Okay, here's a question for you people that know stuff...

[Blue_In_AK]

HullBoss seems hellbent on buying me a new SLR camera for Christmas, and has been poring over eBay's camera listings for days. He thinks I would like a Canon EOS D20, and he's found some fairly "good" deals. To me, being the practical one, it seems like a lot of bucks just for a few extra megapixels, but I don't know much about this -- so what do you guys think? Would my photos be hugely better than they are now? Would I ever get any actual work done, or would I just want to be traipsing around taking pictures all the time if I had such a toy? Your thoughts?

ed. I guess I meant to say 20D. Whatever....

[ConsAreLiars]

1. I can't recommend any particular camera

but you and Hullboss might want to spend a little time plugging features into the comparison chart at http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp

As a second step, many models have very good in-depth reviews at that site. Very helpful since usability and image quality are determined by far more than Megapixel numbers. I bought a rather pricy, but low MP count, camera for one of my kids based on his specific needs, even though it would have been a pretty disappointing gift for me, given what I like to do with photography.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. Thank you very much, Cons.

I just checked that site out, and it looks like it will be quite helpful for us novices. As far as my needs, I want a camera that can accurately capture the beauty around here in all its glory. Alaska is so photogenic -- it's almost like everywhere I turn my eyes, I see something that I can frame as a photograph in my head. It's becoming kind of an obsession.

[RagingInMiami]

3. I have a 10D (which came out before the 20D in the Canon EOS series)

And it's a very good camera, but I am planning on buying a 20D whenever I get the money, which will probably be sometime next year.

It not only has more megapixels, which is great if you want to make enlargements. And I don't see why you don't considering all the nice photos you take. You might be able to sell them online. A lot of people spend their whole lives wishing they can visit Alaska and never do. You can bring Alaska to them.

More megapixels also gives you more leeway when cropping photos.

The 20D also focuses better in low light, has a faster start-up and shoots more frames per second than the 10D. That being said, I'm very satisfied with the 10D.

The main reason I want the 20D is to be able to have two cameras on me, so I won't have to change lenses when I'm out taking photos of hurricanes and protests and criminals getting handcuffed. I've missed good shots because of having the wrong lens on.

Considering how much you enjoy photography, I don't think it will be a waste at all. It would be one thing if you just leave it in the closet and never use it, but I know you won't do that.

[F.Gordon]

4. I can't sleep, so.......

Don't get hung up on megapixels. You could buy a point & shoot camera for a fraction of the cost of the 20 with the same amount of megapixels. Before HullBoss goes out and gets you what would be a wonderful Christmas gift, let me throw some negatives out at ya. So you know what you're getting into.

1. Image storage. If you're shooting in RAW (and you really really should be) you'll get about 80-90 shots on a 1 gig flashcard. If you're going out for a long time you'll need to carry around at least 4 or more GIG of flash cards. The battery is no problem... you can get about 1,000 shots on one battery charge.

2. Lenses. You may need to buy a lens or two given your passion for landscape shots. This could include a wide angle prime or zoom lens and a medium to long zoom lens. This could get expensive. The typical "kit" lens that comes with the 20 will give you a decent wide angle focal length but for really WIDE shots that take in more of the landscape you'll need a different lens. And if you want to go loooong you'll need to have a longer zoom since the "kit" caps out at around the 70-90 mark. Don't remember?

3. Accessories. You absolutely have to buy some good filters, a camera case (or you can rig a $20 duffle bag I got a Target like I did), a remote shutter release, etc......

Big negatives summary: It can get to be very expensive.

To answer your questions....

Would my photos be hugely better than they are now? Would I ever get any actual work done, or would I just want to be traipsing around taking pictures all the time if I had such a toy?

Yes, No, and Yes. By "better" I mean.... you already have a wonderful eye for composing shots. The difference you'll notice is in the clarity and color. Being able to shoot with high apertures/long exposures (with the right lens) will give your landscape shots amazing dynamic range from foreground to background. It will also force you to learn more about cameras. You can flip it to one of the auto modes and always use auto focus but you can also use different modes that give you more control of your shot.

So... no, don't get it. I already have a “landscape deficit disorder”. You’d push me over the edge if I had to endure your daily posts of photographs with your new camera.
:evilgrin:

This 20 is the camera I use. Plus I still use my trusty Nikon 950, and I now have an Elan film camera. (cause it can use the same lenses as the 20) So... if you do get it we can learn together and talk 20 shop.
:hi:

[ET Awful]

5. The 20D is a great camera. Not a bad choice at all. BUT

I'd be leary of the package deals on E-Bay. Usually the "extras" they include are worth nowhere near what they say they are (they value a 512mb card at $200 for instance). So the deal isn't always as good as it looks.

Also, the tripods that come with those deals SUCK. Buy a high quality tripod at some point if you plan on shooting landscapes.

For your purposes, I'd suggest a decent all-around zoom, and a good wide-angle lense (such as Sigma's 10-20mm which kicks major butt for landscapes).

With the 20D, you get more than just extra megapixels, you also get faster focusing and a faster frame rate (not exactly necessary for landscapes, but is a bit of an extra). DPReview.com and Steves Digicams will both have good reviews of the 20D and most likely provide comparisons between the two.

[Touchdown]

6. Here's a small article about D-Cameras from Denver Darkroom.

http://www.denverdarkroom.com/digital/dig_camera.htm

If you purchase a DSLR from Nikon, Canon, or Minolta, you can use most any autofocus lens from the same manufacturer. One issue is that most DSLRs, and all of the lower priced models, have sensors that are smaller than the frame of a 35mm camera. This means that there is an adjustment factor that has to be applied when comparing the focal length of a lens on a digital camera with one on a film camera. In most cases this factor is 1.5. Therefore a 200mm lens on a DSLR would have the same angle of view as a 300mm lens on a film camera. The biggest impact this will likely have on your photography is that if you already have lenses for the camera, most likely you will not have any lenses that still have a very wide angle of view. For this reason, it is often best to get the kit lens that is available for the camera, usually they range from about 18mm to 55mm or more. This gives you the 35mm equivalent of about a 28 – 80mm zoom. The only camera currently available with a full 35mm sized sensor is the Canon 1DS Mark II and it sells for about $8000. Canon is coming out with a new camera, the 5D, which will sell for about $3300 and will also have a full sized sensor.

[chknltl]

7. Valuable info there touchdown, thank you.

I know absolutely nothing about digital photography. I have a nice selection of Nikon lenses which up until a couple years ago got a lot of use with my N90-S film camera. I am glad to know that they will be adaptable to a digital Nikon body and I am happier to know that I am getting that extra bit of focal length as well. My 16mm fish-eye should become a very nice ultra-wide and my 20mm might become my standard wide angle lens. Both of these should get a good workout if I get back into landscapes.

[DS1]

8. You know, for a lot less money

you could buy a Canon EOS3, and get a film camera that will produce resolutions beyond the 20D. Just not the very same day, you still have to buy film of course. BUT, you get some amazing features like eye-focused controlling, the camera watches where your eye is looking and focuses on that point in the frame, there's no shutter lag, no frame-buffer lag, etc etc.

I'm just saying
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=164257&is=USA&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

Might be something to think about as a backup/master camera to carry along as well. Shoot away with your current digital, and when you've got the timing right, take a handful of shots on some ultra-fine film.

Hypnotoad is onto something in those respects ;-)