Why upgrade from a 40D?

I've been amazed at how many new cameras Canon has come out with since I purchased my 40D. I have always been following the "news" on the 5D and now the new 5D MKII. The full-frame debate rages on.

Here's the situation - My 40D with the Sigma lenses I use take excellent photos (gotta love RAW). Post processing in Photoshop is easy and quick. So, please convince me why I should upgrade (I need to know what to tell my bride). Is full-frame really worthwhile?

I've got a good camera, can make poster-sized prints and no complaints.......

-Richard

trickyricky wrote in post #7086264
I've been amazed at how many new cameras Canon has come out with since I purchased my 40D. I have always been following the "news" on the 5D and now the new 5D MKII. The full-frame debate rages on.

Here's the situation - My 40D with the Sigma lenses I use take excellent photos (gotta love RAW). Post processing in Photoshop is easy and quick. So, please convince me why I should upgrade (I need to know what to tell my bride). Is full-frame really worthwhile?

I've got a good camera, can make poster-sized prints and no complaints.......

-Richard

If you get what you need from the 40D, don't spend your money.

I like what I get from my 5D and I cannot find anything about the 5D2 that tempts me so I'm sitting on my money. There is nothing wrong with using what you have that gives you results that you are happy with.

Dude, the 5D came out years ago.

a couple of XXXD plastic cams, the 50D, and the 5DmkII came out after the 40D. If you are happy with your cam, keep it. Spend the money on good lenses. In a year the 60D will be out, then the 70D.

The 5D is SLOW compared to the 40D, but the shallow dof afforded by the sensor, the ISO noise characteristics, the big viewfinder, and the quality of the images are appealing - sharp, great color and resolution. I own both and both take great images.

And so far I agree with Jeffrey. Nothing about the 5dmkII severely tempts me. The 1DsmkII now, that's tempting.

If you come from a film background, nothing beats a FF sensor. But if you are happy with your camera, that's all that matters. The camera is just an instrument that helps you achieve what your are seeing in you mind. Don't worry about it, and go out and shoot, shoot, shoot!!!

I guess that would explain my confusion. I've never owned a film SLR so I don't know what I'm missing.......

-Richard

elader wrote in post #7086305
And so far I agree with Jeffrey. Nothing about the 5dmkII severely tempts me. The 1DsmkII now, that's tempting.

I'm actually thinking about trying to pick up a used 1D3. I love my 5D, but there are many times I wish I had better AF and I would not mind ISO3200 being just a hair cleaner. I was hoping that Canon would follow the path of the D700, but since they did not a 5D + 1D3 combo seems to be the Canon path to equivalent of the D700.

trickyricky wrote in post #7086326
I guess that would explain my confusion. I've never owned a film SLR so I don't know what I'm missing.......

-Richard

Don't worry about it. Learn your camera inside and out, and photography, and trust me, you will be amazed at what you can do!

trickyricky wrote in post #7086264
So, please convince me why I should upgrade

Well, is there something that other cameras do better than your 40D - and that you want to have?

I've decided for myself that I'll upgrade my 40D when Canon make a camera that meets *all* of the following requirements:
- has a pro AF system
- has a 1 step better ISO than the 40D
- sells for under $2K

No Canon camera meets all of these right now, so my $2K stays with me rather than going to Canon.

Come up with a list of what you want and then answer your question .

I've always figured that if someone has to "sell" me something, I don't really need it or want it. I usually come up with plenty of things to "need" on my own. If you haven't been drooling over some missing feature that a more expensive camera has, then what's the problem?

JeffreyG wrote in post #7086334
I'm actually thinking about trying to pick up a used 1D3. I love my 5D, but there are many times I wish I had better AF and I would not mind ISO3200 being just a hair cleaner. I was hoping that Canon would follow the path of the D700, but since they did not a 5D + 1D3 combo seems to be the Canon path to equivalent of the D700.

personally I am worried about the AF. The 1DsmkII is a stunner.

hahaha....same here

really wanted to upgrade last year. was waiting for a canon version of the d700...just because i want the pro af and weathersealing....comm​ander flash mode was a big bonus but we know canon wont provide this.

5d2 pops out and i was disappointed. i dont think canon will ever come up with a d700 type of camera. so money is still in the bank.

my 30D is more than capable i really just wanted a faster and more reliable AF.

trickyricky wrote in post #7086264
I've been amazed at how many new cameras Canon has come out with since I purchased my 40D. I have always been following the "news" on the 5D and now the new 5D MKII. The full-frame debate rages on.

Here's the situation - My 40D with the Sigma lenses I use take excellent photos (gotta love RAW). Post processing in Photoshop is easy and quick. So, please convince me why I should upgrade (I need to know what to tell my bride). Is full-frame really worthwhile?

I've got a good camera, can make poster-sized prints and no complaints.......

-Richard

I don't see an newer body adding a whole lot to your photography experience. I also have a 40D and it still cranks out the goodies.

Not sure of your lens lineup and what you shoot, but if you want to have a little more fun with your 40D, take a look at the CAnon 85mm f/1.8. Or the 60mm Macro, which is also a nice portrait lens on the 40D.

The pace of camera releases does seem to have picked up - maybe it's because of the buzz some of them have generated.

trickyricky wrote in post #7086264
I've got a good camera, can make poster-sized prints and no complaints.......

That is the situation where you should keep going with what you have.

You may find that this remains the case even after several years. If so, then keep shooting with what you have! There are people out there still shooting with 10Ds and other cameras of that vintage, and producing excellent stuff with them. The capabilities of the old cameras haven't diminished, and postprocessing software has gotten a lot more capable, so if anything the images those older cameras produce should be even better now than before.

The only reason I'd been upgrading is that I kept finding things I didn't like that were improved or fixed in newer bodies. I find my 50D is quite decent so I'm likely to stick with it for quite some time. About the only thing that might cause me to upgrade at this point is if Canon sticks a pro autofocus system into an XXD body or if they produce a 1D without an integrated grip. Neither is very likely, so like many others here I'm likely to just keep shooting what I have.

And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that ... and many things right with it.

TrickyRicky.
I would keep the 40D.
Like Beep said above, the 85 f1.8 is a great lens. You will love it.

Yeah, with recession comming, better to keep the money in your pocket than Canon pocket.

Dont spend if you cant find a reason for it.