Adventure Photography: Which Canon DSLR to buy??

Hello All,

I apologize if this is a repeated discussion, but I am having trouble with making a decision. I want to take the plunge into digital photography from 35mm film and I’m trying to decide on a Canon DSLR camera. I was set on the EOS 5D for about a month, then I kept convincing myself I don’t need such a high end camera, so I went down to the 400D. Now I’m thinking about the 30D and using the money saved from not going for the 5D to get a 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS lens.
I’m an amateur photographer who wants a solid Canon DSLR camera to accompany me on my adventures (backpacking, alpine climbing, etc). This camera would be used exclusively for landscape/wildlife photography and need to be able to yield high quality prints.

I’ve read all the spec reviews, opinions, etc online, so you can spare me that, I’m just looking to get an opinion from a group of like minded photographers, that being outdoor/wildlife.

Thanks you all for your time,

Cheers

-Ronan

My 5D had survived quite a bit in the time I've had it, including backpacking and alpine mountaineering (though I wouldn't take it on a technical climb).

It is the same camera I'm holding here.

I suspect Marc Adamus puts his through much worse though (including dunking it in a stream ).

Guy

If you have ruled out the 1 series and it's between the 5D and 30D, they are of similar build quality so that's a non factor. If landscapes are your main interest, it's the 5D, which maximizes the wide end of your lenses due to the full frame sensor. If it's wildlife or macro, the 30D will give your long lenses a bit more reach (1.6x) .

I have a 20D (same basic build, sensor and image quality of the 30D). I haven't carried it backpacking, but it has seen two years of use in the swamps and marsh and I've never had a problem.

David

Guy and David,
Thank you both for your prompt posts. I think I’m pretty much sold on the 30D. With its pixel density and 1.6x I think its right on for the wildlife aspect. Not to mention the price.
Its good to hear that these EOS cameras hold up well in the elements (swamps, mountains, ect). I thought about the Nikon D200 because of the weather sealing, but I already invested in the Canon system.

Thanks again Gents,

-Ronan

Ronan:

I shoot pretty much exactly the combo you seem to have settled on. My main stuff is the 20D and 100-400L IS. I have been putting that combo through its paces from 95 degrees to minus 35 degrees here in a wilderness setting for more than two years, and, aside from an error 99 problem that had me sending the lens back to Canon on warranty (great service, and VERY fast), there has been not a single problem. I'd recommend the optional battery grip for the body. The grip gives you two batteries at a time, adds virtually no weight, and has controls so that when you shoot vertically you don't have to twist your hand around into an uncomfortable position. I've had mine since I bought the camera, with no malfunctions. And two batteries makes sure you can do a LOT of shooting (IS lenses drain batteries faster when the IS is on).

Check out SterlingTek online for very inexpensive 30D batteries. I have three sets of these amazingly inexpensive batteries, and they are great.

I shoot with a 20D and find myself using the EFS 10-22 a lot for landscapes. I'm a cave photographer. . . I don't think it gets much rougher than that (water, mud, grit, sand, humidity, climbing, falling, swimming. . .). I would like to have a weather sealed body, but can't afford the new gear, and for the price, could probably buy 2 like I have.

Just be smart about about what you do. I always wrap my gear in ziplock bags and duct tape and use Pelican cases for cave trips. For general landscape work, I don't do anything special, unless it's raining.

Steve,
Thanks for the recommendation. Nice to know I settled on a good combo and after seeing some of your shots (not that the camera makes the shots) I can see it gets the job done.
Good to know about the temperature swings, seems to be just what I need.

Thanks again,

-Ronan

The 30D and the 100/400 combnation is great and you do get the 1.6 factor which is a plus and I prefer the 30D to the 20D that I carried a year and a half ago on a Wildlife and Landscape photographic journey to Canada'a far North, above the arctic Circle and up to the Arctic Ocean. I have since aquired the 5D with it's full frame sensor and in my opinion the quality of images with the 5D is superior to even the 30D with it's advantage of the 1.6 magnification factor. Presently I am using the 5D with the Canon 100 mm Macro lens and the 24/105 L lens, I am an old man and in my 60 years of photography (30 years as a Commercial Photographer) the 5D is the finest photographic machine I have ever used. ... Leo ...