How much to pay for a 40/50d?

[warnox]

Hey!

I'm going to get my first SLR (and yes I did search before posting this) and have narrowed it down to a Canon 40d or 50d, although not 100%. Anyway, I am wondering how much I should expect to pay for just the body?

I do not think I really need to get a newer 550/600/60d as my first camera, so something 2nd hand should suffice just fine for now.

Thanks for any help.

[jackinavox]

i have both a 40d and a 50d and have used a 550d and 60d. the difference is massive. the 550d gave me better IQ than the 50d.

imho, if you're not too fussed on body construction, button layout and controls and the choice came down to a 50d or 550d, i'd say go for the 550d.

in terms of pricing, a used 40d maybe about $400-700 depending on condition, 50d about $600-900 again depending on condition.

i seen that e-info sells the 550d body for $927.

[warnox]

Thanks for your quick response!

I suppose another good thing about the 550 is the HQ Video. I will have another look around for the next week or so before I get anything.

Do you think, as a beginner I would notice the difference between something like a 40d and 550d?

[Frostiboy]

ive used 40d and 50d, still use 50d. id say 40d is about $750~ and 50d $900 tops i reckon.

a lot will come down to condition and whether there are anything extra included, eg batteries, cf cards, bags.

[tomberkley]

i have a 40d its sweet i have had mine for 2 yrs and haven't out grown it yet. it is my first body.
If you can find one it will be a good 1st body.

cheers

tom

[sonicfantom]

For what it's worth, I got a 30D with ~5000 clicks, a BG-E2, a hand-strap E-1 and three batteries for $550, all in great condition. Could have gotten it for $500, but I used buy now as I needed it pretty quick.

Best way to get started in dSLR photography is to buy a cheap body and attach an expensive lens to it.

The 40D and 50D, as "prosumer" cameras, will give you magnesium bodies, partial weather sealing, better AF systems, and faster maximum frame-per-second rates, as well as larger viewfinders. They also have beefier bodies, and a different control layout.

I recommend an 40D or 50D - I find that the control layout of the three- and four-digit EOS cameras needs too many button presses to operate naturally. I think the larger body handles better, and I don't exactly have big hands.

Sorry for the slightly wordy post.

[warnox]

Yea I agree, a 40d will probably do me just fine. From what I've seen its better to get a cheaper body, and maybe spend a bit more money on a lens once I've gotten used to the whole thing.

[sonicfantom]

If you don't get a lens with your body, I would get an EF 50/1.8. It will teach you a LOT about photographic technique, and it has incredible IQ for the price.

Conveniently, it's also the cheapest EF mount lens you'll find on the market.

[warnox]

That pretty much solidifies my decision. I will start my hunt for a 40 or 50d.

Thanks again!

[tomberkley]

agree, go for a 50 f1.8 really good lens for under two hundy.

[jackinavox]

what would you be shooting?

i've started doing gig photography and to be honest, my 40d is just not up to it in certain circumstances (small gigs with little/zero lighting), even using a fast-ish 50mm f1.4, i still need to boost my iso up to about 1600-3200 to get a decent shutter speed. and even then there is still a bit of blur and lots of noise.

if $$$ is an issue, then a used 40d or 50d is a great option. but if you had $$$ to burn, i'd suggest a newer body.

[sonicfantom]

Out of interest, what's your definition of a decent shutter speed?

[jackinavox]

Out of interest, what's your definition of a decent shutter speed?

for my specific example, i was trying to get something around 1/125 - 1/200 to 'freeze' the action. otherwise i'd get a blurry subject.

[tomberkley]

Isn't that normal if there is ( "little or zero light"????)

[jackinavox]

Isn't that normal if there is ( "little or zero light"????)

what is normal? noise or blur?

i can live with the noise, but not the blur, hence trying to boost iso, and get a decent shutter speed.

but unfortunately SOOC, iso1600 on the 40d without any in-camera NR is a bit too noisy :(

[tomberkley]

what is normal? noise or blur?

i can live with the noise, but not the blur, hence trying to boost iso, and get a decent shutter speed.

but unfortunately SOOC, iso1600 on the 40d without any in-camera NR is a bit too noisy :(

Ok i see what your saying now, yea I would agree with you, that the 40d ISO performance isn't the best.
You have to remember that it is an old camera now tho.
I think that is the thing that has made the most improvement in the last few years. Cameras are able to go up to a high iso as still retain detail really well.
Yea agree with what your saying, depending on what area of photography you are into, those situations are extremes and shouldn't be that frequent.

[jackinavox]

Ok i see what your saying now, yea I would agree with you, that the 40d ISO performance isn't the best.
You have to remember that it is an old camera now tho.
I think that is the thing that has made the most improvement in the last few years. Cameras are able to go up to a high iso as still retain detail really well.


and that was probably my main point (highlighted above)