Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens
Customer Review: The 40D - a review from the point of a Rebel XTi owner
Summary: 5 Stars
The 40D is an amazing camera, it's loaded with features, takes incredibly sharp photos, and is an all around fun camera. As is tradition with my reviews - i'll break this down into a pros and cons section for readability. Also at the end of the review, i've included some remarks on canon's big brother model for this camera, the 50D.
Pros -
-Autofocus capabilities - one of the biggest advantages of SLR cameras of today as opposed to SLR cameras of many years ago is the ability to autofocus. Not only is the autofocus with the 40D fast (with the 28-135mm USM kit lens) it is also fairly accurate. A difference between this camera and canon's lower EOS models (400D, 450D, etc...) is the performance of the camera in low-light situations. I am a former owner of a 'Rebel XTi (aka 400D) and the camera's ability to focus in low-light situations (Without firing an AF assist beam) was moderate at best. This is completely different with the 40D. Also, while the XTi and 40D both share 9 autofocus points (and so does every canon EOS model up to the 5D), the points on 40D are much more sensitive and accurate.
-Dynamic range - the camera allows you extreme flexibility in exercising your desire to get the creatively correct exposure (if you don't know what this is check out "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson). For example, in comparison to the Rebel, the camera adds an extra stop at the shutter speed (1/8000 sec), includes an Auto-ISO setting, and you don't have to set the ISO at 1 stop increments (i.e. ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600). A nice feature on this camera is that it has three Custom settings on the dials where you can save presets for various shooting situations (for example, I have C1 set as my mirror lockup setting - so instead of entering the custom function menus and finding the mirror lockup and enabling it, i just turn my dial to "C1").
-Speed - at 6.5 fps this camera is a machine! To get anymore than that you'd need to have a 1D Mk III. Unfortunately adding the BG-E2N (or BG-E2) battery grip doesn't add any speed to this already blistering mark (unlike it does with some Nikons) but 6.5 fps is going to be more than enough for most proam photographers. Of course be sure to get a quick memory card (Don't waste your money on the SanDisk Extreme IV though becuase I don't believe the 40D supports the new UDMA standard - you're better off with a nice Extreme III. Also, as a side note, for the next two weeks or so SanDisk is offering a big rebate on its cards - check it out).
-Image quality - with the correct equipment (a good tripod, the 40D, the 28-135mm USM lens, and canon's $50 shutter release) the sharpness in the photos that this camera puts out are amazing (before even using an unsharp mask in photoshop). Of course the photos are still high quality while handholding - but some situations mandate that a tripod be used (and really if you always want to get tack sharp photos, then all situations mandate it). The bottom line is you won't be disappointed by the IQ. Even the JPEGs on the camera are high quality (thanks to Canon's Digic 3 image professor). Despite this, i still recommend shooting in RAW + JPEG format for those tricky lighting situations.
-The LCD - granted, the LCD is the 900,000 pixel LCD that's found on the D300 (also several hundred dollars more expensive) or the 900,000+ pixel VGA LCD that will be found on the new 50D (see more info below), but at 300,000 pixels and 3.0'', the LCD is a big plus. The brightness on the LCD of this camera is much improved over earlier EOS Rebel cameras so that you can check out the specs of you photos in the high mid-day sun without looking around to find a shady area. The ability to view the three separate RGB histograms on this camera is a big plus (as opposed to just the brightness histogram).
-Build Quality - with its rugged magnesium alloy body and the weatherproofing measures canon has taken, the 40D is built like a truck. If you're going to invest over $1,000 in a camera you'll want it to be able to take a beating. I'm confident in the fact that the 40D can withstand the daily wear and tear of using it. Granted this isn't the 1Ds Mk III which you can essentially take into a tornado and come out without a scratch on it, but it's also not $7,000.
-Noise levels at high ISO settings (ISO 800-1600) - If you plan to be shooting in low light situations, you'll undoubtedly be forced to use higher ISO settings. Of course higher ISO settings is going to make the images noisier (grainier) as well as possibly distort the color and decrease contrast. The degree to which the 40D is plagued by these issues is very small. While i try to make every exposure at ISO 100, there are some situations where I have to reach up for ISO 800-1600 and I'm never disappointed by the resulting photographs.
Cons -
-Cost - This toy does of course come at a fairly hefty price premium. At $1150 this camera is not going to be for you if you're very budget conscious. Especially because 1150 is just the beginning, all of you newbies out there will soon discover that as soon as you get the camera you'll be lusting for (very expensive) lenses and (less expensive) acessories.
-Weight - the weight on the 40D is certianly formidable. If you're looking for a camera that's light-weight and small - take a look a the EOS rebel series. This factor might not affect you if you don't plan to haul or carry your camera around for longer periods of time, but if you do plan to use it in such a manner go to a local camera store (or electroncs store) and be sure to put the camera in your hands, hold it, get a feel for it.
-Get the 40D now or wait for the 50D? As some of you may know, Canon announced that it will be producing what I view as the bigger brother of the 40D and surprisingly they're going to call it the 50D. I imagine the idea of waiting for the 50D has crossed some of your minds - so I've outlined below some of my ideas on the issue.
-Increased number of MP - The number of megapixels on the 50D will be 15.1 as opposed to the 40D's 10.1. On the same sized sensor, this raises issues of noise, but canon claims the noise levels on the 50D are 1 or 2 stops below those of the 40D. However, if you plan on consistently making very large prints - then this will be an advantage. For the rest of us - it's really not worth the extra money.
-Digic 4 image processor - Like i mentioned above, the 40D has Canon's Digic 3 image processor while the 50D will have the updated version of this processor - which will probably make a small difference in IQ for someone who shoots in JPEG, but if you shoot in RAW and edit your photos anyway - it doesn't make a difference.
-Expandable ISO feature - The camera has the ability to shoot at ISO levels up to 12800. This is a useless feature. There will really never be a need to use an ISO level that high. It's really just a marketing thing because Nikon cameras can reach ISO levels that high.
-Speed - the 50D will only be able to shoot 6.3 fps as opposed to the 40D's 6.5 fps. This is probably a negligible difference.
-LCD - as i mentioned above, the LCD on the 50D will be a 900K VGA LCD which promises to be better for viewing images in the field. If you really rely on your LCD for your workflow then this is a big difference.
-Face detection technology - like many of Canon's point and shoot models, the 50D has incorporated face detection in its live view mode. This is nice but not really that useful because you can just select which AF point you wish to utilize. Plus Live View really runs the battery down on the camera.
-HDMI output - once again, this is a marketing thing, if you really like to look at your pictures on your big screen HD TV though, this is a nice feature.
-Cost - of course the 50D is going to cost more than the 40D with the approximate cost for the body $1400 and the cost with the kit lens (supposed to be the new EF-S 18-200mm) at somewhere between $1600-1700. The final issue is time. While Canon says that the 40D will be available in October, it's likely that the camera will be delayed because that is often how things work out.
Customer Review: Very pleased with my 40D so far
Summary: 5 Stars
Background
New to SLR/dSLR. I've been shooting a variety of digital P&S cameras for about 8 years.
Motivation
Kept missing potentially great shots of my newborn due to slow P&S performance; indoor/low-light pictures rarely turned out nice; couldn't get a good shot of birds to save my life! dSLR looked like it could address these problems.
Decision Process
I decided on Canon, in part due to a relative to who has a nice collection of 'L' glass that I hope to borrow. :) I was waffling between the XTi/XSi on value/features, and I became aware of Canon's rebate on the 40D. So I went to a camera shop and tried out the 40D, the XSi, and the XTi. The 40D felt perfect in my hands, while the Rebel bodies felt small and awkward. It was just a matter of time before I convinced myself that the 40D with 28-135mm kit lens was worth the few hundred dollar premium over the XSi or XTi kit packages.
Experience So Far
I'm very pleased with most aspects of my 40D. Some warned that SLR photography was terribly complicated, and that I should start off on a "simpler" camera. But I've found it's simple enough learn the basic concepts, master them, and then gradually learn more advanced techniques. The 40D is a great tool for learning about photography. I'm spending almost all my time in Manual mode, and most of my pictures are coming out much better than I was getting with my P&S cameras. Plus, I'm having a blast with my new hobby!
What I like
+ Image quality. If I do my job and get the exposure right, IQ is really great. I'm also learning about how to post-process to recover photos where I blew the exposure a bit.
+ Viewfinder. I was concerned that I'd have trouble using the viewfinder, since I was so accustomed to using the LCD as a "live view" with my P&S cameras. Not so. I adapted to the bright and informative viewfinder immediately.
+ Speed. Startup time, taking a first shot, followup shots...all nearly instantaneous. 6.5 shots/second is astounding compared to my P&S cameras.
+ High-ISO performance. I'm very picky about noise, but ISO800 looks great on the 40D, and ISO1600 isn't bad. This would be unthinkable on my P&S cameras. The good high-ISO noise performance allows me to shoot more confidently in lower-light situations, and not have to use the flash as much.
+ Ergonomics. The 40D feels great in my hands. Heavier and bulkier than the Rebel line, but at just over 1.5 lbs it still feels comfortable to me even when I'm out shooting for a couple hours.
+ Menu/layout. Some complain about redundancy of the dials and joystick, but I don't mind having more choices. Since I'm in Manual mode shooting RAW most of the time, many of the menu settings simply aren't relevant to me. It took me maybe 2 days to get comfortable navigating and finding what I needed.
+ LCD. Nice and big, clear and bright.
+ Battery life. I'm getting around 500 images on a single charge -- very happy with that.
+ Auto Focus. For the most part, AF has been dead-on accurate and fast.
+ 28-135mm IS lens. I've had good luck shooting macros, portraits, landscapes, and everything in between. This lens is probably a bit outdated, but it is capable of taking really nice pictures. I think it's a great lens for a beginner to learn on.
What I don't like
- Power switch. What's been reported is true: the power switch is in a goofy and annoying location. It's not a deal-breaker, but Canon should change this when they update the 40D.
- Low-light AF. Sometimes in low-light situations the AF "hunts" for something to focus on. I don't know whether to blame the 40D or the 28-135mm lens.
- LCD. While the LCD is bright and easy to see, the 40D is well behind competing brands in the number of pixels in the display. More pixels could help the photographer determine with better accuracy whether a shot is in focus. Along the same lines, the camera uses a small thumbnail JPEG in the LCD display, so it is impossible even to zoom in and determine with certainty whether the shot was in focus.
- Print button. What a waste of a perfectly good button! :)
Bottom Line
From my experiences so far, I highly recommend the 40D. With Canon's rebate it's a fantastic camera for the price. You can probably take just as good pictures with an XTi or XSi, so if you're interested in a Canon in this price range, be sure to try out all three before making a decision. For me, the ergonomic and speed advantages of the 40D were well worth the price differential.
This is a camera that can be put to good use by amateurs and professionals alike. Technology moves fast, and I'm sure in a year from now some of the features of the 40D will seem dated. But right now, in the summer of 2008, it's a really great value.
Customer Review: The one to buy!
Summary: 5 Stars
Digital SLRs have become all the rage and there are seemingly new (and questionably improved) examples coming out seemingly everyday. Through all of the choices the same principles of camera buying still hold true. Buy the best camera that you can afford that gives you the finest images that you will be proud of.
I come from a long history of cameras; I got my start using all manual Olympus OM-1s and Bronica ETRSi (medium format) cameras before finally making a jump to autofocus. With that move I adopted the Canon EOS system based on the quality of its lenses and the stellar eye focusing system. Fast forward into an increasing digital age and I found myself using digital point and shoots far more than I had expected until finally I decided to add a digital SLR to my collection (I still shoot the manual cameras for more artistic control).
While looking it was clear that I didn't want to give up my Canon lens collection so that pretty much narrowed my choice, not to mention that the great reputation for the Digic sensor. Initially I looked at the Rebel XSi, EOS 40D and 50D, figuring that in this spectrum I would find the best choice. The reviews on all 3 cameras are very positive, deservingly so. The Rebel is a great camera however its two biggest drawbacks are its plastic body which just doesn't feel up to the rigors of a aggressive use, it also does feel a little, well, plasticky. The next factor, and the deciding one at that is its Lilliputian dimensions. It's frankly, just too small. I've talked to a number of camera sales people who have all agreed that they find that it's a great camera for women or men with small hands. While it bills its size as an asset for travelling and its lightness a bonus for carrying, I find that it's just too small to hold well.
The 50D, also a fine camera is just that little bit out of the price range for me. Not to mention, that from published reviews, the differences are not necessarily strong enough to warrant the additional price.
Which brought me to the 40D, I love the layout of the camera, it fits my hands like me other EOS bodies. I appreciate its size, its sense of "heft" and the texture of its body. Its grippy without being sticky, with its coated metal chassis it inspires confidence that it will not be prone to damage or cracks. It simply feels like a quality, professional tool, which is what I want.
The included lens produces great results; the images are crisp and wonderfully accurate in terms of color and contrast. I don't generally rely on the screen on the back but it too offers a great preview. In terms of options and controls, it offers anything that you could wish for. I have read people that wish for a tighter spot meter though I am not bothered by its size, I use Photoshop to micro adjust exposure anyway.
This is a great camera; it will do all that you ask of it. The images are great, its build quality fantastic and its battery life stellar. If you have existing Canon lens you'll be able to continue to use them, if not, well then you're in for a treat as Canon optics are great. Each of Canon's SLRs cater seemingly cater to a particular audience, though I feel like those lines are blurring. If you seek a near professional caliber camera with plenty of expansion options that is capable of producing your best images then this may well be the camera for you. If you are on the fence between it and the XSi, compare the way both feel in your hands, decide which you prefer. If you are looking at the 50D, ask yourself if you are really going to make use of the additional features or whether you'd like to invest the price difference in a lens.
For my money the 40D is a fantastic deal that is more than capable of continuing to expand my personal photographic creativity, let it do the same for you.
Customer Review: Great Camera
Summary: 5 Stars
I'll start by saying I bought the kit lens (28-135 IS) to go with my 20D that got handed down to my niece. I shot fifty or so exposures with it just to make sure it was in working order and, for what it is, it's a fine lens. I wouldn't pay the $400+ retail price for it, but for a $200 kit lens, it's a fair deal. Build quality's on the cheap side and it's soft wide open on either end, but it sharpens up considerably at f5 on the wide end and f6 zoomed and is solid at f8 and above throughout the range. The IS works well. The zoom range is excellent for a goof off or vacation lens. Beyond that, its merits are questionable.
As for the camera, I honestly thought my next upgrade, having gone from Canon film bodies to the original Digital Rebel, and then the 20D, would be to the 5D. I love the idea of a full frame sensor but can't justify spending the cash on a 1DS Mark II, much less III. The 5D had come down in price enough, and I was ready to pull the trigger. A friend of mine talked me into looking at the 40D, and it does have some drool-inducing features. And, without the kit lens, it was about 40% less than the 5D. So I ended up with this, and I have not been disappointed.
The features I love:
Interchangable focus screens- I apparently have balance issues, because every landscape photo I've ever taken has undergone a Photoshop free transform before presentation. The grid screen has solved that little problem. I think its also improved my overall composition.
Improved viewfinder- It's almost shocking when you first put your eye up to the viewfinder. Everything's so crystal clear and so well presented.
The build- Quality, quality, quality. Still getting used to the button placement, but I like it. Very quiet.
The custom presets- Brilliant, particularly if you shoot often in the same lighting environment with the same lens (indoor sports, theater).
Live view- Yes, it's a pain in the rear to use, but it's less pain than trying to compose night shots through the viwfinder, particularly if your tripod is set lower or higher than eye-level.
Digic III processor- It's fast and, after shooting a few hundred RAW+jpegs, I have to say that I'm very impressed with the color and tonal accuracy. It's a vast improvement over the previous processors.
The rest of the updates I could take or leave. The autofocus may be faster, but I don't see a huge improvement in accuracy. The self-cleaning sensor is probably nice to have, but I never had a problem with dust on the senor in my other two cameras. The screen size is nice, but I was never unhappy about the screen on the 20D, and the resolution didn't make a leap. And my only complaint is the crop factor, but the selection of ultra-wide angle lenses is improving.
I noticed in some reviews people mention needing high pixel counts to get good enlargements. This is not true. The 6.1MP Digital Rebel writing in large jpegs had enough muscle to provide razor sharp 16x20s so long as you weren't crop-happy. Pixel count is just one small measure of overall image quality. Your ability to capture a good image will have an impact on how big you can print long before the pixels come into play. There isn't a DSLR on the market today that isn't capable of creating images that can be "enlarged" to full poster-size prints, if not larger. You just need to focus on making every pixel count.
Customer Review: Excited 300D user goes upscale...
Summary: 5 Stars
As a 3 year dRebel (300D) owner - I've spent the interval time acquiring better lenses than the kit lens I originally purchased rather than upgrade camera bodies. My old (300D) friend has served me well over the years with Battery Grip, Eye Piece Extender and a host of affordable Canon lenses that I've used for portrait and general walk-around photography. My review is more subjective that capability based - as it has renewed interest in portions of my hobby I've not experienced since the 35mm film days. This purchase has supercharged my excitement in digital photography like nothing since my first hands on with the 300D.
In looking for another camera body and lens combination - I considered the XT/XTi series but my attention quickly turned to the newest 40D. I'm a serious semi-pro (do extensive portrait work for formal charity fund raising events) and wanted to upgrade to a second camera body and give my charities the finest portrait work I could afford.
The 40D had enough features (many still being practiced from the manual-highly recommended) that allowed me to invest in this next generation camera body. I ordered the camera with the BG-E2 battery grip - Eyepiece Extender with a diaptor insert to compensate for my eyeglasses) side hand strap (which I absolutely LOVE) and the 28-135mm 'kit' lens to compliment my 'portrait posse' 50mm f1.8 and prime 85mm f1.8 that I also absolutely love - tack sharp and bokeh to die for (jmho)...
The body of the 40D is solid as a rock - the kevlar/plastic 300D never gave me problems - but... this inspires more 'confidence' to last a longer time (more camera - less expendable computer feel). The fps for action shots is outstanding - on a 4 gig CF memory card (SanDisk Extreme II) is adequate for my needs and pocketbook).
Added to this was an upgrade from my 420EX TTL speedlight with a newer 580EXII ETTL which is giving me BEAUTIFUL indoor high ceilinged shots (using a flash diffuser) with no blowouts to date and great exposures over a variety of indoor situations. The 420EX is now a wonderful slave unit to the 580EXII.
I'm now shooting RAW instead of JPEG for the majority of my shots and the difference is noticable. Better able to tweek these RAW images in photoshop also.
If I'm sounding like a kid with a new toy - well - yes! This rig and upgraded accessoriues has breathed a little excitement into this digital photographer. The 3" LCD, Liveshot capabilities and IS 28-135 lens has given me a burst of creativity on the MACRO side not present with other lenses I have owned. A new light tent has renewed my interest in my wristwatch hobby with wonderful macro shots.
This camera body exceeds my present digital photo experience - but as I go thru the manual I'm learning so many useful items on focus range, manual exposure techniques, ISO, and speedlight boundaries the 300D never had. It will be about another month or so before I am "comfortable" again with my ability to better utilize this camera than my 300D mainstay.
This camera is not for everybody - the XT/XTi being a great pro-sumer body for the 'average' recreational photographer (jmho). As I get more serious - I can now concentrate on a series of 'L' lenses to continue my semi-pro hobby. New photographic worlds I could not imagine await me using this camera body. A camera that feels like it will last a lifetiime (until a better technology emerges anyway).