is the new 40d the next step up from a 400d !

is the new 40d the next step up from a 400d

i am thinking about selling my 400 d that i bought 9 mnths ago
and getting a new 40 d.

i know - call me crazy - but i just want the new one for a few reasons
and im wondering - is the 40d the next step ip from the 400d in terms of quality .... features...

the main things that appeal to me for the 40d is the live view

(which id use cause i do some odd media/paparazzi work and i need to sometime take images from hard to reach angles ....)

also the screen is bigger
and also ist has spot metering.

any thoughts?

if money is not really an issue - is it simply a great step up form the 400d?

The main point is the viewfounder.
I upgrade to 40D because of the viewfounder.

wow

u upgraded already

how are u finding it?

the kit slens is heaps better and higher quality than the 400 dyeah

wmouse wrote in post #3977044
The main point is the viewfounder.
I upgrade to 40D because of the viewfounder.

I just moved from 350D to 30D, which is effectively what you would be doing.

What I like:

Bigger body, nicer handling.
Control wheel to adjust aperture, no more two button stuff!
Bigger Screen
Better Autofocus
High FPS
Bigger buffer
Fractionally better noise control
Tougher body, metal VS plastic.

If you have the money, go for it!

Although you could save £350 and get a 30D 2nd hand.

I upgraded from a G3 to a 40D and if the only difference between the two cameras was the viewfinder then I wouldn't have upgraded. The larger viewfinder is nice but the tiny, by comparison, G3 viewfinder did everything I needed it to do. I still need to put on my reading glasses to see the 40D viewfinder. I have had my camera a week now and have not even tried use use live view but if you are going to be using it at "hard to reach angles" will you be able to even see the viewfinder? The articulated view finder of the G3 is way more useful for that type shooting than the 40D.

Some people will tell you the larger viewfinder of the 40D is the greatest advancement in modern history but if that is the only reason you are upgrading then I think you will be disappointed. If you just want to upgrade and have the money then do it. You will love the 40D for a lot of reasons more than just the viewfinder and live view.

Try attaching a 500mm f4 to your G3.......

Sparky98 wrote in post #3977237
I upgraded from a G3 to a 40D and if the only difference between the two cameras was the viewfinder then I wouldn't have upgraded. The larger viewfinder is nice but the tiny, by comparison, G3 viewfinder did everything I needed it to do. I still need to put on my reading glasses to see the 40D viewfinder. I have had my camera a week now and have not even tried use use live view but if you are going to be using it at "hard to reach angles" will you be able to even see the viewfinder? The articulated view finder of the G3 is way more useful for that type shooting than the 40D.

Some people will tell you the larger viewfinder of the 40D is the greatest advancement in modern history but if that is the only reason you are upgrading then I think you will be disappointed. If you just want to upgrade and have the money then do it. You will love the 40D for a lot of reasons more than just the viewfinder and live view.

Considering how much time is spent looking through the viewfinder I would think this would be an excellent reason to upgrade if you are not happy with your current viewfinder situation.

Compared to the 400D, the 40D is outstanding.

Jon

If the main reason is the live view, you only have 2 choices at the present, 40D, or the 1 series MK3, you can choose how much cash you have , that Said the 40D is a very good all round camera

wmouse wrote in post #3977044
The main point is the viewfounder.
I upgrade to 40D because of the viewfounder.

really? to me the main point was EVERYTHING!!!! literally, everything is better with the 40D...it's so much better that i don't think i will keep the 400D as a back up. i havn't used the 400D once since i got the 40D. oh well, maybe once, to take a picture of my 40D with the 70-200 on it, and i was not happy with the result (taken with ISO 1600, just to see the difference)

40D is in the next class up. I would do it, and sell the 400D as a downpayment.

I went from 400D to 30D to 40D...

You will see a big difference going from 400D to either 30D or 40D.
The step from 30D to 40D has some benefits but also some downsides too.
Its easy to find a list of the benefits BUT its not all good:

The 40D is LESS light sensitive than the 30D by 2/3 of a stop. This is what is causing so much confusion with the noise comparisons. For the same exposure settings the 40D image will come out slightly under exposed and so will have more noise especially if corrected to the brightness of the 30D shot.

Another thing I found really annoying is that AF no longer works with my Kenko pro 1.4 converter and Canon 100-400mm. It worked fine on the 30D but won't focus at all with the 40D (center point & pins taped of course) This has been confirmed by others so its not faulty.
I just find it amazing that the 40D with "improved AF" doesn't work as well as the 30D!?!?!

Of course here are some definite benefits of the 40D like the live view is great for macro and fixed base shooting (tethered to laptop). I like The dust reduction, slightly higher burst rate, bigger screen and user presets.

You have to consider what is really important to you. I decided to keep the 40D and sell the 30D mainly because of the higher burst rate but it wasn't an easy decision.

evandavies wrote in post #3978743
Another thing I found really annoying is that AF no longer works with my Kenko pro 1.4 converter and Canon 100-400mm. It worked fine on the 30D but won't focus at all with the 40D (center point & pins taped of course) This has been confirmed by others so its not faulty.
I just find it amazing that the 40D with "improved AF" doesn't work as well as the 30D!?!?!

I have read this on several occasions, and now decided to comment, THE 30D/40D as any 1-6 crop is not suppose to AF with a TC and 100-400L, though many tape the pins, and then it allows the AF to work, but not as well.
My feelings are on the 40D, as the AF is a lot quicker than the 30D (30% by Canons reckoning) my guess is now the AF is too fast for this combo, and starts to hunt as it is trying to lock AF cannot get to lock and tries again, but cannot move the lens fast enough with the extra distance of the TC fitted.
The 100-400L though on a 40D over a 30D is quicker at focusing/

This I feel is certainly no fault of the 40D.

What you say may be true MadProff but its still very disappointing.
I know its not designed to work but happily it worked fine on the 30D in daylight. Of course a bit slower than without the TC but no hunting. I would think that "improved" AF would not result in losing this ability.

I would understand this problem if it were with a third party lens like the Sigma 80-400 but not with the USM on the 100-400.

MaDProFF wrote in post #3978805
(30% by Canons reckoning)

I have yet to test the AI Servo AF performance so I can't comment on that but....
I would take any advertising blurb with a grain of salt because they are worded very carefully not to be lies but you don't know under what conditions these statements apply.
Canon's claim that the new microlens(2nd generation) design makes the 40D as light sensitive as the 30D is simply not true as my tests show its consistantly 2/3 of a stop less sensitive. (interestingly the same as the 400D which is also 10MP) Others have noticed this so its not just me.

AussieCat wrote in post #3977014
the main things that appeal to me for the 40d is the live view
also the screen is bigger

if those are the main reasons , you do realize that in February Canon will launch the 700D which will have both those features and most likely a 12.5mp sensor for 8-900$ ? Even before the recent Nikon D300.D3 ordeal we've seen it happen with the 400D vs 30D. So i have a feeling the 700D will be even closer to the 40D in terms of features then the 400D was to the 30D.

are u able to tell me the list from entry level to best?

i.e

400d, 40d, 30 d etc

mcmadkat wrote in post #3977154
I just moved from 350D to 30D, which is effectively what you would be doing.

What I like:

Bigger body, nicer handling.
Control wheel to adjust aperture, no more two button stuff!
Bigger Screen
Better Autofocus
High FPS
Bigger buffer
Fractionally better noise control
Tougher body, metal VS plastic.

If you have the money, go for it!

Although you could save £350 and get a 30D 2nd hand.