Just out of curiosity...

[rob91]

What does a more expensive digital camera do for you? The 8MP Canon 30d is a couple hundred more than the 10mp rebel xti, so I'm guessing that camera must have something going for it besides the megapixels. Moving beyond that, why spend 2k on a camera? What's it doing for you? The websites like to throw around marketing terms like "CMOS Sensor" but I don't know what that is or how that makes better pics.

I guess along the same lines, what does a very expensive film camera do for you? It was my assumption that with film it was mostly the lens, film, and shooter, what does a 1-2k camera do that the lower end models can't?

Thanks.

 

[keith204]

You have some very valid questions.

Between the 30D/XTi, a lot of it is the feel. At least, that's the main reason I upgraded to the 40D. But, some of the higher end cameras can handle noise better, can shoot more fps, can have more megapixels, can have more features, etc.

You're right though...as for IQ, the shooter & lenses play an even bigger part IMO

 

[Iron Flatline]

Take the Canon flagship dSLR, the 1D, and look at what it has. Then look at the XTi. Now see which of the pro components made it from 1D down to the 40D.

There's definitely a different sensor in each camera, as well as different processors, buffers, and shutter mechanisms, but there's also things like the material chosen for the housing.

Loads of differences!

 

[Battou]

With film you are for the most part right, However there are many different facets of the body that can effect how it takes pictures and/or how you interface with the body.

For example, my AE-1 is not capible of taking what I call a good night shot because it'e shutter speeds only go from 2s to 1/1000 and does not have a mirror lock. My EF however is capible of night photography with Shutter speed ranging from 30s to 1/1000 and a mirror lock. At the same time the F-1 has Interchangeable pentiprisms and focusing screens along with a handful of other options I did not understand.

 

[rob91]

I understand there's more features, I guess I'm just looking for more of a practical explanation.

 

[keith204]

I understand there's more features, I guess I'm just looking for more of a practical explanation.

what's impractical about the responses?

 

[Battou]

what's impractical about the responses?

Practicality being not only what the difference is but how the difference effects the photo process and why it costs more...maybe

 

[rob91]

what's impractical about the responses?

There's nothing impractical about them, I'm just looking for a bit less jargon and more of "this is how it affects you when you're shooting". You make a good point with noise, and I'm sorry to say I don't really understand what FPS is, I guess I'll go look that up. My comments were more for Iron, while I appreciate the response I just don't know what any of that means, how it affects the shooting.

I also hadn't noticed Battou's post till after I replied, he brings up some good points as well.

 

[keith204]

There's nothing impractical about them, I'm just looking for a bit less jargon and more of "this is how it affects you when you're shooting". You make a good point with noise, and I'm sorry to say I don't really understand what FPS is, I guess I'll go look that up. My comments were more for Iron, while I appreciate the response I just don't know what any of that means, how it affects the shooting.

I also hadn't noticed Battou's post till after I replied, he brings up some good points as well.

Ah...makes sense. FPS is frames per second.

Sensor, processor, buffer, shutter mechanism...as Iron Flatline mentioned...

Sensor and processor will drastically impact image quality...This is the film of the digital camera.

Buffer...goes along with FPS. One time, I had a shoot where 50 dodge vipers flew past me... my job was to get a shot of each one of them in motion, with the background blurred. At the time I used my 40D, and I utilized the 6.5 FPS and the 75-image buffer. I simply would not have been able to capture that with my old Rebel XT's 3 FPS and much smaller buffer.

Shutter mechanism... the nicer cameras' shutter mechanisms are much better built than the entry level cameras like the XTi. I belive the XTi's shutter is rated at 50,000 clicks...where the 30D/40D has a rating of 100,000 clicks. It will simply last longer. Some in the 1D series have a 150,000 click shutter rating. VERY practical, especially for sports shooters.

 

[rob91]

Ah...makes sense. FPS is frames per second.

Sensor, processor, buffer, shutter mechanism...as Iron Flatline mentioned...

Sensor and processor will drastically impact image quality...This is the film of the digital camera.

Buffer...goes along with FPS. One time, I had a shoot where 50 dodge vipers flew past me... my job was to get a shot of each one of them in motion, with the background blurred. At the time I used my 40D, and I utilized the 6.5 FPS and the 75-image buffer. I simply would not have been able to capture that with my old Rebel XT's 3 FPS and much smaller buffer.

Shutter mechanism... the nicer cameras' shutter mechanisms are much better built than the entry level cameras like the XTi. I belive the XTi's shutter is rated at 50,000 clicks...where the 30D/40D has a rating of 100,000 clicks. It will simply last longer. Some in the 1D series have a 150,000 click shutter rating. VERY practical, especially for sports shooters.

Thank you:hail:

 

[Shibby!]

Ah...makes sense. FPS is frames per second.

Sensor, processor, buffer, shutter mechanism...as Iron Flatline mentioned...

Sensor and processor will drastically impact image quality...This is the film of the digital camera.

Buffer...goes along with FPS. One time, I had a shoot where 50 dodge vipers flew past me... my job was to get a shot of each one of them in motion, with the background blurred. At the time I used my 40D, and I utilized the 6.5 FPS and the 75-image buffer. I simply would not have been able to capture that with my old Rebel XT's 3 FPS and much smaller buffer.

Shutter mechanism... the nicer cameras' shutter mechanisms are much better built than the entry level cameras like the XTi. I belive the XTi's shutter is rated at 50,000 clicks...where the 30D/40D has a rating of 100,000 clicks. It will simply last longer. Some in the 1D series have a 150,000 click shutter rating. VERY practical, especially for sports shooters.

I agree with you, but I see it in a different light. I have a an XTi. I bought it for the following reasons:

1) Price
2) Relatively great performance for the buck.
3) Cost if I damage it. I take my camera with me hiking, snowmobiling, dirt biking, etc. I fall. It gets crushed, wet, and abused. So far so good.

I know the more you spend on a camera, the longer the shutter will work. Problem is, how many max out their shutters before they upgrade? I know some do, but the good majority don't. For this reason, I don't think it's a very valid arguement for most.

I shoot action sports, and have yet to even require the continuous shooting. I know some use it, but I find you get a bunch of crappy pictures. I work on my timing and can capture most moments with precision. When I lend my camera out for buddies to take pictures of me, I find they don't use this same skill. For this, my buffer works good. The extra frames are nice for sequence shots though on fast subjects.

High priced cameras are built better. This is one thing I prefer. Better materials, better construction, and sometimes weather proofed. All big things to consider in my world.

With that all being said, I love my Xti. The ISO/noise ratio is terrible, but I shoot fast lenses and decent light so I don't have the biggest problem, however this is one of my main concerns, along with weather sealing.

I'll probably be looking to upgrade to the 40D in the future when the price drops a bit. Still have to look into it further, but from what I hear, it would likely be the last camera I buy for awhile.

Hope that information is helpful. Just a different view I share, which I think is more along the lines of what the poster is questioning. All depends what you want, what you need, and how much your willing to pay for it. Similar to most things in life =)

 

[rob91]

When you run out of shutter clicks is your camera basically dead? It seems like it should be easy enough to fix.

 

[Shibby!]

When you run out of shutter clicks is your camera basically dead? It seems like it should be easy enough to fix.

From my limited knowledge of worn out shutters, I've heard you can get them replaced/refurbished. I highly doubt it's something that most of us can do. Camera shutters, i'd imagine, are fairly involved peices of equipment.

I've had my camera since last fall, I'd assume I've shot around 3000-4000 shots. If I continue at this pace, it'll last around 7 years. In 7 years this camera will probably be in a dollar store.

Just puts things in perspective.

 

[DSLR noob]

I easily can shoot 1000 pictures a week. I take about 400 on a day with an event (yearbook photographer) and there is normally 1 or 2 photo-worthy events a week. Lets call it an average of 600 shots a week. 52 weeks in a year (I probably shoot just as much in the summer due to more free time) and we're at.... 31,200 actuations. I Bought an XT, used ti for a year and got a used 20D (I have NO idea how many clicks this camera has, but the body was suuuuper clean, so I imagine it started off under 10,000. The 20D has an estimated shutter life of about 50K) having this camera for about 7 months, I'd say I added roughly 15,000 actuations. That plus the possible actuations already on the camera, and I am almost halfway done with it only 7 months in. You'd be surprised how many of us use our camera shutter life as a guide for when to buy another. MY next investment is the 70-200 1:4 L lens........ with my shooting style, I'm most likely either going to be getting a new shutter after that (about $200, hopefully Canon can put a 40D shutter in that lasts 100,000 instead of replacing it with an XT or another 20D shutter that lasts 50K) or a new Camera.....

 

[Antithesis]

When you run out of shutter clicks is your camera basically dead? It seems like it should be easy enough to fix.

Not really, my buddy had a d70 with three times the rated shutter clicks, or close to it. It was on it's last legs, but it still works.

THe difference between an entry level camera and a prosumer is usually a couple bells and whistles for marginally better images, but most of all, much better build.