Is it worth upgrading to a 40d from an XTI?

[SAWYER]

I have an xti and love it, but I have a chance to trade an iphone for a gripped 40d body with 5k clicks.

 

[alfa147x]

What are your uses ?

and what other lens flash, ect. do you have?

 

[SAWYER]

General photography as a learning hobby and family/general pics. I have a 18-55 IS, 50 1.8 and a 580 exii. I wouldn't upgrade if I was straight buying, but I only have 380 in this iphone and don't use it. I figured I could get at least 300 from my xti body

 

[jpeyton]

No.

 

[alfa147x]

yeah you should look to upgrade lens wise with the $380
or if you rather, build a strobist kit

 

[SAWYER]

OK, well I am wanting a nice prime...Sigma or Canon?

 

[alfa147x]

OK, well I am wanting a nice prime...Sigma or Canon?

New or Used?

 

[SAWYER]

Used

 

[alfa147x]

Used

I would prefer Canon but thats just me

Honestly don't keep a bias, do you have any local camera shops? Walk in and ask to try the lens out

also what range in MMs do you want

you possibly could get the
Super Wide Angle EF 20mm f/2.8 USM Autofocus Lens

 

[SAWYER]

I have been eyeing the 50 1.4 from Canon and Sigma, I would also be open to other suggestions

 

[alfa147x]

I have been eyeing the 50 1.4 from Canon and Sigma, I would also be open to other suggestions

Ohhh yes I loved the Canon
we rented the 50 1.4 and 50 1.2L for a shoot, honestly the 1.2 was not worth the extra $$$ but damn one great lens... I might buy one soon (canon 50mm 1.4)

 

[SAWYER]

I have never owned a wide angle but I don't like the way pics look that I have seen, sort of distorted looking

 

[alfa147x]

I have never owned a wide angle but I don't like the way pics look that I have seen, sort of distorted looking

That's true honestly I think 50mm is the sweet spot for a lens

 

[angry hampster]

Ohhh yes I loved the Canon
we rented the 50 1.4 and 50 1.2L for a shoot, honestly the 1.2 was not worth the extra $$$ but damn one great lens... I might buy one soon (canon 50mm 1.4)

The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is a POS compared to the Sigma. The AF motor technology is nearly 20 years old (micro usm) and it's just not a very sturdy lens. Corner sharpness is also pathetic and center sharpness isn't really there until f/2 or smaller. The $450 Sigma rivals Canon's $1200 50mm f/1.2.

 

[Munky]

I have never owned a wide angle but I don't like the way pics look that I have seen, sort of distorted looking

Wide angle lenses distort and exaggerate perspective, and should be used for a different purpose than normal lenses. It's more for an artistic effect, not for "getting everything in."

 

[996GT2]

I have been eyeing the 50 1.4 from Canon and Sigma, I would also be open to other suggestions

The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 is optically superior to the Canon (it's in the same league as the Canon 50mm f/1.2L). It also AFs much faster since it has a true USM instead of the Canon's micro motor USM technology.

However, the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 does cost more and there are more quality-control issues associated with it...namely, it's hard to find a copy without front or back-focusing issues. And since you don't have a camera with AF microadjust, you can't correct for any AF defects.

I would also recommend you looking at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, which acts like a 50mm lens would on a full-frame body. The Sigma 50mm has the field of view of an ~80mm lens on a 1.6x body, which is a bit long to be considered a "normal" lens.


As far as wide-angle lenses for 1.6x crop cameras, zooms are the best way to go. Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8, Canon 10-22mm, Sigma 10-20mm, and Tokina 12-24mm f/4 are all popular choices.

 

[SAWYER]

How does the Sigma 30 compare to the 50 in pq?

 

[angry hampster]

How does the Sigma 30 compare to the 50 in pq?

Does pq mean picture quality? If so, I'd say very similar, with a slight edge to the 50 in corner sharpness. I owned a Sigma 30 for a year or so when I had a 20D. Very good lens. Well built, silent and fast AF, great image quality.

 

[Dark Penguin]

The 40D is a much faster camera with better AF than the Xti. If speed or AF limitations have been a problem for you I'd get the 40D.

 

[ElFenix]

i did exactly that and it was worthwhile. all said and done the upgrade cost ~$200. thanks dell! the 40D is a much more solid camera with much better ergonomics (with the exception of the power switch, the rebel power switch is perfect, i just leave the 40D on most of the time).

 

[Dark Penguin]

I hate the rebel's power switch. Much prefer the 40D style. Course I've been using that style of switch since my Canon EOS A2 I picked up like 15 years or so ago.

I forgot one thing about the 40D that I really like - live view. If you use a tripod it is like working with a view camera. Just a great feature even as implemented on the 40D. (Which is pretty basic.)

 

[ElFenix]

rebel power switch is so easy to use one handed. just flick it with your thumb.

 

[angry hampster]

rebel power switch is so easy to use one handed. just flick it with your thumb.

It's so bulky though. My 5D is always on..goes to sleep after 1 minute. I don't want to have to work around the power switch. It's pretty much flush with the back of the camera.

 

[yllus]

I went from an XT to a 40D and would do it again in a heartbeat. High ISO shots look much better, you add spot metering, and I believe the processing time is much improved.

Those things are all great when it comes to affecting the final product, but what really does it for me are the things that help usability: The viewfinder is much larger. The ergonomics of the camera (wheel/jog dial) are better. And Live View is surprisingly handy.

There is a tradeoff of increased weight, but it's well worth it in my opinion.

 

[idiotekniQues]

usually upgrading glass is king but to me going from a rebel style camera to the 40/50D type series is also a significant upgrade. the rebels to me feel like a toy. having the fit and ergonomics, plus more power, of the upgraded body line can also make or break the ability to get a good shot. it's a tough call but i wouldn't go for the automatic glass upgrade in this case.