Canon 30D 18-55mm kit lens at ~45mm, f/5.6 25 sec
Click image for larger size
I’ve been contemplating the purchase of a digital SLR for some time and have finally pulled the trigger.After spending several weeks researching my options online, I narrowed the search down to two candidates: the Nikon D70s and the Canon 20D. I was leaning in the direction of the Nikon from the start since I have used an older Nikon 35mm SLR for several years and love the feel of it. Additionally, I have a couple of great lenses for that camera that would work on the D70s body. I visited a couple of stores and was able to get my hands on both cameras and play with them a bit. I first was able to check out the Canon and liked the feel of it the first moment I picked it up. Several days later, I was able to play with the Nikon at another store and immediately felt a difference in the build and the feel - I liked the Canon much more. In completing more research online, I found the overall reviews for the Canon to be more solid all around, particularly in the imaging sensor type (CMOS on the Canon versus the older and slightly less efficient CCD on the Nikon). Additionally, Canon just released the new incarnation of the 20D - the 30D. The newer model sports a significantly larger LCD screen (2.5″ vs 1.8″) and is said to also have a more intuitive menu naviagation tree after Canon took into account the input from users of the 20D. It quickly became clear that the Canon would be the way to go.
In reviewing opinions of both online, it seems as though one reviewer put it best when he said the Nikon was the Hummer of the Digital SLRs, while the Canon was the Lexus.
I haven’t put the new camera through any chases or other significant tests yet, although I’ve had the opportunity to take a couple hundred shots around the neighborhood and love the results. I’m already getting antsy for more now though and am looking into snagging the Canon 70-300mm IS USM lens.
Will Saturday be the next best shot around here, or will the action stay to our north?
The photo at the top of this post was shot last night as a nice little garden-variety thunderstorm passed about 20 miles north of KTGX. The image is as it came off the camera - no cropping or other post-processing.