EOS 40D: Hands-On First Impressions

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by trentchau

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

...or something like this ??



...who cares, if the result is:



...'s €0.02...

Max@Home

[phototakeouter]

L glass is still going to be L glass in 10 years time. The 40D, or any other of its contemporaries, will be obsolete, barely-remembered dinosaurs.

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by bledsoe

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!!

Hi Stephanie,

...like the others, I would recommend 'glass first'.

...like Trent, I would disapprove of the 24-70F2.8L on an XT OR 40D , not that it isn't a smashing lens, but -for me- it's focal lenght is pretty 'compromised' on a 1.6x cropped body, it gives the equivalent FoV of an ~38mm - ~112mm lens, which -for me- was not wide enough for many applications/as a walkaround-lens.

...I traded my 24-70 for an EF-S17-55F2.8 IS and am now 'in heaven'

...and I also second Trent's opinion that the 24-70F2.8L is awkward to use a on a 350D/Xt 'body only', it gets a little better with the grip, but still doesn't 'feel right'.

...the Tamron 28-75F2.8 might proof a good - and more affordable - alternative if you like to stick to the '24-70' reach, although at 28mm it's FoV is even less wide (~44mm - ~120mm...)...

...*my* €0.02...

Kindest regards!

Max@Home

[trentchau]

Originally Posted by 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?

The tamron is about $300~$399 (Higher New, but many great used copies are sold because people upgrade to 24-70's). It's a very nice piece of glass, with excellent sharpness in the center (though questionable on the corners). It's very fast, with very good sharpness at 2.8, and many people are hard press to justify the cost difference in a 24-70 if they are mostly using it inside or as a hobby lens. The inside part because the 24-70 is built a little tougher, and it's weather sealed...but this is moot unless you use a weather sealed body.

If you are comfortable with the feel of your camera, I would suggest keeping it unless you really want to get another camera. As mentioned above... a great lens will last you a while, camera's are interchangeable. There are some great photographers who shoot with d60's, 10ds, Nikon D100's whos work you would never be able to tell the difference online from some of the latest cameras.

[trentchau]

So I was curious if the 40d was actually louder than the 5d, it really isn't. Just a sharper shutter sound than the 5d. Here are some samples. Samples recorded exactly same distance from mic, with the same filtering method. I kinda like the 5d's draw door sound a little more.

http://www.trentchau.com/sounds/40d.wav - 40d sound bite
http://www.trentchau.com/sounds/5d.wav - 5d sound bite

I move the speed of the 40d to 3fp to match the rate for the 5d. 6.5 fps is a lot scarier sounding. Hearing the mark III is even scarier.

[Worm324]

I agree I like the 5d sound better, I guess I'll have to get that camera then

Thanks for posting this wav files Trent!

Jay

[bledsoe]

Thanks everyone for your help...more feedback is appreciated. I have a lot of thinking to do, but only have $300 saved now, so I have plenty of time to think!

[trentchau]

Originally Posted by bledsoe

Thanks everyone for your help...more feedback is appreciated. I have a lot of thinking to do, but only have $300 saved now, so I have plenty of time to think!

Definately, something that may help Steph is Rentglass.com - Lens rentals by mail for Canon and Nikon SLR cameras

try it before you buy it, 1 week with a lens for $20~$30 can do wonders.

[bledsoe]

You are SOOO right! I wanted to rent one for a wedding recently, but didnt allow myself enough time...absolutely WILL do!

[aam1234]

Max, when will we see sRGB photos.

[Worm324]

Originally Posted by trentchau

Definately, something that may help Steph is Rentglass.com - Lens rentals by mail for Canon and Nikon SLR cameras

try it before you buy it, 1 week with a lens for $20~$30 can do wonders.

Thanks for that info!! I think I might try out some quality glass for a change

Best,
Jay

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by aam1234

Max, when will we see sRGB photos.

now



...and you can find the full-size ( large file )original here so you can pixel-peep until your satisfied

...'s €0.02 worth...

Kndest regards!

Max@Home

[KellyL]

Thanks for the info and pictures. Very nice review.

[trentchau]

not the best sample, but here's a quick test with the 40d, and sigma 17-70

http://www.trentchau.com/nmshot.jpg

no edit to color, USM applied (300,.5,0)

[carla_francisco]

Great report, thanks for sharing your first impressions... No beating around the bush, straight to the point and I love the fact that you were kind enough to share those photos with us. Nice family, btw...
I'm going to buy a 40D when it becomes available in Portugal, but still don't know when that will happen...
I'm currently using a PowerShot S3 IS, so I guess I will be a bit overwhelmed at first...
I've browsed the manual (btw, it was JimH who kindly posted the scanned version of 40D English manual at DPReview...) but I just can't wait to get my hands on the actual camera... And patience is not one of my virtues...
Thanks again for sharing...

Carla

[Max@Home]

Originally Posted by carla_francisco

I'm going to buy a 40D when it becomes available in Portugal, but still don't know when that will happen...
I'm currently using a PowerShot S3 IS, so I guess I will be a bit overwhelmed at first...
I've browsed the manual (btw, it was JimH who kindly posted the scanned version of 40D English manual at DPReview...)

Hi Carla!

Don't let that 40D overwhelm you! actually, button-icon-wise it is A LOT like your S3IS

...and if you got questions, you know where to find us

& thanks for giving credit to JimH!

...€0.02...

Kindest regards,

Max@Home