Canon EOS 40D 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera 

with EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Standard Zoom Lens

The Canon 40D is the most camera for the money that Canon has ever provided. The highlights:

- The new improvded Autofocus: Yes, it's still 9 peak, and I was skeptical about how enhanced it would actually be, but having worn in the sphere on numerous photo shoots, I was able to contrast it precisely to my Canon 5D, and the AF on the 40D was noticeably more accurate and aware to clever differences within the Depth of Field. The new approach performs especially well with my 135mm 2.0L, and my 70-200mm 2.8L IS. Nevertheless this is what is advertised about it (i.e. better performance with lens w/ Maximum apertures of 2.8 and better).

- The 3.0" LCD: Once again, comparing this to my 5D, which has a 2.5" exhibit, the incline reproduction is noticeably more accurate. Initially I thought that the flag were being captured differently by the camera, but when I realized they were very alike once I looked at them on the notebook, it became plain the difference was in the parade on the camera. Also, the pageant on the 40D is brighter. I have not yet noticed as dramatic a difference as Canon has made it look in their findings specify when viewed in sunlight, but especially in darker settings, it is noticeable that there's a difference.

- The entice price and defense volume: The enlarged memory is very apparent, in particular at the low rapidity continual location (3 fps), where the quickness at 3fps seems closer than the 3fps on the 5D easily because it can stay shooting (seemingly endlessly). In the high pace continual manner (6.5fps), the alacrity is psyche-boggling. I have not had a risk totally to analyze this out yet (look for an outlook correct to this).

- The viewfinder: The extent and brightness are noticeably and dramatically better. The look through the viewfinder is so better over my old 20D, they almost can't be compared. It's not pretty as big as the 5D, but not far-off each. And it's just about as happy as the 5D, if not as tidy.

- The AF badge on the back: Although I still use the reliable half drive on the secure fasten the lead of the time, I have found the rear AF badge to be very helpful at epoch. At certain epoch, the way in which I clasp the camera makes with the traditional half advance much easier. However, as a tip, I have found that in focus-recompose situations, the rear AF badge is invaluable, as it is MUCH easier to prolong property down the rear AF Button while recomposing and then shout the shot, while with the traditional everyday, it is more difficult to recompose without accidentally releasing bulldoze faintly on the shutter and having to try again (or accidentally taking the shot after it refocuses to a question you didn't want).

The menu procedure: The new tab based menu practice is much more intuitive and much better than scrolling through one big slant. If you've ever seen the menus on some of the more current Powershot minuscule situation and shoots, it's like that (related specifically to my education to the SD630, as that is the one I own).

Battery management: I worn this camera at the Redskins/Dolphins home tough last week, and I have a routine of where, and how much I take cinema, and how often the camera is on. My camera came in the day I had a photo squirt with an example later, so I put in an array I had already exciting to use with my 5D, and left the class new series to indict at home. So, I was with one of my old batteries, in other words. This was not a long photo hurry with this classic, I shot possibly 50 cinema of the develop with the 40D. I never changed the string before the sport and what was noticeable was that the indicator did not decent off "satisfied" pending the end of the fourth billet, right before they went into OT. Since I was shooting with a new 40D as divergent to my old 20D I was shooting more, also - possibly 33% more than natural. And with the 20D, if the battery had just been electric and no other use, it would have been down from "ample" by halftime, slightly beforehand. The camera is clearly managing the weight consumption better. (NOTE: The one improvement that did not make the 40D, disappointingly, is a better battery indicator - it's still the same trying little 3 bars, of which 2 forever go away when it drops from rotund, so certainly a two bar indicator).

- The speed of scrolling through films: I know this has to be a significance of the DIGIC III processor. It's absurdly better than the 20D or the 5D. If you scroll the knob really fleeting to zip through a bunch of pcitures, it's there in trice or less. The best way I can describe it is the difference in a computer that you'd been operation 256MB RAM on and you just upped it to 1GB. It makes the "Jump" badge appear almost unneccesary, however, I'm happy that it's still there!

- Picture Style Button: This is very convenient. I hated looking for that through the long menu.

- Flash management: I don't have the new 580EX II yet, but with the 580EX, it's still noticeable that when with the E-TTL repeated style, it does a better job of managing the crop, with a junior output at epoch when I know it would have overfired or drained more dominance on the 20D, and the result is you can get more good shots closer. NOTE: I was using the outdoor faculty hoard also. Nevertheless I'm making my assessment based on use of the power haversack with the speed when using the old camera as well.

- Visible ISO on the display on top. And better, though still regular, landscape on the top display.

Assessment: In terms of specs, this camera is amazingly close to it's new big brother the 1D Mark III, more than gone models have been. This is a big benefit to those of us who don't have a wealth to finish on the top of the line Canon cameras. The icon attributed of this camera is not noticeably different from that in the 5D, though there is a slur difference when you look sensibly. And of course it isn't sated scaffold, which is a minus in certain applications, and a boon in others. The improvements between the 20D and the 30D were negligible, to say the least - it was clear Canon was just extending the lifecycle of the 20D, and the 30D should have been called the 20D Mark II. However, the 40D has many dramatic improvements over both of these before models, and scrapes at the heels of the 5D in all the areas where the 5D once had a clear plus - let's hope for a 5D Mark II (or 7D, or anything it will be called) quickly. I've been recital rumors that it will be the 1st billet of next year. I will admit that when this camera was first announced, and the Nikon D300 announcement came a few time later, Nikon immovable my interest big time. Nevertheless obviously, with all my investment in so much Canon tackle, it was a no-brainer to persist with Canon. Even to own both brands would be a considerable additional investment for that one body, as I have no Nikon lenses. At this summit I will preach the gospel of "L." To indeed appreciate how good Canon photography can be, you essential to own at least one "L" lens (although it will become more than one once you do, LOL). I own the highest rated (and still fairly "affordable") L lenses, the Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS Image Stabilizer USM AF Telephoto Lens and Filters and 5 Year Warranty and Accessory Kit(both previously mentioned here), the Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras and the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras, which I asylum't used on the 40D yet, as I fancy the idea of using it on the filled casing 5D for the wider angles it provides. I retreat't used the 100-400 on it yet just because I asylum't had a chance or the right opportunity. They're all worth every money, and I would document that the 135mm 2.0L might be the best lens, point. It's defintely my best one, although the 70-200 2.8L IS comes close.

Once again, the 40D is the best body for the money that Canon makes.