1st hands on impression of 400d at comex

[CreaXion]

:bsmilie: haha I believe most of your comments are misleading to the newbies too. I'd safely say ALMOST all the newbies are not involved in professional photography, so they will never have the issue of imbalanced weight etc..

In fact, I believe most newbies would not be able to afford expensive lenses, so your statements are further misleading. They're more likely to be buying consumer lenses, with which a heavy body is a chore and is more likely to destroy their shots, granted that they're unlikely to have been carrying 2kg of camera equipment to shoot before their 1st dSLR.

With the mindset of a newbie going from a small PnS with which they can get excellent photos (and more often than not, better photos than 1/2 the dSLR users in CS), a heavy camera is likely to be unweldy. Experienced photographers often fail to consider that.

Don't think anyone will admit it, but carrying a heavy camera + heavy lens kills a photographer faster than a light camera + heavy lens. Even more true if the photographer is a new SLR user.

As for the camera feature sets.. I believe ANY of the dSLRs are with MORE than enough features that most newbie will touch for a long time. In fact, AFAIK and AFAIsee.. more than half of the current day photographers with dSLR are shooting only in program mode/auto mode. (their logic: Get dSLR liaoz, cannot screw up shots, so better be safe) As can be seen, their main point of having a dSLR is.. because they can afford it, not because they really want to do something with it, or learn to use it.

Pardon my ignorance, what are these words?

 

[fotojoy]

ya..
i tried the 400d..
not quite..used to changing
the setting..from lcd..
prefer the monochrome lcd

No wonder it didn't feel "right". I felt the large LCD makes the whole camera looks "plastic". Anyway, it's the function that matters. Considering whether to get the 350D or the 400D. Plus the 75mm - 300mm lens!!! heeeee

 

[TrailsofLife]

It all boils down to whether a newbie want to "temp" camera which he/she will upgrade from after discovering photography. The way I sees it, 400D is not for long run. A newbie will out grow 400D's limit very soon. For D80, I believe even pro will use, will be a good workhorse without much limits.

 

[28degree]

yah....same though also...
just a few hundred from 350D to 400D....
still wondering which to get....

 

[JediForce4ever]

yah....same though also...
just a few hundred from 350D to 400D....
still wondering which to get....

400D....unless you are on a really really tight budget.Else its wise to invest in the extra sum of money.

 

[fotojoy]

400D....unless you are on a really really tight budget.Else its wise to invest in the extra sum of money.

Was discussing with a friend. Is it true that this price will drop after the launch? :dunno: I was told by the sales person @ Comex that this price is the same as outside (nothing special for exhibition).

 

[panzerpunk]

Was discussing with a friend. Is it true that this price will drop after the launch? :dunno: I was told by the sales person @ Comex that this price is the same as outside (nothing special for exhibition).

yes will drop after a while.... but must wait really a while.....

 

[28degree]

wonder should go comex and buy...
or perhaps can get a little cheaper at other shops such as AP or MS....
perhaps we can gather those who want to get 400D and go buy together..hehe..can get better price??

 

[JediForce4ever]

Was discussing with a friend. Is it true that this price will drop after the launch? :dunno: I was told by the sales person @ Comex that this price is the same as outside (nothing special for exhibition).

Definitely....
Digital Camera prices are depreciating by the month....

And yea....nothing special for exhibition...just the usual price...and maybe a little more freebies.

But for me personally, i would get it from CP, so I can get all the accessories, such as filters, lenspen, extra batteries, etc all at one go, at discounted prices too...

 

[thw]

It all boils down to whether a newbie want to "temp" camera which he/she will upgrade from after discovering photography. The way I sees it, 400D is not for long run. A newbie will out grow 400D's limit very soon. For D80, I believe even pro will use, will be a good workhorse without much limits.

There are a number of excellent photographers who CONTINUE to use the 350D even though their work mostly involves big lenses:

http://www.pbase.com/zylen/recent_work

http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/birds (this guy uses the 350D and 30D interchangeably)

Conversely, there are many so-called professional photographers out there (both internationally and locally) who cannot take half decent photos but they'll insist on the use of big and heavy cameras.

My take is that the photographer's skills are far more important than the choice of camera. Of course, it is important to have a camera that can focus accurately and quickly, and with decent high ISO performance as these will affect the outcome of the photos. But until one can achieve a certain level of competence, one should always use what he/she is most comfortable with.

I know of some ladies who have smaller hands than me. Yet, they'll insist the 350D is too small for them. Is this pure bias based on hearsay or actual experience? It makes me wonder...

 

[wanzw]

i have super big hands and i find the grip for 400D to be ok.

what matters is still the photographer. i will stay with the 400D for a few years at least as i build up my equipment collection.

i ordered my 400D at comex.

D80 came into my mind only for a while and was quickly disposed because of the hefty price tag. but if one have the budget. by all means start with the D80. one will stay happy.

i know what exactly i want and have enough experience to justify my needs right now. thus my choice of the 400D.

just my 2cents.

 

[TrailsofLife]

There are a number of excellent photographers who CONTINUE to use the 350D even though their work mostly involves big lenses:

http://www.pbase.com/zylen/recent_work

http://www.pbase.com/dadas115/birds (this guy uses the 350D and 30D interchangeably)

Conversely, there are many so-called professional photographers out there (both internationally and locally) who cannot take half decent photos but they'll insist on the use of big and heavy cameras.

My take is that the photographer's skills are far more important than the choice of camera. Of course, it is important to have a camera that can focus accurately and quickly, and with decent high ISO performance as these will affect the outcome of the photos. But until one can achieve a certain level of competence, one should always use what he/she is most comfortable with.

I know of some ladies who have smaller hands than me. Yet, they'll insist the 350D is too small for them. Is this pure bias based on hearsay or actual experience? It makes me wonder...

Once a hobbyist pickup the skill, he/she will want the features like spot metering, grid for precision etc. They are pretty useful, trust me. I used a 300D for awhile, infact I still have 300D I used as a toy, because it no longer able to serve up to my work's requirement, I need spot metering. Theres always situations when I am out shooting for fun, that I wished I brought my 5D instead because I can choose the metering choice that helps me make the picture I want.

Its just an honest opinion, for people considering the 2 cameras. I didn't just hear what people say and reflect it here, its unfair for people taking my opinion in this forum. I went down to comex and tested the 2 cameras, thus, derive to my opinion.

 

[chantyeroop]

just to share this with everyone. after jostling in the crowds, there were 2 400ds at the booth to tinkle with.

looks and feels just like the 350d in terms of handling, grip and weight.

but the new user interface with the large lcd has a certain appeal for better or worse. why? the old fashioned led display of all the camera settings is gone and all the info is displayed on the lcd in big digital fonts. my take is that purists film slr users will think this is too digital.
yet this is great in dim locations and shooting on tripods.

well to these out there who are choosing between a new 350d or 400d, maybe you should go for the 400d for that 'extra' $300 for the 'extra' features. nevertheless,350d is still a great camera and canon would prob continue selling it for a while.

anyone else wanna share your impressions of the 400d?

went to comex today and tried both the 400d and the 350d.
imho, find that the 350d is giving a "toy-like" feeling whilst the 400d feels more like a camera. nevertheless, the 350d at $1399 is a steal.

the lcd auto-off sensor on the 400d is a nice feature. it would be better if it can do something like the sony alpha :- autofocus when eye viewing the finder.

the new LCD screen makes it operates more like a compact digicam, with all the settings done on the screen.

the anti-dust feature is another selling point. was told by salesman that you don't need to send the camera for dust cleaning service as often as those without this feature.

:thumbsup:

 

[mephesto]

For me 350D is just too small and when u mount the L lens, it became imbalance resulting in strain of the wrist. The front part is just too heavy for the hands to hold properly. This also happens even when I was using my 30D body. Problem only resolved when I mount the vertical grip.

I am using the Sigma 70 to 200 2.8 and F4L 70 to 200 for my two Nikon and Canon bodies. The weight of the camera body itself allows me to have a more balanced grip. My apollo grip on my D70s is only used as a weight so that it can counter heavy lenses (The vertical button is useless.) I have tried mounting the F4L 70 to 200 on 350D before and it is really straining on the wrist.

Phew! Looks like you've got weak wrists, nothing a few simple wrist/forearm exercises won't solve.

Jokes aside, choice of camera is personal(depending on budget, preferences to size, form, function, what you've already got etc). This has been discussed to death before.
So if you like what's offered, fits your budget, get it and don't keep comparing after. Have confidence in yourself and be happy with your choice.

Whether you 'out grow' it or not really depends on what you as well.
If you're a casual shooter or hobbist, I think the statement of 'out growing your equiptment' very soon (esp for the newer generation of DSLRs - 350D/400D etc) is just justification to upgrade. Half the time, they don't use the added features, but the change is to satisfy their need for having something deemed as higher end or 'more advanced'.

I know of someone who 'outgrew' his 350D in a matter of months and upgraded to a 20D (that was sometime ago, before the 30D was out). A natural upgrade as most would see it, better ergonomics(weight and grip), scroll wheel, faster AF, 9pt AF, 5fps and higher ISO... And what does he take? Family pictures. Nothing wrong with taking pics of family (I take family pics all the time), but do you really need the faster AF, 9pt AF, 5fps and higher ISO to take your kids? Maybe but unlikely.
Maybe his kids run around the house at 40kmh in dim light all the time, I don't know.

Personally, I'd think his old 350D would be suffice, but then again, it's his decision and as long as he's happy with the purchase, it's good.

There's always going to be a bigger, better, faster, newer model out there. That's the whole point of manufacturers having different product ranges and launching new products ever so often. To entice you to buy the next better model or the next new thing that comes out.

So do your research, go to the outings and ask current Nikon or Canon users for a feel of their equiptment (their cameras, silly! ), take note of what you like and don't like, then look at your bank balance and then decide. At least then you would have made a more informed decision.

I'm assuming you're new to photography and did not ask you to think about what you like to shoot. It is afterall very difficult to know what you like or don't like if you have had no prior experience. Of course if you know what you want to shoot, all the better.

There is no need to rush into getting a camera at comex. Comex doesn't really give any better offers than what you can get outside.

 

[CreaXion]

It really depends on the end user what he or she prefers - big grip, small grip, etc, etc. The important thing is to make an informed decision.

Canon images in my opinion seems always softer in comparison with Nikon's images, crisp, sharp. However, Canon has superb ISO control. This result in very nice mood shots. The depth of photo is there also. However, I am not sure for D80 though.

Another consideration is the flash. I hope that I will not start a flame war. It is only my opinion. Personally working with the Nikon SB800 and Canon's EX580 flashes, the Nikon's flash seems much better.

Find that 580EX seems to give incorrect output and several other problems. These problems are relative in comparison with Nikon flash. Most probably my skill just not there. However, when I mount it on Canon 10D, the problems disappear. Very strange. However, I am not sure how 400D will react.

A note for THW, I am a manual user for flash and body, not those that u mention.

 

[shutter speed]

will go down today to have a feel of the 400D. I've been using 350D for the past 1 year, love it. Especially when i attached the hand grip, it feels the weight and size are just right for me. I'm not thinking of switching to 400D as I will wait for the next upgrade maybe 450D or 500D that comes with a 12.8mp full frame.

 

[Halfmoon]

It all boils down to whether a newbie want to "temp" camera which he/she will upgrade from after discovering photography. The way I sees it, 400D is not for long run. A newbie will out grow 400D's limit very soon. For D80, I believe even pro will use, will be a good workhorse without much limits.

It also depend if the newbie will develop into the next level... if he did not develop into the next level, then, a prosumer might not be so well utilised...... But if he is someone who is most likely to go into Stage II, then, the D80/30D will be ideal...

Also, the other issue is that if a SLR have a lot of features, you will tend to explore and learn more at the same time....

For me, when I just had my EOS 88, when I was using it, I was not so aware yet of photography, and I simply just use that as a PnS.... a big PnS.... but until I went indepth, I think it is not enough... and wish I had done my reasearch better and gotten the 30V instead.... of 300X previously... the difference is a lot and SPOT METERING is CRUCIAL!!! IMHO.... :sweat:

 

[TrailsofLife]

It also depend if the newbie will develop into the next level... if he did not develop into the next level, then, a prosumer might not be so well utilised...... But if he is someone who is most likely to go into Stage II, then, the D80/30D will be ideal...

Also, the other issue is that if a SLR have a lot of features, you will tend to explore and learn more at the same time....

For me, when I just had my EOS 88, when I was using it, I was not so aware yet of photography, and I simply just use that as a PnS.... a big PnS.... but until I went indepth, I think it is not enough... and wish I had done my reasearch better and gotten the 30V instead.... of 300X previously... the difference is a lot and SPOT METERING is CRUCIAL!!! IMHO.... :sweat:

you're right about that. I think every hobbyist will go thru that path. Thats why I recommend D80 so newbie actually saved alot of money because he/she skipped 1 upgrade.

 

[Halfmoon]

will go down today to have a feel of the 400D. I've been using 350D for the past 1 year, love it. Especially when i attached the hand grip, it feels the weight and size are just right for me. I'm not thinking of switching to 400D as I will wait for the next upgrade maybe 450D or 500D that comes with a 12.8mp full frame.

I think FF may be another 3+ years away..... maybe more... not so soon....

 

[CreaXion]

you're right about that. I think every hobbyist will go thru that path. Thats why I recommend D80 so newbie actually saved alot of money because he/she skipped 1 upgrade.

Let the newbies decide for themselves. D80 also has its cons. I believe the ISO control for Nikon system is still not as powerful as Canon's. However, Nikon flash power sia.

It is also dependent on what kind of images the person likes. Some like images crisp, hard and vibrant. Some like it soft with mood. Really depends on what kind of images the end user likes.