Going to buy 350D

DEADMETAL · 14th May 2005

After much thought and consideration, till almost all my hair turn white, I decide to choose 350D instead of D70s(I very much wan a D70s at first).

Before I really place my money on the table for the sales person, I need some advice from 350D user. I read from HWZ review on 350D saying that you need to hold down a button to change the aperture, is it very troublesome to hold it and adjust at the same time? Next is there is no spot metering. Do any 350D user find it a hassle with this 2 thing?

Last question I need to know is that how to calculate the zoom if I were to use a non digital lens on a digital body?

Many thanks for the answer.

+evenstar · 14th May 2005

Originally Posted by DEADMETAL

After much thought and consideration, till almost all my hair turn white, I decide to choose 350D instead of D70s(I very much wan a D70s at first).

Before I really place my money on the table for the sales person, I need some advice from 350D user. I read from HWZ review on 350D saying that you need to hold down a button to change the aperture, is it very troublesome to hold it and adjust at the same time? Next is there is no spot metering. Do any 350D user find it a hassle with this 2 thing?

Last question I need to know is that how to calculate the zoom if I were to use a non digital lens on a digital body?

Many thanks for the answer.

You'll have to take the focal length of your camera x 1.6 times to get the zoom.

Yes, you have to press a buttn to change the aperture (in M mode) or exposure compensation (in Av and Tv mode), but it shouldn't be of a problem once you get used to it.

Yes, there is no spot metering, but no much of a problem unless your shooting requires you to shoot in very tricky situations (e.g stage concerts) where lighting is unpredictable.

tunster · 14th May 2005

In AV mode, aperture can be adjust with dial alone, in TV mode, the shutter is adjust by the dial alone. But for M mode, the dial will by default work for shutter adjustment, you just press the AV/+- button to change the aperture....it isn't that tough. And since you only do it in M mode, you should have lots of time to do it.

I don't use spot metering at all. Not until now. At most I will use compensation (+-) to do the job. Not a big issue.

Smurfie · 14th May 2005

The 350D has no spot metering. Only a partial metering, which uses a rather large circle, or "blot metering". :P
A trick I learnt with using partial metering is to have my 75-300mm lens handy. Zoom to 300mm, and meter using partial metering. Take note of the exposure settings, and switch back to whichever lens you were using. Almost emulates spot metering this way. But I would trust the evaluative metering, it's been very accurate in at least 99% of my shots. Even if it was off, it's only about 1 stop at the most, which is not too difficult to fix if you shoot in RAW.

Regarding the zoom, unless things have changed, even the digital lenses use focal lengths which are of the 35mm lens standard. So if you used an EF-S lens, you have to multiply the focal length by 1.6 to get your effective focal length. .

DEADMETAL · 15th May 2005

Is is advisiable to get a batt grip or buy additional batt for 350D? Compare it with a orginal Canon batt.

n0d3 · 15th May 2005

If you find the 350D too small/light, its best if you get a battery grip to add some weight/feel to it. You should get an additional battery, comes in handy. Can check out third party ones at www.eastgear.com.sg, the shop is in Peninsula Plaza.

14th May 2005	#1
DEADMETAL Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 953	Going to buy 350D After much thought and consideration, till almost all my hair turn white, I decide to choose 350D instead of D70s(I very much wan a D70s at first). Before I really place my money on the table for the sales person, I need some advice from 350D user. I read from HWZ review on 350D saying that you need to hold down a button to change the aperture, is it very troublesome to hold it and adjust at the same time? Next is there is no spot metering. Do any 350D user find it a hassle with this 2 thing? Last question I need to know is that how to calculate the zoom if I were to use a non digital lens on a digital body? Many thanks for the answer.

14th May 2005	#3
tunster Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hong Kong Posts: 1,438	In AV mode, aperture can be adjust with dial alone, in TV mode, the shutter is adjust by the dial alone. But for M mode, the dial will by default work for shutter adjustment, you just press the AV/+- button to change the aperture....it isn't that tough. And since you only do it in M mode, you should have lots of time to do it. I don't use spot metering at all. Not until now. At most I will use compensation (+-) to do the job. Not a big issue.

14th May 2005	#4
Smurfie Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 181	The 350D has no spot metering. Only a partial metering, which uses a rather large circle, or "blot metering". :P A trick I learnt with using partial metering is to have my 75-300mm lens handy. Zoom to 300mm, and meter using partial metering. Take note of the exposure settings, and switch back to whichever lens you were using. Almost emulates spot metering this way. But I would trust the evaluative metering, it's been very accurate in at least 99% of my shots. Even if it was off, it's only about 1 stop at the most, which is not too difficult to fix if you shoot in RAW. Regarding the zoom, unless things have changed, even the digital lenses use focal lengths which are of the 35mm lens standard. So if you used an EF-S lens, you have to multiply the focal length by 1.6 to get your effective focal length. .

15th May 2005	#5
DEADMETAL Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 953	Is is advisiable to get a batt grip or buy additional batt for 350D? Compare it with a orginal Canon batt.

15th May 2005	#6
n0d3 Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,494	If you find the 350D too small/light, its best if you get a battery grip to add some weight/feel to it. You should get an additional battery, comes in handy. Can check out third party ones at www.eastgear.com.sg, the shop is in Peninsula Plaza.