pablo_s Posted August 30, 2003 Share Posted August 30, 2003 I'd like to get a DSLR system but I'm a poor student and my budget is very limited. The introduction of the D-300 seems to open some good perspectives though. The only realistic choices that I have right now is: getting a used D-30 or a new D-300. As for lenses, I plan to begin with the 50/1.8 plus a EF 28-105/3.5-4.5 USM or a EF 28-135/3.5-5.6 IS USM. If I get the D-300 I might consider the wide-angle that comes with it for additional $100. The D-30 option is of course cheaper but I'm getting used equipment and less resolution. I don't care too much about resolution though, since I don't plan to do any very large prints, and my initial lenses won't be that great anyway. Right now the D-30 is selling at $700 and I guess the price will drop even further once the D-300 starts shipping. On the other hand, the D-300 offers a cheap, if not good quality, wide-angle solution. So the basic question is how do the D-30 and D-300 compare. The D-30 is older so one can expect some improvements on the D-300, but on the other hand the D-300 should be a more basic camera. The specifications seem to be more or less similar for both. Any adivce will be welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted August 30, 2003 Share Posted August 30, 2003 The D30 was notorious for having a less than perfect AF system which required assistance at low light levels and didn't track rapidly moving objects too well. This was MUCH improved on the 10D and the 300D appears to use the same AF system as the 10D. So if AF performance is important, I'd lean towards a 300D. You also can't really discount the advantage of twice as many pixles. Even if you don't make large prints, the extra pixels let you crop more. I don't know what the D30 price will drop to now. Maybe a D30 at $450 would be a better buy than a 300D at $900. I don't think the same could be said for a D30 at $700. My guess is that D30 prices will be driven down to $500 or less, so it really depends on what sort of deal you can get on one. At the right price, I wouldn't pass up a D30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chip l. Posted August 30, 2003 Share Posted August 30, 2003 I would say that the D-300 would be the best option at this point. Bob is right about the used pricing on the D30. Though given that the D30 is two generations removed from the 10D. There has been improvements in the CMOS and with processing speed in camera from the Digic chips. Also don't sell short the need/desire for larger size prints. Also you will be surprised on how even "cheap" lenses will provide for good prints. Also wide angle can be expensive to get into with a D30, the 18-35 looks to be a promising lens. If Pop Photo tests are to believed the Nikon 28-100G lens I believe was tested at the best of the class. So we could see something special with the 18-35 too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_simons Posted August 30, 2003 Share Posted August 30, 2003 Where are you guys finding these deals?? $700 for a D-30?1 Lowest I've seen was $3,4000 and that was the only place I saw it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobatkins Posted August 30, 2003 Share Posted August 30, 2003 What year are you living in? In 2003, $700 for a used D30 is pretty common. I think I sold mine for around that last April. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve_simons Posted August 30, 2003 Share Posted August 30, 2003 I searched dealtime.com for it and all that came up was one for $3,400 USD. Someone... for the love of god... please show me where you can get deals like that, the cheaper the better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimvanson Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 Steve...you just didn't look hard enough...there's one here <a href="http://dealtime.com/xGS-canon_d_30~FN-Digital_Cameras~NS-1~CR-2"><b>Canon EOS D30 Digital Camera</b></a> for only $3359 or <a href="http://dealtime.com/xPO-Canon_Canon_EOS_D30_3MP_Digital_SLR_Camera_Body"><b>here</b></a> for only $3000...great deals at dealtime.com fellas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevierose Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 Go to e-bay. Type in "EOS D30'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erb_duchenne Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 You'd be plain silly to buy a D30 for $3000. Is that body only? Har har :D. The 300D isn't out yet, but seeing I've ordered one I'd say get the 300D. Like you said yourself, the D30 is old, used and you're not sure how it was used. It's not coming with a warranty nor peace of mind. Two years from now, if you're working and want to upgrade to a pro DSLR, you might be able to sell off your 300D... but not a D30. You can't just throw it in the forest as it's got toxic components. You probably have to pay someone to take it from you. Also, even if you could get a cheap wide angle for the D30, it ain't as cheap or as new as the lens which comes with the 300D package. Remember... in 2 years you might just start to see some Pro models selling for what the 10D is right now. Don't get stuck with something nobody even wants to trash for you. Then again... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
medina photography cherry Posted August 31, 2003 Share Posted August 31, 2003 If I were in your shoes I would go with the Digital Rebel (300-D) I read that the shutters in the eos digital bodies are only good for around 50,000 cycles. Having just bought the 10D I can tell you within a couple of days I have headed toward the 1,000 mark already. Get the 18-55mm lens with the 300-D for a hundred bucks you can't beat that wide angle. If this lens worked on the 10D I would buy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablo_s Posted September 1, 2003 Author Share Posted September 1, 2003 Thank you all for your suggestions. I think I'll go with the D-300 (unless it turns out to be a much worse camera than it seems). Given my ultra tight budget that means I'll have to start with a very modest set of lenses, but I can always extend it over time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan_vidal Posted September 1, 2003 Share Posted September 1, 2003 300D (Digital Rebel in the US) is the better choice...better AF, and a sensor with twice the resolution of the D30 for only about 200 more. The 300D's AF system is from a Rebel film body, so it's not as good as the 10D, which takes it's AF from an Elan 7. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikelaportfolio Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 I am in the exact same dilema as Pablo. I however, am leaning toward the d30 at this point. I could very easily be wrong (so dont go crazy if i am), but the d30, despite the lower pixel count looks like a much better camera. You get custom functions, better metering, much better construction, faster framerate and a bigger buffer. All of these benifits in exchange for less pixels and slower AF (i dont need a fast system) seem to make the d30 the better choice, especially at half the price! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joshroot Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 If AF isn't important and the price in under the $500 mark, I would go for the D30. It is still a great camera. I shot many published photos with mine. Spend your money on lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_phan Posted September 2, 2003 Share Posted September 2, 2003 And by the way, it's 300D, not D300. Canon has changed the naming scheme from the original D30/D60. Now it is a number, followed by the D designation, as in 1Ds, 1D, 10D, 300D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron c sunshine coast,qld,a Posted September 3, 2003 Share Posted September 3, 2003 I see alot of talk about how much the D30 price will drop and "i'll be getting one now"...trouble is EVERYONE seems to want one so i can't see the price dropping much.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
river side Posted September 4, 2003 Share Posted September 4, 2003 Ron, once the <b>300</b>D starts shipping and <b>IF</b> the EF-S lens is any good, expect the price of D30 to freefall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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