Camera Labs

Hi there,
A friend of mine wants to start with photography. She doesnt have a budget really, but she wants to know how much money she's to save.
She's not the poorest, but at the age of 15 I dont want to get her the best out there.
The 1100D new costs as much as the 40D and 500D used.
As she doesnt want/need video, the 450D may be thrown in too though, but, we had a small conversation and YEAH SPEED and WOW PRO LOOKING, SIZE was tempting on the 40D.
Viewfinder was a must, so no PEN or NEX, and as I know the most of Canon and we can use each other's lenses...

What do you think? Itll be the first real camera in her hands. And my very own opinion though, is that with the 40D you get a lot more camera for the money, instead of more gadgetary.

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Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

With my own money, as a pure stills camera, I'd take the 40D over the alternatives you listed. I bought my 550D because I wanted the video function too.

Perhaps this video can help her decide?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujAwXVF_X-E

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Bodies: Canon EOS 550D w/ Magic Lantern
Lenses: Tokina AT-X 116 Pro DX f/2.8, Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II, Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Accessories: YongNuo Speedlite YN-468 Flash, Neewer Macro LED Ring Light, Meike Battery Grip, YongNuo RF-602 Wireless Flash Trigger & Receiver YongNuo WR-128 Wireless Remote Control

I think at the moment the "most camera" you can get for your money is the EOS 30D. Still, yes, the 40D is a bit better and if she can afford it, it's pretty nice. Still the 500D has a better screen and it is newer.

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Canon EOS 500D + Canon EOS 5D Mark III
Canon EF 24-105mm 4L IS USM + EF 100-400mm 4.5-5.6L IS USM + EF 100mm 2.8L Macro IS USM + Sigma 12-24mm 4.5-5.6 EX DG HSM + Canon Speedlite 580 EX II + Nissin Speedlite Di 466

I guess live view is a sort of ''must'', so that rules out the 30D. I also think that the 40D gives you a lot more ''photography'' than the xxxD and xxxxD series. Of course the 500D is the nicest of those, I agree. But when it comes down to photography only I think a 40D is almost not to resist.

And thanks for the video Rorschach!

_________________
Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

Hi Ruben,

I'll play devil's advocate on this one. "The first real camera in her hands" you say. Just how sure is she that she wants the bulk of a DSLR and the associated lenses? I'm not necessarily suggesting that CSCs should be dismissed so summarily even though I've made my own transition to m4/3rds via the 400D/40D/5D2 but they are a very viable option. The new Sony RX100 is an example of another class of relatively large sensor but more compact cameras. Sharing lenses is possibly not the best criteria to use, especially as she doesn't have a hugely limited budget, unless she expects to spend a lot of time using your 70-200mm.

Casting aside my hellish persona I'd vote for the 40D just on the grounds of ergonomics if the size and weight are acceptable.

Bob.

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OM-D E-M5 + ED 12-50mm, H-PS14042E, H-F007014E, L-RS014150E, M.ZUIKO DIGITAL 45mm 1:1.8.
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head.
Astrophotography: TEC 140 'scope, FLI ML16803 camera, ASA DDM60 Pro mount.

I know Bob, I also let her see some other EVIL cameras, but she definitly wants a DSLR, the bigger the better. Allright! I also begin to be sure that the 40D will be the best for her, as it does just what she wants (taking photographs) and that in a, well, just how you want a camera to do things like changing values.
It's just a camera, nothing more.

_________________
Ruben

Panasonic DMC-FZ18, Panasonic DMC-FZ28, Canon G5, Canon 350D, Canon 50D + BG-E2N
Tamron 17-50 2.8, Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM,
Canon 18-55 II plus lots of Minolta MD/M42 lenses and bodies

I think a 40D is a wonderful camera when used in good light, or in low light with flash as the only artificial light source. In mixed artificial lighting, its AWB is not up to the standard of today's DSLRs, such as the 7D, though to be clear, mixed artificial lighting can confound newer cameras' AWB, too. The 40D has the superior build quality of a semi-pro Canon, and just feels "right" in my hands.

As I have no use for video capability, I still see my 40D as a perfectly good camera, and I doubt I will part with it. My older-technology, but larger-sensor 5D is what I am actually more likely to carry when walking about; the latest tech is not a priority. (I use a pair of 7D cameras for urban crime scene photography at work, at night, when their better AWB is an advantage.)

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Canon 7D/5D/40D/1D2N; Nikon F6, FM3A, & Coolpix A; Canon 40mm Pancake, 135L, 50L, 35L, pre-II 50mm 1.8, 100mm 2.8L Macro, 10-22mm EF-S, 28-135 EF, 400mm 5.6L; Nikkor 50mm 1.2 AI-S, 50mm 1.4G, 50mm 1.8D, 16mm 2.8D Fisheye, 180mm 2.8D, 100-300mm 5.6 AI-S; Tokina 17mm & 100mm 2.8 Macro

Personally, I would chose a 40D out of those choices.
However, this will be her first camera, not mine.

I would highly recommend going into any camera store and compare the size of a xxD vs a xxxD camera.
See what feels best in her hand. The weight of the newer models is probably not much different than the older ones.
Also, the weight not be much at first, but carrying it around might be; especially when you attach a lens to it.

Also, if this is her first camera, then how does she know what she wants or does not want?
A 500D is a really well balanced camera that is absolutely fantastic for new photographers.
It has a combination of several different features of newer technology, while still be more affordable by being a few years old.
Live view and a movie mode might not be much, but I find that younger photographers almost prefer it, or at least enjoy having the option, than just an optical view finder.

Again, if I had to go back in time and pick my camera all over again, I would get a 40D instad of my 400D/XTi.
However, I still believe my 400D/XTi was a great beginner camera that taught me a lot about photography.

Just because a camera might not be a "Pro" model does not mean you cannot do great stuff with it.

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Canon Rebel XTi, BG-E3 Grip
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II, 24-105mm f/4L, 50mm f/1.4, 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DO, 85mm f/1.8
Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX Macro
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX, Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 II
Canon 430EX II
Opteka 13mm, 21mm, and 31mm extension tubes