Quick test 40D vs 350D

So, I have two quick questions. what is the difference in the crop factor between these two camera's? I didn't realize it was different until I did these shots. I took the 1st picture here @100 ISO 1/125 f/5.6 on the XT(with a 17-85mm f4-5.6 lens at 85mm)Exposure needle right in the middle, 2nd pic same specs on the 40D with 85mm 1.8 lens. exposure needle 2 clicks down. Why? Is this a difference in the meters between the models? or lens differences? I guess I should put the lenses on the opposite cameras. Any thoughts?

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This 3rd picture is the same as above on the 40D, except @ f/4.5 to attain "correct" exposure. (per the camera's meter)

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And is it just me, or does the XT picture look sharper?

It probably is.

Our 40D requires a little more post processing to get the same sharpness as the Xt or XTI.

Different bodies...you would expect them to meter differently, sure.

that doesn't make sense to me dave. I have a $500 body out performing my $1300 body. and better glass on the 40D. It seems funny that the xt would come out sharper. I mean I could care less with a football on a bedsheet, but with I client I want crisp, SHARP pictures out of the camera. Is Photoshop so engrained in what we do, that I can't expect amazing quality straight out of the camera? That football belongs to 1 of 3 little boys running around my house. I'd like to spend more time with them and less behind the computer. Maybe I'm ranting, it's not that big of difference......
and I don't mean to sound negative, I'm soooo grateful for any response I get. It just seems weird to me.

Different lenses on the same body can meter differently. I notice this a lot when going from my 24-70L to my 70-200L. I usually shoot in manual and have to adjust the shutter speed 2/3 of a stop or so depending which lens I'm going to.

Federkeil - check the default parameters on your xt and compare to your 40D. I suspect the sharpening you have set on the xt may be higher.

There are always slight differences between reported and actual focal length with regard to two different lenses of a similar focal length. The 85 prime could really be 88mm or the 17-85 could really be 83mm at the long end. So what?

With regard to sharpness, as long as you can set in-camera parameters so that you get the same results, who cares again?

The 40D offers a lot more over 350D in a number of areas so I wouldn't judge anything based on these particular images.

Hi,

Yeah the difference is metering has been discussed a few times. Compared to other brands Canon's ISO 100 has often been closer to other brands (and film) ISO 125. But it shouldn't make any difference because the meter compensates for this.

The difference in "crop" will just be the different pixel density.

I agree with Brademac. The difference in sharpening will likely to be a default setting. Sharpening is not only a matter of taste, but ideal sharpening is also determined by the size you want to output your image at. Sharpening is a little misleading in this context - as it's actually distructive to the data.

Thanks, I hadn't even thought to check parameters before I shot these (dumb I know, but it's cold outside) the xt is on default 1 click up on sharp, sat, and contrast. The 40D was in portrait, 3 for sharpness.

can you use the same lens to compare please? then you will know for certain if its the camera. understand?

PS I care because I'm new. I'm trying to get as familiar as possible with my equiptment, it's capabilities, and it's limitations. I'm not saying the XT is better, I just want to know when to use it, vs the 40D. If I don't need both, maybe I should get rid of one.

the xt is sharper because it is exposed correctly expose the 40D correctly and I'll bet you see a sharper image

The first two shots seem to have been with the lenses set at different apertures - the 85mm prime on the 40D must have been wider, as the background is more blurred - perhaps this was set by the camera because it was in portrait mode?

You are probably better off just trying to master one body - the 40D is more complicated to use correctly, but has much more to offer overall.

Don't get despondent, it really won't take long!