EOS 40D: Hands-On First Impressions

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by JDArt

Wow. I wonder how low the price on these cameras will go?

$850/$900... when the 50D is out in a year and a half...



Max@Home

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by trentchau

Hey Max, how does the lcd perform in the sunlight?

I am sorry to report that we do not have '100% sunshine & open blue sky' weather in The Netherlands right now...

But... when I was first out with the 40D last Saturday we had some sunny periods (shining through the clouds and through some open spots), and then the readability was A OK when I set the LCD brightness to 6 (7=max)...

...but better see for yourself on a super sunny day if that's a go/no go criterium...

...*my* €0.02 worth...

Kindest regards,

Max@Home

[trentchau]

thanks max, picking mine up in a few minutes. Needed to save money so trying a third party grip on it (had on the rebel that was pretty good).

[phototakeouter]

Originally Posted by mpenner

Not true -

40d | B&H Photo Video

Which part exactly isn't true?

[trentchau]

Just got mine, feels nice. Got it at best buy with a 4 year warrenty for only 9 dollars more (negotiated and some nuisances at the store). It feels nice, a little louder than expected.

[linkphotography]

I'm looking to upgrade from my Rebel XT real soon. I've begun shooting features and event coverage for a few magazines so its time for a new body. I definitely want something BIGGER! I can' afford a 1dmkIII or mkII so thats out of the question...but I want something that feels heavier and bigger in my hands than the RebelXT. I'm a big guy (6'3" 285 lbs) so the XT feels like a toy and almost dissappears in my hands! Would you say the 40D would be a big jump in size for me? or should I shoot for a 5D?
I like to get feedback from as many people who are in the same situation as i can before I make a descision. So please no comments that I shouldnt be asking if I'm doing this kind of work. My local camera just doesn't carry these cameras in stock so I haven't been able to handle them and make the choice that way. So I'm just looking for opinions on where to go from a Rebel XT....Thanks In advance to anyone who replys and actually makes it through my long post! lol

[trentchau]

Originally Posted by linkphotography

I'm looking to upgrade from my Rebel XT real soon. I've begun shooting features and event coverage for a few magazines so its time for a new body. I definitely want something BIGGER! I can' afford a 1dmkIII or mkII so thats out of the question...but I want something that feels heavier and bigger in my hands than the RebelXT. I'm a big guy (6'3" 285 lbs) so the XT feels like a toy and almost dissappears in my hands! Would you say the 40D would be a big jump in size for me? or should I shoot for a 5D?
I like to get feedback from as many people who are in the same situation as i can before I make a descision. So please no comments that I shouldnt be asking if I'm doing this kind of work. My local camera just doesn't carry these cameras in stock so I haven't been able to handle them and make the choice that way. So I'm just looking for opinions on where to go from a Rebel XT....Thanks In advance to anyone who replys and actually makes it through my long post! lol

The 40d with grip is relatively the same size as a 5d with a grip (maybe slightly smaller) you'll definately notice the bulk difference from an xt. If you aren't using the grip on both (5d and 40d) you're pinky is going to fall off the grip. I'm not a tall guy (6') but without a grip my hands still fall off. It's not as uncomfortable as trying to hold the xt, but it's still pretty nice when you have the grip installed.

My suggestion if you want to try something neat is to get a canon hand strap. You might find that a $22 accessory might save you spending hundreds of dollars (unless of course you really want to upgrade )

[linkphotography]

lol i do have the hand strap and grip on my rebel xt and for whatever i go with next, the grip and the strap are a must.

[brian.austin]

Originally Posted by trentchau

It feels nice, a little louder than expected.

That surprised me as well. I'm a bit disappointed with the noise after using a D200 for a while. I think my 20D is probably a little quieter as well but that could be wear.

[trentchau]

Originally Posted by linkphotography

lol i do have the hand strap and grip on my rebel xt and for whatever i go with next, the grip and the strap are a must.

Oh also height thickness is one thing, but it is definately meatier in the palms, You'll probably love the way it feels...and tell you the truth with the wheel, the controls, and so on...the XXd series have always been better interface wise then the rebel in my opinion.

I would highly suggest getting a 30d for pretty much the cost of an xti if you just want to try, they are going for $700 used now. Quite a steal if you consider it.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by trentchau

...It feels nice, a little louder than expected.

Trent, congrats on the new body!

Your 'louder than expected' surprises me, but then you have a 5D and had an XT, I come from the 20D and it is definitely much quieter than that one, a more 'muffled' sound.

...€0.02...

Max@Home

[ala_negru]

Is the "old" BG-E2 grip compatible with the new 40d?

[trentchau]

yes Ala, the only difference is the addition of the AF-on botton in the newer grip.

[bledsoe]

Hey guys, Max, JDArt, etc,

I have the XT also, and was saving up to get the 24-70 2.8 L, but saw that the 40D is coming out.
Can anyone suggest what the 'smarter' move would be to do?

1-Stay with my XT, and buy the L around Christmas when I can afford
or
2-Use the money I save to upgrade to the 40D with the 28-135 lens kit and later add the 24-70 or 16-35 2.8 L

All opinions accepted!!

Stephanie

[cyclohexane]

Get the lens first, and then buy the 40D later.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by trentchau

yes Ala, the only difference is the addition of the AF-on botton in the newer grip.

Sorry Trent, not true...

The BG-E2N has a weather sealed battery compartment, but NO AF-ON button! If you want AF-ON button on the grip, you have to buy the WFT-E3(a)...

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[trentchau]

Originally Posted by bledsoe

Hey guys, Max, JDArt, etc,

I have the XT also, and was saving up to get the 24-70 2.8 L, but saw that the 40D is coming out.
Can anyone suggest what the 'smarter' move would be to do?

1-Stay with my XT, and buy the L around Christmas when I can afford
or
2-Use the money I save to upgrade to the 40D with the 28-135 lens kit and later add the 24-70 or 16-35 2.8 L

All opinions accepted!!

Stephanie

Steph, this may sound sexist but are you a tough girl with good stamina? I love the 24-70 but it's a bulky lens and on the xt ergonomically it's not really great. The weight is unbalanced, and it's kinda a pain to shoot with, also the len will slighty jutt from the bottom unless you have a grip. If you want a fast lens of great quality (and you don't have it) I would suggest giving the tamron 28-75 a try on your Rebel.

By all means the 24-70 isn't like lugging a fully equiped mark with a 400mm on it, but it's not the weight but more the weight distribution.

Don't let me get started on people who shoot with a 100-400 push pull, and only xt body

[trentchau]

Originally Posted by Max@Home

Sorry Trent, not true...

The BG-E2N has a weather sealed battery compartment, but NO AF-ON button! If you want AF-ON button on the grip, you have to buy the WFT-E3(a)...

...€0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

<--- OMG Owned....

On a good note, if it was anyone to give me a across the seas spanking, I'm happy it's you Max

[bledsoe]

Hey, no offense taken...I am pretty tough, but would you recommend me getting the new camera all together, or just getting the tamron? and how much do they run?

[Jason Hermann]

I would also suggest getting the lens over the new camera. Good Glass is a great investment your camera is far from obsolete IMO.

Best,
Jay