40D: 2 quick questions before taking the plunge

I have been reading all these latest posts about how highly people are regarding the 40D in picture quality and I am almost at the point of ordering a 40D.

(I currently own the 300D, kept as second camera, and am using the 350D), I do a lot of macro shots and wildlife shots. I have 2 L glass - the 70-200 F4L and 400m F5.6L and noted the comments from people saying with good glass the results are quite something.

So, first question is, I know a huge amount of people always change the AF points to centre AF point only - is this still the case for those using the 40D? Views on this are welcome .

Second question, from the pics posted recently, they are lovely colours and have a 'smoothness' about them - is this down to the 40D, or mostly achieved by good photography and using RAW plus good post processing skills. I know the latter helps enormously, but am curious.

All input gratefully received.

Thanks.

Linda

While I typically use center point, I have no problem using the outer points. They are significantly more accurate than any previous non-1D/5D camera. You shouldn't have any worries there.

I think the smoothness is mostly due to the shooter's skills with both the camera and PP, but I do think the 14-bit RAW files from the 40D have a little to do with it. In normal, everyday shooting, I don't notice a lot of difference between my old 20D files and my 40D files, but when the light's right (as in the studio), the difference is very noticeable to me. The 40D files are just simply better. It's really hard to quantify, but even my wife (who's not into photography at all) noticed the difference and was impressed. The 40D is a significant upgrade in every way for the cameras you're coming from. If you've got the means to get one, I don't think you'll be sorry you did.

center point AF is more of a control measure than a necessity. many photographers like to be in control of the image, rather than use auto settings. when you are dealing with wide apertures, macro and narrow depth of field, you want the focus to be spot on.

I think it will be a great move for you, but i second the above mentioned about the 14-bit raw.

1. I thrust all the focus points on my 40D as opposed to my 5D where I only thrust the middle one.

2. Great colors on a digital image is a cobo of good exposure and PP.

I do mostly wildlife photography with the 400mm f5.6 and the 40D. The AF are very accurate at every focus point. With this camera you need some good lens or the flaw start to be apparent with a 10mp sensor. The nice and natural gradation of color you talk about are mainly to the 14bit I think.

With the my 20D I always kept it on a single AF point, usually the center point... That was the only way I got any kind of consistent results... with the 40D I turn on ALL the AF points and AI Servo and shoot with confidence! It is a night and day difference over the 20D!

I grabbed this one Friday... so far my absolutely my favorite!

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This is a sample take this spring with my combo

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prime80 wrote in post #5522769
While I typically use center point, I have no problem using the outer points. They are significantly more accurate than any previous non-1D/5D camera. You shouldn't have any worries there.

I think the smoothness is mostly due to the shooter's skills with both the camera and PP, but I do think the 14-bit RAW files from the 40D have a little to do with it. In normal, everyday shooting, I don't notice a lot of difference between my old 20D files and my 40D files, but when the light's right (as in the studio), the difference is very noticeable to me. The 40D files are just simply better. It's really hard to quantify, but even my wife (who's not into photography at all) noticed the difference and was impressed. The 40D is a significant upgrade in every way for the cameras you're coming from. If you've got the means to get one, I don't think you'll be sorry you did.

Thats wonderful - thanks so much for all of that, its very useful indeed and you have confirmed what I was thinking.

Thanks again
Linda

MikeMcL wrote in post #5522826
center point AF is more of a control measure than a necessity. many photographers like to be in control of the image, rather than use auto settings. when you are dealing with wide apertures, macro and narrow depth of field, you want the focus to be spot on.

I think it will be a great move for you, but i second the above mentioned about the 14-bit raw.

Superb answer - yes, it is a control thing (but many women are like that :lol, seriously though, the 350D is notorious for being iffey on the focus ie indicating focus is spot on when in fact it sometimes isnt, but from what I am reading so far, it seems the AF is actually extremely accurate.

Yes, seems to be the concensus of opinion its the raw thats giving that ultra nice finish.

Thanks for your input too, that was also very helpful.

Thanks.
Linda

BugEyes wrote in post #5524675
1. I thrust all the focus points on my 40D as opposed to my 5D where I only thrust the middle one.

2. Great colors on a digital image is a cobo of good exposure and PP.

Thats great! Trusting all focus points is extremely reassuring - and thats good news indeed

Thanks also for your input, it is equally as helpful.

Thanks.
Linda

avan wrote in post #5524859
I do mostly wildlife photography with the 400mm f5.6 and the 40D. The AF are very accurate at every focus point. With this camera you need some good lens or the flaw start to be apparent with a 10mp sensor. The nice and natural gradation of color you talk about are mainly to the 14bit I think.

Great news again , focus points sound spot on - yes I have 2 L glass and 2 very good macro lenses, so am happy with those.

Thanks for that input, very very helpful too.

Thanks.
Linda

fishingjts wrote in post #5524899
With the my 20D I always kept it on a single AF point, usually the center point... That was the only way I got any kind of consistent results... with the 40D I turn on ALL the AF points and AI Servo and shoot with confidence! It is a night and day difference over the 20D!

I grabbed this one Friday... so far my absolutely my favorite!

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Excellent shot! Oh yes, there is that lovely colour and smoothness I was talking about.

So you shot this in RAW and processed this shot in Photoshop? Would you mind very much giving brief description of the workflow on this shot, please?

I have Elements 6 and would assume that this would still deal adequately with a similar post processing technique?

Thanks so much for posting this.

Next step I do believe is to order mine

Linda

LindaB wrote in post #5525041
Excellent shot! Oh yes, there is that lovely colour and smoothness I was talking about.

So you shot this in RAW and processed this shot in Photoshop? Would you mind very much giving brief description of the workflow on this shot, please?

I have Elements 6 and would assume that this would still deal adequately with a similar post processing technique?

Thanks so much for posting this.

Next step I do believe is to order mine

Linda

Thanks!

Yes, this was shot RAW and in fact I have I Elements 6! I am a newbie when it comes to Photoshop... so my workflow is incredibly simple. To process this picture i basically just did:

1) Adjust WB
2) Adjust exposure at the simplest level... nothing fancy
3) Bumped the saturation
4) I then resized and did an "auto sharpen"

The 40D is a very capable camera. The best thing out there next to the 1 series.

The focus points are very accurate. I would not allow the camera to choose the focus point though.

The smoothness is the 14 bit range, good glass, and good technique

Take the plunge LindaB you won't regret it, used single bottom point on this shot

Mr. Clean wrote in post #5525278
The 40D is a very capable camera. The best thing out there next to the 1 series.

The focus points are very accurate. I would not allow the camera to choose the focus point though.

The smoothness is the 14 bit range, good glass, and good technique

Normally I wouldn't let the camera choose the focus point either... I found it worked extremely well when I was panning!

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Ordered yet?

I use mine for sporting event photography--so a little different take.

Af and noise are much better in low light & high ISO situations than what you are using now.

AI servo is much more accurate and color is much better.

The thumbwheel on the back and ISO in less than full stops is a wonderful thing.

2 down sides though.

The red channel tends to oversaturate if shooting JPEG.

And your 350D will feel like a real POS after using a 40D.

Best of luck with your decision.

My .02--Your mileage may vary

DOOOOOOOOO IT ! I got mine 4 hours ago and am totaly hapy with it coming from the 10D holy moly batman .... Youll love it I'm sure

Love mine as well.... Received it 4/30/08