To 40D or not to 40D

Les McLean

Les McLean

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Bit of a dilemma, been chewing over the possibility of getting a 40D.

My original plan was (and still is) to upgrade my 1Ds MKII to 1DS MkIV, although the 1DS MKIII is a dream machine, the difference between the MKII and MKIII is not sufficient (IMO) to consider upgrading.

However, the MKIV will be along in probably 3 years, which will make my MKII 6+ years old at the time of upgrade, which is a lifetime in DSLR timescales.

And I'm not considering 'retiring' my MKII, although it's getting a little bit long in the tooth, it's still up there with the best-and will be so for some time.

My reason for considering a 40D is the extra frame rate, larger buffer, digic III processing resulting in cleaner images at higher ISO and a 1.6 crop factor for wildlife shooting.

I could get a 1D MKIII, again another dream machine, but for the difference in price to the 40D, and the limited use it would have, I don't think I could justify the outlay.

And with the canon cashback alongwith £100 of Jessops vouchers I have, £400 looks very tempting for a new 40D.


Do I take the plunge, or will I be sorely disappointed compared to a 1 series body?
 
its only £400 at th eend of the day, you could sell it on and only loose a bit on it.

I would take it off you hand for £300 if you do not like it!
 
For me the 1.3X crop is the best of both worlds. I can still get wide enough with a 17mm for anything I do while I get a bit of extra "reach" at the long end. In a couple of years a MkIII will still be worth something if you sell it or trade it in for a MkIV, a 40D will be worth peanuts.

And no help whatsoever but I love the amendment to your sig :D
 
DiddyDave said:
Les, that sounds remarkably like someone justifying their purchase to me!

So if you haven't already bought it, just do so and see what you think of it - according to him above, you'll only lose £100 if you hate it !!!

DD
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No I'm still chewing it over, my biggest concern is being disappointed with it, although I have read plenty (CT's thread around 40D/1DMkIIN was really illuminating ) to almost reassure me I won't be.
 
Could you not borrow one to try for a day or so??? I'm no help as I don't use the 40D properly, but it is a great camera.
 
Les - you could buy my spare 1DII. Same batteries, same UI and have a pair of Mk IIs. It' s now what I have. One for high speed and one for high res...

Paul
 
Les, Chris Procter has recently bought a 40D have a word with him and see what his oppinion is of it as he uses it along side his 1DmkIIn, I was speaking to him a few weeks back and he seemed to be getting along nicely with it.

Alan
 
GAELICSTORM7 said:
Les, Chris Procter has recently bought a 40D have a word with him and see what his oppinion is of it as he uses it along side his 1DmkIIn, I was speaking to him a few weeks back and he seemed to be getting along nicely with it.

Alan
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Thanks :thumbs:
 
If it's wildlife you're shooting Les, then you're going to see a massive leap in image quality and frame filling ability with your longer lenses by going to a 40D. The only other option for me was a 1DSMK3 which will only be just behind the 40D in pixels per sparrer, but close enough to make it a good all round camera. Problem is the price though!

Don't forget the 40D has a Digic 3 processor too which makes a huge difference to the colour saturation of your images, and the noise handling is vastly improved.

No - it wont compare to a 1 Series in build quality and feel, but it depends whether you care about the kit or the quality of the images it produces.

I seriously can't see you being disappointed in the least.
 
LOL. What have you got to lose - they're giving the thing away and if you're not parting with your 1Ds , form your own opinion. ;)
 
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