Didier Beck's Weblog: PICTURES: Canon EOS 20D

Digital SLR

So, after having played for a while with my first bridge (hp 945, 5.3MP, 8x optical zoom), I decided to enter a complete new world for me - the digital SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) photography.

Canon EOS 20D

I read a lot of different tests and I decided myseld for a Canon EOS 20D, which is recognized as one of the best camera in this semi-professional field, i.e. for the so-called "prosumers". You can find some tests here:

dpreview

The Luminous Landscape

Steve's DigiCams

Digital Camera Resource Page

imaging resource

Rob Galbraith

Bob Atkins

Functionalities Canon EOS 20D

Lightweight and durable magnesium alloy body

Canon EOS (EF/EF-S) lens mount, 1.6x focal magnifier

New 8.3 Megapixel, CMOS image sensor, low-noise / wide dynamic range

Recording choice of 6 levels of JPEG, CR2 RAW, or RAW plus JPEG (choice of 6 different levels of JPEG)

All-new 9-point AF unit with high precision cross-type center sensor has one full stop better low-light performance than the EOS 10D

Ultra-fast start-up time of 0.2 seconds, only 65ms shutter lag time

Processing parameters include 2 presets, 3 custom sets, adjustable for contrast, sharpness, saturation and color tone, and the new monochrome mode which includes built-in digital filtration for yellow, orange, red and green, and print toning in sepia, blue, purple and green.

12 shooting modes, seven Basic Zone modes (Full Auto, Portrait, Landscape, Close-Up, Sports, Night Portrait and Flash Off) and five Creative Zone modes (Standard Program AE, Shutter-Priority AE, Aperture-Priority AE, Manual and Depth-Of-Field AE)

35-zone TTL metering, Evaluative (linked to all focusing points), Center-weighted average, or 9.5% central-area spot metering

White Balance: Auto, six presets and Manual color temperature (2800-10,000°K in 100° increments) and can be corrected for blue, amber, magenta or green.

Continuous mode capture: 5fps up to 23 frames (6 frames in RAW mode)

Shutter speeds: 30 to 1/8,000 seconds, 1/250 sec. flash sync

Eye level TTL viewfinder with diopter adjustment, illuminated AF points, depth-of-field preview and detailed information display.

1.8 inch, color TFT LCD, 118,000 pixels, 5 levels of brightness

ISO Range: 100, 200, 400, 800, and 1,600 (3200 with ISO speed extension)

Built-in E-TTL II popup flash with red-eye reduction.

CompactFlash Type II card slot, Microdrive and FAT32 compatible

High-speed USB 2.0 interface for fast image downloads

Video Out with selectable NTSC or PAL timing

Lens Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

I bought the 20D with the Canon lens EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 which is typically sold with as a package. This lens is a cheap one and I have known that I would have to buy another lens. This one is not really good and is more degrading the overall quality of the 20D. Again, a lot of readindgs, specially in the forums this time. I was laughing a lot during all these readings because the people have about the same behaviour as in the IT world (Microsoft vs. Open Source, XP vs. linux): nether ending discussions between fans & experts who are fighting for Canon, or for Nikon, for this kind of lens, for this one, etc. :-)
I hesitated between two Canon lens, which are completely different and differently positionned: the EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM and the EF-S 17-85mm f/4.0-5.6 IS USM. The 17-40 is recognized as one of the best lens in this range of price, with very high quality optics. It does give you true wide angle coverage (equal to a 27mm lens on a full frame 35mm camera) and being an "L" series lens it's built to professional standards, a silent USM (UltraSonic Motor) ring motor, distance scale and comes with a hood. USM motors are silent and manual focus (FTM = Full Time Manual) is possible without switching out of autofocus.

Have a look at theses reviews:

PhotoNet

dpreview

Fred Miranda

FountainPhoto: this one is pretty interesting because the author shot some pictures with both lenses and the comparison between the standard 18-55 and 17-40 is great!

Some inputs & one picture as an example

Weight of the Canon EOS 20D and the lens 17-40: 1.3 kg...

Picture resolution: 3504 x 2336

Size of the pictures (best quality jpg): between 3'711KB and 6'371KB per picture

Very easy to use in "full automatic". I am now learning step-by-step the new advanced functionalities. Good to have some books to be able to go ahead ;-)