I am sure that there are members using a 40D for their shootings on the Nature and Wildlife forum here. So have any of you had focus problems such as seen in this thread ?
I just purchased a 40D (haven't received it yet) and reading that thread doesn't make me very happy about my purchase. I would be using the 40D primarily for Nature and Wildlife.
Hi Gerald
I shoot Nikon so I should not reply to this. Anyway I just came back from a safari to africa. Majority used Canon including 40D and 1D3. The cameras worked perfect and the owners were very happy with the results. No focus issues. You should be fine with your camera. Just my two cents.
post this question in canon forum also.
Harsha
My advice, ignore the thread and enjoy your 40D. Lots of us who actually post "pictures" in
the Nature and Wildlife Forum have no issues with the 40D. Happy shooting!
trenchmonkey wrote:
My advice, ignore the thread and enjoy your 40D. Lots of us who actually post "pictures" in
the Nature and Wildlife Forum have no issues with the 40D. Happy shooting!
You are right. Great advice, TrenchMonkey. I have not seen any posts here about 40D focus issues, but had to ask.
Gerald, I have about 5000 shots on my 40D, which I got in early January, and I have not any any such problems. I think the AF system is excellent, both for static shots and BIF. In fact, when you give the AI servo a decent chance to track something, it works incredibly well -- here is an example:
Gerald,
I'm shooting two 40Ds and they are great. This was not the case with my Mark III but I sold that straight off. The 40Ds are the best except for perhaps a properly functioning Series 1 camera. Take some time with your setup and try center point only with control from the rear button so that focus/recompose becomes second nature. Don't let all the issues related to the 1 Series Mark III hype worry you. I will be keeping both of mine even after I fill in my kit with new Series 1 bodies.
I shoot with a 40D and a 30D, both cameras perform identically. It's true, with the examples you provided, when the subject is tiny in the frame, or even when the subject is diffused with no contrast the camera may be unable to render a sharp image. That being said, the only shots that are "keepers" for me anyway are those where the subject occupies a substantial portion of the frame, and the closer I get to the subject the more accurate the AF. The bigger struggle is with low contrast images, the camera's AF seems to want contrast and edges and sometimes my images look soft even tho I'm close and camera is steady. But even taking that into consideration, the camera is a gem, if you master you technique you should have an 80% keeper rate as far a mechanics go, you just need to make different judgements as far as shot selection, what are your camera's (and technology's) limitations. All of the images on my gallery are taken with the 30D or 40D (with the exception of some of the hawks in flight shots taken with the 20D) and I am very satisfied with the results I get. Keep your 40D and enjoy it, it's a fine piece of equipment and fun.
Chris Willis wrote:
In general, I find the 40D to be extremely responsive and an excellent tool for nature and wildlife. I hope you enjoy yours as much as I do mine.
Chris
Thanks, Chris. Wildlife is my intended use of the 40D. I will be ordering the Canon 300mm f2.8 IS next week along with a couple of 1.4 teleconverters.
My photos to date are too embarassing to even think about posting here.
Your photo and many of the others I see here are just beautiful. I can only hope that my future photos look as good.
My wife said she would take me to a state park locally for a few photo outings when it gets a little warmer. I can't wait.
Red Grainger wrote:
[snip] I'm shooting two 40Ds and they are great.[/snip]
Laura Hughes wrote:
[snip] I shoot with a 40D and a 30D, both cameras perform identically.[/snip]
Thank you for the comments. I should have know better than to get caught up in the thread. Easy to do, especially when just plunking down the bread for the camera and then reading stuff like that.
I plan on using the camera for picture taking and fun. That is what it is all about.
Gerald J. wrote:
Thanks, Chris. Wildlife is my intended use of the 40D. I will be ordering the Canon 300mm f2.8 IS next week along with a couple of 1.4 teleconverters.
...
Gerald
The 300/2.8 is a supreme lens and you will really enjoy it. It is sharper than hell and the AF speed and accuracy has to be experienced to be believed. One tip, though, when using it with TCs, especially a 2x (or in your case maybe stacked 1.4's), use the focus limit switch and stop the lens down one stop from wide open (so at 600/5.6, stop down to f8). The AF on the 40D will tend to hunt with the TCs on and using the focus limit switch will really help out with that, and the sharpness and DOF will be improved if you stop down to f8. Also keep in mind when shooting at 600mm focal length, the whole rig is extremely sensitive to even the slightest movements, so proper support and technique make a big difference in the image quality. This is true for any time you are shooting at a really long focal length.
For photography where you can go with a shorter focal length, either 300 or 420 with the 1.4x, it is a lot less sensitive and just generally easier to handle, and the AF speed is really incredible, as are the sharpness and contrast.
Give some thought to support for it -- some people handhold theirs (like Bonnie for example), but I find it too heavy to do that for very long, so I use a monopod, a Manfrotto 3232 tilt head, and a RRS clamp and plate. Other people use tripods with Wimberley sidekicks.
Will (Trenchmonkey) and Bonnie (Herderdog) use 300/2.8's and post great pictures here all the time, and they have really helped me out with tips on using it. But I can tell you for sure you will never regret the money you spent on that lens -- it is simply superb.
Hi Chris! I checked out that thread and I felt that there wasn't enough info to really tell if they are legitimate concerns, camera fault, or user error/ inexperience.
Also, they didn't mention which lenses they were using; its possible the OP was using a faulty kit lens, an older or third party lens that isn't quite compatible with the 40D, or they just had a faulty camera.
The 40D is a superb camera for birding and its widely used for that purpose. Its priced well I think. Also, the 300mm f/2.8 IS has the reputation for being the sharpest lens canon ever made, and is one of those rare lenses that can take 2X Tele convertors without looking shocking.
Excellent choice of camera and lens. You'll be very happy with that combo. I've had a 40 D for quite long time and have been very satisfied, to the point that, as I got a good apportunity to buy it, I got a second 40D as a back up.
If you are planning to buy 2 1,4X Tc make sure they are not both Canon because you cannot stuck them up.
Socrate
I saw the same thread...and so I felt prompted to start a poll of my own to clarify some things...and so, to settle your stomach a bit: https://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/631570
It seems as though a good percentage are happy with their 40D's...now when you receive yours get out there and use it!
Jerald, you are gonna love your 40D! I went through that thread today and many blames on situations that intelligent shooters would know were outside boundaries possible by lens and camera.
You made a great choice, a lot of the result is more up to the photographer not the camera. It will be a learning curve as you get a feel of how the camera reacts to different situations of light and color, build your confidence and you will be very pleased with your results!
I was actually just out shooting some BIF with my 40D and 400 5.6L less than an hour ago. With bad lighting and (probably) even worse technique I was still able to get some great shots of a Red Tail out hunting. The AI Servo works great even in un-skilled hands.
I don’t know but here is a series I took not to long ago with my 40D and the 1 to 400 Canon zoom using a Bushawk and the IS turned on. I carry this combo everywhere I go.
It seems a lot of people are complaining here that have a trouble but I am sure there are many that don’t. I had the same thing with my first 20D but I did not bother with Canon as I sent it right back to my dealer for him to worry about. I would think any focus trouble would show up right away unless you drop or damage the camera. I like mine.
You can click on these photos as a slide show if wanted.
Lou http://www.flickr.com/photos/loub/sets/72157604106018747/
kjcramer wrote:
I was actually just out shooting some BIF with my 40D and 400 5.6L less than an hour ago. With bad lighting and (probably) even worse technique I was still able to get some great shots of a Red Tail out hunting. The AI Servo works great even in un-skilled hands.
Happy Shooting!
Good to hear, as that is the combo I will be using when I get my 40D.
You will really like the 40D...it is a very nice camera. I was using one for several months and never had a problem with it....Here's a shot of a immature eagle I got this year at Conowingo with the 40D and 400 5.6 handheld....
