RFF User thoughts on the Canon 20d? I know its not film or a RF

[flipflop]

Hi,
Being a college student it is becoming harder and harder for me to shoot film because of prices and the time I have to dedicate to scanning. I am currently looking at the 20d, but dont know if it would give me results i am used to shooting 35mm film.

If anyone has any first hand advice about this camera and how it compares to film it would be most appreciated.

Thanks,
Colin

 

[kbg32]

I know there are going to be a hell of a lot of opinions here, but the 20D is a great camera and the files it produces are like butta. You can't go wrong with this camera. If your budget is tight, I'd recommend the Rebel XT. Same chip.

 

[wintoid]

Hi there,

I use a 20D and am very happy with it. I also use various film rangefinders and am happy with those.

Most of my stuff is B+W, and I like grain. The 20D doesn't really have that grain. I use ConvertToBWPro to make my BW images from the 20D, but they don't look quite as good as film.

As for colour images, my personal preference is that the 20D looks better to me than any colour film I ever used. I use Capture One to develop my RAW files, and am very happy with the quality of the output (with the possible exception of some bright red colours).

Summing up my personal feelings, the 20D is great, but I keep film around too because it gives me flavours the 20D can't replicate.

Hope that helps somewhat.

 

[rover]

I am actually saving for a 30D but if I end up with a 20D I am sure I will be just as happy. My opinion is that digital imaging is different than film photography, but the quality of the images from a good DSLR are just as good as those from film.

 

[JohnM]

I have one - it is a wonderfully competent camera. How does it compare to film? I don't know, but I've never looked a photograph from it and wished I had used a film camera instead.

I'll generally use it for sports photography (and to a lesser extent, wildlife), and I am more than happy with it.

I've been goofing off with Alien Skin's Exposure plug-in - the black and white converter is awesome and the preset profiles that mimic different brands and makes of film are really impressive. (It's not cheap at $199, but if you're looking to use digital, but like the look of certain films, it is worth it.)

 

[flipflop]

can you replicate say velvia. or reala?

 

[Toby]

I've had a 20d for a few months and its certainly a very good camera. A good analogy is a 20d is like the car you would use for the daily commute, RF's are like the sportscar you drive for fun at the weekend. I like the 20d but it lacks a little soul that older film cameras have.

my eos 20d images are here

 

[flipflop]

do you use the 18-55 lens on it?

I think I would rather a nice 50mm to the zoom?
What do you guys use?

 

[JohnM]

Velvia - yes. Reala - no, although I've been told they are working on it.

If you do a google search on Alien Skin Exposure, it'll get you to their site and you can download a 30-day trial.

Lenses - I have the 18-55 kit lens, but have literally never used it. I have heard that it is a fine lens, especially for the money.

I have....Tokina 12-24 f/4, Canon 35/1.4L, Canon 60/2.8 EFS Macro, Canon 85/1.8, Canon 70-200 f/4L and Canon 400/5.6L. I recommend them all, but you can certainly live without the 35/1.4L given it's price - the 35/2 delivers far more bang for the buck.

 

[Toby]

I got the 18-55 with the camera because it was very cheap I don't like it and use it rarely most of the time I use a tokina 28-70 2.8 pro

 

[flipflop]

when searching for lenses, I just have to make sure they are EF mount?
Or what is the mount called?

 

[Toby]

EF mount is correct but there are also EF-S lenses designed especially for the smaller sensor but they won't fit on the 5d for example. So if you think you will go full frame in the future stick with EF

 

[flipflop]

If I buy an EF mount lens and the lens a 50mm do I have to multiply it by 1.6? or is it really going to be a 50mm?

Also, I have heard of people putting there Contax SLR lenses on these cameras with an adapter. I would be willing to go that route. Anyone have any expierience with this?

 

[rover]

All lenses are effected by the crop factor. I am considering the 28/1.8 USM as a standard equal to 45mm. I also have the 28-105 USM II which will do for some extra reach should I need it in the short term.

 

[smudwhisk]

Don't know what the prices are like in the US but there appears to be a price war going on for the 30D in the UK - from about £1000 ($1700) when released it's been discounted down to about £800 ($1350) by a couple of dealers. A colleague of mine bought one on Friday and initial reports are it's very nice. She had a 300D so the differences are going to be great but the improvements on the 30D may not be worth the extra if you already have a 20D.

 

[panandscan]

If you're trying to replicate Velvia, look at the Velvia Vison Photoshop plugin on www.fredmiranda.com. It's $25 and works extremely well.

 

[jaapv]

It is a very good camera, but a lot of hybrid RF-DSLR users including me have reported that they hardly use their Canon DSLR any more after getting either a Leica Digilux2 or Epson RD1.The Digilux2 is out of production but the Panasonic version is still available as is the Epson. Somehow these camera's seem to be more suitable for RF lovers.

 

[flipflop]

Yeah im thinking I could get a 20d cheap with the 30d coming out or already out. Im seeing some on the bay for under 1k brand new with a 18-55mm lens...which I think I will sell and get a good prime.

 

[RicardoD]

I have aCanon 300D and I love it. I don't use the Kit lens much but the $75 50mm F1.8 lens is amazing. Too cheap not to pick up new.

The other lens I love is the 80mm F1.8 which I bought used. Performs like and L lens. There are great lenses available if you have the money to spend. You quickly find out that the bodies are somewhat disposable and its the glass you will be investing in.

The only problem I have is the 1.6x crop factor really makes everything such a long lens.

My rangefinders are really filling in the gap (<80mm) in this area until I can afford a nice prime wide angle lens. I did have the 20mm F1.8 Sigma but that sucker is loud, and enormous, sold it to get my Minolta Dual Scan IV and other B&W developing kit.

I shoot in RAW mode exclusively and use C1 LE for post processing following by photoshop if necessary for web use.

If you are used to film I think what you will immediately miss is the limited dynamic range of a DSLR. I fight it all the time and love shooting on B&W film now where I don't have to fear strong sunlight and shadows so much.

The one reason not to sell the kit lens is so it is easier to resell you body and kit lens down the road.

I figure I will update my body around when the Canon 40D comes out! 😀

 

[EmilGil]

The 20D is a nice camera (being digital that is) but the kit lens sucks, it is more or less useless.

A 50mm lens will always be a 50mm, the focal length is determined when the lens is constructed BUT you will get the field of view from it that is equivalent to a lens with a focal length 1.6 times longer (ie 80mm). The depth of field will remain the same though. The 50mm/1.8 is a great lens, sharp albeit a lot of plastic...