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sven rose
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Registered: Jul 9, 2007
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 17
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Review Date: Nov 4, 2007
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Recommend? |
Price paid: Not Indicated
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Pros:
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fast accurate AF, 6,5 fps and much more
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Cons:
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LCD resolution, auto ISO is not great
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After taking over 20k pics what I find the best with this camera is the ability for tracking moving subjects. The fast and accurate AF combined with 6.5fps is a huge improvement over the Rebel Xti/400D. I can imagine, what it could be with a 1DMkIII: more keepers, but this don't justify the price for me. The lens seems important: the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 Di - a good lens - was not fast enough for reliable results. The 40D and the (overpriced ) EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS with ultrasonic motor works perfectly together.
With the XTi I couldn't imagine to do this with such results:
http://www.svenrose.smugmug.com/gallery/3770556
(taken with the EF 70-200 L f/4 IS - also a realy good combination with the 40D)
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 Nov 4, 2007
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Sam_S
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Registered: Aug 21, 2006
Location: Switzerland
Posts: 256
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Review Date: Nov 2, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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AI Focus, Color/Contrast, 3" Screen, Viewfinder, ISO performance, 6.5 FPS, Price for what you get.
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Cons:
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Useless print button, On/Off switch feels like it will fall off, Cheap Plastic Battery Door, Could of been a bit more solid.
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I got the 40D the last week of September. I've done all kinds of work with it already. I've put the Ai Servo through its pases with Military Aviation Photography. I've done landscape to check the White Balance Consistency, I've done Automotiv Photography to play with the ISO settings.
I own a 1DMKII and was quiet looking forward to a few things on the 40D. The main things I was looking forward too where: Better White Balance, and Better ISO performance. White Balance is fine, could be better, could be worse. The ISO performance impresses. Now you can walk around easily with ISO 1600. Also the 10.1 megapixels is great... Especially if you sometimes need to crop a few things.
AI Focus is great. I'm getting a keeper rate REAL close to the 1DMKII when shooting aviation. I also see improvement in the low light focus sector, though its not spectacular. 6.5 Fps does though still feel slow compared to 8.5 Fps of the 1DMKII, but it works and does the job.
There wasn't a wow factor when I got the camera. The screen made my eyebrows jump but that was it. Also the way the camera felt in my hands was a good sign. I've shot 2000+ shots already with it and I'm happy with it. This camera is nothing out of this world, but it puts a smile on my face every time I launch up Lightroom to check the shots. I've played around with the 1DMKIII this summer and the 40D is a Mini-MKIII. Atleast thats what I got the impression of with the work that I do with the 40D. For some other Photography its not quiet a mini-MKIII.
Some things you start appreciating once you start using the camera more: The Shutter Noise: It's just perfect. The bigger Viewfinder: The world looks better through my viewfinder now. The Dustshaker: You wont have to clean the sensor by hand that often anymore. The roll wheel feels more solid (compared to 1DMKII and 20D). The pop-up flash noise doesn't scare the whole world anymore.
Downsides: My Joystick doesn't work anymore, but I can use the menu, and to be honest, i'm to lazy to bring it to the shops because it still works. The on/off button feels like its going to fall off sometime in the future. Also the battery compartment door feels VERY plasticky. Some screws have come off and it doesn't feel solid enough for me. If I grip it real tight it feels fluffy, like the plastic isn't really that strong.
But in the end it doesn't really matter. The camera puts smile on my face and thats what it's all about.
A Happy 40D User,
Samuel
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Nov 2, 2007
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Peter Kotsa
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Registered: Nov 1, 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 268
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Review Date: Nov 1, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,800.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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file quality, speed 6.5 frames/sec
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Cons:
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none yet
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purchased this as a second body(to my 1DmkIIN), but I LOVE it. Have used it for motorsports, portrature and weddings...spot on little unit.
WELL DONE CANON. thinking of buying another as a second body to this one.
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Nov 1, 2007
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Joe A.
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Registered: Jun 26, 2006
Location: United States
Posts: 120
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Review Date: Oct 30, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Improved in all ways over the 20 D and the 20 D was my workhorse and favorite camera.
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Cons:
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They could get rid of that absolutely stupid "print" button by making it a programable button--I would love to program it for mirror lockup.
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In comparison to the 20 D:
1) Shutter noise is much less
2) The anti-dust feature is very welcome,
3) High ISO performance seems a tad better
4) Feels a bit better in the hand, actually feels close to perfect in the hand.
5) The "two-speed" burst modes (3 and 6 fps) are a real improvement over the 20 D, (Although the 30 D had this.)
6) Auto focus remains good or is perhaps even better,
7) Custom settings are immediately helpful.
8) Somewhat higher resolution although I've yet to notice this much in the less than 900 shots I've now got on the 40 D. (5 days old)
9) Viewfinder image seems somehow better and
10) ISO is displayed in the viewfinder.
11) Shooting controls are almost exactly the same as the 20 D--no need to re-learn "in hand" controls. (Selecting focal point, exposure lock, exposure compensation, DOF preview, etc)
Generally a very nice improvement over the 20 D--a camera which remains capable of incredibly good pictures.
The 40 D also accepts the 20 D and 30 D grips and of course uses the same battery--thus making it easy to travel or work with 20, 30 or 40 D backs in combination. This is a real plus when shooting events or weddings where a backup or second camera is really necessary.
The price is good too--$200 less than a 20D in 2004.
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Oct 30, 2007
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Steve Langton
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Registered: Oct 29, 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 29, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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6.5 frames per second
Large screen
Viewfinder information
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Cons:
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'Only' 10 megapixels
More noise at high ISO than my 5D
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I bought this camera as a back-up for my 5D and also to use for wildlife photography - I basically shoot travel and landscapes but also enjoy some wildlife photography, the fast frame rate was a major positive point as the 5D only shoots 3 fps. No problems so far, although it seems to have more noise above ISO 800 than my 5D. Overall very pleased.
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Oct 29, 2007
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Sea Dragon Rex
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Registered: Oct 28, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 31
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Review Date: Oct 29, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,100.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Solid build, very nice image quality, easily understandable layout, easy function change, 6 fps, bright viewfinder, fast and accurate AF, 3" viewing screen readable in sunlight.
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Cons:
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I bought this camera to replace my XT and was considering this versus the 5d but found the 5D will too slow (3fps is not fast enough).
The functions were very intuitive coming from the XT. The viewfinder is much brighter and easy to see. The information in the viewfinder is also quite helpful. The view screen seems huge compared to the XT (though resolution could be nicer but it has no impact on IQ). The drive is amazing compared to the XT (I can't imagine what the 1DS III must be like).
Focus with my 2.8 zooms is fast and accurate and so far, the AI servo seems to work better than my XT. The camera is huge compared to the XT but feel right. It has a solid feel and feel well balance with the bigger lenses.
The IQ seems quite nice (and we'll see how the IQ compares to the XT when I make some big prints). Overall, I'm quite happy with the performance of the camera.
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Oct 29, 2007
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jchin
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Registered: Jan 1, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 2732
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Review Date: Oct 22, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,500.00
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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6.5 frames-per-second, faster focusing system,
LiveView, ISO in viewfinder, larger frame buffer, quieter shutter
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Cons:
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AWB is "off" relative to the 20D in the exact lighting situation.
Battery door is a cheap "snap-in", unlike the 20D which has a spring-loaded hinge.
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The new Canon 40D is a great camera!
The fast 6.5 frames per second (fps) is outstanding. Coupled that with the better auto-focus system makes capturing moving objects (mainly kids running) a lot easier.
Full-time ISO in the viewfinder is great. No longer do I have to fumble to change the ISO or forget what ISO I was using.
The larger LCD is an excellent update. It allows for a better view of the image exposure and composition. The color histograms as well as luminance histogram is excellent.
LiveView is useful for those over-the-head shots where you cannot look through the viewfinder. Too bad AF (auto-focus) is cannot be triggered with the shutter, as an option. However, there is an AF-ON button for that purpose; which is great for macro photos, but can be slow for those over-the-head shots.
The option to remember Custom-Settings is a bonus; it gives you the ability to save commonly used settings for known lighting situations, so no more fumbling to change the settings for those known lighting situations.
10mpixels is sufficient for the average professional photographer. However, I would have preferred 12mpixels or even 10.5mpixels, just to have more than the XTi.
The larger frame buffer is great, makes my existing Kingston ElitePro cards work better.
The shutter is much quieter relative to the 20D and 30D, a plus for many. However, some prefer the 30D shutter over the 40D as it sounds more like a traditional film camera shutter.
The battery door is a cheap "snap-in", unlike the 20D which has a spring-loaded hinge. However, all the 20D/30D accessories, such as battery grip and remote shutter cords, works.
AWB seems to be "off" relative to the 20D in the exact lighting situation. Maybe a future firmware release can fix this.
Overall, the 40D has excellent build quality, beyond my expectations coming from a 20D and having used a 30D.
A definitely BUY recommendation!
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Oct 22, 2007
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CountryBob
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Registered: Oct 3, 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 244
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Review Date: Oct 21, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,470.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Fast accurate focus, beautiful colors, great large screen, easy to navigate around and great build quality.
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Cons:
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None
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I bought this camera 4 weeks ago and have found it a delight to use. I will not get all technical as I will leave that up to others, all I can say is with the results I have had I could not be more happier!
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Oct 21, 2007
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Mark Holloway
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Registered: Jul 28, 2005
Location: Thailand
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 15, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Speed, Quality, Size of rear LCD
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Cons:
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To be fussy - location of power switch
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I upgraded from the 350D to the 40D & am very pleased I did.
I do not notice a huge improvement in Image Quality but the 40D is certainly much easier to use.
The large LCD screen (we'll be laughing at how small it seems in 2 years time!) is great - I can actually see the image AND the histogram at the same time now.
Ergonomically it is great as well - fits easily into my hand & just feels right.
Custom Functions are very useful enhancement to my 350D as well.
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Oct 15, 2007
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Ian Faulkner
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Registered: Sep 13, 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 13, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Build quality, Large LCD, anti dust technology, LIVE view remote viewing from computer
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Cons:
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Only 10 meg - 12 may soon be the norm elsewhere! find a better use for that print button
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Had this for around 4 weeks and have not yet mastered all its tricks. Coming from a 20D I have no regrets about the upgrade.
For me the best feature is Live View - I take a lot of macro shots and the ability to run a USB output from the 40D into my 24 inch monitor, magnify the image 10 times and manually perform a real time remote adjustment of the lens focus with a few mouse clicks, is simply stunning. Issues of camera shake as I struggled to adjust the lens by hand, whilist looking thru the viewfinder are a thing of the past. For macro work, I can not over state the advantage of this approach, over what has gone before. I get sharper results in less time!
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Oct 13, 2007
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Peter twohey
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Registered: Aug 21, 2007
Location: United Kingdom
Posts: 118
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Review Date: Oct 11, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 7
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Pros:
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Tactile-feels good in hand-great speed for buck.
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Cons:
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Could have been so much better.
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What is it with Canon?They get so much right yet so much wrong.Its like we are tied into their lenses-so we must take their bodies!
There is a lot that is good about the 40D-It is tactile the finger notch on the grip is great as is the rubbery feel -it is fast -great for you sports fans and wonderfully smooth to handle.But I feel cheated.This camera could have been so much more.The reviews I have read must have come from die hard fans-or do we just need convincing that we have spent our money wisely?
The much vaunted LCD screen is crap. Sure its large -but the quality is dreadful.The ability to fine tune the important menus is also lacking--WHY??? Nikon have been able to do this in more basic cameras!!!!Come on Canon we are beng short changed.
Again the much hyped live view screen will be of little use to 99% of Canons core prosumer users particularly when you cant autofocus.
The buttons on the 40D are great--they are just in the wrong place for ease of use.The guys that designed the 400D got it right-everything is accessible with either thumb or forefinger-great design.
And yet there is much in the menus that is great and the custom functions are brilliant.
But intrinsically this camera is a con.The 400D will take just as good pictures for nearly half the cost---Not that it would have made a great deal of difference-but why not 12 or 15mp-at least there would have been some bragging rights!
I have got my 40D and I can live with it.I will even enjoy it.However I will be looking very closely at Mr Nikon from now on.
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Oct 11, 2007
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Peter Kirk
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Registered: Sep 25, 2004
Location: Australia
Posts: 312
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Review Date: Oct 9, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,830.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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faster focussing than my 30D, high ISO performance, 10mP
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Cons:
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plastic battery cover
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I have had the D60, 10D, 20D, 30D and now the 40D.
It is a very pleasing camera, even compared to the 30D. Its focus is absolutely spot on.
I use a 1DmkIIn as well, and its focussing speed is not that far off.
Used the 40D with my 300 2.8L IS, tracking cars at 60-75km/hr, didnt miss not one shot.
I am very pleased.
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Oct 9, 2007
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mg98
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Registered: Mar 24, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 8, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,300.00
| Rating: 8
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Pros:
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Quality build (similar to 5D); ISO 3200 slightly more usable than the 20D; auto-exposure better than my 5D in some instances; they finally buried the "Erase All" images function elsewhere in the menu system so you won't accidentally erase all of the images when you want to erase just one..(yay!).
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Cons:
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The buttons they moved to under the LCD accidentally get pushed when the camera hits your midsection; low-light performance worst than 5D; 3.0" LCD seems to have less clarity/detail than the 2.5" LCD (on the 5D and 400D).
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I have to admit I was kind of looking for a "mini 1D MIII" when I bought this camera for my wedding photography because some early reviews led me to believe it was just that. I've shot three weddings with it now (along with my 5D) and have been a little disappointed. Outdoors, it's been great...though, I'm not sure you'd be able to tell the difference between the 10.1mp 400D (which I also own) and the 10.1mp 40D in good light. In low light indoors, the auto-focussing of the 40D has not kept up with my 5D, even with it's improved system over the 20D & 30D--i.e., I'm able to shoot in existing low light better with the 5D than with the 40D.
I find the new, larger 3.0" LCD--which has the same number of pixels as the smaller 2.5" LCD, the pixels are just larger--makes images appear less sharp/clear than the 2.5" LCD; it actually leads me to believe more of my images are out-of-focus than really are. And Canon's decision to relocate some of the buttons that used to be on the left side of the LCD to beneath the LCD is truly an engineering design flaw; these buttons keep getting accidentally pushed when the camera bounces against my mid-section! I finally had to attach a piece of 3/16" weather-stripping just below the buttons to create a gap between the bottom of the camera and my stomach so this would stop happening.
I still believe this is a good camera (see the "positive aspects" I've cited), but I wonder if I'm kidding myself trying not to spend the $4500 for 1D MIII when it really has what I need/want. I think I'll wait to see the 5D's successor (it's got to be coming out soon, right?) before I make that decision though.
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Oct 8, 2007
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Zoltan ZZZ
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Registered: Oct 4, 2007
Location: N/A
Posts: 0
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Review Date: Oct 4, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 9
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Pros:
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Usability ability to quickly change shooting style with camera user settings and custom menu page ISO display in viewfinder
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Cons:
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Have not found any yet too busy shooting
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After agonising for a couple of weeks I upgraded from the 20D 6 days ago and have shot 6 gigabytes worth of pictures (RAW). As far as image quality is concerned I do not see much difference, I do not pixel peep, I assess the quality of the photo and there is no discernable difference to my eyes. The major difference is the usability of the camera; it is a huge improvement over the 20D and for that alone the upgrade is worth it. My shooting varies from day night HDRI, panoramas, nature and portraits. If you have used a 20D you will know how awkward it is to switch between the types of shooting. Enter three camera user settings on the mode dial. I can go from shooting HDRI to night shots with mirror lockup-timed exposure and noise reduction in one turn of the dial, or to a plain single nature or portrait shot. That to me makes the camera usable; I can now spend my time shooting instead of wading through menus and custom functions. In addition if you need to access certain menu function you can have 6 customised menu functions on one page. I skipped the upgrade to the 30D because I did not see that much change; the 40D is a major improvement at least for my shooting style. I can now think about the picture composition not what I have to do to take it; it is definitely worth the upgrade for the type of shooting I do and compared to a 20D it is a dream to use.
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Oct 4, 2007
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ellenmac
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Registered: Sep 1, 2005
Location: Australia
Posts: 226
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Review Date: Oct 2, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: Not Indicated
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Fast focus, beautiful colors, lovely bokeh, bigger screen.
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Cons:
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I haven't found any yet.
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I have come from the 20D. It has served me well for over two years. As my interest is in photographing birds, I really appreciate the fast focus. The color is exact and noise , well I have not experienced any yet even at 3200 ISO. All in all I am very happy with this camera.
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Oct 2, 2007
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AviB
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Registered: Jun 21, 2005
Location: United States
Posts: 34
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Review Date: Oct 1, 2007
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Recommend? yes |
Price paid: $1,299.00
| Rating: 10
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Pros:
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Rich in features, build quality, improved image sensor and self cleaning, resolution
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Cons:
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none. If I wanted to be picky, I'd say the rubber flap over the ports for USB, remote- seems flimsy
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If you own the 20D and want to upgrade your time has arrived. The 30D was not much of an upgrade but this camera is so rich in features- you'll love it. All you need to do is to match it with some quality lenses and you are good to go.
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Oct 1, 2007
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Reviews
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Views
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Date of last review
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147
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172949
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Nov 5, 2017
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Recommended By
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Average Price
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92% of reviewers
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$1,168.60
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Build Quality Rating
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Price Rating
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Overall Rating
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9.13
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9.10
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9.2
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