You asked about making a choice between the 450D and the 40D. It's
not a choice I have considered, but I have to make a choice at some
point between a 5D and 40D this year. As it stands now, unless Canon
updates the 5D along the lines rumored by this years Photokina, I will
go with 40D because, for the majority of shooting I do, it has an
equivalent to possibly slightly higher image quality than the current
5D and I actually have a use for the live view.
Since I earn my living from my photography, the equipment pays for
itself (eventually), but, as a business man, I am very conscious of
the trade offs I have to make and need to justify paying for any
features. Both cameras are very good and will meet needs now. The
40D, as you get more demanding, will meet them in the future even
extending out several years and makes a better investment. That is
just my opinion.
Like with any camera, the lens is very im****tant, but the equation has
changed somewhat with digital because the sensor is a fixed medium.
You cannot up your image resolution by using a finer grain film, or
change the inherent response of the sensor. A camera like the 1Ds
virtually demands the finest optics you can afford because it is
really at the optical limits, whereas the demands on the optics is
less for something like the 450D or 40D. Also, being 1.6 sized
sensors, you are using the central part of the lens, which is
typically the highest quality area of the optics. This means that you
can also look at lenses like the Tokina, Tamron and Sigmas and save
some money. The build quality isn't as high as the Canons (it doesn't
mean they are poorly built, either), but the image quality can be just
as good, sometimes better, and if you don't treat your stuff the way
mine gets treated, will serve for years. You'll also save some
money. Buying a lens that outperforms your sensor will get you pride
of place, but not much else.
If you are just looking for the flexibility of an SLR, then go with
the 450D. If you expect to find yourself demanding more absolute
quality, the 40D would probably be a better choice.
Just my thoughts. Remember what you paid for them and judge
accordingly.
Vance
On Mar 21, 4:45=A0pm, Garry Knight <garrykni...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Joel wrote:
> > You can read as much detail information about Canon 40D at some site
lik=
e
> >www.dpreview.comandwww.steves-digicam.com(not so sur if I get the name
> > right on this one),
>
> Yes, I've read the 40D review and a 450D review in a magazine, and I'm
> working my way through all the user reviews. I was hoping there might be
> someone who's already gone this route (e.g. weighing up the pros and
cons
> of the 400D vs the 40D where the difference in spec between the cameras
is=
> bigger than the difference in spec between the 450D and the 40D) and who
> might give some insight as to how they made the decision. In fact, it's
th=
e
> fact that the 450D borrows so much from the 40D that makes the decision
so=
> difficult.
>
> > but I don't think more detail about the camera will help much with the
> > photography or the difference between P&S vs DSLR. =A0And I can tell
you=
> > this much
>
> I've been looking into DSLRs for the last 6 months or so, and I know why
I=
> want one and I have a fair idea of what difference it can make to what I
> can achieve.
>
> > Poit your browser to the 2 links (abve) and may wanna check with
> >www.fredmiranda.com(I hope I have the name right) to read the feed
backs
> > of the 70-300mm and you may wanna check other as well.
>
> Thanks for this. I didn't know about this site.
>
> > LENS is one of the most im****tant part of the whole system, and
usually
> > more im****tant than the body itself. =A0No, I don't have the 70-300mm
(a=
nd
> > you may wanna inclue the F-STOP and other detail of the lens as they
can=
> > be very im****tant parts of the lens.
>
> It's the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM telephoto zoom lens I'm thinking of
> getting, and the fredmiranda site has 161 reviews. It'll take a while to
g=
o
> through that lot. And this site can help me decide which wide zoom to go
> for, so thanks again for the link.
>
> > I can tell you this much, when you wanna build the DSLR system then
you
> > may want to start with something good then move forward, or if you
start=
> > with the bottom then you will always wish to have a better one, and
you
> > may not be happy with what you have. =A0The 40D is a real good start,
an=
d it
> > isn't that expensive
>
> Whichever camera I start with it will be the 'bottom' sooner or later
when=
> newer models come along. The 40D still looks like the front runner but
the=
> 450D is so close to it in spec. But the 450D has 12MP over the 40D's
10MP =
-
> probably not that much of a difference to take into account.
>
> > Well, if you wanna be Canon basher <bg> then Nikon D3000 seems to be a
> > pretty good camera, it's lot more expensive than Canon 40D, and many
> > comparing Canon 40D with Nikon D3000 (or D300?)
>
> And I'd have to take the cost of the Nikkor lenses into account, and
what =
is
> available in the lengths I'm considering.
>
> > Well, I would spend another 6 months to read as much as I can while
> > continue to enjoy the current camera to improve the photography skill.
=
=A0Or
> > no need to rush when you try to build a WHOLE SYSTEM *not* just a
single=
> > camera. =A0This is what I can suggest
>
> This is what I have spent the last 6 months on. As an amateur my whole
> system will consist of a body, 2 or 3 good lenses, extra battery (or
maybe=
> just go for the grip), remote control, better tripod & monopod, a
handful
> of memory cards, a bag, and not much more. Maybe later on an external
> flash.
>
> > - Get a GOOD BODY. =A0Don't have to be the very top but not the bottom
>
> The 450D certainly isn't the bottom. And I can't afford a 5D let alone a
1=
ds
> Mk III, so it's between the current top amateur cam (the 450D) and the
> current top prosumer cam (the 40D).
>
> > - DO NOT settle for cheap lens. =A0You won't learn much from cheap
lens =
but
> > disappointments, and when you move up to a good lens then it will make
t=
he
> > good lens more expensive (or you should use the $$$ on good lens
instead=
> > of cheap lens)
>
> That's why I'm looking at the 70-300 IS I mentioned above, and a good
wide=
> lens (though I probably won't need IS for this).
>
> > - And the other suggestion is sharpening your post processing skill as
t=
he
> > more you know the more you can benefit and enjoy your new camera gear.
>
> Yes. I know the basics, but I bet even pros discover new things they can
d=
o
> from time to time, and I can certainly gain from learning a lot more.
>
> All very good advice IMO, Joel. Thanks for your input. I'm getting
there..=
..
> slowly...
>
> --
> Garry Knight
> garrykni...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
|
