Canon 40D DSLR Camera? Thoughts?

J

Justabuyer

Joined
May 7, 2006
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I have been spending more time with cameras and I am starting to feel somewhat limited with my point and shoot camera.

I have a chance at a nice buy on a LNIB Canon 40D with 2 lenses.

At any rate does anyone here use this camera and if so can you share some of the strengths and weaknesses with me?

THANKS!
 
The EOS 40D is a very capable camera. The 10 MP resolution is enough for any amateur and a lot of pro requirements. The screen is large and usable. The sensor has an on board dust reduction feature

The only downside I can think of if you're coming from a point and shoot background is the size and weight of the camera. It is an alloy chassis and its significantly bigger and heavier than even a large point and shoot camera.

The increased size isn't all a bad thing, I find it much easier and more comfortable to hold than the smaller camera I had before.

There have been a lot of rumours about a replacement to the 40D being released, mainly because Nikon have a competing camera that's higher resolution. Personally I wouldn't worry about resolution, the difference between 8, 10 and 12 MP for a typical amateur is zero, other than you will need bigger memory cards for the higher resolution camera.

One final note, by far the most important element of any SLR setup is the lens. A cheap Canon 450d (Rebel???) with a 17-40 f4 L lens will take far superior pictures than a Canon 1 series with a cheap 28-90 low end zoom.
 
if I were to buy a canon dslr right now and I never used a dslr I would look into there entry level xsi model as it has the newest generation of features

cameras are like computers now with technology, as soon as you buy 1 it is obsolete

the 40d is 2 years old? I think...but is aimed at the next tier above entry level
 
A lot depends on price IMHO. Canon consumer DSLR's carry a good reputation for a good reason.

A larger sensor to capture the image along with the larger and better lenses will smoke your avearge point and shoot in terms of quality. When you can buy a Nikon D40 or a Canon G9 for the same money, be honest with youself and your uses. Pixel wars are not the only thing to consider.
 
=Voodoo= said:
if I were to buy a canon dslr right now and I never used a dslr I would look into there entry level xsi model as it has the newest generation of features
Click to expand...

Maybe . . . I bought the 40d over the consumer grade camera earlier this year because I had the consumer grade 350d (Rebel?) before and found it too small to handle easily.
 
Sid Post said:
be honest with youself and your uses. Pixel wars are not the only thing to consider.
Click to expand...

I think this is a key point with any camera. 70% of the time when I take a camera I take a high end point and shoot camera. You need to match the camera to its intended use. Taking pictures of the family? or want a camera to carry with you on the off chance of seeing a picture? Taking pictures in a city or other populated place and don't want to arouse suspicion? then an SLR probably isn't for you.
 
Interesting points...

I have a nice point and shoot. I will probably carry this one around for out and about pictures.

But my real interest lies in teathered to a PC pictures of guns, knives other small objects of value and interest. I have found the point and shoot pretty limited.

I was really torn about the XSI. But I ended up going with the 40D and a couple of EF IS lenses.
 
I have a 40D and it's very good for my use. Right now I have it as a second body and keep a 70-200 F2.8 IS on it. My main walk around is a 5D with the 24-70 L.

I mostly shoot landscape or birds/wildlife and have found both to be excellent.
There is always something new/upgraded but I wouldn't trade in either.

Good luck with your new toy.

Win
 
Very first pic from the new 40D AV mode F22 ISO 400 White Balance D-light.

Is it just me or is the focus a little soft?

CAN40DZT.jpg
 
I have found the point and shoot pretty limited.
Click to expand...
Not if you can adjust ISO, Exposure and Aperture

Why ISO 400 on the pic?
When I use ISO 400 it gets all grainy
If it's a "still" shot
Shouldn't you use a LOW ISO??

I love my Canon
I am gonna get a G9 in a few months
They have a 25MP camera on Dell!!!
It's ONLY 7,000 bucks :eek:
 
Trent Rock said:
Why ISO 400 on the pic?
When I use ISO 400 it gets all grainy
If it's a "still" shot
Shouldn't you use a LOW ISO??
Click to expand...

Depends on light, in this case the 400 ISO allowed me to use the FStop I wanted for depth of field. This was shot very close to the lens and I wanted to make sure the entire picture was in focus.
 
A few thoughts come to mind:

1 - you should be shooting in RAW
2 - you should be editing in RAW
3 - you should be shooting at 200 ISO
4 - check your pics at 100% for focus (not cropped...cropping softens images)
5 - everybody sharpens (part of post-processing).
6 - what lens? some are better than others
 
The small aperture may be softening things up a bit, also. With a crop sensor, you'll get more depth of field anyway, so you may get away with f/8 or f/11. Try to stay close to about 2 stops down from wide open for maximum sharpness. If you're using a kit lens, don't expect too much from it.

The 40D is a nice camera. I use a D300, and there are a lot of handy features that the 2 cameras have in common. :thumbup:
 
yes....f/22 is way too long for the shot...don't need more than f/11-f/13



by the way...I would love to have a 40D!!


My 20D is great....but the 40D would be nicer indeed. :thumbup:


Dan
 
Trent Rock said:
Is f/22 the same as F2.2?
Mine goes from F2.8 to F8.0
Click to expand...
They aren't the same. There isn't usually an f-stop of f2.2 (although the f number is a ratio so it could happen, it usually goes from f2 to f2.4 then f2.8)

What camera are you using? it could be a limitation of the camera or the lens, for most 'normal' uses f8 is small enough.
 
bladefixation2 said:
They aren't the same. There isn't usually an f-stop of f2.2 (although the f number is a ratio so it could happen, it usually goes from f2 to f2.4 then f2.8)

What camera are you using? it could be a limitation of the camera or the lens, for most 'normal' uses f8 is small enough.
Click to expand...

It's a Canon S80
I like everything about it except the weak zoom and the SLIDE cover switch to turn on the camera :mad:

I didn't know F stops went up to 22!!
That is a pretty tiny opening

I'm getting a Canon G9 next month
After that I may switch to a SLR
I like the size of point and shoots
 
f/stops can go up to 32 normally....though I do know a guy who has taken a shot at f/192....:foot:

Basically, the only thing he could see was the Sun...and the camera was pointed straight at it. He used teleconverters to get it down that far (for those curious).


The Canon G9 is an excellent Point-n-Shoot! I plan on picking one up soon.

:thumbup:

Dan
 
I got one in Hong Kong while out on Naval deployment a couple months ago. It replaced my Rebel XT. The camera is awesome and a definite step up from the XT and takes some amazing pictures, especially in low light and at high speeds.

FishingandTofino139.jpg


Took this from the bridge of my ship, F/18 flyby at low speed. (you can even see him waving)
Westploy2403edited.jpg


Guam
Westploy2282.jpg


and some tasty food

Westploy2250.jpg
 
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