Max Ackermann
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Sorry, I cannot compare the viewfinder to 20D or 30D, as I never used those cameras.
Here are a few more hands-on notes for you (focus on new or useful functions for now):
Build/Interaction
As mentioned before, the camera is like a tank, all buttons feel very robust and the dials make reassuring clonks in every position. The grip is very good and I guess that even with sweaty hands you are unlikely to drop the camera.
Only the joystick is a bit wobbly, but I guess you get used to it. You have to be sure in which direction you push it (down, up, down, left, right and each diagonal).
I still have to get used to the 3-way power button, which is a bit fiddly to operate. Apart from Off, there is the On position as well as a second On position in which the large control dial allows you to adjust exposure compensation and aperture in M mode. I cannot quite get the reason for this, but oh well, I am sure habits will tell.
The 4 buttons on top of the camera, next to the LCD panel, are difficult to reach when holding the camera normally. You have to let go of it a bit and arch your index over to the left, which is a bit awkward. Each button has 2 functions, once pressed, you have 6 seconds to set the value with the large dial and the other with the small dial near the shutter release (From left to right: LCD illumination, Metering mode/White balance, Auto focus/Drive mode, ISO setting/Flash ex compensation)
Screen/Menu
The screen is huge, bright, has good contrast, but looks a bit low-res to me. It is actually just blown up from the 30D in size, without adding pixels.
The tabbed menu is very quick to operate once you get the hang of it. You go through the tabs via the small dial near the shutter, then go up and down with the large dial. Pressing SET will let you make your selection. The tabs are colour coded.
AF point selection
The point can be selected via either the large dial (clockwise or anticlockwise) or the joystick (much quicker, as you can move directly to the desired point).
Drive modes
There is single exposure, continuous exposure (Low-Speed with max. 3fps, and High-Speed with max. 6.5fps), self timer (2 sec or 10 sec delay). So 5 choices in total. I guess the Low-Speed cont. exposure comes in handy if one needs to take more pictures in succession before the buffer runs out (the 40D manages a 75 Large JPG High-Speed burst or a 205 Large JPG Low-Speed burst).
Live View Shooting
This is the big new thing for the 40D. Here is how it works:
-Set the lens to Manual Focus (you can use AF but this a pain, see below)
-Canon recommends using a tripod for Live View and NOT pointing camera at the sun, or damage to internal components can occur (!); there is also an auto-shut off if the temperature inside the camera rises above a certain value
-Enable Live View in the function settings in the menu
-By pressing SET, the mirror goes up and the screen shows the live view
You can change all settings as normal, except the metering mode, for which you have to leave Live View and come back to it. Also, Live View only works in M, Av, Tv, A-DEP, P.
Seeing the live image is actually quite impressive and a bit weird on a SLR. You can zoom in twice, which is even more impressive. I found the first zoom step (5x) more useful for focussing, as the second (10x) is a bit much and the resulting image is too blurry to focus correctly. I guess this is going to be a huge benefit for macro enthusiasts.
As a custom function, you can set Live View exposure simulation, which will display the live image according to what the current exposure is. I have not tested this much, I guess a look at the histogram later is more useful.
The silent shooting mode in Live View has 2 modes: in mode 1, the shutter sound is quieter than in non-Live View shooting (sounds like a digital compact click), and in mode 2, you can delay the sound by keeping the shutter button pressed all the way. While the picture has been taken, the camera will do nothing until you raise your finger again. Only then the sound will go off. I guess this way, you could take a picture and then quickly aim the camera elsewhere and let go, sneaky sneaky.
To use AF in Live View (a real pain), set the lens to AF, AF mode to ONE SHOT and select the center AF point. You then enable a custom function to allow the AF-ON button to focus (the AF-ON button is next to the exposure lock button and worked with the thumb).
Once AF-ON pressed in Live View, the mirror will go down, AF focuses. Once you let go, Live View switches back on and you should be in focus. Whew.
Safety Shift
This custom function shifts the exposure down in Tv and Av modes if the brightness suddenly increases. Not tried this myself yet.
Highlight tone priority
This custom function will expand the standard 18% gray dynamic range towards the highlights (smoother gradation between grays and highlights). Noise may increase in the shadows and ISO is only available from 200-1600. This was taken from the manual, I have not tried this.
Ok, I hope this helps for now. Gotta sleep, time difference!
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, sounds almost as noisy as my 30D shutter. Mine drives me nuts sometimes
