40D to 50 for $100?

<p>I found a used 50D in excellent condition (less than 2000 clicks) which I can purchase for $100 more than I can sell my 40D for. I use my 40D for sports, macro, a back up in weddings to my trusty 5d and (more recently) small product photography. The 5D is my main camera used for everything else and I don't think I'll be upgrading it to a MII any time soon (just don't have the $$ available now).</p>

<p>I have been caught in "upgrading to the next version of cameras" (XT, XTI, XSI, 40D) before I don't want to get caught up in it again. I've learned that if something is working for me now, why upgrade? Besides, in this economy, every penny must be accounted for. Question is, is the 50D really better for small product photography (which I'm doing more of these days) and are there enough benefits to change for $100. I've searched and read all the 40d vs 50D forums and web pages and both cameras have their "better points".</p>

<p>I currently own a 17-40L, 24-105L, 24L TS, 100 2.8 macro, 50 1.4 and 70-200L 2.8 IS so I don't think glass will be an issue as I have read in some of the forums. What do you think, go for it for $100 50D or am I going to be sorry I sold my 40D and wish I had put the $100 in the bank for a future 5D MKII upgrade?</p>

<p>Thanks,</p>

<p>M. Scott Clay</p>

<p>Well me personally , I would keep what I had, the 50d has better megs as far as pics but there is very liitle difference outside of that, shoot i intend to replace the shutter in the 40d when it goes, for 300 bucks I can start all over again. IM cheap and make great shots with the 40 d and I dont have the money for the really high dollar stuff, i do have the xti and its a nice camera with simliar quality of the 40 d but , it really depends on whether you make a living with what you use or whether you are just a semi want to be pro like me,</p>

<p>no, save the 100 bucks.</p>

<p>I don't see the 50D as a worthwhile upgrade to the 40D either - I wouldn't unless I <em>needed</em> something the 50D does that the 40D doesn't.</p>

<p>And I don't.</p>

<p>For such a small $ difference I'd get the 50D if only for lens focus microadjustment and better (way better) LCD screen.</p>

<p>Thanks for the comments all. I don't think the additional megapixels would be a reason. When shooting dental instruments, Live View is great. My only complaint with the 40D in that regard was that it did not auto focus. I had to zoom in on every shot and manually focus. Looks like the 50D has 3 auto focus modes in Live View. When I got the 40d, I didn't think I would ever use Live View. I was wrong. It's great for macro and small product photography.</p>

 

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<p>Live View is great. My only complaint with the 40D in that regard was that it did not auto focus</p>

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<p>Huh? 40D will AF in LiveView (the user maual is your friend...)</p>

<p>I have both the 40D and the 50D. It will be the best $100 you ever spent. The difference in the lcd alone is worth the price.The A/F adjustment helps too. The extra pixels do count when you make enlargements. The AF is also more sensitive in low light.</p>

<p>Your specific question seems to be whether the 50D is worth the $100 upgrade for "small product photography". Of course not. Why do you even need the 40D for that? Agreed, sports is a different issue but you probably know that the 40D is faster than the 50D as far as frames per seconds are concerned.</p>

<p>The 40D is a fine camera, a big step up from the 20D/30D. However, $100 to upgrade to a 50D is in my view a complete no-brainer. Indeed, I spent much more than that to buy a new 50D in succession to my 40D when they became available.</p>

<p>Reasons? Well, the high MPixel count is worth having if you are trying to get as much mileage as possible from affordable long lenses, but apart from that:</p>

<p>1. The 920KPixel screen is a real step forward in useability, and for small product photography using Live View, would make the 50D significantly better than the 40D.</p>

<p>2. Although the 40D has AF in Live View, it is possible only by dropping the mirror and using conventional AF, whereas the 50D has both this and contrast-detect AF, which works at apertures smaller than f/5.6.</p>

<p>3. AF microadjustment</p>

<p>4. Much wider ISO range</p>

<p>5. Handling very consistent with the 5DII – relevant to me as a dual-format user.</p>

<p>Downsides? Bigger files. More thoughtful use of noise reduction required in post-processing – I don't find that, on a whole-image basis at the same ISO setting, the 50D is any noisier than the 40D, but it is probably noisier per pixel, so pixel-peeping reveals more noise, and the 50D goes into ISO territory inaccessible to the 40D where more noise has to be expected.</p>

<p>And finally, $100 is neither here nor there as far as funding a 5DII is concerned! You are clearly geared up for FF with your excellent range of lenses, all familiar tools for me too except that I have the 70~200/4L IS (and a few other goodies not on your list).</p>

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<p>you probably know that the 40D is faster than the 50D as far as frames per seconds are concerned.</p>

 

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<p>It's not Anders - they're near as dammit identical, but the 40D's frame rate was "rounded up" whereas the 50D's is presented to a greater degree of accuracy to comply with CIPA standards and requirements.</p>

<p>I question would be a 50d for $100, who and where was it stolen from? Just a thought</p>

<p>I'd say make the switch.</p>

<p>One thing to remember though: there will be a period in which you'd have shot better pictures with the 40D until you become used to the 50D.</p>

<p>Play with it for a while before you do anything "really important" with it.</p>

<p>That's all, have fun!</p>

<p>Have a friend whom shoots races, fried his 40d with a bad CF card and picked up a 50d. Looking at his recent work there is a difference in IQ. He thinks the 50D does a better job locking onto cars than his 40D.</p>

<p>Barry - I think the OP means he sells his 40D and that money plus $100 buys the 50D.</p>

<p>Thank you all very much for your input! I did buy the 50d (it came with a Tamron 17-50 as well). I'm going to play with it for a week or two, do some side by side comparisons of my own then sell one of them. I will keep an open mind. I really like the 40d, but I also like the 50d now that I have it.</p>

<p>Barry, the $100 was the difference between what I think I can sell my 40d for and what I paid for the 50d. The girl I bought it from inherited it from her uncle who passed away.</p>

<p>Once I have done my comparison and made a decision, I will post my findings in the forum.</p>

<p>Thanks again,</p>

<p>M. Scott Clay</p>