40D/50D users.

Rojin

Rojin

Rojin

Soldato
Joined
19 Oct 2002
Posts
6,992
Location
Gloucester UK
Got a question for you. Currently I have both of these cameras and I was going to keep the 50D due to MA, better LCD, Sensor cleaning, potential for more cropping due to MP count etc. Even though its ISO performance isn't as good as the 40D. I did think the AI Servo was a bit better as well.

It's the ISO performance which is my big bug bear at the moment. I'd read a lot of reviews and user comments and the 40D\50D seem to be used well up to ISO800, with a bit more noise at 1600 etc etc. However even at ISO 400 I am seeing a lot of detail loss, the noise isn't too bad but for example eyelashes are merging etc. when I'm using a wide aperture lens in lowish light (indoors).

Am I doing something wrong or am I expecting too much? I really regret selling the 1D now! I had been looking at getting a 7D again, but in some comparisons online they are showing the 50D noise to be comparable. I can't remember the 7D being this bad with detail, I need to go back and check shots I took with it.

I've got to say I am liking having the 1.6x crop back, it makes a lot of difference for me at the Rugby, but at the moment there are too many other drawbacks! I'm seriously considering selling everything and picking up a second hand D700 with a Nikon 24-70 and a Sigma 70-200 and just sticking with that! Or of course a 5DmkII, I might have to do some renting!
 
Yeah I know the physics behind it all. I'm just surprised at the results I am getting when a lot of people seem happy with them. I knew it was going to be a shock downgrading, just not how much! I was wondering if my technique was all wrong; I'm not exposing to the right, I might give that a go to see if it helps. I always have problems with blown highlights using that though. Or of course, just to use the flash more. Hmmm 580EX... ;)

Car service (cambelt change, rear disks, upper nearside wishbone) has just kicked any thoughts of a 5DmkII into touch!!! I can almost smell a 7D though...
 
If you're using semi-automatic or automatic exposure modes the camera should be exposing to the right anyway.

OT: just had my cambelt done and did my own rear disks, hope you found a good independent for the belt as ~£80/hr labour on a 3-10 hour job (car dependent) isn't much fun!
 
This would be in either aperture or shutter priority mode. I miss being able to set min\max shutter speeds as well :( I need to play with it more, although selling both and getting a 7D has a probability factor of 99%!

Mines an Alfa... I've got a great local specialist though, he always sorts me out and lightens my wallet appropriately!
 
If you go on TP and read the 50D thread or even search for some of the users comparisons the 50D is better at high iso than the 40D or 7D.

There are some settings that need to be changed that shouldn't have affected RAW files on the 50D but did. It was commonly left on with the 50D, so it got a bad rep when released for ISO performance.

I have the settings to switch off bookmarked at home, I'm at work right now so can't dig it up until later.
 
Rojin said:
This would be in either aperture or shutter priority mode. I miss being able to set min\max shutter speeds as well :( I need to play with it more, although selling both and getting a 7D has a probability factor of 99%!

Mines an Alfa... I've got a great local specialist though, he always sorts me out and lightens my wallet appropriately!
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Jebus, as a Nikon-guy I'm surprised a two-digit Canon body doesn't let you limit the shutter speed...I think I'm right in saying all the Nikons do...at least my poxy D60 and up (D90, D300s, D700) did.

Alfa, ouch...though my 206GTi required an engine-yank for the cambelt :eek:
 
i can use my 50D upto 1250 without worrying about nise being an issue.

remember, dress to the left expose to the right. That last bit is key to high ISO photography especially if you have heavy shadows or dark areas such as indoors.
 
33L said:
i can use my 50D upto 1250 without worrying about nise being an issue.

remember, dress to the left expose to the right. That last bit is key to high ISO photography especially if you have heavy shadows or dark areas such as indoors.
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How much detail are you getting? The noise isn't especially an issue, but the lack of detail is. I'm going to give the expose to the right more of a go. I've already disabled any helper settings for noise\highlight controls so I don't think they are causing an issue.
 
I have great results up to/around 1600 on my 50D - gotta have the right lens for the right shot - and the right light. Fine detail captured, always better with quality glass and a bit of thought though.
 
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detail has never been a problem unless you realy push the ISO. I will see if i can find and example. keep in mind i am not a pixel peeper but do like good glass. If the subject is sharp and detailed i really dont mind noise.
 
33L said:
detail has never been a problem unless you realy push the ISO. I will see if i can find and example. keep in mind i am not a pixel peeper but do like good glass. If the subject is sharp and detailed i really dont mind noise.
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That would be cool if you do have some examples. I have been using a 24-70L but just sold that. I don't mind noise either, if it looks like grain even better!
 
It would seem that swapping a CF card between the 40D and 50D trashes it. I'm now having to run Photrec again...
 
Yeah never a good plan

Rojin said:
It would seem that swapping a CF card between the 40D and 50D trashes it. I'm now having to run Photrec again...
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Its never great to swap card between cameras without formatting the card in camera in the new camera between shoots.

Indeed it frustrates me that people don't format the card between shooting sessions. When you've downloaded and backed-up according to your system, then format the card in camera before taking new photos.

Not a rant at you just good practice point!

:D
 
Format is on my menu and when shooting normally as soon as the card gets loaded in it gets formatted. I was just playing around with test shots and didn't bother this time. You live and learn! :D
 
AtticusFinch said:
Its never great to swap card between cameras without formatting the card in camera in the new camera between shoots.

Indeed it frustrates me that people don't format the card between shooting sessions. When you've downloaded and backed-up according to your system, then format the card in camera before taking new photos.

Not a rant at you just good practice point!

:D
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I gave up on that soon as I got my second 5D2...I format all my cards from 1 camera before the shoot the week before and during the day i just put an empty card into which ever camera needs a new card. There is no time to format again in the middle of a wedding!
 
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