Electronics

Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens Welcome to the next generation of digital SLR photography-the Canon EOS 40D. The EOS 40D combines Canon’s tremendous know-how in both the digital and photographic worlds, creating a camera that not only does everything one would expect of a traditional digital SLR, but one that incorporates staggering leaps forward in technological innovation. With new features like Canon’s EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Live View Function, a more powerful DIGIC III Image Processor, plus a 10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3.0-inch LCD monitor and more, the EOS 40D elevates digital photography to new heights, enhancing the shooting experience, and delivering images one could only expect from a Canon. EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Picture Style settings, Spot metering, and Highlight Tone Priority for advanced in-camera image control Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor and advanced Live View Function with new options for reduced shutter time lag and quiet operation Wide range of accessories, including interchangeable focusing screens, extensive remote control options, new battery grip BG-E2N, and new dedicated wireless file transmitter WFT-E3A DCF 2.0 (Exif 2.21) - JPEG, RAW and RAW + JPEG simultaneous recording possible - up to 3,888 x 2,592 resolution JPEG Auto and manual exposure and focus modes Shutter Speeds - 1/8000 to 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), X-sync at 1/250 sec. Auto pop-up, retractable, electronic-flash in pentaprism Dimensions (W x H x D) 5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 inch (Body Only); 26.1 ounce
Customer Review: What a disapointment
As someone else wrote before - I really wanted to like this camera.

When i’ve got it shipped the box was wet of some kinda of oil, or shampoo, or something else; so I had to throw it. Luckily all the items inside the box were dry.

I have owned a Canon XT before for 1 year, and that was my first DSLR.

I’m not a proffessional photographer so the easiest way for me to get good pictures was to shoot RAW and then adjust everything in the computer. That worked pretty well. The average weight of RAW file is 7,5MB and a JPEG was 3-4 MB.

I was pretty much happy with it, but i’m the type of guy which would not be satisfied with the lowest model in a range, and there were also some things i did not like in that camera too. Those things are - noisy shutter, it was small for my big hands, the autofocus was not precise everytime. So I decided that it is time to lay up some money and upgrade my camera. That would have fortunately bring me the following improvements - better ergonomics, faster and more accurate AF, quiter shutter, better ISO performance, some more megapixels, etc. I mostly shoot portraits with my wife and my 4 months old daughter, specially when she sleeps. So a quitter shutter was pretty important to me.

So, I got it from the box and made the first shot. I was expecting to see a WOW, bu when I saw the picture on the display my first thought was “let’s look all the settings over again, maybe I messed something up”. Made some changes in the settings and then shot few pictures again, then watched them on the computer. And then i got really confused. Although some shots were looking good, some of them were inexplicably strange - what I mean is that in some cases the ISO gain was very pronounced although the ISO was set to 400 for all the pictures, and the whole images were looking strange (colors, contrast, etc) I can’t say what actually is wrong but is just doesn’t look good.

I tried then shooting raws and convert. That helped me improve the situation, but still it didn’t deliver the results I expected. About the same quality I could get with my old XT. Moreover - soon I’ve noticed a dead pixel near the center of the each picture. It is not noticeable at full picture zoom, but it really annoys me everytime I zoom to 100%.

I had a look through all the comments positive and negative before purchasing it, and now I found that some of the old comments would come very closely to my situation. But negative comments are fewer and everytime you purchase something you don’t expect yourself to get into the group of those few who write these comments, especially when you buy such a piece of electronics that is called to be a semi-pro.

Very disspointing

I’m now trying to return it to the vendor, but I live in Europe so it could cost me a lot. If I don’t manage to get through with this, I’ll try to sell it, and then buy some better optics for my XT
Customer Review: Fantastic DSLR
I usually spend a lot of time researching electronic before I purchase it. And it was the same with the Canon 40D. I was debating between the 40D and the 5D. The 5D was substantially more expensive, but I really wanted the a full-framed camera. The 5D has been around for a couple of years and the new refresher model will be out around Q3 08′with better features and functions. I just couldn’t wait that long per I had a few travel plans this summer that needed the camera. So the decision was made to go with the 40D.

This camera is amazingly fast with the DigicIII processor and 6.5 frames per second. The live view function helps a lot for those moments when you can’t view the shot through the view finder. With a 3″ screen it makes viewing on the live view mode simple to see the details. The autofocus in live view mode is also accurate and clear (you need to push the autofocus button near the right thumb for it autofocus; pushing down halfway on the shutter button to autofocus does not work for live view). For the price, this camera is a bargain with all the high-end function it has.

The grip, weight distribution and overall feel of the camera is very solid and gives you a great balance for any shot.

I would highly recommend this camera for people that are upgrading from a XTi or considering to go into photography. Not to make light of its “mid range” dslr modeling, but this camera is used as a second camera or backup for many professional photographers and wedding photographers.

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