which camera would you choose?

[wkahwkah]

Hi guys... I was originally thinking to get Canon 40D

but found good deal on Xsi...

both 40D and XSi are refurbished...

40D still 700 but around 520 after live.com cash back

XSi is 570 w/ 18-55 lens (not sure it is IS but think all Xsi

comes w/ IS lens??) after live.com cash back should be 430.

or Xsi body only for 490 and 370 after Cash back...

was thinking 40D + 50mm f1.8 for around 600 bucks

but w/ Xsi body.... I could get 50mm f1.4 for almost same amount of

money... will be getting 100mm Macro lens coming summer...

so.. if you have to choose between two, which one would you get?

I still towards 40D for the features... and quality of build but this

XSi seems too good to pass......

I will be checking tomorrow morning but Thanks in Advance

 

[swjim]

If the difference in cost isn't a major factor I would go with whichever feels best in your hand. When I bought my 30D two and a half years ago I looked at the Rebel XT at the time as well. My hands felt a bit cramped on the rebel but very natural on the 30D so that's what I went with. Photo quality will be very similar with either of the bodies but if you plan to shoot sports you might appreciate the higher fps count of the 40D.

Good luck, let us know what you choose!

 

[wkahwkah]

Thanks... I handled both camera at the shop and both feel fine in my hand but gotta say 40D has really good quality on build....
just wondering... would spending 200 dollars on f1.4 over f1.8?
or should I save for better walking around lens? really want 18-55 f2.8
USM but think it's close to 1k??? so alternation would be like
55/70 to 250... other than 50mm??

 

[swjim]

What do you plan on shooting other than your tank? If you're going to be in dark locations where you can't or don't want to use a flash then the prime might be a better choice, but if you're looking for flexibility then a zoom would probably make more sense.

You could always buy the 50 f/1.8, see if you like it and if you do you could sell it for close to what you paid for it since it's so cheap and upgrade to the 50 f/1.4 at a later time. The primary benefits of the f/1.4 version are better build quality, faster focusing and better bokeh, but as you know it is more expensive.

Also keep in mind that buying the kit lens is a really good way to get started, once you shoot for a while with it you will learn which aspects are most important to you and will help guide you with your next purchase(s).

 

[wkahwkah]

I think I will most likely to do landscape/portrait and maybe some sports but not likely... and feels like either 50 f1.8 or f1.4 is must have!!!
was leaning towards f1.4 due to faster focusing and build quality cuz I heard f1.8 is bit slow and feels too cheap? (I haven't handle the lens yet) Maybe I should get Xsi w/ lens and f1.8 to start out? and save rest for next lens?

 

[swjim]

I think that's a good plan. It will let you figure out what you would most like to purchase next, it may not even be a lens, you might find that you would rather have a flash, tripod, ???. Good luck, I'm sure you'll enjoy your new gear when you get it!

 

[BlueCorn]

Both bodies will produce good images and it'd be tough to really tell them apart. Buying a lower cost body to leave more money for glass is an excellent idea.

[dslr]

 

[besl]

I actually considered those two as well as the Nikon brand... I ended up purchasing the xsi... the D40 has better build quality (so I understand) but for a hobbyist DSLR the xsi will meet all my needs (and then some). You may want to look these up on dpreview.com if you have not already done so to compare features and reviews to help break the tie.

 

[wkahwkah]

Thanks for help!! I will be pulling trigger on Xsi w/ 18-55 IS lens
and 50mm f1.8 maybe f1.4 but not sure yet

 

[besl]

I know Nikon was not on your list of considerations and I found it interesting that the image processor in the Nikon is Sony... Canon of course designs its own chip called the DIGIC.. the xsi has the DIGIC III and the latest version is DIGIC IV... perhaps this is why the xsi continues to get heavily discounted... is there an xri on the way?

 

[wkahwkah]

Nikon was my choice... at first...
for D80.... (I know D40 would be fine)
but both Xsi/40D almost smoke D80...
so I decided on Canon over Nikon...
then was debating between Xsi and 40D

 

[wkahwkah]

both XSi and 40D has DIGIC III

and 50D/5D mark II has DIGIC 4....

but 50D/5D totally out of my reach..

and 14bit w/ DIGIC III should be good for me

I think

 

[wkahwkah]

quick question....

Since I almost made choice on Xsi/ lens kit...

but guess what... I just got 200 dollars... so.. might get

f1.4 lens over f1.8..... (still thinking between xsi and 40D since

I hope to use it for next 2 or 3yrs)

Just wondering... is 50mm f1.4 USM so much better than f1.8??

I mean really worth a extra 200 dollars?

or should I save bit more for 50/70-200mm ish lens??

Thanks

 

[maxalmon]

the 50 is a great lens, but you will have some limitations, the focus is very sensitive due to lens design and takes some time to get used to....for all around lens consider something like the sigma 24-70, great for portraits and the optics are fantastic. go for the EX version if you were to consider this lens.

 

[wkahwkah]

thanks.. is that sigma 24-70mm f2.8 EX DG IF??
cuz there is micro version for about 60dollars more...
and I also heard that Tamron AF 17-50mm f2.8 is great
lens for general purpose as well.. but bit expensive...

 

[maxalmon]

From the research and talking to other photographers, the Sigma lens have better glass and worth it.

I'm having a total blast with the 70-200 EX, freakin optics are amazing...

 

[juniormc8704]

have you held these both in your hands?

Hand down for me the 40D, as it has a much more comfortable grip for those of us with larger hands.

Either camera will take excellent pics, but no comparison in the feel of the actual camrea.

Just one more thing to think about.

 

[wkahwkah]

thanks!

yes.. I held both in my hands...

40D fits fine but think Xsi is bit more comfortable

due to weight and slightly smaller size

let's say if I get sigma 24-70mm EX DG..

would I even need 18-55mm IS stock lens comes w/ Xsi?

since I could just get the body

 

[jthao]

let's just say I would never trade my nikon d80 for the xsi.
but I would trade it in a heartbeat for the 40D.

just my .02

 

[wkahwkah]

^^ I know.. I kinda want to get 40D cuz I'm sure it will last 2-4yrs
w/ just getting good lens coming yr... but right now w/ my budget
can only get 40D +18-50mm IS + 50mm f1.8... after live.com cash
back.... where w/ Xsi I could get 18-50mm IS, probably 50mm f1.4
or 50mm f.18 + sigma 24-70mm