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Thread: Canon EOS 20D
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Old Jul 3, 2005 | 8:52 pm
  #15  
Jack M. Rice
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: LGB/SNA/ATL/CPH
Posts: 44
Agree and Disagree

Does anyone own one? If so, I'd like some unbiased feedback.

I don't think you should expect "unbiased" feedback from an owner. If you want unbiased, as in balanced, I suggest you also check out the Nikon D70 because of its splendid optics.

I have the Canon 20D. It's the best camera I've ever owned. I agree that if you can afford it, avoid the kit lens. It's not a bad lens, but it doesn't do justice to the body. I have the 24-70L and the 70-200L IS, and the results have been spectacular. I should mention that my last film camera was a Hasselblad, so the 20D had a high standard to live up to. And it has.

Where is the best place to buy it?

B&H is not doubt the slickest and most prominent of the online retailers. However, in my experience, I have NOT found them to be honest, nor respectful of the customer. The best place to buy, if price is not the big factor, may be an established local camera store, where you can get immediate after-sale service and advice. There's probably a 20D enthusiast there.

Where have you seen the best price (not neccasarily the same place as item 2)?

There have been some price drops of late, so I suggest you do some online research. If you're price shopping, you should know that B&H carries list prices; it is not a discounter. A good balance between reliability and pricing can be found on Resellerratings.com. Enter your zip code to get tax (if any) and shipping included in the price. That's a great feature, because shipping is often a scam used to make up for a lowball advertized price. (B&H does not lowball, but it does have a shipping scam.)

Finally, the best place to go on the Web for research is dpReview.com. The unbiased reviews are almost as detailed as intruction manuals, and the forums are as lively as those here at FlyerTalk.
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