Digital cameras: Thinking about getting a Canon EOS 40D
Thinking about getting a Canon EOS 40D
by maartyr - 4/22/08 6:58 PMHey All
I currently own a Panasonic FZ18 for taking general photos, but I was thinking about upgrading to a dSLR and taking things more seriously.
Would a Canon EOS 40D be a good choice as a first dSLR? I can pick one up for about AU1350 which is about US 1200 with an 18-55mm lens.
Thoughts?
Cheers
Maarty
probably
by kalel33 - 4/22/08 10:33 PM In reply to: Thinking about getting a Canon EOS 40D by maartyrIf you like the size and the layout then it will be a great choice. Just realize that shooting in auto-modes in JPEG will most likely disappoint you, but if you are willing to put the effort into it, then it will produce far what a p&s will. If you want smaller then go for the XSi, which has been producing very good images that won't be any better or worse than the 40d.
The lens is where you want to put your money, not necessarily the body. If you can do both...then great. The XT can produce better pictures than the 40d if coupled with a very good lens when compared to a kit lens on the 40d.
Pretty good selection,
by jump1127 - 4/23/08 11:42 AM In reply to: Thinking about getting a Canon EOS 40D by maartyrbut choose EF-S 18-55 IS lense instead of 18-55 without IS. The quality of new IS lenses, both 18-55 and 55-250, is quite okay to me. Step up to 14-bit technology, such as 40D or Rebel Xsi, is a better alternative. 40D is firmly constructed. Good luck.
Choose wisely
by mnboy - 4/24/08 12:48 PM In reply to: Thinking about getting a Canon EOS 40D by maartyrI teach photo classes and instruct digital and general photography and have been in photography for over 40 years, and when people ask me about the "new" digital cameras I point them to Nikon for several reasons. Certainly, Canon can make good images, just like anyone else, but their bodies are combersome. Everytime someone brings in a 40D or 450D, they usually wished they had picked a Nikon D40 or D40x. I have had very few decide the Canon was a good choice after reviewing the Nikons. From the one-handed instant on and shooting, to the simple deletion of unwanted photos with two pushes of ONE button, the Nikon is ahead by being a real shooter's tool, instead of a popular camera. For $500 most places you can get the D40 with the 18-55 VR lens. Don't fret the megapixel difference: the Nikon's 6MP will do 99% of the print enlargements you'll ever need, and save you hours of time uploading, and you will be able to store more on a smaller media card. This little gem will get most photos you are in need of. If you need more camera, and most people won't, buy the D300. No, I don't own Nikon stock, I just know cameras and use them everyday. I have Sony, Canon, Nikon, and Pentax. Buy the Nikon!
I have studying photography at the college level
by Kiddpeat - 4/24/08 3:48 PM In reply to: Choose wisely by mnboyfor the last several years. It is a highly regarded program. I have NEVER, EVER had an instructor who said one word pro or con about either Nikon or Canon. They may point admiringly at a Hasselblad or a Sinar view camera, but never at the major brands. I have heard outside speakers in the program say that the Canon 1Ds Mark II is the next best thing to the high end, $40,000, digitally backed camera that his company was making available to us. No one has ever mentioned Nikon in the same vein. I have heard about Nikon from other students. In those cases, it was about things that their Nikons could or did not do that my Canon does routinely.
Anybody pushing Nikon based on 'instructor' credentials should be viewed with a very large grain of salt. Both Canon and Nikon produce excellent cameras, and Canons have more than their share of professionals who use them. Just look at all the white lenses frequently seen as sports and other events. Those are all Canons.
have to agree
by kalel33 - 4/24/08 4:41 PM In reply to: I have studying photography at the college level by KiddpeatChoosing Nikon or Canon is a very wise choice. They both have their place. Saying the Canons are cumbersome is of personal preference. I'm surprised at all the 450ds that you've seen come in since they just started selling last week. The 40d is extremely comfortable and user friendly DSLR. I've never heard or seen anyone write about it having a poor layout or being cumbersome.
Now most of the new reviews are say that the D300 is a better camera, but most reviews have the XTi(and with the good reviews so far, the XSi) is better than the D40, D40x, and D60. The D80 doesn't look to be much more.
Now, All the Dxx series Nikons are excellent DSLRs. Any Nikon or Canon, that a person feels most comfortable with, will produce and perform beyond what an entry level DSLR owner can do. I would recommend a D40 to anyone, but there are other options that could be better for that person.
In fact...
by jump1127 - 4/24/08 11:03 PM In reply to: Choose wisely by mnboyNo offense to Nikon...
http://www.thaidphoto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=84889&pp=100
But, these were the pictures taken by my new Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, shooting with RAW at 21.2MP, without much heavy processing. Even Nikon D3 can't come even this close ! Look at the dynamic range. Visit www.dpreview.com for comparing between Nikon D3 and Canon 1Ds mark III. Nikon is still far behind for the top full frame DSLR race ! In fact, Nikon D3 has to be compared with Canon 5D which was almost 3 years old technology ! Wait until Canon EOS 5D mark II hit the market, you'll see what Canon technology really is regard the price & quality
Compare Nikon 700 to Canon 5D Mark II
by Mtiktinsky - 10/20/08 5:05 PM In reply to: In fact... by jump1127Has anyone done a comparison of the new Nikon 700 and the Canon 5D Mark II? I would love to see a side by side comparison. If anyone can point me to it, I would appreciate it.
Thanks.
Mike
Fact and Fiction
by JayMonster - 10/21/08 6:29 AM In reply to: Choose wisely by mnboyFirst of all, you can compare the Nikon D40x with the Rebel (450D) line, but not the 40D. It is just not a fair comparison, the 40D is a far better quality camera.
This is not a knock on the Nikon, the D40x is not in that class, in style, quality or build... but neither are the Rebels.
When "learning" to use a dSLR, yes it can be daunting, and if you are expounding how "easy" the Nikon is, then sure, somebody that hasn't learned to use the Canon yet may very well wish they had purchased that camera instead. But that is not based on any knowledge of the two systems, it is based on you saying the "other one is easier."
Nikon has gotten (deservedly I might add) a lot of press for their new lines of camera with the Expeed processor and the low noise it produces. This however does not take away from the fact that their older cameras (like the D40x) are terrible with low light performance and or noise. Of course, not everybody needs low light performance, so this may or may not be an issue.
In the end, it is what works best for you, and what you like best. I find personally the Canon with their dials much easier to control and navigate in a way that works for me, than all the menus on the Nikon. For others (like you) the opposite is true. That doesn't make one better than the other, just the one that works best for you.
So, while you may be an instructor, the differences between fact and opinion, seem to elude your sales pitch for Nikon.
Go for a Nikon!
by rixianne - 4/25/08 2:13 AM In reply to: Thinking about getting a Canon EOS 40D by maartyrGo for a Nikon D40x!
40D great Camera.
by mopscare42 - 10/20/08 8:59 PM In reply to: Go for a Nikon! by rixianneWe all have our opinions on the Canon being better than the Nikon and visa versa.
I have owned the first Canon DSLR released as well as the 30D and 40D and have never had one problem with any of the three.
My neighbor was a Nikon fan since Simon and Garfinkles song kodachrome came out in the 60s touting the Nikon Camera.
Last year he bought a Nikon D80. The first one was DOA and he had to send it back.
The next one worked, but after compairing pictures and features from his camera and my 30D, he sold the Nikon, bought a 30D and loves it. He just ordered the new 50D.
Are all Nikon cameras bad? of course not and a persons opinion comes from what has worked best for them.
Canon and Nikon are both great cameras. The best thing you can do is go to your local camera store and handle both of them.
Most Camera shops will let you do that.
(NT) well said
by kalel33 - 10/20/08 10:05 PM In reply to: 40D great Camera. by mopscare42
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