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Three older DSLRs

cubby01

cubby01

aka Buck
On a recent treasure hunting jaunt my wife picked these up for probably less than a good camera strap.

Canon EOS Rebel XT 8MP w/ EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (8MP)
Canon EOS Rebel 20D EF Ultrasonic w/ 50mm f1.4 lens (8.2MP)
Sony A230 w/ DT 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (10.2MP)

I picked up an AE-1 w/ an olympics lens cap and a cool vintage strap at the same time. Even so I think she may have gotten the better of me on this treasure hunt. :)

The DSLRs came with the lens noted and looks like a battery in them -- but no cases, media cards, or any charging accessories. I don't know yet if any of them work.

Up till now all our digital cameras have been point and shoot models. Any one of the DSLRs sound like they might be worthy of investing a little in maintenance and accessories?
 
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cubby01 said:
On a recent treasure hunting jaunt my wife picked these up for probably less than a good camera strap.

Canon EOS Rebel XT 8MP w/ EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (8MP)
Canon EOS Rebel 20D EF Ultrasonic w/ 50mm f1.4 lens (8.2MP)
Sony A230 w/ DT 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Lens (10.2MP)

I picked up an AE-1 w/ an olympics lens cap and a cool vintage strap at the same time. Even so I think she may have gotten the better of me on this treasure hunt. :)

The DSLRs came with the lens noted and looks like a battery in them -- but no cases, media cards, or any charging accessories. I don't know yet if any of them work.

Up till now all our digital cameras have been point and shoot models. Any one of the DSLRs sound like they might be worthy of investing a little in maintenance and accessories?
Click to expand...
That Canon EOS Rebel 20D is definitely worth checking to see if it works!
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Digital...iewpoints=0&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending
Also the Sony A230
 
Older dSLR cameras that work can be used for many interesting things. I have my original dSLR, a Pentax *ist DS (6 MP) outfitted with an aftermarket split-image viewfinder and I use it exclusively with manual-focus lenses, the older the better. I like the look they give.

Some folks have also removed the IR filter over the sensor on the older cameras (since they're not worth much money anymore) and made them into dedicated Infrared shooting rigs. Not my cup of tea, but some folks like 'em.

Also great to keep filled with lithium (long lasting, slow-draining) batteries (assuming they take AA) and keep in the car for taking grab shots of whatever may come up. Never know when you can take photos of a traffic accident or other public incident and sell it at the local newspaper for a quick fifty bucks.
 
Thanks to both of you. I was thinking the Canon 20D might be worth checking out and keeping if it works. Seems well built and a nice lens.

Funny thing with the film camera, It's identical to one my wife got in high school or college and still has...down to the 1980 olympic winter games lens cap. We'll probably not use it. Truth be told I bought it for the woven strap.
 
I am still using my Canon EOS350D (=Rebel XT) with 8MP sensor. The shutter is factory rated at 50.000 clicks and I'm well beyong 65.000 clicks already and kicking.

Both the Rebel and 20D are fine cameras (for when they were out) and I have yet to find a convincing reason to invest to a 50D or 60D or 7D or the next model that comes out.

The 18-55 kit lens is not TOTL by any standard and you could do better (much better) with the new EF-S kit lens that is available now.

If the cameras function properly, you don't really need a newer camera to take good pictures. Unless you are into 8fps shooting or HD video.
 
That 50mm 1.4 is probably worth more than all the other stuff combined. Great grab on her part. :thmbsp:

The 20D is a great camera and will still take great pictures. With that lens, it is a top notch shooter.

I just upgraded my XSi (450D) this summer to a 60D because I needed/wanted the video. Other than that, the older Canons are great.
 
I have some great shots with my Nikon D40 which is 6 MP. I'm with Wiggy, now keep it in the car for any occasion that may come up.
 
Well the Sony apparently works. Found a battery charger for it. I also found a charger for the Canon 20D but I don't have the AC cord for it yet. It takes one of the two prong unpolarized C7 plugs. I think I have one in the house somewhere though.

A couple point-and-shoot shots while out to Trader Joe's with with the Sony:

nnu6.jpg


ctg9.jpg


3sob.jpg
 
All of those are probably fine cameras, while they won't compete with today's in features, the image quality should still be quite good when used with good lenses, which the 50mm f/1.4 certainly is!
 
Strongly agree with the other commenting on the 50mm f1.4- It's a great lens and worth much more then the body it's connected to. Many shooters ignore the 50mm's, sad but true.
 
Yeah, maybe 50mm is not ideal for indoor people shots but you could make a career out of the 20D and the 50mm f1.4. Some of those lenses are quite a bit sharper if stopped down to 1.8 or 2 but not all.

Biggest draw back too something like the 20D or XT is the tiny screen and that's not really too bad.

And I know they have their detractors but I don't hate the 18-55 lenses. Any of the 50s will blow them away but the 18-55s are pretty nice outdoors and in ample light and they are pretty versatile.
 
Although I like the bigger screen on my 5D Mk.II, I never minded the smaller screens on the 20D and XT. I only use the screen for functions and to check the histogram. The screen is too inaccurate and too small, even on the 5D, to check for image accuracy in terms of color or focus.

As for the 18-55, I agree it's an OK lens as long as you shoot with plenty of light and stop it down a bit. Unless you're blowing up images or pixel peeping, and know it's limitations and how to work around it, it's a pretty decent travel lens that especially suits the XT for a compact and light setup.

cratz2 said:
Biggest draw back too something like the 20D or XT is the tiny screen and that's not really too bad.

And I know they have their detractors but I don't hate the 18-55 lenses. Any of the 50s will blow them away but the 18-55s are pretty nice outdoors and in ample light and they are pretty versatile.
Click to expand...
 
The 20D is a fine camera, and the 50 f/1.4 is a good lens, especially if (as it sounds from your post) she got them for a song. Find a battery charger for it and have fun. At some point I need to fix my old 20D - wore the shutter out using it to take time lapses.

-Pat
 
I'm still using an "ancient" DSLR - 2004 Canon 300D (Digital Rebel). It works well enough for anything under ISO400, although 400 does introduce some noise.

2 years ago I got it for $120 with 2 batteries, kit lens, 1 gig CF card, body and strap, cheapest DSLR I could get. Hoping to get a Nikon D90 in a few months though as the 300D does have **** low light performance, as expected from a 9 year old camera.

The 20D and 350D (XT) should work quite well as cameras you can take around and not worry too much about destruction (hikes or whatnot). Both have better ISO400 performance than the 300D.

Taken with the 300D with kit lens at ISO400:
crb.jpg
 
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