You just know when it feels right.

I had my hands on the new 40D tonight for the first time and it just feels hmmmm dont want to say cheap or inferior but it just feels blah. I have a 30D and a 5D and the sound and feel of the shutter of the 5D is just silky and smooth and I could just run up the shutter count by just sitting and enjoying the sensation of the 5D. I chose to use my 30D this weekend at an air show and I just kept thinking about my 5D. Fealt as though I was being unfaithful hahahah.
I'm sure that the 40D produces fine images but it just felt cheap. I have never had a 1D in my hands but can imagine that it feels like quality. I know that its about money and materials but good engineering should feel good.
Perhaps I'm just spoiled now with the feel of my 5D.

You're not alone. The 40D is an excellent camera but I agree about the feel. It did not have the feel of the 30D or the 5D.

Since I have never had any other DSLR before the 40D I can't make a good comparison but I did hold a 30D and a 5D in the camera store and I couldn't tell that much of a difference. I guess sometimes ignorance is bliss. I am happy with my 40D and hope you remain happy with your 30D and 5D cameras. They are all great cameras I'm sure.

what really bugs me are the plastic hinge on the battery door, the weather seals and the cheap battery grip (i haven't seen one yet).

ed rader

burnxkr wrote in post #3993396
I have never had a 1D in my hands but can imagine that it feels like quality.

.

You have no idea . . . the 1D, I love the feel of a 1D in the morning . . . . it feels like . . .victory!

ed rader wrote in post #3993754
what really bugs me are the plastic hinge on the battery door, the weather seals and the cheap battery grip (i haven't seen one yet).

Well then, how the hell can you make a comment like that if you haven't even seen one?

Odd - I've a 5D, 40D and 30D and the 40D feels far better built to me than the 30D. It feels on a par with the D200 to me, which is to say great.

AperturePriority wrote in post #3994452
Well then, how the hell can you make a comment like that if you haven't even seen one?

anecdotal information and testimonials from people i trust .

that's how the hell i do it !

ed rader

Yes the shutter sound seems all wrong, but feel wise I see no difference between 20, 40 and 5D. The 1D is in a different league for feel though.

ghocking wrote in post #3994664
Yes the shutter sound seems all wrong, but feel wise I see no difference between 20, 40 and 5D. The 1D is in a different league for feel though.

Shoot weddings, you'll love it. As far as feel, it feels good, especially if you shoot with 5hrs+ a day. Grip wise their is a difference, more of a indent, and infact does feel more similar to the Mark II.

burnxkr wrote in post #3993396
I had my hands on the new 40D tonight for the first time and it just feels hmmmm dont want to say cheap or inferior but it just feels blah. I have a 30D and a 5D and the sound and feel of the shutter of the 5D is just silky and smooth and I could just run up the shutter count by just sitting and enjoying the sensation of the 5D. I chose to use my 30D this weekend at an air show and I just kept thinking about my 5D. Fealt as though I was being unfaithful hahahah.
I'm sure that the 40D produces fine images but it just felt cheap. I have never had a 1D in my hands but can imagine that it feels like quality. I know that its about money and materials but good engineering should feel good.
Perhaps I'm just spoiled now with the feel of my 5D.

thesolid feel of the 20+30D were what sold me on them over the 350 and 400 when I strted on this long and expensive journey Many will be let down Im sure by te 40 feel

I Simonius wrote in post #3995009
Many will be let down Im sure by te 40 feel

Why?

I don't feel much of a difference between the 30 and the 40D. The 40D is actually a slim bigger and 2 ounce heavier. The build quality is good, and I do agree it doesn't seem the same as the 30D's. Almost between the build quality of the rebel's and the 30D. 1D's are just built great. I was planning on getting a 40D, but it would prove to be a waste of money since I plan on getting a pro body within 6 months. No sense in having 2 backup bodies.

Also, the shutter is much much more quiet than any other body canon currently has, besides the new mk3's. It sounds kind of weird and if you use the live view, mirror lockup ability, it's almost too quite...

I can't for the life of me work out where these build issues are coming from.

I'm sitting here with a 30D and 40D and to me there's no question which body has a more solid, hefty feel, and that's the newcomer. As I said before it reminds me of a D200.

Yeah, I also agree, it has a D200 feel to it. I think it's more because of the tint of the black seems a little lighter than the other bodies. Maybe it's the fact that it has a bit more girth and is surprising light for the size. I don't know what it is, but honestly, I'm not let down with the build quality of it, just feels different. If I didn't have the 30D already, I'd get the 40D. If I sell off the 30D right now, I'd get the 40D. But, the 30D works for my purposes as is. I've only played with the 40D at the local camera shop so I can't attest to real world use.