David Foley wrote:
> The trouble is I still am unsure what to do!
>
> The advice falls into two camps:
>
> 1) Don't buy a 5 - too many command dial problems
While the command-dial problem is real, IMO that's not the reason to choose the
30 over the 5. Except for the few features the 5 offers that the 30 does
not--spot metering, interchangeable focusing screens, and one or to others I
don't recall at the moment--the 30 will do everything the 5 will do, as well or
better. You get Canon's most up-to-date AF and AE systems rather than systems
that were designed 10 years ago, in a more compact and IMO more durable package.
The 5 is an old product and it's difficult to image it will be around much
longer. And there's a good chance you will need to get the command dial repaired
at some point. The 5 is a capable camera but it has been superseded.
> 2) Don't buy a 30 - too many AF assist problems
I believe this is a misconception. The 30 has no AF assist problems. A few folks
don't like the way it is implemented, and a few of us have it turned off so it
isn't a bother. No doubt some don't object to it at all and use it "as is." The
AF assist works as it should and the AF system itself works quite well in
low-light situations without any assist. If you don't want the the built-in
flash to provide AF assist when you're using it just stay out of the Basic Zone
(as I would expect anyone sufficiently interested in photography to be on this
list to do as a matter of course) and set the CF7 to setting "1." It's that
simple. I've had both cameras and IMO the 30 is superior.
> There are some superb deals on the EOS 300 here in the UK at the moment.
If you are considering the 5 you will almost certainly find the 300 too
limiting. Not too long ago I was working with several rank beginners with EOS
300s and even they were frustrated by its lack of certain features, most notably
the lack of flash exposure compensation and mirror lock-up. Also, the viewfinder
of the 300 is a bit dim, since it uses mirrors instead of a pentaprism. You may
also find it to be too small, as I do even though I have small hands. It doesn't
balance all that well with heavier lenses.
Although these cameras offer lots of features, the notion that they are "too
complicated" is IMO a misconception. There is nothing to force you to use any
feature you don't want; indeed, you can turn it all off and meter with a
hand-held meter, set your exposure settings manually, and focus manually, if
that's what you want to do. It takes all of an evening to learn how to use the
features of the EOS 3 (for example) that you'll use for 90% of your work. If
anything, the bottom-line cameras are more complicated to use with any measure
of control since they don't allow you as much control as those higher up the
line.
If the complaints about the AF assist have you scared off a 30, my suggestion
would be to look for a new-old-stock or second-hand EOS 50 rather than the 5,
and use the extra money for better glass. But in the current Canon line-up IMO
the 30 offers the best value in terms of performance for its price. It's not as
nice as the EOS 3 but costs quite a bit less while offering AF, AE, and E-TTL
derived from the 3. But if you're willing to settle for the 10-year-old
technology of the EOS 5, you might consider looking for a second-hand EOS 1n.
fcc
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