhere I go. I started out carrying it with one of my second-tier consumer lenses, the 28-135. That was a bit heavy, so I bought an 18-55IS, making the outfit considerably more comfortable to carry. Yesterday I went out to tour a passive solar home and took my 5D + 17-40 to photograph it. The 5D is an average-heavy camera, and the 17-40 is not exactly a huge lens. After a couple of hours of carrying that around, my shoulder was starting to get a bit sore. I was thinking, "Gawd, I wish this were as light as my 40D + 18-55IS!" This all makes me wonder if I should pick up a refurb XTi as my pack-in-my-purse camera. I'm not a "proud" photographer and don't need a huge hunkin' camera to feel worthy. However, my neck and shoulder do have legitimate needs of their own. There are defintely reasons to own/use a 1-series camera, but if those don't apply to you, then you're probably better off with the lighter rig -- IMO.</p>

<p>On a side note, I was REALLY glad I had my 17-40 lens WITH protective filter. It has internal focus and semi-internal zoom (internal, but only with the protective filter on the front). As a result, there is no barrel extension/contraction, and its use does not force air exchange through the camera. The importance? That home had an interior greenouse, and I walked in from the cold to what must have been a 75 degF, 95% RH environment. I was still nervous about the humidity, but not so much as I would have been with almost any of my other lenses. When I got home, both camera and lens went right in to the desiccant chamber!</p>

<p>I've never understood the point of the 1-series chin. A solution to a problem that doesn't exist, imho. I've never had a problem rotating the camera 90 degrees with my finger on the shutter and taking a portrait oriented shot. If anything, I think I would find that easier than hunting for the second shutter button.</p>

<p>My current personal sweet-spot is the 5D, full stop. If Canon ever makes a 1-series body in the 5D format (chinless, but heavier build and weather proofed), and I really don't care about movie mode and live view, I'd be very interested.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>I've never understood the point of the 1-series chin.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Yeah, guys that shoot 1D series develop beefy biceps but grow a second chin. Now that's a funny observation! Most of them are also forehead enhanced (PC bald) and wear odd rumpled clothing...</p>

<p>The 1D 'chin' is for it's more extensive electronics, dual processors and autofocus sensors etc. It's big because it needs to be to contain all those features and most pros won't complain since they'd have put a battery grip on it anyway.<br>

I don't need 1D performance or size, just a good sensor and a light tight box. And I really don't need to throw away THAT much money for weather seals when I can use 25p electrical tape for the same job.</p>

<p>I'm also a chin hater. If Canon do ever make a 1 series chinless camera (like the EOS 1v) then I'll be sorely tempted. Nikon shrunk the D3 into the chinless D700 so Canon can do the same, although the 5D2 is the nearest they've come so far.</p>

<p>"5D2 is the nearest they've come so far"</p>

<p>Canon does claim improved weatherproofing on the 5DII.</p>

<p>It's the 1D autofocus that I miss, not the weatherproofing. We really need the EOS 3 equivalent DSLR. The EOS 3 was a chinless wonder with 1 series AF and half-decent weather sealing at a sensible price (just like the D700 compared to the D3).</p>

<p>I do have a 5D2 on order (not sure what decade it will arrive here in the UK) but my biggest disappointment with the 5D2 is its autofocus. I have no doubt that it will be good, but compared to the 1D and even the 50D it will be lacking. Don't get me wrong, I don't expect a 1D camera for 5D2 money, I just wish they had updated the AF a little more.</p>

<p>For the last several days I've been using a Pentax ME-Super and an Olympus OM-10. Next to those two tiny SLRs my 30D seems massive! Try using an older film camera and you'll appreciate your 30D in more ways than you can imagine, but you'll also appreciate those older cameras and the photographic process a lot more and in different ways.</p>

<p>Never touched a 1Ds, but my 20D just got a missing screw recently.</p>

 

<p>I like wimpy cameras, in fact I would prefer one quite a bit wimpier than the 40D....most DSLR's are FAR FAR too large & heavy....</p>

<p>"Why was it further from the truth? If you want a big bulky camera then buy it but unless you need really fast autofocus or more fps I don't know how it will help you make better images."<br>

Thanks everybody for talking me out of it. I got to admit the weight and $ize of the 1ds can be a problem in certain circumstances. Like the other day, I saw this guy down-town with a 1ds and he was no more than 5 feet tall and slightly built. It was almost as if he was carrying a computer around his neck.<br>

Anyway that camera is awesome, after the shoot we compared pictures taken with the 30D and with the 1Ds. Although I had more action shots the proportion of images that came out of the 1ds, had more contrast were sharper and cleaner, not sure if that has to do with the AF, but it probably does.<br>

I still love my 30D it takes some great pictures some of which I included in my porfolio. Wiith the grip it does not look as wimpy. Come to think about it I need to get a grip for my 5D also just in case somebody shows up with a 1ds. </p>

<p>I don't think its wimpy. the other day my friend was comparing my 40d to his rebel xsi. we had gone out shooting and I handed him my camera while I was driving. He was surprised at how heavy it was - commenting that it was almost too heavy. For me though it works and i like it. I'm more concerned about the pictures I get than the size/wieght and look of a camera.</p>