Thinking of Upgrading - DPChallenge Forums

06/04/2008 07:56:31 AM · #1

yes, I 've searched and read other threads...I'm just looking for affirmation that it will be the right decision.

I currently have an XTi. While it has decent performance, I'm not overly impressed with it. It seems like it takes a while to focus, noise levels are not that great...etc. The image quality is "ok", but I'm really looking for more.

The 40D is affordable (especially with the rebate now) for me. Is it worth stepping up from the XTi?

A friend of mine just got a 40D and I'm waiting on shots from him and his personal opinion of it before I would ulitmately decide.

CEJ

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/04/2008 08:02:46 AM · #2

You could always look HERE for shots taken with a 40D.

In my opinion, it is a good choice for an upgrade.

eing12

06/05/2008 10:59:44 PM · #3

Some of my friends got the canon 40D last year, after seeing the reviews based on the experiences of them(actual owners), I received it last month, it's on sale for $1107 at a deal site. Link

What a fantastic camera! The pictures that this camera takes are just amazing. I thought it could not get any better than the 30D but Canon has really taken it a notch or two up with the 40D. I want anyone considering buying this camera to know to get it right away. Trust me. It is worth every penny.

Message edited by author 2008-06-05 23:32:30.

photokariangel

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM

06/05/2008 11:08:48 PM · #4

Is it the lens you have on it thats making it hard for you?

love

Canon EOS-500D Rebel T1i

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 USM

06/05/2008 11:15:12 PM · #5

Hey X - I did exactly what you are considering.. upgraded from a Rebel (my baby!) to a new baby .. I am still in the learning curve stage but overall I LOVE THIS CAMERA.. and I have a few images taken with it that aren't too shabby..

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/06/2008 06:43:16 AM · #6

Originally posted by photokariangel:

Is it the lens you have on it thats making it hard for you?

I doubt its the lens b/c it's the same with either one that I own (both canon USM lenses).

I find it "hunting" to focus a lot and 90% of the time it picks the wrong point. The noise level is unacceptable at ISO 800/1600. I'm not impressed by the contrast and colors directly out of the camera. I'm sure that I could go on.

Can anyone post some unaltered originals with different lighting (daylight, sunset, low light...etc.) for the 40D?

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

06/06/2008 06:51:38 AM · #7

You can browse through my port. Everything after Oct 2007 was shot with the 40D, all shot in jpeg, and generally all well within the Basic Editing rules. Many different lighting situations and mostly handheld.

booboo_goon

Canon EOS-7D Mark II

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/06/2008 07:14:28 AM · #8

Grrr why did I have to see this thread?! =( I'm considering the same upgrade and this has made my mind up now.
But gonna have to wait till next month...

CEJ

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/06/2008 07:24:00 AM · #9

Crop and resize only, sunset:

And again, all you have to do is look HERE for shots taken with a 40D under all conditions.

Message edited by author 2008-06-06 07:26:43.

SamDoe1

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

06/06/2008 10:51:27 AM · #10

Originally posted by XMountaineer:

I have the 350D (XT) and I haven't had any of those issues. I regularly shoot at ISO800 or ISO1600 and don't have unacceptable noise levels at all. The only time I get lots of noise is in a very underexposed situation, otherwise they are very useable and printable images.

The focusing, however, is quite bad on the XT. The only way to really help that, although not that much, is to have a bright/fast lens and your 85 f/1.8 should show that over your other lens.

As far as color and contrast out of the camera goes, you can change amount of color and contrast the camera applies through settings in the menus. RAW files are naturally low in color and contrast because they don't have any corrections applied to them. It is generally expected that you apply your own corrections in post processing if you shoot RAW.

But in response to your question...the 40D is a significant upgrade over any of the Rebels and would be worth it. That's what I plan on doing in the near future too...well either that or the 5D. :) And by the way, Newegg has the 40D without lens for $999. Probably the best price I've seen in a while.

Scapeshots

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM II

06/06/2008 11:17:30 AM · #11

You won't be disappointed with the 40D. I did just that about a month ago and have been very happy with it. I also picked up the 28-135 IS lens and am very impressed with it as well. Check out my Izzy collection //www.dpchallenge.com/portfolio.php?USER_ID=80831&collection_id=29302 which is shot with the 40D and 28-135 IS lens. The Xti was a good beginner DSLR camera for me but the 40D is a significant upgrade in my opinion. You can get a great deal for the camera AND the lens for $1129 at adorama right now which is where i picked mine up. Without the lens it's $939. The lens normally goes for over $400 by itself so this is a great deal. //www.adorama.com/ICA40DK.html?searchinfo=canon%2040d&item_no=1

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/06/2008 11:52:47 AM · #12

Originally posted by XMountaineer:

Originally posted by photokariangel:
Is it the lens you have on it thats making it hard for you?

I doubt its the lens b/c it's the same with either one that I own (both canon USM lenses).

I find it "hunting" to focus a lot and 90% of the time it picks the wrong point. The noise level is unacceptable at ISO 800/1600. I'm not impressed by the contrast and colors directly out of the camera. I'm sure that I could go on.

Can anyone post some unaltered originals with different lighting (daylight, sunset, low light...etc.) for the 40D?

The fact is that the output directly from a DSLR is supposed to need some processing to be at its best. It's the fact that you can take the processing outside of the camera and its limited capacity and do it on the computer that gives the DSLR one of its true advantages over a PnS.

While the 9 pt AF system in the 40D may be better than what's in the 400D, if you're shooting in really low light, almost any AF system will have difficulty. The camera's not picking the wrong point, you aren't selecting the point you want.

smurfguy

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/06/2008 12:12:16 PM · #13

B&H and Adorama have it (40D, body only) for $939 after instant rebate, but there's an additional $50 rebate from Canon for upgrading from a Rebel. See the Canon promotions page.

And then send me a $25 finders fee. =D

Tez

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

06/08/2008 05:05:05 AM · #14

get the 40d if you can, it's great. I went from a 400d to the 40d and there is a large difference in every department, including image quality. Just get one.

Sam94720

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

06/08/2008 07:34:34 AM · #15

I upgraded from a 350D (XT) to the 40D and love it! I have the impression that noise levels are significantly lower at high ISO, I'm a lot quicker at changing the settings and the big screen is awesome. The shutter is a lot louder, though, but it sounds impressive. ;-)

So I do recommend the upgrade. However, don't expect any miracles. I think that other factors (lenses, lighting, and the photographer's skills, of course) contribute more to good pictures. I know people with very cheap cameras who take stunning pictures. (And people with a 1D who don't know how to focus. ;-) )

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

06/08/2008 08:52:03 AM · #16

ok, so what do you guys think of just going for an upgrade in my lenses rather than the body. I can afford the 24-70 2.8 or the 70-200 2.8 IS (or basically any other L series....but only 1 at this point).

would I be better off upgrading the lenses at this point or the body?

slickchik

OM System OM-1

06/08/2008 12:11:46 PM · #17

I have to say that I did not see amazing results from my lenses until I got the 40D. The body is simply amazing and allows the lenses to truly shine...My 350D did not yield as good as results and I was usually disappointed until the mighty 40D

The thing is I think you need both the body and an L lens...

What about the 40D and the 50mm f/1.4 or the 100mm f/2.8 or the 10-22mm or even the 70-200 f/4.0. All of these lenses are not L (just the 70-200) but are very very good without the hefty price tag and maybe you could get the body AND a good lens instead of a lens OR body.

I realize that the lenses I suggested are far different from the 2 you asked about :)

06/08/2008 01:07:03 PM · #18

Originally posted by slickchik:

screw it, I'm just getting the body and the 70-200 2.8 IS, now to convince the wife...I really do need a good zoom

the 10-22mm was next on my list and will just have to wait a while longer

my 85mm 1.8 does quite decent right now and was what I chose over the 50mm 1.4

ETA: I just went and played around with the 40D at a local shop, it feels SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better in my hands than the XTi.

Message edited by author 2008-06-08 13:09:53.

lykofos

Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

06/08/2008 01:50:19 PM · #19

Just tell her you will buy her another dog and sell the SUV, and I'm sure she'll let you get the camera equipment.

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/08/2008 02:06:19 PM · #20

Originally posted by lykofos:

Just tell her you will buy her another dog and sell the SUV, and I'm sure she'll let you get the camera equipment.

Mike, she's the one that actually suggested to get the 70-200, as to whether or not she was serious, I don't know....she gets the XTi when I get the 40D

you know that the jeep sold a couple weeks ago and the X is next

Message edited by author 2008-06-08 14:06:41.

vxpra

Pentax K100D

06/08/2008 03:07:47 PM · #21

Originally posted by XMountaineer:

now to convince the wife...

Just leave this webpage up on your computer a few times.

Pick up a few brochures, leave those laying around. Then one day when she catches you drooling at the computer while gazing longingly at the above mentioned page, say "You know I could easily settle for this one."

She'll tell you to buy it right then.

slickchik

OM System OM-1

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

06/08/2008 03:42:19 PM · #22

Originally posted by XMountaineer:

screw it, I'm just getting the body and the 70-200 2.8 IS, now to convince the wife...

ETA: I just went and played around with the 40D at a local shop, it feels SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much better in my hands than the XTi.

You have made an excellent choice and you won't be disappointed in the least!

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

06/08/2008 05:29:55 PM · #23

Originally posted by vxpra:

Originally posted by XMountaineer:
now to convince the wife...

Just leave this webpage up on your computer a few times.

Pick up a few brochures, leave those laying around. Then one day when she catches you drooling at the computer while gazing longingly at the above mentioned page, say "You know I could easily settle for this one."

She'll tell you to buy it right then.

I've already got the approval for the 40D, I'm working on the lens

vxpra

Pentax K100D

06/08/2008 06:43:59 PM · #24

Originally posted by XMountaineer:

now to convince the wife...

Originally posted by vxpra:

Originally posted by XMountaineer:

I've already got the approval for the 40D, I'm working on the lens

In that case, I suggest using this one.