So, 350D to 400D, Who all is doing it?

You'll notice AF differences in XT when you shoot sports, even with the same high quality lens. Just like you'd notice differences in the 1D compared to the 20D/30D.

What is the XT focusing on body rated at for f-stops?

Well it lacks the cross sensors for f/2.8 or bigger lens which is being added to the 400D. As for overall AF, I would think its improved, but we'll find out when users get their hands on it. Only real way to know.

As for AF usage, I think f/5.6 is still the limit on the body. So you lose AF if you use a 2x tc on an f/4 lens.

That's what I thought. So a 400D could be a HUGE upgrade for those with fast glass. It could cure complaints about XT users having f/2.8 glass and complaining about autofocus. But most of those people don't specify their af point. Another huge plus for the the 400D are the 9af points. But if you have to use xt controls to set it, I'll hate it!

haha! Hi grego, I have to say... The AF is 30d af, it's there in black and white on the white paper - 30d AF with slight improvement... So it's gonna produce 30d images by logic...

Having said that... 350d to 400d? No, wait until the 30d, 5d and 1d recieve their upgrades, its then you get your real move up the ladder.

New user? Buy the 400d for sure, even over a 30d for now, but a 350d owner? Wait... Time will be your saviour

Naah. Wouldn't call 'em stupid - I'd just say they are willingly assisting us upgraders!

Lightstream wrote:
Naah. Wouldn't call 'em stupid - I'd just say they are willingly assisting us upgraders!

haha! damn right! ebayers really will pay anything, and thats great news if you have a 350 and want a 400 :-p

Me, with fast lenses and shallow DOF. Things like a 70-200 or the 60 macro can go to pieces on the 350D. Half the time I'm using FTM to 'steer' the 60 macro, and the 70-200 achieves focus and yields OOF shots. Wise POTN'ers said.. "use your 5D you dummy " and I was enlightened (and grateful). Dead on focus with the 70-200 now.

That having been said I really like the light weight of the XT, that's why mine still hangs around. It's for those days when I don't feel like carrying the sack of glass like a beast of burden.


The other consideration that prevents me from buying the 400D is that if the AF system has improved so much, think of what the "40D" will bring!

As for the differences.. (my personal opinion, others may see it differently)
- mag body - naaw not really a big deal (350D gets pounded a lot more than my 5D which is treated like it was made of glass)
- faster fps - Could be. If you shoot action this is a consideration, I want 5fps
- less resolution (8 vs 10) - no. My 350D pix look great next to the 12MP 5D
- heavier weight - yes. Would prefer a lighter load on my shoulders
- more shots per battery charge - no. The small battery is plenty, charge it before you leave, and you can carry a couple of them for the size of one BP511A
- 1/8000 shutter max speed - no, not really. I have only used this feature once on my 5D
- viewfinder slightly larger - slightly - it is a fair bit larger. Big viewfinders are SERIOUSLY cool.
- lack of sensor cleaning - no. Copper Hill rules!!
- spot metering - occasionally useful. One gets good at 'reading' the XT's exposure program and adding appropriate compensation though (this takes time to develop)
- controls - here I must admit.. the dial is sweet. I love the second QCD and the XT/XTi scores poorly for this..
- potentially longer rated shutter life - if you take less than 50K shots in 18 months, by the time this comes around, upgrade to the 450D

Nice quick review. I gotta agree. With these "minor" upgrades, I'm sure the 40D will be nice upgrade for someone with the XT now. The 40D WILL be better then the XTi for sure. I guess I will start saving the pennies and the occasional nickel!

really never noticed some of the limits of the XT. I guess I need to get some better glass to notice it though.

Low-light is why I have the 420EX as it has AF assist built-in.

Livinthalife wrote:
Nice quick review. I gotta agree. With these "minor" upgrades, I'm sure the 40D will be nice upgrade for someone with the XT now. The 40D WILL be better then the XTi for sure. I guess I will start saving the pennies and the occasional nickel!

really never noticed some of the limits of the XT. I guess I need to get some better glass to notice it though.

Thanks

The thing is, you have to come pretty far to notice the limitations because the XT isn't that limited a camera - it's a very capable one and I still think of it as that. If all I had was an XT today I'd still be making the best out of it and enjoying it. Where I run into its limitations are only in very challenging situations, ie. event photography where I need the dial to change settings REEEEAAAAAAAALLLY quickly, spot metering when shooting in the worst of lighting conditions (1/50 sec ISO 1600 at f/2 on the 50mm with black backdrop and spotlit subject), AI Servo with long big telephoto and erratic subject, and such. You can see these are exotic situations rather than everyday ones.

For the stuff I like to shoot, like landscapes, give me a 350D, 10-22 and I will still be happy.....

It was worth the journey to the 5D and big glass for me though, so that I can see what lies ahead and make a better value judgement. The amount of improvements tends to decrease as the cost goes up, because the last few percentage points of what we're chasing is the hardest to obtain. Still love the 5D and all of the power it affords me, but I can definitely say the 350D doesn't deserve half the flak it takes.

i prefer to shoot concerts flash-free, and a lot of bands/venues won't allow flash anyway.

Well, to add to all of this talk I would just like to state that I do sell DSLR's at best buy and I dont think many people are going to upgrade from the XT to the XTi but the realy kool thing about all of this is that Canon will now have a camera to compete with the Sony A100k which is priced right at 1K. This means that people wanting to get into a good starter DSLR will have more choices than just the XT, D50 and A100k, this will in turn mean increased competiont between the big three and eventualy bring new cameras to the market. Let's face it, for a GOOD entry level DSLR there isn't much choice, but with the addition of the XTi there might be more to come.

LOL! you are comedy of year..

I really dont worry about 400D XTi.. I am so happy with beautiful 30D SLR.. You say that 40D will be relplace in next year. I am so doubt about 40D. I am so rational sense that would be definitely '35D' would be replace in next year.. who knows..

Well that's fair enough. Have you considered the STE2?

I'll be doing some candle-lit weddings next year so the AF assist will be handy as will FEC.