By happy serendipity and indicating an auspicious start to my 10D career, I have been to collect my new baby on my birthday, which is today. So despite an annoying sniffle and tickle at the back of my throat, I'm a happy bunny — entirely appropriate for someone born in the Chinese Year of the Rabbit.
First impressions are always important: the 10D doesn't disappoint. It's obviously very similar to the D30, but I've already sold mine, so I can't compare the two side-by-side. The camera feels solid and rigid, and seems to have a slight chunkiness compared to the D30. The first thing I have done is to put on Big Ed the battery grip, the Op/Tech pro strap and the Canon E1 hand strap. The 10D is a few grams heavier than the D30, but the balance feels different. That could be because I've only got the one battery in — the new battery is in the charger.
Tip: don't forget the battery must be charged for, at least, 90 minutes. The red light flashes with increasing rapidity, and then stays on permanently. Changing from flashing to always on does not mean the battery is fully charged. Leave the battery on charge for another hour.
Having waited several weeks for my new camera, I am savouring the moment and haven't even turned it on yet.
I'm making sure that everything is sorted out first. I've gone into Control Panel and removed all the existing Canon software. I had so many variations of USB, TWAIN and WIA drivers that I figured this would be a good time to rationalise. I then fired up JV16 Power Tools — an excellent, free for personal use, registry utility — and removed any lingering references.I have to stop for the time being: my mother and brother have turned up bringing oysters and mackerel and equipment for an impromptu BBQ birthday dinner.