400D Dead - What to replace it with?

Capt Doufos

Capt Doufos

Capt Doufos

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My 400D died whilst whizzing about Kent at the weekend. Worked one minute and next time I went to power it on there was nothing. Too be honest I could do without the expense of replacing it, but I need another one.

Trouble is looking at the options there isn't a huge price difference, especially considering the price of new imports. I already have a selection of lenses and as much as it might be an ideal oppotunity to swap to a Micro 4/3 I don't think I want the hassle of selling off all the lenses.

I mainly shoot landscapes and currently have:

18-55mm IS
28-135mm IS USM
50mm f1.8
24mm f2.8
55 - 250mm IS

A used Mint- 450D from MPB is £269, the 550D(import) is avalible for £420 already in UK or £374 if you take a gamble with the tax and the 600D is avalible for £450 (not in the UK) I will also need extra batteries and new memory cards on top.

Do you think the 600D worth the extra £75 over the 550D? I don't think the video handling is good enough for me to replace my video camera, although I don't use it a huge amount, which is a shame as it would give me more money to put towards the camera.

I guess what I am asking, is what what you do in this postion? I really want to spend as little as possible, but at the same time it seems a waste to not upgrade.

Thanks

Jonathan
 
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What does the 40D offer over the 400 though other than being faster? Don't they use the same sensor? The other problem I have with the 40D is it's larger and heavier, which is somthing I want to avoid I think.

Is a 40D really a better option that a 550/600? Surely these both have better sensors, better processing chips, much better high ISO performance and the ability to shoot video if required? They are also around £380 used which is in the 550 new ball park.

As for budget, it's more bang for buck, if I can be convinced it is worth spending the extra on I will certainly consider it.
 
With the other xxxD bodies being newer and holding newer features, the 40D can truly thrump with its 6fps, metal body (making it hardy and feels a better counter balance to heavier lenses) and its value. The 40D holds its value better than any xxxD bodies.

Have I missed other crucial bits?
 
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Capt Doufos said:
What does the 40D offer over the 400 though other than being faster? Don't they use the same sensor? The other problem I have with the 40D is it's larger and heavier, which is somthing I want to avoid I think.

Is a 40D really a better option that a 550/600? Surely these both have better sensors, better processing chips, much better high ISO performance and the ability to shoot video if required? They are also around £380 used which is in the 550 new ball park.

As for budget, it's more bang for buck, if I can be convinced it is worth spending the extra on I will certainly consider it.
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better fps, better AF, better body, and better control layouts.

what is your budget? if its close to 1k get a 7d for christ sakes. a 7d destroys a 400d mate.
 
Myself, along with a few others have them on MM.
All in various prices and conditions/package.

Coming from a user that used a 400D as a back up previous, it's a nice little camera for leisure use but I have no confidence if I ever were to drop it or use it as a main camera in any condition other than family snaps indoors or outdoors sunny day.

It also feels tiny on my big girly hands.
 
I guess I am going to get my hands on a 40D to try it, because on paper I just don't see it being the better choice for me.

"better fps, better AF, better body, and better control layouts."

For my use none of this sells it too me. I found the 400D fps fast enough for my use, I have never had AF causing me issues, the 400D seemed perfectly well built and over the years has survived a fair few knocks and I have never had problems with the control layouts. Whereas things like higher resolution, better high ISO performance and a larger and nicer rear screen I will see a real benefit from.

Thank you for all your inputs, it gives me somthing to think about.
 
Concorde Rules said:
Wow.

I'd still have a 40D over a 550D day any day of the week!

Having had to use a 550D on a few occasions, rather not again :eek:
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I don't shoot anything that requires the higher FPS of the 40D. I have insurance, and don't make a habit of dropping my cameras. The top screen on the 40D is useful.

Other than that, the 550D produces better images in all conditions (especially available light). A rear screen that is actually useful, video mode, much better live view.

I can understand people who use their cameras more than me, or make a living from them, requiring that extra sense of secuity that is provided by the build quality of a XXD body. But I quite simply don't. 550D does require a grip to be comfortable however.

Edit: The autofocus on both cameras is nothing to write home about, from my experience. I do use the notoriously hit 'n' miss Sigma 50mm f/1.4 as my main lens, so not really a fair test.
 
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m3csl2004 said:
the notoriously hit 'n' miss Sigma 50mm f/1.4
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hit 'n'miss ?......can you elaborate on this please as I'm looking at getting one in the very near future for my 7D, as opposed to the Canon 1.4 on the basis of Sigmas better bokeh and build quality ?



Regards Simon
 
There has been many reports that the focus accuracy can differ per copy. As such, my point was that I can't be certain about focus accuracy.

It is a great lens, as I mentioned, it's on my camera 90% of the time. The DOF is so shallow at wide apertures that I always check it anyway to get it spot on.
 
m3csl2004 said:
There has been many reports that the focus accuracy can differ per copy. As such, my point was that I can't be certain about focus accuracy.

It is a great lens, as I mentioned, it's on my camera 90% of the time. The DOF is so shallow at wide apertures that I always check it anyway to get it spot on.
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ahh....ok thank you for the reply, hopefully MA will sort any issues then, and if not I'll send lens (and probably camera as well) to Sigma to be calibrated.


Regards Simon
 
I'd always go xxd over a triple series d, there just so much better. Yeh on paper maybe they seem similar but never underestimate af points but your budget doesn't seen that much :( can you save a bit as you can get a 60d from every ones fav hk store for 630
 
Mr Jones said:
Myself, along with a few others have them on MM.
All in various prices and conditions/package.

Coming from a user that used a 400D as a back up previous, it's a nice little camera for leisure use but I have no confidence if I ever were to drop it or use it as a main camera in any condition other than family snaps indoors or outdoors sunny day.

It also feels tiny on my big girly hands.
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buy a battery grip like what i did
 
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