Suprise suprise, it's a 30D

[spl@t]

As expected Canon have announced a new dslr named the 30D with the following key features:

* APS-C format (1.6x multiplier, 22.5 x 15mm)
* 2.5", 230,000 pixel LCD display
* selectable 3 or 5 frames/sec continuous shooting
* Buffer for 30 JPEGs or 11 RAW images
* Flash Sync at 1/250s
* 3.5% spot meter
* Luminance and RGB Histograms
* ISO settings in 1/3 stops from 100-1600 and visible in viewfinder when changing
* ISO 3200 selectable via CF (but no ISO 2000 or 2500).
* Picture Style modes like the EOS 5D
* Option to disable image sharpening in JPEG mode.
* Tweaked AF algorithms, but does not have the extra 6 "invisble" AF zones of the EOS 5D
* Direct Print button
* 9999 images per folder (vs 100 on the 20D)
* Availabilty mid March 2006
* Estimated street price $1400 (£802.32 as a straight conversion)

Nothing especially suprising there obviously the 2.5" screen is a nice improvement as well as the increased ISO settings. Full details here:

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...0D_review.html

If, as he says the 20D is not going to be discontinued should we be expecting a drop in price of the 20D for a while?

[milou]

http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/eos30d/

http://web.canon.jp/Imaging/eos30d/sample/index.html

Sorry Spl@t - meant to say cheers. Wonder if this'll depress the 5D price? Hmm £200 off 5D: http://canoneos5dpromotion.onlinerebates.com/intro.aspx - this'll make the 5D £1,600 from Warehouse Express (and to think I almost bought at £2.5k

They've also announced two new lenses



EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM

The new version of this popular lens among portrait shooters is the same design optically as its predecessor, though with enhanced lens coatings for reduced ghosting and flare. It features autofocus speeds up to 1.8X quicker (a preproduction unit of this lens popped into focus noticeably faster in our brief handling of it than the original 85mm f/1.2L), improved manual focus operation and a new diaphragm for more-circular out-of-focus highlights at large apertures. It also now communicates distance information for use in calculating flash exposure.

The EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM is to ship in March 2006 at an estimated selling price of US$2099 in the U.S.

EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

This is the first lens aimed at Canon's 1.6X-size sensor cameras to feature a fast maximum aperture that stays constant throughout the zoom range. Compatible with the EOS 30D, EOS 20D, EOS Digital Rebel XT/350D and EOS Digital Rebel/300D, it should also offer image quality on par with Canon's L-series, says Chuck Westfall, Director/Media & Customer Relationship at Canon USA. (It lacks the mount sealing and other environmental protection features unique to newer L-series lenses, however.)

As an IS lens, it's spec'd to be handholdable to at least three full shutter speed steps below what would be possible without IS.

The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM is slated to ship in May 2006 at an estimated selling price of US$1149 in the U.S.

[Jamey]

I'm happy with that. It's good enough to compete with the Nikon D200 but not miles better than my 20D.

Agree about the ISO and screen changes, those are the two that interest me most.

Edit: will be watching that 17-55 IS lens with interest. Cheers milou.

[spl@t]

There's a new rebate for the 5D, £200 cashback. Tempted milou or considering a 1 series still?

http://canon2006promotions.onlinerebates.com/intro.aspx

I have to say I'm going to be tempted by that new 85 f/1.2L, need a fast lens to take to the local mtb spots/races. The first version was apparently very slow to focus which put me off, will keep an eye on the price when it appears. Although that new EF-S could be blinder as well, damn it!

[milou]

See edit!

I was thinking of either 5D or 1D Mark IIN - the latter for its build quality but I'm not a sports or wildlife snapper by any means. The 5D - relatively light, FF and can have a 50 ISO.

[milou]

Edit on the edit ;o

[spl@t]

Oh dear chaps seems to be time to hide the cards for a while

[milou]

To the bank!

[spl@t]

I'll grab some tights to pull over our faces!

[milou]

One leg each?

[spl@t]

Brilliant idea! That's why you're running the operation.

[Jamey]

Oh, also the fact that you can have 9,999 images per folder appeals to me. It seems like a small detail but I do really get hacked off with copying files into one folder after the camera's split them across three or four.

[Ribby]

Originally Posted by fingerz

It's good enough to compete with the Nikon D200

That depends what you mean by "compete with". The D200 recently got the nod over the 5D in Practical Photography (mainly due to its £1200 price tag) and isn't the 5D quite a bit better than the 20D?

/me sneaks away and leaves all the Canon users to go mental :p

[Jamey]

The 5D's the cheapest full-frame camera ever produced. It's main selling point is the image quality but there aren't many others IMO.

The 30D will be £800, which is £400 cheaper than the D200.

[Ribby]

Indeed. It's a good price for a good camera. I guess you get what you pay for in the end

[spl@t]

It's all about the intended use, you wouldn't want to take the 5D to a sports event but for landscape work can you get much better? I guess the D200 is a better all rounder which is why it scored higher, I've not read the review though.

[Jamey]

The D200 has to be an all-rounder because Nikon have less models in the range than Canon. The way I see it....

20D/30D = 'prosumer' cameras, hence the onboard flash.
5D = Semi-pro landscape/portrait/studio camera (only thing stopping it being pro is lack of weatherproofing).
1Dn Mk II = Pro sports/photojournalism camera.
1Ds Mk II = Pro everything else camera.

[SlasherMCT]

Originally Posted by fingerz

I'm happy with that. It's good enough to compete with the Nikon D200 but not miles better than my 20D.

Agree about the ISO and screen changes, those are the two that interest me most.

Edit: will be watching that 17-55 IS lens with interest. Cheers milou.

Don't understand the ISO announcement as ISO 3200 is selectable via custom functions on the 20D already - or am I missing something....?

[SlasherMCT]

Originally Posted by fingerz

Oh, also the fact that you can have 9,999 images per folder appeals to me. It seems like a small detail but I do really get hacked off with copying files into one folder after the camera's split them across three or four.

Just use downloader pro from Breeze Systems - that'll sort out your downloaded images any way you like. ..

[Jamey]

Originally Posted by SlasherMCT

Don't understand the ISO announcement as ISO 3200 is selectable via custom functions on the 20D already - or am I missing something....?

You can adjust the ISO in 1/3 stop increments, so ISO 125, ISO 160, etc.

Will take a look at that app. I've got a feeling someone linked me to it before but there was some reason it wasn't ideal but will have another gander.

[blurr]

Think I might put an order in for the 5D. £1.6k aint too bad. Time to sell my 350D...

[spl@t]

Blimey blurr, I can see a fair few people trying to shift their 350D in the coming months so guess the earlier the better.

[blurr]

Looking at ebay, I can pretty much get what I paid for it, even a little bit of profit.

Here's an example

[milou]

Pimp my cam - say it's been used by a pro-blogger.

[Jamey]

Write 'Best wishes... djn1' across the screen in permanent marker. Sorted.

[milou]

Sorted! Respect due.

[Sysagent]

Dunno if it is really worth spending over the magic £1000 mark on a camera really...

After all the majority of the shots that people are taking around here (in the community) are for their blogs and other web based areas. To spend the likes of £1,500 - £2,000 on a camera body is the kind of money that you would be spending if you are going to be making a career or some money out of the hobby.

As you can see from the shot's entered here and on the various blogsites a pretty damn good job can be accomplished with sub £1000 camera bodies and the like.

As Jamey once said its not down to the camera or the equipment, but more down to the person behind the machine that matters the most, a tenament which I whole heartedly agree with. Spending perhaps £1000 or more on a proper organised tutored phtograhing course would probably be of more benefit to most of us around here (me included).

Even the MIGHTY DJN1 of Chromasia fame only uses a lowly 20D at £749...



Russ

[[n00b]Zippy]

Yep - probably far more worth buying a cracking lens than upgrading your camera.

[SlasherMCT]

Originally Posted by Sysagent

Even the MIGHTY DJN1 of Chromasia fame only uses a lowly 20D at £749...

lowly 20D.... gasp! Don't talk about my pride and joy like that pls.
Words like astonishing, impressive, accomplished, full featured, etc are far more appropriate....

[Jamey]

Yeah. I love mine. Should really think about insuring it, actually.