Why I Want The Canon 40D
The Canon EOS 40D DSLR has now been official announced by Canon. As reported yesterday, the camera features a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, large 3.0-inch LCD display with enhanced Live View, 6.5 frame-per-second continuous shooting capability, sRAW mode with a 35-zone metering system, and an integrated Self-Cleaning Sensor Unit.
I’ve been waiting for a camera like this for a long time, and like others, I’m very excited about Canon’s new successor to the EOS 30D.
Here’s Why
Although used sparingly until recently, I’ve found shooting at 3 frames per second on the 350D rather clunky and slow. It’s okay for portraits when I want to capture a few images to eliminate blinking, etc, but when shooting sports, 3-fps really doesn’t cut it. 6.5 frames per second is a much appreciated improvement over the 3-fps in the 350D, and the 5-fps in the 30D.
When spending a lot of time in the field I find myself reviewing shots on a constant basis to check focus, aperture, and exposure. The enhanced 3-inch LCD screen with LiveView appears perfectly suited to aid in checking shots while (and after) shooting an image.
The Canon 350D performs rather poorly when pumping the ISO speed to 800 and above, I find this very inconvenient when shooting with slower glass in low light situations - grain is very apparent with shots at ISO 800, I don’t even want to get into ISO 1600. With the new Digic III processor, I’m hoping for much cleaner shots when shooting with a raised ISO speed.
The final feature I’m excited for is Auto ISO. When entering this custom function you have the ability to choose a desired shutter speed, and the camera will automatically adjust your ISO speed on the fly to keep your desired shutter speed in tact while keeping exposure even. Very, very handy if you’re shooting an important event and want a constant shutter speed without worrying about the ISO speed.
When & Why
Priced at $1299, it’s expected to ship on September 20th. I will not be placing a pre-order as I have a habit for purchasing technology on impulse. Instead, I’ll be putting a little away each month and picking it up over New Year 08 (I hope). The Canon 40D is everything I want in a DSLR.
#1
Indraneel → indraneel.thepurohits.net
Awesome camera. Crapload of monies. Icanhas your 350D?
#2
Summer Ordoñez → www.summerjuice.net
Such a beautiful and perfect camera. I hope Santa can get me one for Christmas!
#3
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
If I pick up a 40D, I’ll be keeping the 350D as my backup body. Might come in handy down the road ;-)
#4
Indraneel → indraneel.thepurohits.net
Damn.
#5
Anand → aprilzero.com
Hehe it does look pretty sweet. Myself, I like the new 1Ds :)
#6
Adam → www.shibbyonline.co.uk
I think most people would want the 40D, yeah I would, but I was watching a photo course by Chris Orwig and he noted something which made me think:
“Your equipment is good enough”
The statement was based upon whatever equipment you have, it is good enough to be creative, to which it got me thinking. It is all about consumer desire rather than require.
Of course there are aspects that will be a positive impact on your photography but is your current camera holding you back.
I sat back and I had to answer that question honestly; nope. No matter how many pixels or dust cleaning gimics you put in a body it will not make the creative process any better, that comes from behind the camera.
That said if I could convince my other half to let me get one I would; well why not.
Good luck with the saving technique, I’ve never managed to have that much restraint, but keep your 350; will make a great hack body.
#7
Jon → www.theappleofmyi.com/blog
Glenn - it looks a very good upgrade from the 30D and as you say, some excellent new features. Personally I am very impressed with the weather sealing, now not only the exclusive preserve of 1 Series bodies.
Adam, I agree 100% - desire often outweighs require. I recently found this out when making some purchases ;-) http://flickr.com/photos/jonnymoss/sets/72157601226636231/
#8
Yousef Raffah → yousef.raffah.com
Although I’m a Nikonian I still like Canons, however, I read you were talking about the Auto ISO feature, is this a new feature in the 40D? Are you sure it wasn’t there in the 30D or any other Canon? I can be so damn sure that I have it in my Nikon D200 and I had it earlier as well in my D70
#9
Lennart → kreideraub.blogspot.com
Actually, you should think about that again.. in my humble opinion anyway.
Invest in faster glass instead. You don’t need ISO 800 or 1600 or even 3200 when you have the money for a fast lens and are not a pro. The whole line of two-digit digital bodies by canon are for those who need pro quality for less money than is normal. Amateurs thinking about becoming pros, or maybe photography and design students. (Like me)
When you plan to do serious photography you should rather invest in a full-frame camera if you want digital. The viewfinder in those is brighter and bigger and you can see where your focus is and how much DoF you got without ‘live view’.
If you have questions or are interested in more aspects about that topic, I am willing to answer. Just email me.
But for the case that you think I’m egocentric here, I’ll stop writing about it for now.
#10
TomGlenn–I agree with those points. I am thinking about doing the same upgrade by the New Year too. That 40D looks awesome!!
#11
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
Correct, this is a new feature to the 40D along with the Mark III.
Lennart: I completely understand the need for better glass before a better camera body, and I w ill not be purchasing the 40D without at least one extra piece of quality glass, weather it be an L zoom or a prime.
#12
Yohannes Wijaya → www.yohanneswijaya.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/iphonefinger-2.jpg
Not to mention, the dedicated iso display in the viewfinder. I, myself, am waiting impatiently for the 5d replacement. As you mention, the 3fps on the 400d and the 5d is inadequate when it comes to sports photography, which I began to slowly indulge in and as a result, I tend to depend on my luck to get “the” shots. The integrated cleaning system is a plus too.
#13
Rene Bruce → Vitapaw.comorKiapet.com
Well saving.. hummm yup I saved an entire summer I was like 12yrs. to get the new Canon AE1 program.. man was I happy.. ! now fast forward to the 90’s late that is, I had a AE2 ( I think it was) was a great camera, then went to the 1N (still have it, slide film is fun) then came digi, the D30 was sweet, then I got the 60 ( 6meg) sweet cost me like 3K US ( live in Newport Beach, CA) so back to the AE2 I was smart and started to buy only L series lenses ( I got hooked as I was on canon cps, so I was lucky enough that canon was 12mi away and got to use the 70-200mm2.8) so I now own like 5 lenses from the 15mm fish eye to the 300 2.8L all of them bought round the year of the 1N release.. I’d luv to upgrade to IS, but back to the DO I need it, or is it just the want.. so I’ll stick with them, and now since I skipped the 5yrs of bodies gonna get the 40D as I really don’t need 21meg 10meg is plenty, but the new color and focus ( I can’t focus manually now like I did in my teens) and don’t want to loose that kool shot of my fast dog.. hehe… anyhow. I’m gonna demo the 40 net week if my canon gal is back from there meeting and I’ll post my thoughts at my dogs blog at kiapet.com Rene ps. my first mac was a classic I think ( 9″screen wow), haha…
#14
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
Very, very cool! I really can’t wait to get my hands on the 40D later this year. There’s always the option of selling your gear on eBay and upgrading to a new 24″ iMac or Mac Pro. Ping me another email when you’ve got the review live - oh, and I’m a kiwi ;-)
#15
rmaspero → rmaspero.com
i love cameras and looks like canon have come out with another great camera last year i bought the Nikon D50 and 3 months later they came out with the D40 then 6 months after that they came out with the D40xbut hey the D50 still a good camera and my dads has the canon D300
#16
AlexReading this discussion makes me like my K10D more and more ;-)
#17
Rene Bruce → kiapet.com
My friend has the camera only problem is for people like me, I’ve shot Canon for years and have over 20k invested in lenses and still have the 1N to shoot film, so I’m not changing, my friend luves his pentax, except now he has to go spend a fortune to catch up on glass, I really wish the IS was built into the canon like the pentax… !
#18
Glenn Wolsey → www.glennwolsey.com
$20,000 in glass is a hefty investment. What are you main lenses in that kit?
#19
AlexMy favorite lens for Pentax is FA 31mm/1.8 which is an excellent glass. I also have FA 43mm/1.9 and FA and 77mm/1.8 (all analog lensess). I like the superb quality of Pentax lenses (some people think Pentax lenses are the best glasses from Japan). I’m waiting for new zoom DA* 16-50mm/2,8. But in the end, the most important are photos, and good photographer will succeed even with poor quality camera. Cheers for all!
#20
Cich → www.markcichy.com
Bought it. Love it. Recommend it! Fabulous LCD, 3″ is a lot larger than it seems. Colour clarity and rendition is remarkable. If you know how to shoot, then you’ll find that less time will be committed to editing your photos.