Hey, Gary, sign me up for the program you mention in the last line! I like my D30 and use it to make 12x18 epson prints of my flower and animal and bird photography with very good results (see the gallery address in my signature for examples). I have paid for the camera in savings of film and processing (about 13,000 exposures since last march) and am quite happy, except for a couple problems with the D30.
The design isn't perfect (for instance the DOF button is on the left), and the build quality is certainly not up to Eos 3 quality, let alone 1V quality, but much more troubling for a wildlife guy like me is the slow AF and hunting with my 300/2.8 on a 2x. Also, the small buffer size and the long wait once it is filled can be a problem for skittish birds. But there are advantages besides cost savings, too. For a wildlife/anti-wide angle (not really "anti", but they aren't my forte) guy like myself, the 1.6x factor is a dream and the color is generally far better than my 4000dpi scans of provia 100F (especially if I pushed it a stop). Performance at 400 ASA equiv is pretty good too, though higher is rough at best. And in terms of resolution, the performance of the D30 isn't as far behind slide film as you may think (especially if the slide film goes through a desktop scan before printing as my workflow requires...and I hope this thread doesn't degenerate into a "yeah, but if you get drum scans..." kind of thread because that is not a cost effective option for me or most others). I think the kodak bodies are okay, but IIRC, the last canon model had very limited ISO selection and they have some other quirks. But the increased resolution would make up for it. However on the used market these things sell for about $5K still, whereas the D30 can be had for about $2K. If they had a DCS760 in a canon mount for $6000, I would probably buy one though. If you currently scan and print your chromes, I wouldn't hesitate in suggesting the D30 as a *compliment* to your RT, but don't get rid of the film camera. You may need it. Or, maybe an even better plan would be to stick with your current camera until later this year and see what your options are then. But don't let anyone tell you that the D30 isn't capable of quality results. Mike "Gary A. Thurlow" wrote: > > I have no clue as to whether this is off-topic, but I feel comfortable > asking this group some questions that has been driving me crazy. I own and > use an EOS-RT with several Canon USM lenses. I have been considering a > move out of the stone age and getting a more modern camera, probably an > EOS-1N or EOS-1V. But lately, I have seen lots of folks here intending to > buy, just buying, or actually using the D-30. So I'm starting to confuse > myself. Here goes.... > > What about the "older" Digital Science Kodak/Canon cameras built on the > EOS-1N body? Are there advantages or disadvantages versus the D-30? Which > models of the DCS line are "best"? > > Should I stick with my original plans of getting another, newer, film > camera? Or should I really be aiming toward the digital camera? I already > own a couple of point and shoot (power zoom, etc) digital cameras but don't > like the fact that the lenses are not interchangeable. > > One more thing - how on earth do some of you guys afford to buy a D-30 and > a pack of "L" lenses? I can't even afford ONE "L" lens, let alone a whole > outfit! The only rule I have regarding lenses is that it must be Canon and > it must be USM. I would love to own some "pro" glass, but sticking it on > my EOS-RT seems like so much overkill. > > I am very concerned with price, but I hate paying film developing > charges. One morning I wake up and completely rule out the film based > cameras because it seems like I'm investing in old technology. But then, > the next day arrives and I face economic reality and say, "these digital > beasts are TOO expensive for me". What a quandary, huh? > > I am spoiled by the speed of my EOS-RT in terms of shutter lag and pellicle > mirror. But the beast is getting old. I suspect that my lenses would > perform better when mounted on a more modern camera body. > > I someone on the list would kindly send me one each of all the cameras > mentioned, together with 3 or 4 "L" lenses, I would be most thankful. I > would promise to take very good care of them. > > Thanks, > Gary Thurlow -- Michael Shupe M.J.Shupe Photography Michigan Tech University www.northernlightsgallery.com * **** ******* *********************************************************** * For list instructions, including unsubscribe, see: * http://www.a1.nl/phomepag/markerink/eos_list.htm ***********************************************************
