Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Customer Review: An amazing piece of machinery.
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought my 40d a little over 2 yrs ago. It was my first (and only to date) dSLR. I am writing this review fully expecting that it will never be read simply because the 40d is now out of date and probably not many people will be researching it, but just in case here goes.
I had dabbled in photography for years and this was my first "real" camera. I started out "green boxing" it and essentially letting the camera make the decisions and just seeing what came out. Even with my limited lens choices at that time I was amazed at what this camera can do. The equipment definitely makes a difference. I am lucky enough to have a good friend who is a semi-professional photographer. He has been very patiently working with me and teaching more of what this camera can do and how to work it. As I have delved into f-stops, ISO, shutter speed and other settings I have only begun to tap the surface of what an amazing piece of machinery this is. As amazing as it was just running on it's own I had only just tapped the surface of it's capabilities.
I'm not going to go into major specifics. There are too many people who know so much more than I do that it would be an exercise in futility. If you are someone looking to take that first step into exploring your own limits in photography then this camera (or one like it) is a fantastic choice for you. Be aware that the initial and significant investment you are making in this purchase will not be the end of the expense. You'll soon be exploring flashes, tripods and lenses. Oh the lenses. Two years+ later I am very happy I took the plunge. The dual satisfaction of the pictures I have of my family/pets and the knowledge that I took those pictures has made this camera invaluable to me. Do your research, find the best fit for you and go take pictures.
Customer Review: Exceptional New dSLR
Summary: 5 Stars
This is an exceptional new dSLR from Canon. I moved from a Nikon D200 to Canon when I was dissatisfied with some of the lens selections for Nikon. I couldn't have been happier with this move.
The features are wonderful - easy to use features with a flick of button and the turn of the master dial. The sensor cleaner is an added bonus.
Live View is new and innovative - although it only works with manual focus. It isn't a feature that is going to help the day to day hand-held shooter, but for those occasional tripod shots where you want to see your composition or adjust your composition before shooting, its innovative and helpful.
The weight and "feel" of the camera are just about perfect -- things have good weather sealing, the heft of the camera feels good in your hand, and it feels substantial. Much better than the plastic-feeling Rebel series.
A great camera for advanced amateurs as well as professionals who want a light, fully-featured dSLR. Beginners can shoot out of the box, but will be overwhelmed by all of the features.
One of the things that I would always use to recommend an advanced Canon over the Nikon's is their inclusion of the creative zone and basic zone features even on their advanced cameras. For those quick sports, landscape, or nightshot photos, its a breeze to flick the dial and shoot.
Highly recommended. Note that you might not like any of the kit lenses. The 28-135 doesn't have enough focal length, and the standard 18-55 doesn't have sufficient low-light capability. I recommend skipping the kit lenses and ordering a faster basic lens, or a more inclusive longer focal length zoom lens.
Overall, a great camera.
Customer Review: From the hands of a first-time DSLR user
Summary: 5 Stars
I made the jump from a Canon S2 IS (with which I was very happy using) to the 40D recently. I consider myself an amateur but with a decent amount of disposable income, and having outgrown the S2, the 40D was the next logical step in terms of moving to a DSLR, having cross-shopped it's predecessor the 30D and the Rebel XTi.
The 40D's advantages over the XTi and 30D were considerable enough that I could justify the increase in price, and not feel like I had "settled" for something that I would later on regret. Yes, the technology of camera bodies progresses so quickly that the 40D might easily become obsolete by this time next year, but at the same time there's enough in this camera that I think, for someone like me, it will be very hard to outgrow it.
I will be using this camera mainly for photographing outdoor action, specifically automotive racing and events. For me, the 6.5fps will be extremely important. The live view is not a big plus for me, I don't foresee myself using that feature much.
The amount of features can make the camera a little intimidating for a beginner. If I was on a tighter budget, its very likely that I could have been content with the XTi, or Nikon's D80. One thing that I am still having trouble getting used to is the inability to use the LCD as the viewfinder (except in live view mode, it's not really the same thing). Also, at 10 megapixels, even the S-normal sized pictures come out huge. It's not like the S2 IS, where I could upload casual shots onto the computer and not have to resize, simply save and upload and publish. But then again, this camera isn't for the casual photographer taking casual photos (at least, not JUST for that purpose).
Customer Review: A Solid Piece of Equipment
Summary: 5 Stars
I've used this camera for over a year before switching over to the Canon 5D Mark II and writing to give an overall impression of the camera after roughly a year of usage. Which is positive.
Build quality is excellent. It's taken a fall a couple hundred feet down a hill in Kerry Park in Washington attached to a battery grip, tripod, and a 70-200mm f/4L lens and still turned on and functioned properly. However, the chasis at its base received some trauma and i forced the thing back together with a screw driver resulting in its inoperation. Got it repaired to good working order from Canon after a couple weeks turn around and a bit of money.
The way the camera feels is excellent. It's sturdy. Lofty in a way (compared to my 5D mark II). Easy to adjust settings on the fly without much thinking. When I shot manual, I'd hit the thumb wheel for my aperture, then I'd fine tune the shutter speed with the top dial. All while eyeing my subject through the viewfinder eyeing the light meter for proper exposure. If i needed extra ISO. Easy push of a button for that then cranking the top dial. The overall layout for the camera was very well thought out and I was quite happy with it.
I've taken well over 5,000 photos with it. Has a good burst rate and excellent center focus. Fair dynamic range and photos are good from ISO 100-400 with no signs of noise changes.
3 inch screen is excellent. I've used live view many times to compose my landscapes and still lifes when angles were difficult.
The camera has now become a back up to my 5D mark II (which is surprisingly lighter).
I've used this camera for street photography, travel, landscapes, and people.
Customer Review: Pleasurable Upgrade
Summary: 5 Stars
After shooting for a short time with a Rebel 35mm film camera, I then decided to go the route of digital with various point & shoots. Finally, after only looking for point & shoots with manual controls, I went back and got myself a digital SLR in the rebel XT. It fulfilled my appetite for fully manual controls, but i still wasnt pleased with the size (i have rather large hands), weight, color (it was silver), or the ISO speeds and noise.
I didnt have much money and was trying to decide whether i should go with a used 30D or 40D. I read a lot of info here on Amazon and a few other places. I finally settled on looking at a used 40D. To my surprise there was a vendor here that sold the body for cheap because it was an open box. The body had never been used but the lens was missing from the kit.
After receiving my 40D i couldnt have been more pleased. It was the right size and weight. Felt very well balanced in my hand especially with a large 70-200mm lens on it. My Rebel had felt toyish with that lens attached. The ISO speeds could go well over the 800 ISO i was used to with the rebel. I also dont seem to get as much noise at those high speeds.
The live view is the feature that beat out the 30D, but i dont find myself using it that often. Id much rather just look through the viewfinder.
Im also liking the large aperture wheel and its placement by my thumb. Much better than having to press a button while spinning the shutter wheel like on the rebel.
All in all this was a great purchase. I use the 40D almost daily. i cant get enough of taking such great photos with it. I recommend this to anyone who wants a prosumer grade camera...