chose 30d over 40d

I just picked one up yesterday, and so far, so good.

Glenn NK wrote in post #4070581
Ummm, - here. (this forum).

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=388071

Thank you for the link, but I can't see 2 unhappy 40D owner to constitute "...there are lots of broken copies of the 40D around waiting for sale, as many people complain about some issues of softness and focus..."

Ahh this shouldn't be tough I think the 40D wins over the 30D any day! Now if you want to buy a second hand 30D body for cheap I think that could be a reasonable explanation in why to get the 30D over the 40D.

Keith R wrote in post #4071631
So does every single satisfied 40D owner have to post something to that effect before people realise that the "too many" unhappy owners almost certainly represent a vanishingly small percentage of total 40D sales?

You miss the point. I can't recall this many complaints on a new release as there have been with the Mark III and 40D, which leads one to reasonably conclude there are quality control problems. Eighteen months ago when the 30d came out there was a complaint here and there, but nowhere like the number with the 40D. Canon won't even acknowledge problems with the Mark III or 40D unless you send them in for service and in each case they admit there are problems with autofocusing in each camera and that they are working on the problem.

For anyone who decides on the 30D rather than the 40D just because of some reports on forums, it helps boost the second hand price of the 30D, but I have to say you're missing out on a great camera with fantastic features at a very reasonable price. Now the 30D is by all accounts a very good camera as well, but it's not a 40D!!!

If you want to save money, as they say, you can't miss what you've never had

My copy of the 40D is like that of most others - amazing colour, depth, detail, autofocus, dynamic range, live view, clean sensor (after 6000+ clicks and lots of lens changes) etc etc - wonderful camera. This one's going to keep me happy for many years.

It's not that anybody is intent on running the 40D down at the expense of other cameras, but rather the quality of them and the Mark III is all over the boards. Some get perfect 40D's, some with slight problems, others with a lot of problems. But the complaints are more than I can ever recall being associated with a new release. To me there is a deeper issue at play here and that is one of quality control. The 40D is supposed to be made, or more correctly assembled in Japan but it is loaded with Chinese made parts and that is why its quality is all over the place. The new d300 will be made in Thailand and its going to be loaded with a bunch of Chinese made parts. Wonder how its quality is going to be?

connexile wrote in post #4070460
There is actually a bunch of potn users who are not satisfied with their 40d`s. Just take look at the forum. Also in the review of cameralbs.com, 30d gives better results than 5d, while 40d seems to be softer than 5d with the same lens used.

I think this is silly. Sorry if that seems a bit curt, but I'm being honest. The majority of satisfied users are not likely to post commentary because they're too busy shooting with their new cameras and enjoying what they have rather than spending countless hours pixel peeping pictures of camera boxes and trying to find something wrong with their camera. Those few who do run into problems or find problems are the guys posting their gripes on these internet forums, which seems like a lot, but it's really not. It never ceases to amaze me how a few complaints can deter a person from enjoying great equipment. The only way to know for sure is to go buy it yourself. Perform your own self assessment. And if you find that it doesn't live up to your expectations then return it and get something that does. I guess this is what really sets amateurs apart from the pros. Sorry if I came off like an @sshole.

i dunno man... i dont mean to offend u but since u posted, yer askin for opinions:

i wouldve gotten the 40D from a store in your local area even if it means you might need to pay a tad more than adorama/bh/ebay/etc, then done extensive tests that exercise things that the minority of the people here have been complaining about, and then if it does suck then exchange it for another one. if in the end u just dont think 40D is worth it, then just ultimately return it for 30D.... it does suck that u didnt even give 40d a try.

the diffs between a 30d and 40d in terms of image quality are subjective from what i've seen... however the newer features set is just so tempting. (++fps, quieter shutter, live view, af-on button, ++buffer, all AF Cross types, 3" lcd etc)

If youre anything like me, youre going to have buyers remorse for not spending a couple bills more for the latest.

Jon_Doh wrote in post #4073204
You miss the point. I can't recall this many complaints on a new release as there have been with the Mark III and 40D, which leads one to reasonably conclude there are quality control problems. Eighteen months ago when the 30d came out there was a complaint here and there, but nowhere like the number with the 40D. Canon won't even acknowledge problems with the Mark III or 40D unless you send them in for service and in each case they admit there are problems with autofocusing in each camera and that they are working on the problem.

Maybe because DSLRs are more popular than they've ever been in recent years? More and more amateur "Uncle Bobs" and novice shooters are getting their hands on the equipment and not understanding the basic principles on how to make a good exposure and want to blame the equipment to cover their own shortcomings? Surely none of that has anything to do with it. If the number of gripes have increased it's because there is not a shortage of people out there griping. It's all relative, man. There are some legitimate complaints out there without a doubt, and maybe Canon does need to pay closer attention in regards to QC. But I can't think of one manufacturer out there that isn't suffering from some sort of problem. Just go check out some of the Leica DSLR complaints out there.

Oh, and let me add that when you're searching the internet forums (and I've been guilty of this) you tend to read all the bad reviews or reports and ignore the positive ones, which sort of gives the impression that the problem is greater than it actually is. Be objective when evaluating the equipment for your own needs. The last thing anyone needs is another flawed on-line test/review from Joe Public.

Both good cameras and perfectly capable of outstanding images in the hands of a skilled shooter. These boards seem to attract the complaints, not the praises. Now, that being said, I opted for the 30d, primarily because of the $$ difference relative to additional features. If you don't mind the extra $$ and will use the features, then go for the 40d. If on the other hand you want a good camera like the 30d at a bargain price and don't need or desire the newer features then opt for the 30d.. Canon makes fine products, just decide which fits your budget and has the features you desire then go for it.. It's simple, all of this time spent over-analyizing could be spent enjoying whichever camera you choose.. Just my thought process...Hope it helps...Bob <><

burninfilm wrote in post #4075408
Both good cameras and perfectly capable of outstanding images in the hands of a skilled shooter. These boards seem to attract the complaints, not the praises. Now, that being said, I opted for the 30d, primarily because of the $$ difference relative to additional features. If you don't mind the extra $$ and will use the features, then go for the 40d. If on the other hand you want a good camera like the 30d at a bargain price and don't need or desire the newer features then opt for the 30d.. Canon makes fine products, just decide which fits your budget and has the features you desire then go for it.. It's simple, all of this time spent over-analyizing could be spent enjoying whichever camera you choose.. Just my thought process...Hope it helps...Bob <><

Exactly....nicely said..now lets all go get a beer

connexile wrote in post #4070396
I`m wondering what you think of my decision about ordering a 30d with 17-55mm f2.8, giving up the 40d with 17-40mm. From what I have read online so far, the 40d is an awesome camera - if and only if you get a good copy!!! - . Apparently, there are lots of broken copies of the 40d around waiting for sale, as many people complain about some issues of softness and focus. On the other hand, I haven`t came up with any single bad review about the 30d yet. So I decided to go with the 30d with a 17-50mm f2.8. Actually, I don`t need the 2 millions of extra pixel and live view. I have been using a digital rebel for more than 3 years, so 30d is still a big step up for me. So what do you think? Did I make a bad decision, or would you do the same?

I think you have got it all wrong to be honest about the 40D. It's been a VERY long time since a new Canon DSLR have been received so well by the "internet" community. Earlier models were bashed a lot more than the 40D have.

You have been reading a few bad reports and you want to base you decision on that? Well if that makes you happy, fine by me.

But if you do want the best camera today in that price range the 40D is really a very simple choice. It's quite a big step up from 30D, hey 18 months in this business is an eternity.

40D + 17-55/2.8 is the way to go. To expensive? Well do a noodles diet for a month or two and then go for it

Jon_Doh wrote in post #4073204
You miss the point. I can't recall this many complaints on a new release as there have been with the Mark III and 40D, which leads one to reasonably conclude there are quality control problems. Eighteen months ago when the 30d came out there was a complaint here and there, but nowhere like the number with the 40D. Canon won't even acknowledge problems with the Mark III or 40D unless you send them in for service and in each case they admit there are problems with autofocusing in each camera and that they are working on the problem.

Then you have a short memory. The 30D was villified from day 1 as a cosmetic refresh that didn't live up to anybody's expectations (including mine). The same was true for the N, and the XTi's dust shaker's has been mocked along with the higher MP sensor. The 24-105, 17-55, 50/1.2, etc have also had problems - major or not.

connexile wrote in post #4070396
So what do you think? Did I make a bad decision, or would you do the same?

I dunno. I don't own one.