Anyone hear rumors on what is planned for the successor to the Canon 30D? Anything about possible enhancements or release dates? I know the 30D is still fairly new and Canon usually runs about an 18 month refresh cycle, but with the new sensor on the XTi, would they shorten the cycle this time around?

I'm not really sure how much it matters, since if I do get a DSLR, it would need to be before Christmas and maybe even by the end of the week. I have a few trips coming up that I would like the camera for and one that is driving the decision - all of these are within the next two months.

Maybe I'm just setting myself up to be disappointed in my purchase after the fact. I know I will kick myself if I don't have a DSLR for the trips.

Someone please slap some sense into me.

 

If you're in the market for a Canon DSLR before Christmas, they I'd say you're pretty safe pulling the trigger any time you feel comfortable. IMO, it's very unlikely that Canon will introduce anything new prior to the PMA trade show in early March of 2007.

 

That's quite a difference

Meh...just go out and get something. There are lots of great brands and models to choose from. Is there some feature or spec you want that's not currently available on some models you're considering?

There'll always be something in the works. There'll always be something better down the road. There'll always be one with more 'features'. It's a constantly evolving technology right now.

 

^^ Yeah, I know. I figure if I'm going to get it, I should do it sooner rather than later and practice on the earlier trips. I'll most likely get the 30D and a lens or two. The only thing that would really bum me out is if they add some sort of in-camera IS on the next model. Considering their lens lineup, it seems doubtful they would do that.

Now I just need to decide on one or two relatively inexpensive lenses to cover most situations (landscapes, portraits, zooms). Not too concerned with macro or extra wides.

Here's the wishlist so far:
30D (body only or kit)
walk around lens (if no kit for general shooting)
zoom lens (maybe 70-200/f4, but maybe something cheaper)
2 x 2 GB compact flash extreme III memory cards
2 extra non-OEM batteries
Lowepro computrekker AW

deciding on the lenses will be the tough part. I would like something fairly fast for plenty of night/low light shooting. Might look into Tamron for some of the glass.

Any thoughts or recommendations from the AZ "pros"?

 

The 30D replacement won't be announced until March at the earliest, but more likely it will be announced just before Photokina in September. The 5D and 1 series are due for an update before the 30D. If you're looking for a camera before Christmas, then buy now while the double rebates are on.

Your list looks good. I'm not sure what you're looking to spend on your walk-around lens, but there are some great deals to be had with the double rebates.

From B&H:
Item...........Price..........Rebate......Net
30D...........$1139.95.......$200......$939.95
17-40 f4L....$629.95.......$90........$539.95
70-200 f4L..$584.95.......$70........$514.95
Total.........$2354.85.......$360......$1994.85

Under $2K with two L zooms is a hard price to beat. Canon has a handy rebate calculator here: http://www.usa.canon.com/app/html/NF...ers_calculator

Also, although I like Sandisk cards, don't feel too commited to the brand. ATP and RiData also make great cards. Check Rob Galbraith's CF/SD speed database for some reviews: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/mul...e.asp?cid=6007

 

how does the new XTi compare with the 30D? just looking for a general answer, but feel free to write as much as you wish. :P

 

Haven't posted in a while so...

Can anyone recommend which lens is a better purchase.

The 70-200 f4L or the 70-300 f4-5.6 IS? I probably know which one you guys will pick but I want to know why. Also, why should I get 70-200 f4L when there is a f2.8? Is f4 enough or should I save and go for the f2.8? Also, is IS a must or can I live without it? I don't know if I should get the 70-300 f4-5.6 IS and save for a 70-200 f2.8L or just go for the 70-200 f2.8L from the start. I have not seen a 70-200 f2.8L in person so I don't know how big it is and how practical it is to walk around with it. The 70-300 is not that big so I can carry it around and not have people stare at me like I'm a paparrazi.

Anyway, any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

A new camera is typically announced about two weeks after you buy one.

This is one of the best sites for canon rumors:
http://bobatkins.com/photography/digital/rumors.html
Note there's nothing even remotely on the radar.

BTW, I wouldn't recommend buying a SLR right before a trip and then learning to use it 'on the fly'. It took me a good 3 weeks of messing around before I took pictures i was generally happy with.

 

There was just a XTi vs 20D thread/poll.
That holds up well ,since the 30D is a slightly beefed up 20D.

In the bang/buck department,
I'd probably get a 20D over the xTi.
I think I'd probably recommend the xti over the 30D though.

- Frank

 

^^ I can't comment on the 70-300, but the two main reasons to choose the 70-200/f4L over the 2.8L or IS versions of either are:
1. Cost
2. Weight

Actually, I'm not sure how much the 70-200/f4L IS weighs compared to the non-IS, but right now it is in short supply and ~twice the price.

 

This first trip isn't one I expect to be that great for taking pictures, but should be a decent field test rather than just messing with it in the living room. I'm not expecting award winning results

 

You used the PSAUG code to find that price? During a regular search it is listing as 679 and when using the code, it does not list the rebate. These are the same lenses, right?

 

Actually, not an obvious choice at all.
The old 70-300 was kind of shoddy, but the new one is getting some nice reviews.

Image quality is apparently very good on the 70-300.

the 300 has more zoom, which is good. It's slightly darker, but has IS,
which is a plus for the 300.

The 200 is an L lens. Besides the 'oooo ahhh, it's an L' factor, you get a
better built lens. Weatherproofing (good for rain and dust), and it's just a tougher lens. I bought a 13 year old F2.8L 80-200, and it is a wonderful lens.
(I could sell it to you, for a reasonable price if you are interested).
If you get a L lens, and you take reasonable care of it, you have a lens for life.

There's some minor stuff too, like the lens doesn't rotate when it focuses (which screws up linear filters).



Cost and weight.

F4: http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/c...00_4l_usm.html
F2.8L: http://www.canon.com/camera-museum/c...0_28l_usm.html

You camera gets twice as much light at F2.8 than the F4.
In exchange you get a lens which is 50% larger and twice as heavy.
Here is a picture of me with the slightly smaller 80-200.
http://www.wizardsworks.org/kaifu/dc/PB010001-hi.html

It is practical to walk around with the lens IF you get yourself a good camera strap. If you don't your neck will hate you. I'm not kidding on that one.
Oh, and people will stare. That shouldn't be a factor.
In this age of 'smaller is better', just using a DSLR will make people stare.

IS is absolutely fantastic if you shoot pictures handheld.
Zoom magnifies camera shake. Can you live without it? Yeah, but you wouldn't want to.

But the real question is, is it worth it to you.
The Canon F4 is a easy recommendation because of the bang/buck. ($500?).
The F2.8 is roughly another $600. That's a much more difficult call.
For your $600 you can get slightly less Depth of field (portraits, etc),
faster autofocus due to ability to use F2.8 cross sensors, and twice as much
light.

Add IS on, and you can add on another $600. For that $600 you get the
ability to still handhold the lens in an area 4-8 times darker.

Is the canon F2.8 IS worth $1200 more than the 70-300 IS?
Uhhhh, that's a harder call. Probably not.
If you don't plan on shooting moving objects I'm not even sure the
70-200 F2.8 is worth buying over the 70-300IS.


The only 'good' thing about it (applies to all good lenses):
1) You'll use it a lot, and you'll never replace it.
2) Lenses maintain their value very well. So you can sell it and get a decent
chunk of your money back if you have to. My 80-200 is a good 17 years old now, and a fair price for it is probably around $500?

As far as what I did, I bought a used 80-200 F2.8 and happily used that for a while. Dell had one of their crazy sales and with the rebates I think I got the
F2.8 IS for $1350. I couldn't resist.

 

Yes, the 30D and 17-40 are with the PSAUG code. Just pick the USA lens and not the imported one so you'll get the rebate. The 70-200 isn't in either the PSAUG or PSSEP codes.

 

Dan, with just those two lenses, how big is the "gap" between 40 and 70?

 

I don't think you'll miss it much, I hardly ever shoot between that range. You could add a fast 50mm down the road if you feel like you're lacking something.

Check out this focal length simulator if you want to see what you're getting into: http://www.tamroneurope.com/flc.htm

 

Thanks for all the input. The decision will be made tonight or tomorrow.

Here's the revised wishlist so far:
30D (body only) - B&H
17-40 /f4L USM - B&H
70-200/f4L USM - B&H
2 x Ridata Pro 4 GB compact flash (150x theoretically) - Newegg
2 extra non-OEM batteries - Sterling Tek
Lowepro computrekker AW - B&H

Only other things I'm considering for now would be polorizing filter and step down ring. Any suggestions?

Flash and tri/mono-pods will be a later purchase.

 

^^^^ yummy!!

 

Personally, I think you're making a good choice by discounting the 70-300. I've always been a believer in the notion that you don't want a zoom stretches any more than a factor of 4. Beyond that, you just start having to make too many compromises in the optics.

 

so cheap now... cameras...

still remember getting my 717, the first week it came out.... set me back 1499+tax..

 

What's the best price after rebates on the XTi right now?

 

There was some dell crud where you could get it for $639.20 after coupons. (body only), which is pretty cheap

- Frank

 

i got my XTi for 769.49 after coupons from circuit city, thats the kit version retails regularly for 899.99

 

Thanks for the help. It's a hard decision. I may end up just getting the 70-300 IS. It is just such big price difference. It's hard turning away from the f2.8 though. Ahh, I'll just have to try them out at the store when I'm ready and chose one. I'm still probably a long way from getting another lens.

 

Well, I pulled the trigger. Had to pay a little extra for 2nd day air so I can get everything before leaving for Denver on Friday. My CC company thought all the activity online was a little suspicious, so they denied a charge before I spoke with them. That was actually a good thing. I'll post in the "List your equipment" thread on Friday.

 

congrats! nothing like an early Xmas gift.!!

 

it's actually REALLY early, since it will likely count for both 2006 and 2007 and maybe beyond