20, 30 or 40D

[IBM]

Alright, found out that neither the business insurance nor home insurance covers me for my recently stolen camera, so I have to make a decision as to what to replace it with, given that I'm paying for it out of my own pocket.

The 40D is out of my price range, but I'd love to know if anyone thinks that a brand new 40D is worth the premium I'd pay over a secondhand 20 or 30D. I was looking at a secondhand 10D but as I was just about ready to upgrade (in the next six months or so) to something better, I'm reluctant to go down that route - plus, I want a new toy for all my pain and suffering

I see that 30Ds are going for around the £350 mark, while the 20Ds is around £250. Given that I'm going to have to replace my new Tamron 17-50mm lens too, is the 30D worth the extra £100?

TIA

[theuncharmed]

I know Bobster on here uses a 20D and he gets some great images.

I use a 30D and get some occasional great images.

Think it's more about the photographer than the camera.

[ACiD303]

I looked into this with my recent purchase of the 30D, I think the main differences were that the 30D had a much bigger LCD screen and Spot Metering over the 20D.

I bought the 30D as I found one at the same price of a 20D, albeit without manuals, software, cables etc. I think the larger screen is probably useful if you're trying to learn what you're doing.

[Bobster]

IQ from the 40D out weighs the 20 and 30, if you have the option, then 40D is the body to buy.. i know a great deal of wedding photographers who have bought it and sware by the highlight tone priority mode!

[Bobster]

oh i see what you're going on about now.. you had ur gear nicked!! gutted m8

[shiato storm]

canon cashbacks on at the moment...maybe more in budget ?

[BenW]

Thought the canon cashback had finished now?

[IBM]

Valid until June I think

[BUFF]

Thought the canon cashback had finished now?

new 1 just started

[Bobster]

well there was someone selling their 30D with 3K on the clock for $650.00 but they just sold it

[mmh]

my dad has a 40d, and other than the size of it in ur hand, i cant see a major benefit over my 400d.

[Saracen]

my dad has a 40d, and other than the size of it in ur hand, i cant see a major benefit over my 400d.

There are several benefits, but whether they're major or not depends on what you use it for.

The first benefit is build quality. It's not fully pro-spec waterproofed, but is more robustly built .... i.e. mag-alloy chassis rather than steel and plastic. It's also a lot faster, so for action shots, your burst rate is much higher. There's a number of things (3" screen, LiveView, etc) but perhaps the most important difference (and it shows the target buyer) is DIGIC III and it's 14-bit capability. If you shoot RAW, and especially when you're doing post-processing, that gives you much more tone depth to work with, so you have less risk of dropping tones. Oh, and the exposure system, with the Highlight Tone priority mode Bobster mentioned.

The differences can be quite subtle, but they are most definitely there ..... if your photography will take advantage of them. Having said that, the 400D is still damn capable and the differences in image quality are subtle. Quite possibly worthwhile, especially for advanced users, but subtle.

[Bobster]

you forgot that the 40D has superiour focusing than the 400D as well.. and

40D has ISO3200
inbetween ISO selection ie ISO 125 etc
faster max shutter speed
a buffer for 75 JPG over the 400's 27..
the ability to shoot sRAW if required
an improved menu interface
longer shutter life
easier controls - joystick instead of 4 way cursor
and so on..

i'd even choose a 20D over a 400..

[Bobster]

i have another photog who is selling their 30D, u interested m8?

[IBM]

Know how much he's asking for it?

I think that even the 30 is out of my price range atm.....I'm just pricing up some 20Ds on Ebay.....

[Bobster]

Know how much he's asking for it?

i'm waiting for a reply on clicks and price, but i'm guessing its going to be in the $650 bracket..