[jamietylo]

So,

I currently have a Canon 350D and was contemplating getting a 5D as an upgrade, but as I just spent out £1000 on getting myself a home studio, I now must lower my targets on a camera.

My current kit consists of, 350D, battery grip, Canon 18-55m kit lens, Sigma 105mm F2.8 Macro, and a nasty Tamron 300mm zoom lens.

I bought all this lot together in August last year and it cost me just over £1000, and I must point out that I very rarely use the two extra lenses.. just the kit one, which is awful!

My new options are now thus;

1: Keep the 350D body, sell the two lenses I never use and buy a decent prime lens.

2: Sell it all and buy a 400D with a couple of lenses

3: Buy a 30D with one decent lens

Essentially, I like the look and sound of the 30D, but is it that much of an upgrade from the 350D?

I know it's probably shallow, but I do like the sound of the extra 2MP from the 400D



any 30D advice people?? How does the performance differ from the 350&400?

[Markulous]

1.

or maybe:

4. Sell it all, join a monastery with a vow of silence and contemplate the errors of your ways!

[jamietylo]

ha! :P

[Markulous]

You seem fairly determined to change your camera (and hey, if that's what you want to do, then go ahead!) but you don't say why or what you want to use the camera for. And, after all, the 350D's a pretty good dSLR which I assume you now know fairly well - both of which support hanging onto it!

[Sonsey]

Hi Jamie, perhaps you could tell us what you like (and would like) to shoot, both in your studio and elsewhere?, it would certainly help us guide you better. Also as your no doubt wanting to do a good bit of shooting in your new studio a bit of info would be helpful about that too, equipment and size of room etc.

[jamietylo]

Well, I've read numerous reviews, but what do you think are the important differences between the 350 & the 30?

I am pretty determined to change

[jamietylo]

I'm mostly doing fine art stuff at the moment. Very much learning, I'm hoping to get a job working for the local paper as a photographer, I have a couple of gallery shows coming up in the summer... hopefully going to Berlin in a few weeks on a phototrip. Doing studio portraits mostly just to make a bit of extra cash on the side (as i'm a student) and am taking a HND in photography next year..


Have a look at my site if you like - which will give you a better idea as to what i am doing..

hehe, sorry for my ramblings...

*Mod Edit*

Sorry Jamie - no personal websites in posts, you can put them in your signature and the Members Websites facility only. Thanks.

[Sonsey]

Originally Posted by jamietylo

Well, I've read numerous reviews, but what do you think are the important differences between the 350 & the 30?

I am pretty determined to change

For all your artistic and studio work you probably wont see much of a difference I'm afraid, where the 30D will come into it's own would be if you get the photographer for the local paper job, the more robust body and 5fps shutter speed will certainly make a difference here, but unless you go for that job I wouldn't bother upgrading to the 30D... save more pennies and get the 5D

Originally Posted by jamietylo

I'm mostly doing fine art stuff at the moment. Very much learning, I'm hoping to get a job working for the local paper as a photographer, I have a couple of gallery shows coming up in the summer... hopefully going to Berlin in a few weeks on a phototrip. Doing studio portraits mostly just to make a bit of extra cash on the side (as i'm a student) and am taking a HND in photography next year..

I would've thought your Sigma 105mm macro would get more use with what you shoot, it's a very sharp highly regarded lens that should come in handy for any head-shot portraits you may want to do, I'd consider keeping hold of it.

For your Berlin trip you will need your EF-s18-55mm no question, when I was there last year most of my shots were taken in that range, I'd also take the 105mm for getting in a bit closer to some of the more interesting detailed architecture... it's a great city with lots of interesting history, I think you'll love it.

That just leaves your "nasty Tamron 300mm zoom lens" Since you really don't seem to like or use it much perhaps changing it for a fast prime in the 30-50mm range would be better for you. A fast prime in that range would certainly give you more options for your portrait work aswell as coming in handy if you get that job with the paper. One more thing to note, if you do get the paper job you will most likely have to budget in a flash gun.

Hope this helps a little.

[jamietylo]

Thanks for your help

sorry about the link, didn't know that wasn't allowed

[eyescaper]

sorry to sound like the bad guy but since you're still a student, stick to your guns. enhance your skills first before upgrading your kit. who knows, the much coveted, all-purpose 1D Mark III will be more affordable

then again, if you have the dough, why wait

[bellymungo]

Go with Sonsey, keep your sigma, get shot of the 300mm, but your standard I would go for the sigma 17-50mm 2.8 great lens, keep your 350d maybe get another body later when you have made some dosh.

David