Is the 400D too small?

Hello all you lovely people!

I was so close to buying a 30D before I learned about the 400D and now my mind has completely change. I had a 10D before and I totally loved that camera.

My only concern is that the 400D is to small for my hands. When comparing it to the 30D it looks awfully small, especially the right grip. Now I haven't had the change to try it out for myself yet (serving in the finnish defence forces at the moment so can anyone give me a hint?

Also... does the 400D have bulb and a connection for remotes? For long exposures when photographing the night sky...

Thank you

--
\\Olle Mattsson
http://olmweb.com

You have to hold both before you decide.

I got the 400D because its so small and light. Easier to carry in bag and in hand. Its also a bit more discreet but that depends what lens you have on

I also have the battery grip which is fantastic. It makes the grip more comfy and protrait controls are great. I like that I can take it off if I'm going on a long hike and don't want to carry too much weight.

Yes, the 400D allows for wired and InfraRed remotes. (not the same ones as 30D)

Olle Mattsson said:

Hello all you lovely people!

I was so close to buying a 30D before I learned about the 400D and
now my mind has completely change. I had a 10D before and I totally
loved that camera.

Click to expand...

I had also decided on the 30D, but like the smaller size and weight of the 400D.

Olle Mattsson said:

My only concern is that the 400D is to small for my hands. When
comparing it to the 30D it looks awfully small, especially the
right grip. Now I haven't had the change to try it out for myself
yet (serving in the finnish defence forces at the moment so can
anyone give me a hint?

Click to expand...

I use it with 2 large lenses -70-200mm F2.8L and 400mm F5.6L and it feels very comfortable with one hand supporting the lens.

Olle Mattsson said:

Also... does the 400D have bulb and a connection for remotes? For
long exposures when photographing the night sky...

Click to expand...

Yes, to both.

Olle Mattsson said:

Thank you

--
\\Olle Mattsson
http://olmweb.com

Click to expand...

--

About the same size as th 350xt,and uses the same remotes as the 350xt.

Its really the most boring thing in the world ... It is all about habits, there is no too small, no too heavy ...

Body is OK this time, its small but useable.

The viewfinder is somewhat small if you like to manual focus, if not its fine too.

--

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
XTi Tested: http://www.pbase.com/jackcnd/canon_xti_400d_tested
XTi / 5D Compares: http://www.pbase.com/jackcnd/canon_prime_vs_zoom

In the days of Film SLRs, grips where no hard of, and we all did as we were told and cradled the lens in our left hand and used the right hand to **** the shutter and fire it.
I use the same with my EOS 350D and I have no problems with size.

This Camera is a photographers tool and a fine one to capable of superb results.

That is what it is designed for and not to be moaned adout.

Geoff

Jerry

Olle Mattsson said:

Hello all you lovely people!

I was so close to buying a 30D before I learned about the 400D and
now my mind has completely change. I had a 10D before and I totally
loved that camera.
...
Also... does the 400D have bulb and a connection for remotes? For
long exposures when photographing the night sky...

Click to expand...

10D/20D/30D use the -N3 plugs for remote control connection. -N3 remotes cannot be used with the 300D/350D/400D. The 400D uses the RS-60E3 (simple sub-mini stereo plug/jack), and can use the RC-1 and RC-5 wireless remotes.

The ideal solution for night sky photos is either to use a TC80N3 or a pc-controlled serial cable.

The TC80N3 is not compatible with the Rebel series, although it's very easy to modify to do so. It's fully programmable and allows multiple long duration exposures with no interaction.

There are cables available which allow you to hook up your Rebel to the PC's serial port and control long (> 30 second) exposures.

Rick Krejci

PS...I have large hands and have no prob with the grip. I'd trade the lighter weight for the smaller grip any day!!!

If I only had the money!!
--
\Olle Mattsson

http://x-posure.cjb.net - traditional photographing and Computer Generated 3D art

I find that it most certainly is WAY WAY too small, especially the grip. I picked up a Pentax *ist DL, and Pentaxes are known for being small-ish also and it was, but it felt way better in the hand just the same. (Then again, the -series of Pentaxes didn't produce the best-looking JPEGs.)

(Note: I am not a current Canon shooter. I did shoot with the 300D, a much older version of the 400D, previously and I had no problems with its size. I rejected the 350D, the 400D's precedessor, and it was because of its size that I did so.)

I recommend the 30D over the 400D on the basis of size alone, and actually there is much more about the 30D that's better that has nothing to do with sizes. Also, since you owned the 10D previously, the layout & so forth of the 30D would be more familiar to you--further, if you still have the 10D and any of its BP-511 batteries, they would work right away on the 30D (not that battery price is an issue, you can buy generics cheap enough).

You didn't ask, but as for megapixels--the 30D with its 8 would do very well against the 400D with its 10.

Also, as for remote options, I do not know what remotes the 400D uses, but I am positive that it does accept them--probably wired and wireless options. And yes, it does have a "bulb" setting and I imagine it would do very well with timed exposures--as would the 30D.

(One note: I believe the remotes for the 30D cost more than the remotes for the 400D, but I'm not sure about that.)

Happy shooting with whatever you decide.

---



LRH
http://www.pbase.com/larrytucaz
http://larrytxeast.smugmug.com/

I use nikon, but i have held an tested out both the 350 and 400 and they are awfully small (and i do not have THAT large hands).

The 20D or 30D would fit you better.

But this is only what i think, to be sure , please try them all out.
--

Rickard Hansson

These types of posts really amaze me. Honestly, unless you hold the camera in your hands how can you decide? Doesn't matter what 10000 other people might say, in the end it is a matter of personal preference when it comes to the issue of size/ergonomics etc. I can never imagine if I can make my mind if a random person tells me that the camera is very small and the other tells me it is fine. Just go to some place where you can get hand on the cameras.

It's tough so far to get a good grip & it's not just size, it's light !, but I'm getting better, I put my tripod plate on & that gave it a bit more weight which helped.

I'm actually thinking about getting the battery grip.

Have a try, it's a pretty damn good camera

Nigel

--
Pbase supporter
http://www.pbase.com/sgidude

Olle Mattsson said:

My only concern is that the 400D is to small for my hands. When
comparing it to the 30D it looks awfully small, especially the
right grip.

Click to expand...

It's a personal matter.

I'm 6'4", 190 lbs. My D60 is about as small as I can tolerate. The 20D is annoying small for me, but I don't have much choice, so I plan to upgrade to either a 20D or a 30D.

For me, the Rebel's are just too small.

But everyone is different. Cameras are like lenses. What works for one person, may not work for someone else. I know a lot of people who think my D60 is too big !

Andy
http://gorillasites.blogspot.com

I really wanted a purple 400d but setteled for black. Some body said black made you a pro. Who cares if the camera is smaller than any other, pick it up , if you don't like it move on, no need to express your dislike to the world. It is the quality of the finished product that counts.

Olle Mattsson said:

Hello all you lovely people!

I was so close to buying a 30D before I learned about the 400D and
now my mind has completely change. I had a 10D before and I totally
loved that camera.

My only concern is that the 400D is to small for my hands. When
comparing it to the 30D it looks awfully small, especially the
right grip. Now I haven't had the change to try it out for myself
yet (serving in the finnish defence forces at the moment so can
anyone give me a hint?

Click to expand...

I replaced my 10D with a 350D (same size as the 400D). I like the smaller size and weight of the 350D. Very compact and lightweight, which is great for travel. Even though I also have a 20D, I still grab the 350D most of the time for casual shooting. I also find the 350D's grip perfectly adequate and not too small. You don't have to put a gorilla grasp on the grip. All you need to do is hook your index finger into the grip's scalloped hook, with your thumb on the back, and your pointer finger on the shutter button. I regularly shoot with L lenses on my 350D and everything balances out just fine. If you are coming from a 10D, yes, it may take some getting used to because the 10D was a rather chunky, weighty camera. But once you get used to the smaller body, it's a pleasure to use IMHO.

Olle Mattsson said:

My only concern is that the 400D is to small for my hands.

Click to expand...

I'm 6'2" and 225lbs with hand size to match.

I've had the 350 for 1.5 years and 400D for two weeks. I original purchased the 350D partly because of its smaller footprint...although that's out the window now because of my 17-55 and 70-200 F4L.

I just don't understand this: "350D and/or 400D is too small of a grip for big hands" argument.

I have the battery grip, but don't use it all the time. Most of the time I've got a 17-55IS lens on the body, which is pretty big on the 350D now 400D and I just don't find myself having a problem or wishing the camera body was larger or that the grip is insufficient.