Noob needing help choosing camera...

[AznMaverick]

Now, I know that these two cameras are in different leagues. I currently have the a350 in hand, but a friend of mine convinced me to go with a 40D instead (so i don't want to open the box and am currently selling it in NIB condition). The reasoning is that if I find that I'm a crappy photographer at least the resale value will be close to 100%. In addition if I invest in lenses for a good camera I won't have to lose money on those as well. The last reason is, (although i know it's the photographer and not the camera), I haven't found any great stunning pics with the a350. It's almost discouraging, where the 40D has many spectacular shots that i've seen (probably with crazy expensive lenses, but at least I can see the potential that i could never reach). I know the good points of the sony is it has swivel live view, small size, IS is in body, and 14 mp. What do you guys think?

Is the learning curve for a beginner pretty steep?

EDIT: and my goals are shooting action shots, family photos, landscape, and night shots. And what do you think about refurbs from ebay? was thinking of using LCB on ebay to get a 40D

 

[jpeyton]

If your goals are "shooting action shots", I'm not sure why you would keep the A350. The continuous frame-rate on the A350 is 2.5FPS, while the 40D can do 6FPS.

 

[996GT2]

Originally posted by: AznMaverick
Where the 40D has many spectacular shots that i've seen (probably with crazy expensive lenses, but at least I can see the potential that i could never reach)

There are plenty of excellent budget lenses on a 40D...in fact, it's probably easier to find used lenses on a 40D than on the A350. Sony lenses also tend to cost quite a bit, especially for the higher end models.

Some great, not so expensive lenses for a 40D:

Portrait: Canon 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, or 100mm f/2: around $275-300 used or 325-350 new

Telephoto zoom: Canon 70-200mm f/4L: around $500 used or 600 new

Wide angle: Sigma 10-20mm HSM: around 350 used or 400 new

I wouldn't call any of them "crazy expensive," but these are all great lenses capable of stunning results when used properly. Look around on POTN forums and you'll see many used examples of these lenses for sale in excellent condition. Lots of photogs sell these midrange lenses as they move up to higher end L glass.

If you get a 40D, I recommend that you either start out with a fixed focal lens (like a 50mm f/1.4) or a fast normal zoom (like a Sigma 18-50 f/2.8) so that you can start experimenting with aperture and shallow depth of field to really isolate your subjects. Doing so on a slow aperture kit lens is very difficult. Starting out with a 50mm is a great way to force yourself to think more about composition, since you cannot zoom just by twisting the lens barrel. A 50mm lens (80mm effective on a 40D) is great for shooting portraits, and also great as a general walkaround lens. When I first got a DSLR, I learned more about photography using my Nikon 50mm f/1.8 than any other lens.



Oh and just a quick note about the 6.3 FPS continuous drive on the 40D: if you get one, make sure you turn off the high ISO noise reduction when shooting sports. With that enabled, the 40D's shooting buffer drops to 6~8 frames, or only about 1 second of continuous shooting in any file format. With it disabled, you can shoot well over 100 frames continuously on a fast CF card in JPEG FINE mode.

 

[Shimmishim]

^agreed.

The 40D was my 2nd DSLR after my XTi (got the 40D only a month after the XTi). I loved that camera and had it for over a year.

40D does produce amazing images and as the above poster mentioned there are a lot of good/excellent quality glass available for a good price.

Another two I'd throw into that list is the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 and the Sigma 30 f/1.4 (closer to 50mm on a cropped body).

 

[Heidfirst]

well, as you say they are very different cameras & they are aimed at different users/areas which is why in the UK at least the A350 is 60% of the price of the 40D.
Sony's equivalent to the 40D is the A700 (which imo is slightly better than the 40D but they are very close so I can easily envisage some people preferring the 40D especially if they come from a Canon background).
The A350s 2 main USPs are the Sony implementation of LiveView (the best for fast focus in action shots whilst using LiveView) & the 14Mp sensor which whilst noisy at high ISO apparently has extraordinary dynamic range at low ISO allied with high resolution.
Also it has absolutely superb colours and its white balance and metering when shooting with live view are excellent.

There are plenty of lenses available for the Sony both new & used from Sony, Sigma, Tamron etc. & also a large reservoir of used Minolta/Konica Minoltas - it's not an issue.
You have to choose the body that best suits your needs.

 

[AznMaverick]

Thanks guys, I think i've made up my mind on the 40D as soon as i can get rid of the A350. Really appreciate the feedback