Canon EOS 20D a good cam for aquaria pics?

[32flavors]

Hi all.... Finally motivated to make the jump to digital and want decent pics of my tank specimens.

I want to stay with Cannon because I already have EOS lenses.

I can't afford something high end or even new right now. But Adorama has 20D's in the $400 range.

Obviously, looking for sharpness and light balancing quality in order to deal with my 750 watts of halides, which my Powershot 10 MP does not. (despite having an aquarium mode that is supposed to auto compensate lighting). Great for the dogs and everything else, but falls short for my tanks. It's an extremely fast camera, so not concerned with that.

Anyone with experience with this camera?

I asked one guy in a for sale thread what he used because they were the best pics I've seen on RC.... He said a Cannon Xti. Can't afford that.

What do you all think about this camera? Since it's a couple generations old, I'm betting somebody has experience with it.

Thanks,
Cheree

 

[Dino]

What is your total budget? The 20D is a great camera, I (along with many others here) use a 30D which has very few differences to separate it from the 20D. It'll be a great body to jump into the DSLR world with and learn the ropes. Keep in mind though that with a DSLR system the body is one of the cheaper parts. Its the glass in front that'll really matter.

 

[32flavors]

I have decent lenses, although I'll need a good macro lens--never had a use for one before Now, I'd really like to do some coral and goby macro work.

For now, $400 is about max. Mainly, I'm concerned with the light balancing issue. The guy at Costco pointed this Powershot directly at a bulb, and it adjusted and produced a well-balanced image of everything around and behind it. But when trying it on my tank.... from about 3-4 feet I get decent shots. But anything near the glass comes out all whitewashed, almost no color--well, at least near the top of my tank, but that's where all my cool acros are.

I might be able to swing the 30D. Any noticeable differences?

Thanks,
Cheree

 

[32flavors]

Heck, they have Rebel Xti's for $300.... Which one do you all think would be better?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

Psh I would rather have a 20D than an Xti. I would take a 20D over any of the rebels save the very latest T1i.