Let's talk photography...

[FlipFlops24/7]

yes you would be very happy. I mean, if $500 is nothing to you, then by all means get the 20D. Otherwise I would pocket that $500 and and once you learn how to use the camera, spend that $500 on a professional lens down the road.

The 70-300mm IS lens I was talking about runs about $560 brand new

I have used a 20D before and yes, its heavier which makes it feel more sturdy, but the 350D doesnt feel like junk. You aren't a photographer yet and if you decided on selling pictures or opening a studio, you wouldn't use either camera(350D or 20D) anyways. Also, you could buy the battery grip for the 350D which adds a rubber grip, and allows you to shoot quite a bit longer.

8mp vs 8.2.mp is IMPOSSIBLE to distinquish. Even 8mp vs 10mp is hard to tell apart, unless you are printing posters.

After shooting with both cameras, I would definately rather have a 350D and a $500 lens versus a 20D and a crappy lens. Like I said, if $500 isnt that big of a deal, then by all means get the 20D. I have had my 350D for 9 months now, and I can honestly say the pictures I have taken would look no better if I had chosen the 20D instead.

What you should really do is go to a camera shop or best buy/circuit city and play around with both cameras. I travel alot, so the smaller camera(350D) works better for me right now. Even when I get the 5D, I will still keep my 350D for traveling/hiking/biking

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

One more thing: Adobe Photoshop

Editing your photos with Adobe Photoshop(or any other image editing program) is called post processing. Almost all of your photos are going to need some post processing. We can get into this later. I just want to make you aware that your pictures wont come out all shiney and nice until you post process them a little. This is probably one of the #1 reasons people get scared in DSLR photography, and abandon it all together.

here is an example from my camera

Cardinal Photo Straight Out of Camera(large file)

Cardinal Photo After Post Processing in Photoshop

 

[DebsSisterFlo]

Ok, now HOW did you do that? I am assuming you took that photo through glass? Here is a photo of a pair of cards that I took through the glass, full zoom with a 75-300 lens. I like using the program that came with my 350D, ArcSoft Photo Studio 5.5.

 

[jmkarcz]

By no means am I implying that the 350 is junk... you should know this right away. Until there is a camera in my hands I'm still shooting at 2 mp. I still may go the 350, but am seriously leaning to the 20d. To many times I have bought the cheaper version of something only to kick myself later. I WILL NOT do that this time. It will cost to much to undo this one.

500$ is alot of money. I won't claim it isn't but if I'm gonna do it... I want to be sure this will probable be the last camera I buy.

I'm sure I didn't need the larger v6 under my hood in my car, but glad that I bought it. (bad example but you get the idea)

I have a few different photo software packages.. we sould talk someday. Maybe there's something I could share with you.

Jason

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

I wouldn't say the 20D is a V8 engine and the 350D is a V6. I'd say its way more like the 20D is a 3.8L V6 and the 350D is a 3.1L V6.


Yes, we should definately get together and talk. I think you should just buy the 20D since you are leaning that way. The more you wait, the more time you are not using an awesome camera.

I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 because I have been using it at my current job for about 5 years. Its truly the best program at the moment for editing pictures. I have dozens of tutorial programs for it too. I could show you a boatload of things to make your images look better.

Maybe we should have a photography night?

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6747003#post6747003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by DebsSisterFlo
Ok, now HOW did you do that? I am assuming you took that photo through glass? Here is a photo of a pair of cards that I took through the glass, full zoom with a 75-300 lens. I like using the program that came with my 350D, ArcSoft Photo Studio 5.5.

Yup I took that photo through glass. Also, I have my camera settings all turned to zero(You are probably using Parameter 1). This is the area where you can set your contrast, etc etc. I purposly turn mine down to zero because I want the camera to do less of the work, and Photoshop to do most of the work. You will get better images this way.

It depends on how carried away you want to get. I have recently starting shooting RAW, which results in better pictures because you are allowed to edit a RAW file in more ways than you can edit a JPEG file due to the JPEGs compression factor.

Compression = loss of information.

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

thought I would post another example of how important it is to have a photo editing program for DSLR images. Here is a picture I took after work today.

Unedited, straight from Camera

edited with Adobe Photoshop

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

Jason,

I'm not sure if you bought the 20D yet, but Canon just released a new camera called the 30D for $1399. It is basically the 20D but with more features.

here is a review

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0602/06022114canoneos30d.asp

 

[jmkarcz]

Thanks, I'll look into it today. Yesterday I had one int he shopping cart, clicked checkout, and someone walked in to the store here. By the time I got bact to it, it had expired, and I had to start over. I would have if it wasn't so close to the time to go home.

Jason

 

[mako56]

I thought this was a pretty cool pic. Is there anything that would make it better?

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

Jason,

I think its fate that you haven't been able to order the 20D yet!


Mike,

That a nice picture. what lens did you use? Not too much more you could do to it, other than sharpen it more.

 

[jmkarcz]

TJ, I have searched all morning, it's not for sale and no one seems to have an idea on the sale date. have you seen anything?


Mike, how about this???

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/IMG_119611B.jpg" border="0" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"></a>

negative.

J

 

[jmkarcz]

Makes me want strawberries.

J

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

If you have photoshop, here is a nice little tutorial on the Levels function, and how it can help you get better looking images

http://www.ronbigelow.com/articles/levels/levels1/levels1.htm

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6792816#post6792816 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmkarcz
TJ, I have searched all morning, it's not for sale and no one seems to have an idea on the sale date. have you seen anything?

J

Right, I havent found a sale date either, but it makes sense to wait, because this is going to drive down the price of the 20D. I'm already debating on selling my 350D for the 30D..lol

 

[mako56]

Wouldn't let me delete my double post.

 

[mako56]

I kinda like it Jason. So that's the negative version? Does make ya think of strawberries. :lol:

Debaser it was with my 100 mm macro lens. Just think what I can do when I know what I am doing. :lol: :lol: Right, well maybe someday. And there I thought you were holding out for the big bucks camera.

 

[jmkarcz]

Mike, was that the canon 100mm? I really want one of those...

TJ, I emailed that company you got your camera from, requesting info on the eta of the 30D. Still leaning toward the 20D though. I wanted to see if the price truely is 300 bucks higher...if not, the 30D may be a great canidate.

I've turned my attention back to my computer now... have any ideas where I can find a 9/16" 18tpi fitting to a 90 deg elbow to a 1/2" hose barb fitting... for the water cooled system.

Jason

 

[mako56]

Yep Jason its a Canon Macro Lens EF 100mm 1:2.8 USM. Got to be my favorite right now. I took a few pics of bugs too when it was still warm outside. Can't wait till summer so I can take it outside again just haven't got the guts to take all this stuff out in this weather yet.

 

[FlipFlops24/7]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6797012#post6797012 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmkarcz
I've turned my attention back to my computer now... have any ideas where I can find a 9/16" 18tpi fitting to a 90 deg elbow to a 1/2" hose barb fitting... for the water cooled system.

Jason

Give www.swiftnets.com a try.