Hi!
I was about to use a $1400 funding + add on it to get a canon 40D +70/200 f4 IS and probably a 17-55/2.8 IS (or Tokina 12-24 instead of 17-55).
However, with the announcement of 50D I'm a bit hesitant to spend the money on 40D. The things that concern me about the 40D are the softness of the play back images, back/front focus issues that may arise. There are no reviews on 50D yet but the improved ISO, resolution, and AF adjust are good news.
Unfortunately I have to spend this $1.4K in 2-3 weeks. In this case, do you think should I get the 70-200/f4 IS or 17-55/2.8 with this and wait until Xmas or new year for the 50D prices to come down a bit? Would this be a better option or go for 40D+lens combo now? If I chose to get the lens only now, I suppose I should test the lens with another body at the shop for focussing accuracy? What is your advice?
thanks.

If you can wait a bit on the use (rather than the spending) I'd suggest spending the $'s on lenses now (as they won't come down much) - I'd go with the 70-200 f4 (L if you can) & wait for some real life test results to come in on the 50D. If it's great go for that, if you're unpersuaded the price of the 40D will only have dropped. Win - win, no?

50D has the same focusing system as the 40D. Don't expect miracles.

And why would you purchase lenses to just idly sit by?

True, the 50D may not be that much better than the 40D but it's only going to be a matter of weeks, if not days, until decent reviews are posted on the 50D. Word may even be in before you need to spend your funding. But if you know you want the lenses, what real harm does it do to purchase them first & avoid potential buyers remorse on the 40D?

IMHO, purchasing camera technology is not so different from purchasing computer technology - buy the best you can afford at the moment of purchase & then stay away from the stores & "gear-porn" sites until you have to upgrade again!

I hear Canon is currently working on the 60D, when it comes out prices will drop on the 50D. If you can hold out, you'll save even more.

We are not going to understand the 50D situation in the next three weeks. They are not even going to ship until October. So if you have to spend, get the lenses.

I hear Canon is currently working on the 60D, when it comes out prices will drop on the 50D. If you can hold out, you'll save even more.
Man! if I followed this logic (holding out for more younger, beautiful girl come along, I would still be lonely man in rocking chair waiting...
JK Jcw
IMHO, I still apply the philosophy: "Lens is for life, camera body is for fashion". So get the best L-lens now & the 40D while waiting for 50D, or even 60D, to come down in price and work out any possible "kinks" (like the 1D-MKIII's AF snafu).
Best of luck.

Thanks for the advice. I think I will buy the lens and wait. In the meantime I will use my 6MP Pentax with primes. I'm curious to see the reviews on the image quality and iso performance of the 50D. There is often a sharp drop in the price during the first few months of DSLRs release and therefore I may go for it around xmas or early new year.

Keithwelding wrote:
Hi!
I was about to use a $1400 funding + add on it to get a canon 40D +70/200 f4 IS and probably a 17-55/2.8 IS (or Tokina 12-24 instead of 17-55).
However, with the announcement of 50D I'm a bit hesitant to spend the money on 40D. The things that concern me about the 40D are the softness of the play back images, back/front focus issues that may arise. There are no reviews on 50D yet but the improved ISO, resolution, and AF adjust are good news.
Unfortunately I have to spend this $1.4K in 2-3 weeks. In this case, do you think should I get the 70-200/f4 IS or 17-55/2.8 with this and wait until Xmas or new year for the 50D prices to come down a bit? Would this be a better option or go for 40D+lens combo now? If I chose to get the lens only now, I suppose I should test the lens with another body at the shop for focussing accuracy? What is your advice?
thanks.

with whats in your profile what would you put either of those lenses on?

> Unfortunately I have to spend this $1.4K in 2-3 weeks.


So buy a gift card ... and then wait.

Buy the lenses and a used 20D/30D to use them on. Sell that and buy the 50D at a later date. You probably wouldn't lose too much on the older body and at least you get to use your fancy new lenses in the meantime.

I dunno about you but having a 17-55 and a 70-200 (lenses I can't really afford) sat there doing nothing would kill me.