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Photography - Camera Equipment: Canon 30D or 40D

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    • CommentAuthormats
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2009
     
    I wanna upgrade my Rebel. And one decision I've made so far is not too much money on the camera , but add a good lens. So other than helping me with giving your input on these 2, please feel free to suggest any good lens. I now have a 50mm and a macro. I don't like changing lenses in between shots esp. if I'm in a baseball game. :-))) Thanks.
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      CommentAuthorowlmountain
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2009 edited
     
    Hi Mateet,

    If you're debating between these two cameras, I would strongly recommend EOS 40D. It's just overall a much better camera. First of all, it has a bigger CMOS sensor and much better DIGIC III image processor including automatic dust reduction ultrasonic system, which is really a wonderful feature. I have this camera and had to deal with dust spots only on very rare occasions. It has also weatherproof seals around battery and storage compartments.
    Another big big point for me in this camera was a big 3" LCD monitor and I can tell you it's great ! Here's one or the reviews that will give you detail on this camera.

    And as far as the lenses go, your approach is correct. Spend on a lens as much as you can. Unfortunately in my case, that's where the buck stopped. I only have a kit lens that came with the camera, EFS 17-85mm with image stabilization. It is quite OK, although I found that sometimes it produces bad chromatic aberration on the edges, in dark objects against very bright background. But again, I shoot in RAW and leaned to eliminate it almost completely during RAW processing.
    Here's an excellent resource for Canon EOS lenses
    It looks like you're into sports photography so definitely a good telephoto zoom. Canon L class lenses are the best but also very expensive, so I would look at third party like Sigma and Tamron. I also have a Canon Zoom lens EF 75-300mm 1:4-5.6 III USM. If you see it for a bargain price, STAY AWAY FROM IT !! It's crap.

    I hope this helps

    cheers
    Roman
    • CommentAuthormats
    • CommentTimeMay 3rd 2009
     
    Thanks Roman. That link really helped. Don't you worry I won't go for the 75-300. Thanks for the warning. :-) I might go for a Tamron AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3. anyone who has this lens?
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      CommentAuthorjason (Admin)
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2009
     
    I second the 40D - I've been using mine for over a year and it continues to produce excellent images...

    I have a Canon 75-300 IS lens - it's one model later than the one Roman is talking about
    the auto-focus is really really slow but it takes pretty good pictures. I still use it occasionally coupled with a Nikon 6T close-up filter for Macro shots
    not a lot of day to day use for it after getting my 70-200/2.8IS lens - it was more expensive than the camera but worth every penny !

    I don't have much experience with Tamron or Sigma - I used a Sigma 28-75/2.8mm lens for a little while. It's pretty decent but a bit soft at 2.8
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      CommentAuthordanfoy
    • CommentTimeMay 4th 2009
     
    Sounds like I have similar gear to jason!

    I could create excellent modern commercial shots with just a 400D (rebel xti?) and the 70-200/2.8L IS, but could not create anything nearly as viable with say the 40D and the kit lens. The 40D is much nicer to use than my 400D, especially in manual because of the additional thumbwheel and the ISO indicator in the viewfinder, but to be completely honest there isn't an awful lot of difference in picture quality. If I remember correctly the 400D is 12bit and the 40D is 14bit but apart from that the sensor is the same.
  6.  
    I originally bought a Canon 30D and love the camera - it's well built, very functional, and a great DSLR. With that said, when the 14-bit (vs 12-bit) sensor became available for the 40D: I upgraded to it, and used my 30D when the 40D needed cleaning at the shop, etc. I can see a substantial difference in the quality of the image, especially at low light, or when there are many tones in the same color scheme with the 40D. If you have a fixed budget, and can afford a better lens vs a better camera body: buy the 30D and spend the money on the lens. If you can stretch and have a great lens and a great camera body: then buy the 40D. From what I can tell, the 50D isn't that much different from the 40D. If you want to ask me more, please do - either in this blog, or a direct email.
    • CommentAuthormats
    • CommentTimeMay 5th 2009
     
    Thanks everyone! Now I am more baffled. :-) Canon just started this $300 rebate promotion for a Canon 50D kit of 18-200mm lens. So if Amazon is offering this kit for $1,599 - $300 = $1,299 While a 40D with the same lens has the same price but not qualified for the rebate.
  8.  
    If you can get the 50D with the lens you think works for you - then go for it. My only worry would be that any lens from 18-200mm would likely be a little soft. It's very hard to build a zoom with 10X the range and have it really be a sharp lens. I would recommend buying the best lens you can afford, and use the balance for the camera body. You will have the lens forever, the camera body will change in time.
    • CommentAuthormats
    • CommentTimeMay 6th 2009
     
    Bill, you are so right with the body. I just can't afford the L series for now, I'm still in the phase of occasionally taking pictures to serious hobby, then I'll take it from there. What zoom can you suggest? Thanks a lot for your input,'greatly appreciated.
  10.  
    First, I'm fortunate to be able to afford L series lenses - and my wife doesn't ask how much it costs us. So I can only comment on lenses I've used. Since I don't do much sports photography, and most of the light I use is outdoors - I rarely go below f/4.0. I find most of my photos in the range of 24-105mm, and that's typically my lens for when I run out the door with no expectation of what I may see for the day (that is, a canon 24-105mm f/4.0 IS L series lens). I had weight restrictions when I went to Kenya in 2008, and I only carried a 300mm prime, a 1.4TC, a 70-200mm zoom, and a 17-85mm EF-S lens. I thought the 17-85mm lens was very good for not being L-series: and on a camera body with a 1.6 crop factor - the effective range is really 27-136mm. Based on what you've said, and the 50D special: I'd buy the 50D with the 17-85mm Canon EF-S lens. One benefit of one lens, is that you wouldn't be changing it - and risking getting dust on the sensor. Hope this helps, Bill
    • CommentAuthormats
    • CommentTimeMay 6th 2009
     
    Verdict: 40D and 17-85mm. Thanks a lot! You all rock!

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