Further DSLR Body advice required
Further DSLR Body advice required
Author
Discussion

Rob13

Original Poster:

9,082 posts

254 months

Friday 18th September 2009
quotequote all
I've been set on the 40d for a little while now, but after completely blowing my budget on my theoretical camera setup, I've had to go back to the drawing board.

The 40d is quite rightly a very popular body. It holds its value well and theyre still selling for over £500 new for the body only.
The 450d can be picked up for under £400 new. Aside from the lack of functionality on the body, the smaller body size/cheaper body package and the slower FPS rate, it would allow me to spend more money on lenses.

I have been suggested to go for a cheaper body, but stick with quality lenses and spend the money there instead. They recommended to go for EF lenses over EF-S but I was wondering what differences it will make with a crop sensor? Will I find better results with an APS-C body and EF-S lenses or can I use EF lenses just as well? I could probably get hold of a UWA, nifty fifty and a walkabout lens which would keep me going for a while (only the telephoto would have to wait) if I was to buy a cheaper body

Other option I guess is 20/30d - Yes or no?

flat-planedCrank

3,697 posts

233 months

Friday 18th September 2009
quotequote all
Rob13 said:
I've been set on the 40d for a little while now, but after completely blowing my budget on my theoretical camera setup, I've had to go back to the drawing board.

The 40d is quite rightly a very popular body. It holds its value well and theyre still selling for over £500 new for the body only.
The 450d can be picked up for under £400 new. Aside from the lack of functionality on the body, the smaller body size/cheaper body package and the slower FPS rate, it would allow me to spend more money on lenses.

I have been suggested to go for a cheaper body, but stick with quality lenses and spend the money there instead. They recommended to go for EF lenses over EF-S but I was wondering what differences it will make with a crop sensor? Will I find better results with an APS-C body and EF-S lenses or can I use EF lenses just as well? I could probably get hold of a UWA, nifty fifty and a walkabout lens which would keep me going for a while (only the telephoto would have to wait) if I was to buy a cheaper body

Other option I guess is 20/30d - Yes or no?
Both cameras will use EF or EF-S lenses.
(The only limitation will be if you intend to buy a 'pro' or full-frame camera in the future (cheapest is currently approx £2k body price)).

If the cheaper body does all you want and allows you to spend more on lenses then that certainly sounds like a good idea smile All of the lenses you will buy for the 450D will work on the 40D if you choose to upgrade in the future.
(You may even argue that with the 7D being released that there may be a bunch of 40D's hitting the used market in the future, might be able to pick one up for less money...)

Have you been to look at the cameras in a shop? If not I'd certainly recommend it. The difference in construction, button layout, usability, etc.. can help to convince you to spend more than you originally planned winkhehe


Hope this helps.




Cheers.

MonkeyHanger

9,267 posts

272 months

Friday 18th September 2009
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And your budget is?..... smile

Nothing wrong with some EF-S lenses. The 10-22 is superb, as are the 60 macro and 17-55 2.8IS.

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

284 months

Saturday 19th September 2009
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If you want wide or standard zooms you have to go EF-S with an APS-C body. Theres going to be a continuing market for them (especialy since the 7D) and theres plenty around used.

Buy well used and sell at no loss if you get a full frame body.

As for 450d vs 40D the 450D is competent all rounder but the 40D kills it for ergonomics and sports. 40D is a body you can keep and use for a long time, no so convinced about the 450D.

Thunderace

759 posts

275 months

Saturday 19th September 2009
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RobDickinson said:
If you want wide or standard zooms you have to go EF-S with an APS-C body.
Wish I'd known that before buying 24-70, 17-40 and 12-24mm full frame lenses to use on my 40D.

Wonder if I can still get my money back biggrin

Dr MAD

345 posts

233 months

Saturday 19th September 2009
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RobDickinson said:
As for 450d vs 40D the 450D is competent all rounder but the 40D kills it for ergonomics and sports. 40D is a body you can keep and use for a long time, no so convinced about the 450D.
I agree. I've had my 40D since the day it was launched and it is a wonderful piece of kit. I have compared it to the 450D and to be honest I'd spend the extra on the 40D. Better build quality - it feels as if it will outlast the 450. Better frame rate etc etc. Whilst I have a 70-200 f2.8 is (which produces fantastic results) my main day to day lens is the EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 which is a corker smile

I'm looking to upgrade soon, maybe 7D, as I want the video features (must be the only one here!) but I will be keeping hold of the 40D as it is sooooo good!

RobDickinson

31,343 posts

284 months

Saturday 19th September 2009
quotequote all
Thunderace said:
RobDickinson said:
If you want wide or standard zooms you have to go EF-S with an APS-C body.
Wish I'd known that before buying 24-70, 17-40 and 12-24mm full frame lenses to use on my 40D.

Wonder if I can still get my money back biggrin
That'll work but the 12-24 isnt super wide, the 17-40 isnt as sharp or as fast or has IS as the 17-55f2.8IS, and the 24-70 is ace but a lot bigger and heavier than the 17-55... Great setup if/when you go ff though

Not that your wrong, if it works for you!

Edited by RobDickinson on Saturday 19th September 23:40