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

[Jason Sprenger]

I have a Rebel Xt and chose to go with the 17-85 EF-S lens. It really is a cut above the kit lens. Pretty sharp for a zoom through its range and nice bokeh.

Though this rig is not a street shooter. If I was doing that with this camera, I might do a three lens set up with a 24mm, 35mm and 50mm (38mm, 55mmm, 80mm equivalent in 35mm). The camera itself is smaller and lighter than my Bessa R with image quality that pretty much equals the 20D.

 

[kbg32]

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?

I'd recommend the 17-40L 0r the 17-85 IS for the 20D.

 

[rover]

look at us film guys go....

Keep in mind that there surely is a lot of information to be shared at our sister site also

http://www.dslrexchange.com/

 

[nksyoon]

I also have the 20D, in fact I had it before I had any RFs. I love the quality but wanted something more from photography which led me to a Mamiya 6, my first RF.

If I had to have only one lens for the 20D it would be the 17-40L (I haven't tried the new 17-55 2.8).

 

[rover]

OK, let me ask. My big pet peeve about AF SLRs......

The center cross focus sensor only works in cross mode with lenses of f2.8 or wider. How much does not using a wide aperture lens effect performance.

 

[ywenz]

I would recommend the 20D. It is such a good camera that Canon's replacement for it, the 30D is basically the same camera as the 20D

 

[flipflop]

thanks for all the post! Big Help..Now just wondering what a good price is? I have seen one with the the dreaded 18-55 brand new in the box for 900.00
I think that is a pretty good deal. Let me know!

 

[Kin Lau]

OK, let me ask. My big pet peeve about AF SLRs......

The center cross focus sensor only works in cross mode with lenses of f2.8 or wider. How much does not using a wide aperture lens effect performance.

Only the 20D & 30D (and the pro bodies of course) have that center cross focus sensor. It makes more of a difference in low light, but not huge so far for me (see below).

My typical walkaround lense for the 350D & 20D is either the Tokina 28-70/2.8 or EF35/2. My most frequently mounted lenses, are actually the 400/5.6 & 50-500 🙂

For flipflop,

The 18-55 is okay for most things. Stopped down to f8 in good light, it'll do the job. The new Sigma 17-70 seems to be generating some very good reviews, and sounds like a good walkaround.

Do come and visit over at dslrexchange.

 

[jano]

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?

Focal length is still 50mm. But because the sensor is smaller than a full-frame negative (24x36mm), you're actually getting a "crop" of the lens circle. This crop corresponds to the field of view of about 80mm. So the resulting shot will look like it was 80mm, but you used a 50mm lens. Hope that makes sense.

Jano

 

[flipflop]

any ideas on a good price for the 20d?
That Tokina looks nice! I really want a sharp prime in the 35-50mm range...any ideas?
How about mounting the contax slr lenses on it? Anyone done this?

 

[flipflop]

Jano,
Kind of makes sense....I get that it will look like I took it with an 80mm....but from what I have read depth of field stays the same as if it were taken with the 50mm...

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

I think that if your main concern is the money, then you should go after the Rebel XT; it really is the same sensor, same image processor, main difference is 8 Mpixels vs. 8.2 Mpixels (for the 20D), and the body is smaller (the XT), the XT shutter sounds a little more high-pitched.

The image is really nice off-camera, but not "gorgeous"; just really nice. Very usable images at ISO 1600, and acceptable noise at 3200.

But if you *must* save money, then get a used 10D, or the "original" Digital Rebel. Cleanest ISO 100, 200 and 400 images, cleaner than the 20D at the same sensitivity. Only pixel-peepers like me would notice these differences, though.

I own and use the Canon 17-40L lens a lot, and is wonderful; the cheapest "L" lens (if $750-850 is "cheap"). I also own and use the Tamron 28-75 Xr Di f/2.8 lens a lot, and its only flaw is that it, on very unique conditions, can exhibit internal reflections/flare, which again, if you're somebody who doesn't think that a scratch in the front element or a big bubble in the rear element would affect the quality of your pictures, then this will never be a concern for you; this lens is about $350, and performs very close to the Canon 24-70 L (I've made side to side comparisons, including flare, and I was very surprised), and it's a super steal compared to the $1400+ of the Canon 24-70 L

Since you're also budget conscious, you should get the Canon 50mm f/1.8 MK-II. Loud, made of plastic, not-too-slow to focus. But takes amazingly good pictures (ymmv), and at $60-80 new, trust me, you can't go wrong.

Last, but not least, is the memory card. If getting a 20D, don't think about using anything less than a 512MB card (when you go on a trip, you'll kick yourself if you don't take at least 1GB worth of memory). Lexar is good value for the money; avoid the cheap brands.

The 18-55 kit lens is a crapshoot. I got a good copy. I've seen shots taken with it, and I've seen horrible to very good quality images (I'm talking about the resolution). The quality control on the kit lens, unfortunately, seem to vary wildly; hence the "low" value.

 

[flipflop]

prices are really close for the rebel xt and the 20d...I think for the xtra cash I would get the 20d. I best deal I have seen "NEW" is $900.00 for the 20d and the 18-55.

If I could find a nice used 20d for a good price I would do that...Or do you think its not a good idea to do this because its totally electronic?

Gabrielma, Lots of good info! Thanks!