Allan,
It seems you are going through the same hopes and doubts as me before I
bought my 350D about a year ago.
After 12 months of using it I find that I really enjoy using it. I find
the AE works reasonably well but I it does have aperture/shutter
priority and manual which I do sometimes use. I think Moose has said it
before - changing the aperture in AE is just a matter of using the
thumbwheel and the shutter speed compensates.
My main complaint with it is the viewfinder - and not because it is
small. It took me a while to work out what my problem with it was - you
have to READ the numbers. It is just not the same as being able to
glance at the OM-4's bargraph or the OM-2n's needle.
Batteries were a real concern for me - before I used it. I have two
batteries but they seem to last forever. - In fact it still surprises me
how long they last after the low battery indicator comes on.
Regards,
Mike.
Allan Mee wrote:
> Ok I've taken the plunge and bought a C*non 350D of eb*y - waiting for the
> beast to arrive. I remember thinking the C*non A1 might be complicated with
> all those controls - but, no it's a really well thought out system - my only
> gripe is the fiddly (to me) lock button on the ASA speed dial - I find it
> fiddly becuase I bite my nails and so need a pen or something to push the
> damn silly button in. The rest of the camera/controls are brilliant. I'm
> hoping the 350D is as well thought out - especially as it wil be my first
> digital SLR. As a former computer programmer with 8 years commercial
> experience, going digital doesn't bother me learning to use it wise. One
> lingering doubt I have with digital is that when electronics replace
> mechanical functions, there does tend to be an extra level of abstraction -
> meaning the user is another step removed from the process. For example, if
> you select a 'program' mode on an SLR (where the camera determines and sets
> both the aperture and shutter speed), the user/photographer is yet another
> step removed from the process of taking a picture. I know this is by design
> and meant to make photography easy and point and shoot, but I'm somewhat
> loath to hand so much control to a bunch of electronics and software. AF is
> ok (and often works well), but tyhe settings for exposure determine so much
> of the 'creative' aspect of taking a picture that I'm loath to relinguish
> control over the aperture. I'm relieved that the 350D has a depth-of-field
> preview button, even though I could live and manage without one. I suspect
> and hope that the 350D is as easy to use as the A1 and no dout I'm spend
> most of my time in Aperture Priority mode while keeping on an eye on the
> shutter speeds selected by the camera. Just twiddling my thumbs now waiting
> for the 350D to arrive. I still have my ol' faithful OM2 (and A1 now as
> well) to fall back on if I find I don't like using a DSLR (unlikely, I
> know). And I still have my STX1 which I'll carry should the batteries die on
> the 350D whilst shooting. It's always handy having a mechanical SLR like the
> STX1 around which doesn't necessarily rely on batteries to take a picture.
> Most photographers can guess the likely settings for correct exposure and
> can bracket if ncessary to try and make sure at least one of the shots is
> correctly exposed. My mantra for the next few days is 'remember to charge
> the 350D's batteries!"
> Allan
>
>
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