Upgrading to a 400D from a 300D

[beanbag]

I know you get lots of these threads on here, but I really have a good opportunity to upgrade my EOS to a 400D as a friend of mine who would like to start out in the DSLR world has offered to buy my 300D for a reasonable price.

The question is....is it worth it?

I've read the specs of the 400D and they are certainly impressive since you get a much better quality CCD and image processor, plus you have a better buffer allowing you to keep your finger pressed for longer amongst other features.

I've not however physically held the camera so I don't know how it feels plus I've also heard with the use of the TFT screen as the info screen instead of the old LCD, it may chew up the battery a bit quicker.

The other thing is I'm not a great photographer but I love taking photos and I have about 12,000 on my PC that I've taken over the last 2 years with my 300D. I'm steadily getting better but I want to buy a wider angle lens and flash.

I currently have the 18-55 standard EOS lens you get with your DSLR and a 55-200mm telescopic narrow lens. I would love to buy a 430EX flash, but if I bought a 400D now, it would have to wait a while longer to get.

So again...the same question. Should I go for it or carry on as I am....

(I thought I'd add an example of my work. This is one of my girlfriends little sister playing about oblivious to the camera. I just thought it was very natural)

Edited by beanbag on Sunday 1st October 19:00

[robdickinson]

Ultimatly I dont think a picture taken with a 400D will be much better than a 300D (unless croped or blown up), its about how you get there.

I've not used a 400d but have a 350d. Size is a big difference, the 400d is a lot smaller, I like it though as its easy to cart about. Performance of the 350d (compared to a 300d which I've used) is miles ahead, turn on, shooting etc is just so much faster, the 400d is a bit quicker too.

The better AF and sensor cleaning on the 400d is a good bonus too. Realy depends on what you want, is the performance of the 300d hindering you?

[beanbag]

robdickinson said:

Ultimatly I dont think a picture taken with a 400D will be much better than a 300D (unless croped or blown up), its about how you get there.

I've not used a 400d but have a 350d. Size is a big difference, the 400d is a lot smaller, I like it though as its easy to cart about. Performance of the 350d (compared to a 300d which I've used) is miles ahead, turn on, shooting etc is just so much faster, the 400d is a bit quicker too.

The better AF and sensor cleaning on the 400d is a good bonus too. Realy depends on what you want, is the performance of the 300d hindering you?

The main issues are the buffer size on the 300D and the CF write speed. I can only get 4 photos which sometimes really does bug me when I'm trying to capture something like a car, or any moving object. With regards to the CF write speed. It's painfully slow on the 300D and i've missed some really great photos, plus I've also missed phots too due to the start-up time which is about 3 seconds. Not a lot but if you need your camera that instant....it's a pain.

I guess they are small issues, as the problem could easily be resolved with the 350D, however it's just I have this opportunity and the 400D is only just over £450 here in Europe.

The pixel size isn't really an issue. In fact, I would probably work with the medium size for most photos, but the extra picture size would be a bonus.

I just really want to be sure I make the right choice and not simply throw money away just for the heck of it.

[robdickinson]

Sounds like the performance of either the 350 or 400 would help you then, unles I could get a good price on a 350 I'd get the 400.

Balance how many shots you'd get with 3fps continuous shooting for 15+ frames and or instant on against the new flash.