on the 40D design ...

i have few questions about the 40D design, that some of you may be able to answer:

1 - on the AF-ON button design: I have a 10D and there is a button located at the same place as the 40D's AF-ON button (its function was to re-call the default AF point). But it is so recessed into the camera body, and its travel is so short, that it is virtually unusable bare hands and useless with gloves. Is the 40D AF-on button designed in the same way?

2 - Am i the only one having the impression that Canon really thinks we are stupid to the point of selling two pieces of crappy foam-tape as "improved weather sealing". It is an insult to people who don't know much about DSLR because they will buy a camera believing it has some kind of sealing (whereas practically i am pretty sure that in the long term this will be totally ineffective). and it is an insult to people who knows about DSLR (like most people here in this forum) and who knows what the competition offer on this particular design point (cf. sony, pentax, nikon etc. weather sealing)

3 - How could canon come up with a Live View function less advanced than the competition (e.g. live view's flexible focus point) while they where the first (to my knowledge) to design and integrate this function in a DSLR body?

4 - How canon could not see the huge upgrade in LCD screen design/resolution coming: other product like the (less expensive i guess) sony integrates what dpreview describes as a "breathtaking step forward in quality" (and functionality?)

5 - Am i the only one thinking that canon might have slightly lost the edge on the DSLR market?

I can't answer any of your other questions, because I don't own a 40D, but Olympus, not Canon, was the first to integrate Live view into a DSLR.

petiot wrote in post #3891871
i have few questions about the 40D design, that some of you may be able to answer:

1 - on the AF-ON button design: I have a 10D and there is a button located at the same place as the 40D's AF-ON button (its function was to re-call the default AF point). But it is so recessed into the camera body, and its travel is so short, that it is virtually unusable bare hands and useless with gloves. Is the 40D AF-on button designed in the same way?

2 - Am i the only one having the impression that Canon really thinks we are stupid to the point of selling two pieces of crappy foam-tape as "improved weather sealing". It is an insult to people who don't know much about DSLR because they will buy a camera believing it has some kind of sealing (whereas practically i am pretty sure that in the long term this will be totally ineffective). and it is an insult to people who knows about DSLR (like most people here in this forum) and who knows what the competition offer on this particular design point (cf. sony, pentax, nikon etc. weather sealing)

3 - How could canon come up with a Live View function less advanced than the competition (e.g. live view's flexible focus point) while they where the first (to my knowledge) to design and integrate this function in a DSLR body?

4 - How canon could not see the huge upgrade in LCD screen design/resolution coming: other product like the (less expensive i guess) sony integrates what dpreview describes as a "breathtaking step forward in quality" (and functionality)

5 - Am i the only one thinking that canon might have slightly lost the edge on the DSLR market?

You'll soon be selling your Canon stuff then?

I fully agree on your 2nd point.
BG-E2N is a joke.
Expensive joke, that is..

scrumpy wrote in post #3891911
You'll soon be selling your Canon stuff then?

lol ...Scrumpy, i wonder how you got to this conclusion .... possible reasons: 1 - Maybe you are looking for some canon's stuff to buy: sorry mate, I am not selling my stuff.
2 - you are very protective of Canon: that wont help to make canon better

Thanks Chandler, for the info on Olympus stuff.

Sounds like the D300 is waiting for you

Lotto wrote in post #3892278
Sounds like the D300 is waiting for you

Funny thing is that, I never ever mentioned nikon even once in my initial thread (I did that on purpose) and YET, two people managed to suggest i should switch to nikon. Hey guys, what's wrong with you: it is not because one doesn't like EVERYTHING in a canon camera that he has to, or will switch to nikon.

it is funny, but i have the growing impression that there is an implicit, tacit, heavy canon protectionism deeply engraved in the mind of people coming to this forum. Ohhh fear of the Nikomunism uh? lol

Or maybe i am just too picky of a customer ... yes i should just shut up and buy every release without ever criticizing either canon's product or their marketing philosophy ...

Hell not!! I like having nice kit to take photo, and I want the customer to be driving the boat, not the brands! so, no I don't dive blindly into this marketing crap. and i question it. I would have imagined that if the user contributes, a brand can only become better. And i guess i am right (see dpreview's conclusion on the 20D review).

So to recap, I am interested in understanding why canon makes such good products on one hand, and on the other tries to trick people by selling 2 inches of foam tape as weather sealing, aren't you? Well you should! I am interested in understanding why they didn't just leave the card and battery doors as they were on the 30D, not you? Maybe they feel that they are in the need to do that because the competition grows stronger on this point, don't you think so?

Is a 900 000 pixel screen really useful, does it drain more battery?, is canon right in not putting one on their bodies?, would it cost so much that they would need to save somewhere else? (did sony do that?).

Well that is what i consider to be interesting and stimulating questions as far as gear discussion is concerned, but maybe i am wrong. Instead i am seeing threads such as :
"Can 40D take good landscapes?" 40 replies, 200 views .. so far i really thought a good photo was taken by the guy behind the camera ... But I must be completely stupid or something
"who has 40d": 95 replies 2500 views!! Oooooh yes me me i have one, me me. And me i ordered one, yes i swear!! Look at it, i took photo of my camera ( ... lol something sounds strange here don't you think: "photo of my camera") wow so exciting isnt it!!
and so on

Anyway, have a good time thinking that canon is THE mighty brand and that it is in your interest to ignore what they do wrong and what other brand do right. I am pretty sure that they are quite happy to have a "not too picky" (to say the least) customer base.

petiot,
1. Yes the button is in the same place but the 40D button sticks out twice as much as the 10D.

2. No, as they never claimed the camera is waterproof its water resistant, so its more likely to survive in a light mist better. I personally would never take it out in the rain with out an umbrella or completely covered in plastic.

3. No, Canon isn't the first dslr with live view focus.

4. Actually I am pretty happy with there new screen, sure more resolution would be better but not really needed.

5. If you don't like it then get something else, simple right? Keep in mind it is a low price for a lot of features.

About your other post you said:

petiot wrote in post #3892587
But I must be completely stupid or something

You shouldn't put yourself down, instead look harder there are many other posts on the 40D showing how it performs compared to others.
I have a 10D also and I would take the 40D anyday of the year over it!!! (but thats me).

No, the foam tape will not make the camera weather sealed, but it will probably reduce the amount of dust that enters the camea. Fine grit wears down the gold-plating on the connectors.

You are not too picky, and I agree with you. Canon is becoming too protective of the distinction between 1 series and xxD series. I do not want to switch to nikon, but I want to see canon with the same courage to make a true 1.6crop pro camera. The weather sealing and only 9 point AF were weak. Anyway, I am hoping that the advanced central sensor makes up for a lack of additional servo sensors. That is, I am hoping that the camera recovers from the AF point briefly coming off small moving targets.

As for "loyalists" trashing detractors, it reminds me of current politics. It is not treason to express dissatisfaction.

petiot wrote in post #3891871
i have few questions about the 40D design, that some of you may be able to answer:

1 - on the AF-ON button design: I have a 10D and there is a button located at the same place as the 40D's AF-ON button (its function was to re-call the default AF point). But it is so recessed into the camera body, and its travel is so short, that it is virtually unusable bare hands and useless with gloves. Is the 40D AF-on button designed in the same way?

2 - Am i the only one having the impression that Canon really thinks we are stupid to the point of selling two pieces of crappy foam-tape as "improved weather sealing". It is an insult to people who don't know much about DSLR because they will buy a camera believing it has some kind of sealing (whereas practically i am pretty sure that in the long term this will be totally ineffective). and it is an insult to people who knows about DSLR (like most people here in this forum) and who knows what the competition offer on this particular design point (cf. sony, pentax, nikon etc. weather sealing)

3 - How could canon come up with a Live View function less advanced than the competition (e.g. live view's flexible focus point) while they where the first (to my knowledge) to design and integrate this function in a DSLR body?

4 - How canon could not see the huge upgrade in LCD screen design/resolution coming: other product like the (less expensive i guess) sony integrates what dpreview describes as a "breathtaking step forward in quality" (and functionality?)

5 - Am i the only one thinking that canon might have slightly lost the edge on the DSLR market?

I don't have a 40D but do have a few comments (using your numbering system).

1. The AF-ON button on your 10D must have been a defect from the get-go; I've never had an issue and am not aware of anybody else mentioning the problem (LOL, maybe I should get reading glasses). Too bad because it is a bit late for a warranty repair (I wonder if Canon even has the part in inventory).

4. Is it less advanced than that of the competition? I don't really know, just asking the question out of curiosity. IMO the LCD screen is larger to support "Live View", a function I don't need, plan to use, and hopefully I won't scratch the LCD surface trying to clean off grease from my nose. As long as I can see the histogram I'm cool with any LCD. I have yet to use the LCD to review pictures on any Canon body I own; like I said, the histogram is it for me.

5. Nope, if the latest Nikon vaporware turns out the be the real thing later this year and performance actually meets the hype then IMO Nikon has pulled close to even; after five years they should have accomplished something. The new Nikon super fast telephotos with 4X VR should get a lot more Nikons onto the sports field.

Regards,

Nevermind the peanut gallery. Some people's answer to a statement of dissatisfaction with Canon's products will always be, "Don't like it? Buy Nikon."

petiot wrote in post #3891871
i have few questions about the 40D design, that some of you may be able to answer:

1 - on the AF-ON button design: I have a 10D and there is a button located at the same place as the 40D's AF-ON button (its function was to re-call the default AF point). But it is so recessed into the camera body, and its travel is so short, that it is virtually unusable bare hands and useless with gloves. Is the 40D AF-on button designed in the same way?

It's been a while since I last used a 10D. Wasn't that the FEL button? If so, then yes the travel on it was less than the other buttons. John_B said that the 40D one has twice the travel, which I'm glad to hear.

I don't think Canon is using the term "weather sealing" at all, although I might've just missed it. I think they're claiming better "weather and dust resistance" or something to that effect. Still, I agree that the foam pads are pretty weak. They'll be hard pressed not to offer real weather sealing in the next xxD (or some new pro-spec 1.6x camera) when quite a few cameras in the same relative price segment offer it.

Canon has used Sony LCDs in the past. Do they still? Maybe Sony offered it to them and they said, "No thanks." Regardless of the reasons, I look forward to a more detailed LCD on future Canon DSLRs.

No. I think so too, and I think many agree with you as well. Nikon's D300 and D3 are really shaking things up, and if they deliver in the image quality department as well as features, Canon will have some catching up to do. Yes, in the short term that can be frustrating for Canon users, but I think the competition will spur Canon on and will result in a positive outcome in the near future.

timbop wrote in post #3893692
You are not too picky, and I agree with you. Canon is becoming too protective of the distinction between 1 series and xxD series. I do not want to switch to nikon, but I want to see canon with the same courage to make a true 1.6crop pro camera. The weather sealing and only 9 point AF were weak. Anyway, I am hoping that the advanced central sensor makes up for a lack of additional servo sensors. That is, I am hoping that the camera recovers from the AF point briefly coming off small moving targets.

As for "loyalists" trashing detractors, it reminds me of current politics. It is not treason to express dissatisfaction.

I also agree.
But let me just state that I think the 40D is a fine camera. It's just the competition has caught up and taken over Canon. Their feature set is or will be better.
It's time Canon pulled up those socks. They've taken a massive beating from Nikon in Japan in the past year, and with Sony aggressively pushing into the business targetting to become the number TWO manufacturer globally, Canon can't afford to sit on its laurels.
I predict a 45D either early next year or late the same year

"5 - Am i the only one thinking that canon might have slightly lost the edge on the DSLR market?"

Nope. Just look at the their three latest releases. Two of them are complete duds. Not to mention how sorry their printers have gotten.

Canon has become so slow to react to their problems no doubt by the time they wake up and begin making incremental changes Nikon will be way down the road far ahead of them. I've been a Canon user since 1991, but I'm definitely sitting this round of "upgrades" out and will wait to see what they do in the next round. If they still have their head up their arse then I'm switching gear.

Why are you complaining about the "weather sealing". It's better than the previous models...PLUS it's coming out at a lower starting price!!

BTW, they weren't the first to incorperate live view. But in anycase, with technology companies try to out do each other, so of course Nikon & sony are going to have better specs in their new cameras. They are being release & probably developed later!

We need these companies to leap frog each other in technology or else it will become stale. Look at the 5D & 1Ds, it's been a long time btn replacements b/c they had no competition at the time.

petiot wrote in post #3892587
Funny thing is that, I never ever mentioned nikon even once in my initial thread (I did that on purpose) and YET, two people managed to suggest i should switch to nikon. Hey guys, what's wrong with you: it is not because one doesn't like EVERYTHING in a canon camera that he has to, or will switch to nikon.

it is funny, but i have the growing impression that there is an implicit, tacit, heavy canon protectionism deeply engraved in the mind of people coming to this forum. Ohhh fear of the Nikomunism uh? lol

Or maybe i am just too picky of a customer ... yes i should just shut up and buy every release without ever criticizing either canon's product or their marketing philosophy ...

Hell not!! I like having nice kit to take photo, and I want the customer to be driving the boat, not the brands! so, no I don't dive blindly into this marketing crap. and i question it. I would have imagined that if the user contributes, a brand can only become better. And i guess i am right (see dpreview's conclusion on the 20D review).

So to recap, I am interested in understanding why canon makes such good products on one hand, and on the other tries to trick people by selling 2 inches of foam tape as weather sealing, aren't you? Well you should! I am interested in understanding why they didn't just leave the card and battery doors as they were on the 30D, not you? Maybe they feel that they are in the need to do that because the competition grows stronger on this point, don't you think so?

Is a 900 000 pixel screen really useful, does it drain more battery?, is canon right in not putting one on their bodies?, would it cost so much that they would need to save somewhere else? (did sony do that?).

Well that is what i consider to be interesting and stimulating questions as far as gear discussion is concerned, but maybe i am wrong. Instead i am seeing threads such as :
"Can 40D take good landscapes?" 40 replies, 200 views .. so far i really thought a good photo was taken by the guy behind the camera ... But I must be completely stupid or something
"who has 40d": 95 replies 2500 views!! Oooooh yes me me i have one, me me. And me i ordered one, yes i swear!! Look at it, i took photo of my camera ( ... lol something sounds strange here don't you think: "photo of my camera") wow so exciting isnt it!!
and so on

Anyway, have a good time thinking that canon is THE mighty brand and that it is in your interest to ignore what they do wrong and what other brand do right. I am pretty sure that they are quite happy to have a "not too picky" (to say the least) customer base.