40D very tempting, now under 1K

I was waiting on the release of the 50D, then the announcement of the 5D2 made me save a few more pennies.

But now that we know the 50D is not that big of an improvement over the 40D. And with the 40D under $1000 it is looking very tempting. 40D and some glass for what the 50D costs. Or 40D and some L glass for what the 5D2 costs. I just cant decide what to get.

Im sure I will be happy with whatever I get. I just cant decide what to actually bring home.

The prices of the 40D have plummeted. I just bought a used one for $650, for a great camera that has only 3k actuations. I've seen ones going for $700 that are only a couple months old and still have tons of warranty left. With these silly low prices, I'd by used even over new and throw the $250 saved at glass.

[rant]I honestly think it's bull**** that people don't think the 50D is a major improvement over the 40D. I shot photos with the 40D nearly every day for the past year and the 50D just seems to do everything better. Everyone on this forum just wants to whine about features and it seems none of them care to credit a highly advanced cameras shortcomings as their own inability to take a photo. [/rant] haha

You're thinking in a great way. Buying a L-series lens can be one of the best decisions you can make. They are truly incredible lenses and do everything well from build quality, autofocus, IQ, and feel.

The 40D's major problem IMO has been its screen. I can't tell you how many times I looked at my screen (another luxury we get with digital over film) and believe a shot came out when it didn't or visa versa. It's a smooth performer and you'll be very happy with it.

The 50D, to me, corrects my gripes I had with the 40D. Having owned it now for over a month I can tell you that the autofocus is actually much better. The AF-ON button (it's what I use at road racing events) is honestly an "ON" button. Mated with my 70-200 2.8 IS it is nearly instant to focus on the subject without any confusion. The 40D performs very well but the 50D seems to have a leg up in some areas. For someone like me, these are enough to qualify it as a major improvement.

The 5D mkII is another camera where all the whiners on this forum just have to find something to complain about. The 5D mkI will always be an outstanding camera and everyone was looking for something that would just blow their mind. Therefore, rumors about this fairytale camera body started surfacing on this forum. When it came out and it was a realistic interpretation that is essentially a 5D mkI with marginally better performance but greatly increased pixels and a feature-filled layout, it wasn't enough. People still want the fairytale camera. Well it's not coming.

The fact in this situation is that the 40D is a great camera body and so is the 30D if you haven't considered (~$800 now). You will be very happy with the 40D and I highly suggest you buy it. If you're debating the prices of the higher priced cameras, don't buy them. You can save now and buy good glass and then you'll be in a better position later on when you go to buy a 60D or whatever you plan to buy next.

So take from my post what you will. I will say that if you go to a store and hold a 40D and a 50D next to each other, you will probably talk yourself into buying the 50D. Especially when you see the difference in color and quality of the screen. (The 50D is the same resolution as a Polaroid photo. Imagine that on the back of a camera!)

The 40D has been available brand new for under $900 for many months now.

Yes it has. I just never considered it till now. And with it being so cheep it was instantly on the list to consider.

C'SS Great points. as I mentioned I am sure I will be happy with whatever I do come home with. It is just making the final decision that is so hard. In actuality the price is not the final decision maker. And I will probably end up with a 5D2 anyway. Even if I do get the 40D or 50D now.

I say go with the 40D, I think it is a great camera and the 50D most likely is a great camera as well. I think CamaroSS has a point. Sure the 40D is not the perfect camera, neither is the 50D and neither will cameras they produce in the future be perfect. However, I am very pleased with my new camera and when the 50D gets cheaper, as it inevitably will, I might think about picking that up as well. To me is the same as with anything else, eventually it will go on sale, the question is do I want or need it when it first comes out? Most likely not, and in this case, the 40D is quite a nice camera and now I can invest in some nicer lenses that I wouldn't have been able to afford had I got the newer camera....just my two pennies, which is about all I have right now

In any case, no matter what you think of all these new bodies coming out, it's a generally accepted strategy to buy awesome glass instead of the latest body.

I'd take good glass and a 10D over average glass and a 50D ANY DAY.

yes but there is a minimum requirement on a body too. I have an xt and playing with all other bigger bodies, its really hard with me to shoot with it now. Thank god I have light glass and a small flash. I would be supremely annoyed with balance issues. I have held the d80/d90 and that body is still too small if you mount it without a battery grip. The 40D feels solid in my hands and it seems to be priced right so i'm probably going to get that.

i personally just bought a 40d because of the low price. it was much cheaper than the other cameras out there like the Nikon d200 or 300. i love the 40d! i couldn't help but to buy it.

coolshot wrote in post #6622150
yes but there is a minimum requirement on a body too. I have an xt and playing with all other bigger bodies, its really hard with me to shoot with it now. Thank god I have light glass and a small flash. I would be supremely annoyed with balance issues. I have held the d80/d90 and that body is still too small if you mount it without a battery grip. The 40D feels solid in my hands and it seems to be priced right so i'm probably going to get that.

And the 40D should be MORE than enough for most people.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with picking up a 40D, especially now that they are so cheap. I love both mine and the only consideration I have had is a 1D for the terrible rain I often get stuck in but everything else the 40D's have served me well. I wish the high ISO performance was a little bit better but again, I don't expect 5D/1D performance on a sub $1000 body so I make due.

I was in the same boat like you few weeks ago. Then somebody mention about cashback from live.com for ebay. I saw dpreview and decided to pick up 40d instead of 50d. Because it can save me a lot money. I can use it to buy more lens and perhaps get a full frame body later. Final cost for the body about $550.00 after 25% cashback. I should also mention it's a refurbished with 90 days canon warranty and 3 years mack extended warranty. I had a tamron 18-250mm on my new 40d.

CamaroSS,
What a good post. I am in the throws of deciding between the 2 cameras. Your post has added some great points to my thinking in making this decision.

(MY FIRST POST ON THIS FORUM)

I just got a BRAND NEW Canon 40d for $638!

SwtSarina wrote in post #6626402
I just got a BRAND NEW Canon 40d for $638!

WOW nice price! Hope you have the 1 year warranty!