Any Canon 40D owners out there? Tell us about it!

[PoohJen]

Okay, so I'm still drooling over the Amazon page for the 40D...have anyone dived in? How do you like it? What were you shooting with before, and what differences can you notice? And, of course, Let's See Those Shots!

 

[Nikel]

I love mine. I upgraded from the 20D. The focusing is way faster and sharper. I'm way behind and editing, but the weddings pics and swimsuit pics on my flickr were done using the 40D: http://www.flickr.com/photos/benandlauren/

 

[Master Mason]

Jen,

I have moved. From the XT to the 40D, absoutely love it, faster speed, faster focus, spot metering, brighter viewfinder, feels better in my hand.

http://gregghall.smugmug.com/gallery/3664465/1/209367963
http://gregghall.smugmug.com/gallery/3655377/1/208674019

those are my two days at DL over the weekend.

I even managed to get shots of Madam Leota, with it, I had never ever gotten a usable one of here before.

 

[dcg0317]

I upgraded from 20d, I just love the 40d, as others have said plus the 6.5 fps, live view which is great for micro shooting, larger LCD screen and auto ISO which I haven't used that much but when I have is very handy, only wish auto ISO started at 100 not 400 but it will drop to ISO 100 to try and avoid over exposure. It also has interchangeable focusing screens, which you can buy, will look into this later down the road.

 

[ColoBlu6]

New to the Disboards today.

What great pic's the 40D takes. I have been asking my DH to buy the 40D because I am taking Digital Photo class. When I showed him your pic's he said sold and would buy me one. He would like to know what lenses you are using?

Thank you,

 

[Nikel]

There are many great lenses on the market. It really depends on what your intended use is. Different types of photography call for different lenses, and different photographers have their own preferences. I'd recommend getting the kit lens to start and maybe a 50mm 1.8, and once you really know what you're doing, you'll know more what types of lens you'd use and how to decide what the most important deciding factors.

 

[Master Mason]

I think the standard "kit" lens with the 40D is the 28-135 IS lens.

 

[jann1033]

Okay, so I'm still drooling over the Amazon page for the 40D...have anyone dived in? How do you like it? What were you shooting with before, and what differences can you notice? And, of course, Let's See Those Shots!

Jen i went into a local camera store today and really wanted to try it out but knew it would make it harder to wait till i can get it...some guy was buying one and i considered tackling him on his way out but had my granddaughter and didn't think the two of us would be able to make a fast get away

 

[Lizziejane]

I got mine and am loving it! I like the spot metering - it seems to do a better job than the centre-weighted option on my XTi. I found a lot of my shots with the XTi were underexposed. No doubt user error, but a definite decease in exosure mistakes with the 40D. I haven't used the live view at all. I was reading that it's really best when used with a tripod - will have to try that. I love the new options for ISO setting too and the fact that it's registering in the viewfinder. While I like the size and weight, I have the grip on the XTi that allows me an extra battery. I think the grip on the 40D would be too much for me to handle, so I'll have to get used to shorter battery life.
Mine came with the 17-85 IS lens.

 

[PoohJen]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

For those who've experienced faster shutter and faster focus, are you using the same lenses as you had with your previous camera?

 

[Nikel]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

For those who've experienced faster shutter and faster focus, are you using the same lenses as you had with your previous camera?

Yup.

 

[Master Mason]

yes, but also my lenses I use are capable of taking advantage of the f/2.8 boost that is built in as well.

 

[AndrewWG]

I got mine and am loving it! I like the spot metering - it seems to do a better job than the centre-weighted option on my XTi. I found a lot of my shots with the XTi were underexposed. No doubt user error, but a definite decease in exosure mistakes with the 40D. I haven't used the live view at all. I was reading that it's really best when used with a tripod - will have to try that. I love the new options for ISO setting too and the fact that it's registering in the viewfinder. While I like the size and weight, I have the grip on the XTi that allows me an extra battery. I think the grip on the 40D would be too much for me to handle, so I'll have to get used to shorter battery life.
Mine came with the 17-85 IS lens.

Lizziejane,

How is the battery life on the 40D? I thought long and hard about getting the battery /grip for the 30D so that I could have 2 batteries to kill, but I have had no problems shooting MANY MANY pics (like WELL over 300 at a time using all kinds of modes) without having a battery go dead on me yet. Eventually, I know they go low, but NEVER after one night/day of shooting. I don't know how the 40D does, but if it is this good, you may not need the grip anyways. Just bring along your extra battery and you should be fine.

Maybe you take many more pics than I do or use the flash alot though.

Congrats on your purchase of the 40D! I'm jealous. I should have waited...

Ok. Shutting up now.

 

[ColoBlu6]

I passed on the information about the lenses to my DH.
Thank you

 

[Lizziejane]

Lizziejane,

How is the battery life on the 40D? I thought long and hard about getting the battery /grip for the 30D so that I could have 2 batteries to kill, but I have had no problems shooting MANY MANY pics (like WELL over 300 at a time using all kinds of modes) without having a battery go dead on me yet. Eventually, I know they go low, but NEVER after one night/day of shooting. I don't know how the 40D does, but if it is this good, you may not need the grip anyways. Just bring along your extra battery and you should be fine.

Maybe you take many more pics than I do or use the flash alot though.

Congrats on your purchase of the 40D! I'm jealous. I should have waited...

Ok. Shutting up now.

The battery life is good, I got 500 large jpegs out of it before it died, including many with flash. In fact, I spent several hours trying to run it down because I needed a full battery for the next day, but I prefer not to recharge a partially dead battery - I worry about that whole "memory" thing.

What really bugs me is that the XTi and 40D take completely different batteries and rechargers. I mean, when you're spending the $ on up-grading, don't ya think they could cut you just a little bit of a break?!

 

[PoohJen]

What really bugs me is that the XTi and 40D take completely different batteries and rechargers. I mean, when you're spending the $ on up-grading, don't ya think they could cut you just a little bit of a break?!

oh, what a drag! Yup, I know, what's a few more dollars when you've just dropped $1500, but, well, it's a few more dollars!

 

[dcg0317]

You also might want to look into larger CF cards, if you only have 1 g cards and shoot raw they will fill up fast, I have a 4g and 8g that I use with my 40d. As far as the battery I lucked out, the 40d uses the same battery as my 20d.

 

[AndrewWG]

The battery life is good, I got 500 large jpegs out of it before it died, including many with flash. In fact, I spent several hours trying to run it down because I needed a full battery for the next day, but I prefer not to recharge a partially dead battery - I worry about that whole "memory" thing.

What really bugs me is that the XTi and 40D take completely different batteries and rechargers. I mean, when you're spending the $ on up-grading, don't ya think they could cut you just a little bit of a break?!

Cool. Sounds like what I have found with the 30D as well. I'm not sure about the battery memory thing. I generally try to recharge dead batteries only for the same reason, but I don't think it is much of a problem these days. Does anyone have info on this?

 

[Code]

Does anyone have info on this?

Lithium ion batteries do not suffer from memory at all, there is no reason to drain fully before recharging. In fact it is quite the opposite, frequent full discharge/recharge is actually worse for a lithium ion battery because as it ages, a full discharge can risk falling below the voltage level at which it becomes unsafe to recharge, and that will trip the safety circuit in the battery, irreversably disabling it.

Also, the maximum capacity of a lithium ion battery goes down over time no matter what (after 2-3 years, max capacity is greatly diminished), but the rate of deterioration depends on charge level and storage temperature. If a lithium ion battery is going to be unused for a while, it is best to store it at a 40% charge level, and at a cool temperature (even in the fridge). This will minimize deterioration, but there is absolutely no way to stop it completely.

If you have a lithium ion battery that is older than 3 years, replace it!

Hope this helps!

 

[AndrewWG]

Lithium ion batteries do not suffer from memory at all, there is no reason to drain fully before recharging. In fact it is quite the opposite, frequent full discharge/recharge is actually worse for a lithium ion battery because as it ages, a full discharge can risk falling below the voltage level at which it becomes unsafe to recharge, and that will trip the safety circuit in the battery, irreversably disabling it.

Also, the maximum capacity of a lithium ion battery goes down over time no matter what (after 2-3 years, max capacity is greatly diminished), but the rate of deterioration depends on charge level and storage temperature. If a lithium ion battery is going to be unused for a while, it is best to store it at a 40% charge level, and at a cool temperature (even in the fridge). This will minimize deterioration, but there is absolutely no way to stop it completely.

If you have a lithium ion battery that is older than 3 years, replace it!

Hope this helps!

Cool. Thanks for letting me know that. I won't fully discharge before charging anymore. Actually, I never FULLY discharge a battery, but I do run them pretty low. I make sure that the camera doesn't stop working because a battery dies. I think that can only lead to problems.