Canon Rebel Xs and Canon 40D...difference?

[Me No Nemo]

I've been trying to figure out the difference between these two cameras. I need a good camera for macro shots in my tank. I'd rather pay a bit more if it's worth the extra money. I just don't want to if not necessary. Thanks for any advice you can share. Marcye

 

[BlueCorn]

The XS is brand new and designed to compete at the low end. It's sort of the baby brother to th e Rebel line. The 40D is at the high end of Canon's consumer range and is the more capable camera. It's also larger and more durable.

Image quality between the two is going to be very similar.

 

[Me No Nemo]

Thanks for the quick response! Now, knowing what I want to use it for, which would you suggest? I currently have a Kodak EasyShare and for everyday pics it does a really good job, but I'm ready to move up to some higher end photography as a second hobby (just joined the local camera club) and want to make a single purchase that I can add to in future...in other words I want this to be the last camera I need to buy

 

[BlueCorn]

Given that, I'd recommend the 40D over the XS; it'll last you longer. You should also go to a camera store and hold several and see how they fit your hand.

 

[Me No Nemo]

Great...thanks!!!!

 

[Me No Nemo]

Thanks for the advice, Beerguy. Went with the 40D after all. A bit heavier than I'm used to, but I think I can get used to it Now if the darn battery will just charge up!

 

[drparker]

Congrats and enjoy the new toy. I recommend getting a 2nd battery. It's saved my bacon a few times when I though the camera had a charged battery but did not.

Also get the book understanding Exposure by Bryan Petterson.

 

[Me No Nemo]

Thanks! I do plan on getting an extra battery and I'll be sure to get that book. I just took a couple of shots...OMG! Now, this is a camera! Only problem is I really have no idea how to work this thing! I did get a couple of great shots of an almost completely dark tank...but I keep getting a strobe when I press the button to take the picture, but it doesn't always take one. Looks like I'll be doing a lot of reading for the next few weeks. I've also joined the local camera club and they have a mentoring program, so that should help.

 

[drparker]

Also if you haven't found it yet here's a great site for Canon based forums. Photography On the Net The strobe would probably be the autofocus assist and would not take the shot because your not focused in full auto mode.

 

[Me No Nemo]

I think that's right as I've been playing with the focus and it seems to be doing better. Wow, lots to learn. Thanks so much for that link...I'm on my way there now as there is just way too many buttons and knobs on this to figure out without lots of help.

 

[Mache62]

I second that book. I would sit with the camera in my lap as I was reading.

We got the Rebel XTi almost 2 years ago and have been looking at the 40D for an upgrade and as a second camera.

 

[Me No Nemo]

Well, so far I've just been playing with it, but wow, the photos are incredible! I haven't tried it yet, but Canon says I can even set the White balance off Kelvin temperature of lighting...has anyone tried that yet? How did that work?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

The strobe is your pop-up flash trying to focus in the dark. The auto focus sensor can't see anything to focus on, so it tells the flash to strobe and give it some light. When the camera "locks on" focus, this strobe action should stop. If you change the lens to manual focus, the strobe action should stop. If you use a speed light, they have a nifty red "focus assist" beam which is much less intrusive on your subject. If you get out of the automatic modes, the flash won't pop up at all until you press a button and tell it to.

 

[Me No Nemo]

Thanks. Yep, that's exactly what was happening. Here's a pic of Guppy...I can't believe the detail in this pic!

Titusvile do you per chance know anything about the Orlando Camera Club? Or is there another in the area you would suggest?

 

[MCary]

Yeah, just wait until you learn post processing:

 

[Me No Nemo]

Wow!!! What did you do to get that pic to look like that? Amazing! I have Photoshop CS2 so I imagine I can work in that?

 

[TitusvileSurfer]

I took advanced digital photography at Cocoa BCC with Marylin Cook. She is great and I keep in contact with my class mates. I'm not in any "camera club" but if you have any suggestions, I would likely join one with you.