ingoditrust's Full Review: Canon EOS 40D Digital Camera with 28-135mm lens
I'm fortunate to make my living in photography. At the same time,I'm almost unfortunate in the fact that I feel compelled to
dole out big bucks every time my brand of choice,Canon releases a new model camera or lens.
I recently bought the Canon EOS 5D,their full frame sensor camera. I thought I missed the full frame and lusted to use full frame with a super wide angle lens.That's another review all together I will soon post.
But anyway,after 2 shoots with the 5D,I sold it and lucked out when I found the one and only available new Canon EOS 40D on the shelf locally. Finding this camera in stock was like finding the great 'Oz' and being able to tell him everything you'd want.
I already own the Canon 30D but lusted for this new model for at least 3 main reasons:
1-10.5 megapixels. My photo agents need 50meg images so better to res them up from 10.5 megapixels than from 8.
2-dust sensor cleaning built in
3-bigger preview screen on back. Much bigger.
What I also got that has thrilled me to the pixel heavens is now I can also get 6.5 fps and get live preview on the back of the screen.
The images are cleaner and clearer at higher ISO ratings.Unlike the 30D and even 5D which looked to noisy and grainy above 200.
I've tested this camera with over 3000 shots in 2 weeks inside,outside,with flash,available light and studio flash. All the exposures have been right on the money and DUST FREE!
The camera response time at start up is instant and the camera
has a nice weight and balance to it that makes it easy to hold for long periods of time unlike a Canon Rebel which will leave your hand a wrist fatigued after a short time shooting.You can make changes to the menu to clean the sensor everytime you turn the camera on or off.
I've shot RAW and jpeg and both are flawless but RAW being the most perfect format.
The camera came with the Canon software so you can process the raw images. Photoshop as of this writing has not updated Camera RAW to process raw images from this new model but I'm sure it's in the works.
I don't really care for the bundled Canon software. I found it very slow for batch processing and downloaded the new version of Bibble which I find to be amazing working with RAW or jpeg images. They have a trial for the software so you can decide or yourself.
In addition to the usual battery(same BP-511a as the 5D and 30D),charger,neck strap,cables and manual, my Canon EOS 40D came bundled with the Canon 28-135 USM Image stabilization lens. I already have had this lens for years and use it frequently at events since the range is so good(better than my 24-105 L). Some people love the 28-135 others don't. I love it and now have 2 good copies of it.At normal range with flash is how I use it covering press conferences and grip and grin shots and all of my photos come out sharp with good color. I've had thousands of photos published with this lens in major magazines(editorial publishing license starts at $75.00 to $2500.00)
I don't use this on lifestyle or high end stock images though as I am not sure that images from the lens will be as clean as those from my prime lenses or Canon 'L' series lenses especially when I have to res the images up to 50mb each.
This is the best middle range digicam Canon has ever put out. I't's been awhile since I've been so fired up about taking photos(for work or play) but this camera puts the joy back into my life since I'm not sitting on the computer getting rid of dust spots on my images for hours on end.
I've been digital since the early 1990s when I foot out about $28,000 USD for a Kodak digital. It's amazing how far and how quick excellent quality digital has come. It surpasses film-which I have a backlog of dating back to 1978.
I wish they would make the consumer negative and slide scanners with the quality of the newer digicams!
Superb image quality: 10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, extensive noise reduction technology, and 14-bit conversion for outstanding color tones and gradations.
Outstanding performance: 6.5 fps, burst rate up to 75 consecutive JPEGs or 17 RAW images and DIGIC III Image Processor.
Strong, rugged build quality: magnesium-alloy exterior, shutter durability-tested to 100,000 cycles, top speed 1/8000, top x-sync speed 1/250.
New AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, and world's first diagonal high-precision cross-type AF at center point with f/2.8 and faster lenses.
EOS Integrated Cleaning System, Picture Style settings, Spot metering, and Highlight Tone Priority for advanced in-camera image control.
Large 3.0-inch LCD monitor and advanced Live View Function with new options for reduced shutter time lag and quiet operation.
Wide range of accessories, including interchangeable focusing screens, extensive remote control options, new battery grip BG-E2N, and new dedicated wireless file transmitter WFT-E3A.
Huge Sensor for Tremendous Photographs
Superb image quality: 10.1 Megapixel CMOS Sensor, extensive noise reduction technology, and 14-bit conversion for outstanding color tones and gradations.
Canon's large-area CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) sensor captures images with exceptional clarity and tonal range, and offers the most pixels in its class. This APS-C size sensor (22.5 x 15.0mm) has the same 3:2 ratio as film cameras, enabling an effective angle of view that is 1.6x the normal EF Lens focal length. 14-bit A/D conversion means fine transitions from light to dark tones, and a significant drop in digital and shadow noise. The EOS 40D has an extensive ISO range (from 100 to 1600, plus ISO 3200* in extended mode) which is selectable in 1/3 stop increments. The EOS 40D's CMOS sensor uses much of the new technology first seen in the EOS-1D Mark III camera. New manufacturing techniques mean each pixel is more sensitive to light, and less area between pixels is wasted on the sensor. The on-chip noise reduction electronics are also entirely new, and combine with the sensor's general design for less digital noise and better high-ISO performance than ever before. This results in larger, clearer, sharper and more detailed photographs right from the start.
* Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index.
Specifications
Type
Type
Digital AF/AE SLR
Recording Medium
CF Card Type I and II and external media (USB v.2.0 hard drive, via optional Wireless File Transmitter WFT-E3A)
Image Format
0.87 x 0.58 in./22.2 x 14.8mm (APS-C size sensor)
Compatible Lenses
Canon EF, EF-S, TS-E, and MP-E lenses
Lens Mount
Canon EF mount
Lens Focal Length Conversion Factor*
1.6x
Image Sensor
Type
High-sensitivity, high-resolution, single-plate, CMOS sensor
Pixels
Approx. 10.10 megapixels
Total Pixels
Approx. 10.50 megapixels
Aspect Ratio
3:2 (Horizontal : Vertical)
Color Filter System
RGB primary color filters
Low-pass Filter
Fixed position in front of the CMOS sensor
Recording System
Recording Format
DCF 2.0 (Exif 2.21): JPEG, RAW and RAW+JPEG simultaneous recording possible. Multiple options for recording images on a memory card.
Image Format
JPEG, RAW (Canon CR2)
File Size
1. JPEG/Large: Approx. 3.5MB (3,888 x 2,592)
2. JPEG/Medium: Approx. 2.1MB (2,816 x 1,880)
3. JPEG/Small: Approx. 1.2MB (1,936 x 1,288)
4. RAW: Approx. 12.4MB (3,888 x 2,592)
5. sRAW: Approx. 7.1MB (1,936 x 1,288)
Folders
Automatically created by camera; can be user-created with "Manual Reset" file naming setting
File Numbering
1. Continuous numbering
2. Auto reset
3. Manual reset (the image numbering is reset to 0001, a new folder is created automatically)
Color Space
Selectable between sRGB and Adobe RGB
Interface
USB 2.0 Hi-Speed, mini-B port. NTSC/PAL for video output
White Balance
Settings
Auto, Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent Light, Flash, Custom WB setting, user-set Color Temperature (2,500~10,000K)
Auto White Balance
Auto white balance, taken from imaging sensor
Personal White Balance
White balance bracketing: Three consecutive images written to CF card for each firing of shutter; Up to +/- 3 levels in 1-step increments
White balance shift: blue/amber bias and/or magenta/green bias +/- up to 9 levels; manually set by user
Viewfinder
Type
Eye-level SLR with solid glass pentaprism
Coverage
Approx. 95% horizontally and vertically
Magnification
0.95x (-1 dpt with 50mm lens at infinity)
Eyepoint
Approx. 22mm
Dioptric Adjustment Correction
-3.0 to +1.0 diopter
Mirror
Quick-return half mirror (Transmission: reflection ratio of 40:60)
Viewfinder Information
AF (AF points, focus confirmation light), Exposure (shutter speed, aperture, ISO speed, AE lock, exposure level, spot metering circle, exposure warning), Flash (flash ready, flash exposure compensation, high-speed sync, FE lock, red-eye reduction light), Image (monochrome shooting, maximum burst, white balance correction, CF card information)
Depth-of-Field Preview
Enabled with depth-of-field preview button; possible in Live View Function
Eyepiece Shutter
None
Autofocus
Type
TTL-CT-SIR AF-dedicated CMOS sensor
AF Points
9 cross-type AF points, including center AF point; fully functional with f/5.6 or faster lenses
Additional high-precision, diagonal cross-type sensor at Center AF point, used with lenses f/2.8 or faster
AF Working Range
EV -0.5 ~18 (ISO 100 at 73°F/23°C)
Focusing Modes
Autofocus (One-Shot AF, Predictive AI Servo AF, AI Focus AF), Manual Focus (MF)
AF Point Selection
Automatic selection, Manual AF point selection
Selected AF Point Display
Superimposed red illumination in viewfinder; also visible on top or rear LCD panel when AF point select button is pressed
AF-assist Beam
Intermittent firing of built-in flash
Exposure Control
Metering Modes
35-zone TTL full aperture metering
1. Evaluative metering (linked to all AF points)
2. Partial metering (approx. 9% of viewfinder)
3. Spot metering (approx. 3.8% of viewfinder)
4. Center-weighted average metering
Metering Range
EV 0-20 (ISO 100 at 73°F/23°C with EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens, ISO 100)
Exposure Control Systems
Program AE (shiftable), Shutter-priority AE, Aperture-priority AE, Auto Depth-of-field AE (non-shiftable), Full auto (non-shiftable), Programmed image control modes, Manual exposure, E-TTL II autoflash program AE
ISO Speed Range
Equivalent to ISO 100-1600* (in 1/3-stop or whole stop increments), ISO speed can be expanded to ISO 3200
* Standard output sensitivity. Recommended exposure index.
Exposure Compensation
Exposure Compensation (user-set): +/-3 stops in 1/3- or 1/2-half increments
AE Lock
Auto: Applied in One-Shot AF mode with evaluative metering when focus is achieved
Manual (user-set): By AE lock button in all metering modes
Shutter
Type
Vertical-travel, mechanical, focal-plane shutter with all speeds electronically controlled
Shutter Speeds
1/8000 to 30 sec. (1/3-stop increments), X-sync at 1/250 sec.
Shutter Release
Soft-touch electromagnetic release
Self-timer
10 sec. delay, 2 sec. delay
Remote Control
Canon N3 type terminal
Built-in Flash
Type
Auto pop-up, retractable, built-in flash in the pentaprism
Guide Number
13/43 (ISO 100 in meters/feet)
Recycling Time
Approx. 3 sec.
Flash-ready Indicator
Flash-ready indicator lights in viewfinder
Flash Coverage
17mm lens focal length (equivalent to 27mm in 35mm format)
Flash Metering System
E-TTL II autoflash
Flash Exposure Compensation
+/-2 stops in 1/3- and 1/2-stop increments;
Can be set on EOS 40D body or with most EX-series speedlites
LCD Monitor
Type
TFT color, liquid-crystal monitor
Screen Monitor size
3.0 in.
Pixels
Approx. 230,000 pixels
Coverage
Approx. 100%
Brightness Control
7 levels provided
Playback
Image Display Format
Single image, 4-image index, 9-image index, Jump, Magnified zoom (approx. 1.5x to 10x), Histogram, AF point display, Auto rotate, Rotate
Live View: View image before shooting on LCD monitor; live histogram and live simulation of exposure level possible with C.Fn IV-7-1
Highlight Alert
In the single image display and (INFO) display, over-exposed highlight areas will blink
Image Protection and Erase
Protection
Single image or all images in the memory card can be protected or cancel the image protection
Erase
Single image, select images, all images in a CF card or unprotected images
Direct Printing from the Camera
Enabled with the Print/Share button
Compatible Printers
CP and SELPHY Compact Photo Printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and PictBridge compatible printers (via USB Interface Cable IFC-200U, included with camera kit)
Settings
Print quantity, style (image, paper size, paper type, printing effects, layout), trimming, tilt correction (compatibility varies, depending upon printer in use)
Menus
Menu Categories
1. Shooting
2. Playback
3. Setup
4. Custom function/My Menu
Power Source
Battery
One dedicated Battery Pack BP-511A
AC power can be supplied via the optional AC Adapter Kit ACK-E2
Number of Shots
Normal shooting, at 73°F/23°C:
No flash: approx. 1100 images
50% flash use: approx. 800 images
at 32°F/0°C:
No flash: approx. 950 images
50% flash use: approx. 700 images
(tests comply with CIPA industry test standards)
The above figures apply when one fully-charged Battery Pack BP-511A is used
Battery Check
Automatic
Power Saving
Provided. Power turns off after 1, 2, 4, 8, 15, 30 min.
Back-up Battery
One CR2016 coin-type lithium battery. Battery life approx. 5 years
Dimensions and Weight
Dimensions (W x H x D)
5.7 x 4.2 x 2.9 in./145.5 x 107.8 x 73.5mm
Weight
26.1 oz./740g
Operating Environment
Operating Temperature Range
32-104°F/0-40°C
Operating Humidity Range
85% or less
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 1499 This Camera is a Good Choice if You Want Something... Flexible Enough for Enthusiasts
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