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5D or 40D - I have to choose!

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I have both, I use both, & I am keeping both. I am glad I don't have to choose.
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One day I'll learn how to post photos. I am 62 & technically challenged.
 
keep 40d
keep 70-200 f4L...which is serving you well

don't buy apsc lenses - but save for 5d2 someday

don't buy 24-105IS because at some point when you buy 5d2 as a kit, there will be a big savings on this lens when you buy as a kit

A tamy 28-75 f2.8 should be good at f2.8 -mine is - work to resolve this...ie sell yours and rebuy, etc...
ohcello said:
I've been a 40D owner for 6 months.... no complaints at all, but I
was able to get a 5D for a very good deal so I figured I'd try it
out. I've read all i can read on the 2 cameras and their pros and
cons. 5D better for portraits and landscapes, 40D for action/sports,
etc. Well I got the 5D this week and I'm testing it out, but I'm
having 2nd thoughts.

I shoot both action and portaits, but it's a mixed bag for my needs.

The problem is I so used to the "crop lens" layout. I don't shoot
much landscape, so I usually have a 24-xx or 28-xx lens on my 40D and
I'm just fine with the lack of wide angle... I also have the IS kit
for when I need 18mm in a pinch. But with the 40D, I can pretty much
get away with two lenses - 24-xx and 70-200mm f/4 L and I have what I
need. Actually, I'd probably get the 24-105mm L if I kept the 40D.

With the 5D, I'm not sure 200mm would be enough reach and it's more
expensive and would take a much larger lens to get the 70-200mm crop
equivalent of 112-320mm, etc. The 100-300mm L is big $$ and much
bigger than the 70-200mm L. I suppose I could use a 1.4x tele on the
70-200mm L but I'm concerned about the AF speed with the telecon. on
it.

Either way, I'm probably going to add either the 85mm or 100mm prime
to my arsenal eventually.

Such a tough choice!!

If anyone has any input that I have not thought of, I'd appreciate
it. Thanks much!
Click to expand...
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MAC
 
ohcello said:
From all the tests I've seen, the 17-55mm is sharper than almost any
zoom, and from the tests I've seen of the 24-105mm, it's very sharp
wide open from 24 to about 60-70, and then f/5.6 the rest of the way.
Click to expand...
Not on my copy. From wide to about mid point, you still need to stop down at least a stop to get maximum sharpness. Couple with the 5DMII, it will sharpen really well though. Strangely, I haven't tried the lens on my 40D. Definitely sharp at f/8 though and good color.
ohcello said:
I have a hard time spending the huge $$ for the 17-55mm when I almost
never us the 17-28mm range, even on a crop.
Click to expand...
Understandable. I tend to favor wider lens as you generally walk into a scene (except with sports and event photography) but you can't always back up.
ohcello said:
I've owned the 28-75mm, which was great, but I found f/2.8 pretty
soft, so I stopped down to f/4 anyway. That is why I'm thinking the
24-105mm might be a good fit, using it at f/4 from 24-75mm (perhaps
it won't be quite as sharp in the center as the Tammy, but probably
better on the edges even on the crop cam), and then using it at f/5.6
from 75mm to 105mm...
Click to expand...
It's a reasonable plan although I find I need the wider apertures at the longer lengths to maximize shutter speed and I find that I use the longer lengths in darker environments. But that's just what I tend to shoot.
 
Thanks for all the input. the 70-200mm f/4 was one of the factors to have it at 112-320mm is such a good outdoor range for me. The 50D's auto ISO, Screen, and focus adjustment was enough of a seller for me.

Thanks again!!!
 
ohcello said:
Thanks again... with 2 kids... this all might come down shutter lag
times... =)
Click to expand...
.. of this shutter lag issue. I have a 5D, 40D and 1DmkIII and have never really noticed an appreciable difference in shutter response between any of them - including the 1D. I shoot birds, aircraft, land/seascapes and a lot of my 15 month old grand-daughter. My weapon of choice for the children shots is the 5D and 70-200 f4IS even inside - though my house does have big rooms. Bounce a 580EX off the ceiling if you don't have enough window light. The IQ from the 5D for portraits especially is much better than the 40D IMHO. I really only bought the 40D as a travel body to use with a "superzoom" lens, but have tried it with my Ls. It's quite a good camera, but doesn't give "wow" images like the other 2 bodies can. Having said all that, if you really think you need 6.5 fps and the crop factor a lot of the time - and can only keep one body - then I guess the 40D is it. Incidently, even shooting birds in flight I usually only use slow speed (set at 5fps) on my 1DIII, so the difference in framerate may not be as important as you think. The 70-200L work well with a 1.4 Extender with little loss of IQ or A/F speed in my experience.
 
Thanks for the input. I have a 50D on the way, which does give a slight bump in IQ compared to the 40D (at low to mid ISO's at least), of course not in 5D's league, but I just needed the speed and reach more then the absolute IQ.. here is the shot with the 40D with the 70-200mm f/4 that kind of showed me that good glass can do. =)

Thanks again.

 
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