wn2tmd's Full Review: Canon EOS-10D Digital Camera
You have to preface any discussion of the 10D -by mentioning it's predecessor, the D60. The D60 was last year's darling Digital SLR. It's picture trumped the Nikon D100, and you couldn't get your hands on one for love or money. Problem was, it couldn't focus and it under-exposed. Instead of trying to improve the D60 through firmware updates, Canon re-released it as the 10D. Same sensor, same resolution, new focusing electronics and exposure algorithm -$700 dollars less.
For those of us who bought D60's, it was hell. I dumped my 3 week old D60 on EBAY - for just enough to get the 10D...and got on a waiting list for the 10D. We D60 owners suffered, so you could now have easy access to a working D60 for a thousand bucks less (current street price). They listened to us complaining- and responded with the 10D.
The 10D is improved very slightly in almost all of the camera's operating areas. Focus now works in low light, exposure is spot on, camera body is now metal, internal processor is now faster, lag time upon shutter press is less and shutter black-out time is also less. Heck, they have even lowered current draw on the batteries- giving you one of the longest battery lives on the market.
In hand, this camera feels perfect. Although heavy when you attach the 550EX additional flash unit on top, you have in your hand a picture taking machine which can handle 95% of all photographic needs perfectly. The only place the 10D is not adequate is for big landscape shots which are going to be printed in very large sizes. This is the home of large-format film cameras. Being that almost nobody sells these type of pictures, chances are- you won't be making money with landscapes either. I mention making money because you can certainly do this with the 10D. The 10D can earn it's cost back in no time.
Image: Oh yea. If you are coming from a consumer-grade camera, there is a learning curve. You are used to snappy pictures ready to print or web. With professional Digi-cams, this is not the case. Images from the 10D (and other pro-digicams) are softer out of the camera. This is a good thing! Why? Your computer is much better at sharpening the images than your digicam...even the 10D. You can set the 10D sharpening to and get usable pictures right out of the camera, but you bought this camera to get top quality- and so you should do what is necessary to get that quality.
You will be taking the pix from the camera and sharpening them with Photoshop's USM filter or a third party sharpening Action written for Photoshop. The results are stunning.
Ultimately , you can shoot in the 10D's Raw mode and "develop" the picture using Canon's Raw importer..converting it to a Tiff file. You then have a full 16 bit image to work with- offering deeper color.
With the 10D, you can print 12" x 17" size pictures at home- which look like they came from the finest color lab in town.
Every hair, every pore..and a crystal clear glassy reflection off the eyes.
There are really no surprises with the 10D. It works as advertised. The price is great for what you get. You will need a 512MB CF card..and get a fast one. Well, there is one surprise. The 10D is actually a hair better than the best 100ASA 35mm color print film. In being so, it is now- just a camera. You won't be able to say "Isn't it a great picture for a digital camera?". It looks just like film. This means that it is now up to you and your photographic skills to make great pictures. The digital "wow" part is over with.
Thumbs totally up on the 10D.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $1500 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Solid Enough for a Professional
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