To wait or not to wait

my* · Mar 29, 2007

I have had my heart set on getting the Canon 30D for some time now. I have saved up the money and am ready to by. Now I see that Canon may be coming out with the 40D in late Sept.
I am going on a trip to Hawaii in Sept. and wanted to bring a good camera. Are the projected upgrades from the 30D to the 40D worth waiting for and not having a SLR for the HI trip?
I am very new to photography so you help is appreciated.

Don Simon · Mar 29, 2007

September is a long way away

It's definitely better to have a dSLR for your trip than to not have one, but why not wait a bit longer before getting a 30D? By then more info should be out (Canon can't have everyone who knows about the 40D killed

), and if you decide the 30D is good enough then you can probably get it cheaper by waiting up to 4/5 months and still have it for your trip.

Big Mike · Mar 29, 2007

Canon is notoriously tight lipped about stuff like this. There have been rumors about a supposed 40D, since the day after the 30D came out. It would make sense if there is a new model this fall but they don't always do things that make sense.

It's my opinion that the upgrade to the 30D will be a good one. The 30D is very similar to the 20D so it's about time that line got a new sensor.

That being said, I think that waiting may not be a good idea...especially if you are planning a trip in September. Firstly, a new model may not be out yet and secondly, there is usually a period of time between when they announce a new model and when you can actually get your hands on one.

I can understand that you don't want to buy a model that will be shortly replaced...so why not get something in the mean time? Maybe a used 20D or 30D or a lower model like one of the Rebels? You could buy it now, use to all spring & summer and for your trip, then sell it when the new model comes out. Chances are that if you buy a used model and sell it later, you could sell it for quite close to what you bought it for.

my* · Mar 29, 2007

The reason I want it now is because I am inpatient and I want to learn how to use all the features. I was also considering taking a class at the local com. college.

Iron Flatline · Mar 29, 2007

Heck, the difference between the 20D and the 30D was negligble. How big a jump can there be to the 40D? Don't let marketers make you crazy. There will be no major difference, buy the camera you want, and don't look back.

Don Simon · Mar 29, 2007

Good point, any of them are good and will do an excellent job. Whatever you buy will no doubt be immediately be replaced by the next model or made to look less impressive by rumours of the next model anyway. Forget the 40 and 30; get a 20D and consider it a personal victory over marketing

Frequent Traveler · Mar 29, 2007

From all accounts, the 20D is a great camera - why not buy it cheap and spend big for some Canon top-notch, L-class lens(es)? The lenses are where you get the most image quality improvement and generally outlast the camera body's.

Then, whenever Canon is able to come to the table with the 40D or whatever the newest, latest greatest camera is to be, you can uprgade to it or maybe by then you will need a more pro oriented body. Also, with the experience you have gained with your premium L lenses and solid 20D, you will know more about what you truly like and/or need (often quite different!!!).

Meanwhile, you are able to become familiar with your great "new-to-you" 20D and terrrific lens so you can make the most of it in Hawaii as well as being able to take that photography course to get you started.

frank

my* · Mar 29, 2007

Thanks for the responses. Right now I am leaning tword the 30D with the 28-135 IS lense. I know I will not be switching cameras for a LONG time so the 30D will have to do for years to come.

panocho · Mar 29, 2007

i don't shot canon, so don't know about these in particular, but being digital market as it is, it just makes me think... won't you start hearing rumors about a "50D" or something when you finally have the opportunity to buy the newer 40D? and you might end up ever-waiting for the better camera, with nothing in your hands to enjoy shooting.

the best camera is the one in your hands and your eye. and besides, i think we can say that digital technology has already reached a certain maturity, "adulthood", so that you can buy any serious camera an expect to use it for years without the need of replacing it -not unless you fall in the temptations of the market and the sometimes-ridiculous-upgrades of newer bodies .remember: they need to sell the newer ones, but that doesn't mean that we need to buy them, which forces them to convince us that we DO NEED to upgrade.