I still use my 10D, especially when it comes to studio shots or posed shots. I have the higher resolution cameras too (1DS MII, 40D), but when it comes to studio work or posed shots, I prefer my 10D. I don't need the higher resolution images (takes longer to process, for what?). When it comes to action shots, or shots where I need quick response/focus, I use the other cameras.
I love the feel of the 10D, the slightly larger size of the body (compared to my 30D), and the way the vertical grip looks like it actually belongs to the body it's attached to, as compared to the grip for the 20/30/40D. I also love the quiet operation of the 10D. If I could take the performance and features of my 30D and stick them all in my 10D, I'd have a camera I'd be satisfied with for a long time.
have had my 10d since 04 and love it. bought a 1d in 06 and now
with these two older bodies i have every situation covered without forking over
for a new costly body
Like racoll I also think it's the best feeling camera, though I always had problems with the battery grip coming unscrewed. Compared to the speed of my current cameras I would however go nuts with the sluggish operations of the 10D. I still have the camera, converted for IR by Lifepixel.
Having recently sold my 10D to buy an XTi, I have given up the comfortable grip of the 10D. Most everything else you do on the 10D can be don on the XTi, but you have to learn the new controls. I found this was very intuitive and I have not really consulted the manual.
What I gained:
significantly faster boot time
Better ISO 400 & Much better ISO 800 & 1600 performance
EF-s lens combatibility
More effective pop up flash.
What I gave up:
More comfortable/solid camera in the hands.
longer shutter life.
An old friend since April 03.
I really can say that the driving reasons for the switch were the poor ISO performance in the 800+ range, and EF-S lens combatibility.
If you are not shooting in low light, or fast moving objects that would warrant higher ISO, you may not care. If EF-S lens do not matter to you, then again not real loss. Well composed pictures on the 10D to me still look beautiful on my 24" monitor! I suspect you could find one on ebay for about $250.
That said, I am very gald I switched to the XTiand now appreciate the improvents in several generations of cameras. I personally would not go back to the 10D.
BTW - An XTi can be found in the $400 - $450 range with a little patience on ebay.
I still shoot with a 300D as a primary camera, and since this was basically a dummed-down 10D I feel I am in some position to comment.
Basically the technology IS very old now. No getting away from that. This generation of cameras are slow in every way, and the high ISO performance is pretty poor in comparison to today's standards. However, with your 10D you have much better build and ergonomics than the rebel range. If you are working with a tight budget and build quality is VERY important for you, and you shoot at least 90% of shots bellow ISO400, I say go with a 10D. If you want better review/write times, quicker startup, better ISO performance, lighter weight, etc, then go with one of the recent rebels or even consider the brand new sub-Rebel 1000D. I haven't checked out the 1000D, but I expect it to be severely lacking in features but with high ISO performance that the 10D/300D could only dream about. Whilst you may like the idea of having identical operation on both bodies, there is also something to be said about having two different bodies with complementary features, so that you can decide which is most appropriate for a particular shot and play to a particular camera's strong points....e.g. sports, or low light, or travel, or rugged build in harsh environments, or comfort in hand for extended shooting...etc
The best of both worlds (handling and performance) on a limited budget would be the 20D if you can swing the extra expense. That would be my recommendation... save for a couple more months, wait for 20D owners to upgrade to the new 5DmkII, and buy a used 20D.
I've been shooting with my 10D since 04 as well... I think it produces very nice files, and its still a great body @ ISO 100/200 ONLY! I just cringe when I look at 10D files @ ISO800 I'm looking to upgrade to a 5D (held out long enough, eh?!) One of the only reasons I'd upgrade is for simplifying my workflow. The 10D files take more time to work on, and I find getting "keepers" out of its poor AF system is really starting to get on my nerves. If you shoot action, forget about it unless you plan wayy in advance. I've also started shooting with some manual focus lenses and the viewfinder on the 10D is really horrible.
YoAdrian wrote:
Having recently sold my 10D to buy an XTi, I have given up the comfortable grip of the 10D. Most everything else you do on the 10D can be don on the XTi, but you have to learn the new controls. I found this was very intuitive and I have not really consulted the manual.
What I gained:
significantly faster boot time
Better ISO 400 & Much better ISO 800 & 1600 performance
EF-s lens combatibility
More effective pop up flash.
What I gave up:
More comfortable/solid camera in the hands.
longer shutter life.
An old friend since April 03.
I really can say that the driving reasons for the switch were the poor ISO performance in the 800+ range, and EF-S lens combatibility.
If you are not shooting in low light, or fast moving objects that would warrant higher ISO, you may not care. If EF-S lens do not matter to you, then again not real loss. Well composed pictures on the 10D to me still look beautiful on my 24" monitor! I suspect you could find one on ebay for about $250.
That said, I am very gald I switched to the XTiand now appreciate the improvents in several generations of cameras. I personally would not go back to the 10D.
BTW - An XTi can be found in the $400 - $450 range with a little patience on ebay....Show more →
As I mentioned above, I still have my 10D converted to IR, shoot primarily with a 5D, but I too added a used 400D/XTi as my small cam. I'm finding I'm using it quite a bit more than I expected and enjoying shooting with it more than I expected. The small size and its specs were what caught my eye and I can concur with the comments made.
The 10D was my first digital DSLR, before moving on to the 1DSMKII. I still marvel at some of the great images it produced, even when resd up to 19 x 13inches. I also loved the very quiet shutter.
I still use my 300D (since 2004) which is a downgraded 10D and I must say that it makes better images than all of todays P&S cameras. I have to admit though that it is a little slow which I felt the other day when I was shooting a low flying helicopter heading towards me. The poor buffer froze the camera for a few seconds before I could have another go of few shots. Even that performance beats a modern P&S. Don't want to sell it and it serves as a nice back up for my 20D.
Picked up a mint one for 275..threw a grip on it and what a great camera.. Would I use it on a job, its my 3 rd body, so one day it may see action.. I bought it just to shoot for myself with.. Yeah its slow to start ( 3whole seconds) preview is slow when shooting raw, ( do you really need to preview everytime ?) .
I love the quiet shutter, the ergonomics, (feels like a real camera) and the files are really nice. The color is just dead on. Its really a great piece
That would be my recommendation... save for a couple more months, wait for 20D owners to upgrade to the new 5DmkII, and buy a used 20D.
I'm looking to upgrade to a 5D (held out long enough, eh?!) One of the only reasons I'd upgrade is for simplifying my workflow. The 10D files take more time to work on, and I find getting "keepers" out of its poor AF system is really starting to get on my nerves. If you shoot action, forget about it unless you plan wayy in advance. I've also started shooting with some manual focus lenses and the viewfinder on the 10D is really horrible.