40D vs 50D

[DoublyDan]

SO I will be upgrading my camera to a 40D or 50D come new year and want to know which would be better for portraits. I am talking about quicker focus (especially since my XTi focuses sssssllllllllloooooooowwwwww) and sharper images, as well as better quality images in general.

I would like to know what your thoughts are on these cameras. I will be buying used (probably) cause if I wanted to spend that much money for a new one I would just get a 7D... What is the life expectancy of these cameras (realistically), as far as actuation's are concerned.

Also what are your thoughts on the 28-135 IS Kit lens VS. the 18-200 IS Kit lens.

I will be doing some independent research but thought that I would ask around here as well.

[toverman]

If it's a choice between the 40D and the 50D, I'd go with the 40D. I have a 20D (grandpa to those models) that has seen a lot of use and is still kicking. Shutters can fail at any time, but are cheaper to fix than buying another camera.

I don't own either of the lenses you mentioned, but for image quality the 28-135 is probably a better bet. With the longer focal range of the 18-200, there are more compromises made (although it's convenient as a walkaround lens on vacation, etc.).

What are you planning to shoot? For the ultimate in fast focus, look for a used 1D body (like the Mark II or Mark IIn) – although those approach the cost of a new 7D and feature older tech. For weddings or portraits, a 5D Mark I might be the way to go ... the focus isn't much faster but the image quality is a homerun.

[kula23]

I just brought 50d few weeks ago and I love it so far. It's pretty fast for me to take picture than my old cacmera. Here is sample of it! Good luck getting new camera! I brought my camera from Amazon.com for $950 I think.

[DoublyDan]

I am not planning on shooting any sports with it, but I may as my children grow older (hopefully I will have moved up to the full body you mentioned by then) I am just tired of my xti trying to find the focal plane. When I shoot portraits I am training myself to use manual focus but there are times when I want to be a little lazy (vacation, family, BBQ's). My xti takes forever I can't stand it when I want a shot and its not there by the time my rebel focuses.

I have noticed that people generally like the 40D better than the 50D, but don't know why. The MP difference is not a problem between those 2 (to me anyway, upscaling is not as big a problem these days as it was in the past). I just want to get the best image quality for my money.

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by DoublyDan

I just want to get the best image quality for my money.

get a used 5d classic. you'll never out grow that camera. upgrade, sure, but you'll always have it.

i just bought another 5d. minty, under 7k clicks, gripped, batteries and all for $1300.

the 28-135 is a good lens. i wouldn't want to make a living off of it. but it's better than a lot of the other kit lenses.

[toverman]

I had an XTi, and I know what you mean. What lenses are you using with it? When I started getting serious about glass, focus started getting much faster in good light/high-contrast situations (it hunts like an old dog in the dark, but the 40D/50D/5D will do a bit of that, too, in tough conditions).

[fajitas]

Another thing to note is that if you Autofocus is slow, it might be due to the lens itself.

If you have ever used a USM motor on a lens (the 28-135 mentioned above has this focus motor), you'll know what I mean.

In addition, lighting conditions have an impact. Poor light = focus hunt. This is fixed by a 430ex or 580ex speedlite, which have an IR focus helper.

If you're using the 18-55 lens that came with your camera...then yea..the focus will always be slow no matter what camera you hook that thing up to. A USM motor will resolve that problem.

If that's the only complaint you have regarding your camera, I'd say just invest in a nice lens. Here's a few suggestions in the price range of a 40D / 50D.

**The guy above me posted something similar while I was typing this, but I'm too lazy to take this down **

Canon 24-70 L 2.8
Canon 70-200 F4 IS USM
Tamron 28-75 2.8 DX
Canon 24-105 F4 L

There are others, but these are pretty popular.

[DoublyDan]

I own 3 lenses none of them expensive...

The kit lens 18-55mm
Tamron 70-300mm 4-5.6
Canon 50mm 1.8 II

This is not my only complaint (focusing issues). The fps doesn't satisfy me as well as the ISO.
I know that as I get better I will earn respect with the quality of images that I produce, however there is an instantaneous not-taken-seriously feeling that I get when my peers learn what camera I shoot with, so yes I would like to eliminate that as well. But that is secondary, to becoming a better photographer.

I have been thinking about buying a good lens, my budget will accomodate a new lens and a new body. The lens comes first, before the new year.

[toverman]

For sure focus speed (and frames per second) will improve with a body upgrade, as will higher ISO performance. The XTi gets really noisy above ISO 400 (at least mine did). Your current lens lineup is a good place to start, but as Lee mentions, the lenses will make a big difference. Good lenses don't necessarily have to be expensive ... one of my favorites is the Canon 85 f/1.8 and it's the "cheapest" one in my camera bag.

Buying gear for photo cred has its place (believe me, I've been there), but I recommend focusing on what will help you produce stronger images rather than simply a stronger image among colleagues. If your budget is as tight as mine, I'm sure you'll do just fine!

[DoublyDan]

now you see why I was asking about those lenses...

And thanks for the the list of recommended lenses.

DoublyDan added 22 Minutes and 37 Seconds later...Double Post Merged Below

Hey T-Man that 85 1.8 looks really appealing.
All of the other ones do too but are a little out of my range right now. My wife would not understand "why" I would need something that expensive. I need to book more portraits first and that will come with time and experience. I can wait. But I think that 85 would give me a lot more punch, quickness and overall quality for the money...It has some good reviews over at Amazon and the user pics look high in quality. Yep, I think this will be my next lens.

So back to the 40 or 50 D. Anyone else want to add to the discussion..?

[fajitas]

As a 40D owner I upgraded for the same reason regarding FPS and ISO.

+1 for the 40D. Spring for battery grip.

Canon 85 F1.8 is amazing bang for buck.

40D + 85 F1.8 + time learning those two together = Beautiful Pictures.

[Dobick]

I currently have both the 40 and 50. With a UDMA enabled cf card, the 50d recovers exponentially quicker from a full buffer than the 40d.

I also found that the expanded ISO of 12800 on the 50d give you an effective one to one and a third stops of shutter speed than the 3200 on the 40d (I know that is a full 2 stop theoretical difference, but if you slightly overexpose at 12800, you can pull back about 2/3ds to a full stop in post and keep the noise under control and still gain a full stop of shutter speed over 3200)

I have noticed any difference in autofocus performance (although both bodies perform much better than my old 20d)

I shoot in raw with white balance dialed in to a color temperature so I cannot speak to the accuracy improvements that are supposed to be in the AWB.

I also feel more confident if I have to crop aggressively with the 50d.

If none of these points are all that important to you, then the 40d will be a better choice for you, as the image quality at ISO 800 is absolutely neglible in an 8x12 print, and when processing large volumes of files from both cameras, I can not ever tell which one I am looking at unless I peek at the exif

Good luck in your decision

[ronocnikral]

Originally Posted by fajitas

Canon 85 F1.8 is amazing bang for buck.

40D + 85 F1.8 + time learning those two together = Beautiful Pictures.

i don't own the 85mm 1.8, but it's next on the list. i've seen them going on craigs for between $300 to $350 used and minty. just haven't pulled the trigger yet.

i recommend that you get the lens you want. then rent the cameras you are considering.

i'm still putting my plug in for a 5d. you won't be sorry. and the used ones are going for a steal while people are shedding them for silly things like the 5dII or a 1dIV

[staceylking]

Just ordered the 50D kit from Adorama (upgrading from a 3-year-old XT body with 10-year-old slow USM analog lenses). It'll be here Tuesday. The selling point for me was the resolution (15.1 MP!!) and some of the other 'little' improvements from the 40D. I also see a LOT of 40D shutter-failure threads here. It may be that more people own a 40D, and so not as many 50D shutter-failures get posted, but I shied away from the 40D anyway :) (Though I admit I breathed a little sigh of relief upon reading Kent's comparison assessment above!)

[mmuhlenkamp]

I'd say get a used 40D and use the money you saved to get an 85 f/1.8. That lens will last/keep it's value much longer than the camera body will.

I will also put in a plug for a used 5D classic, I upgraded to that from an XTi and it just has a wonderful quality to the photos. It focuses faster, has a larger buffer (only 3 fps like the XTi, but you can keep it up for longer), clean up to ISO1250 (3200 works well too for small prints or black and white conversions). Great all around camera. Just because newer technology comes out doesn't mean the older stuff works any less awesome.

Good luck on your decision!