Canon Eos

[elwoodsusanm]

EOS 40D and EOS 450D. Why is the 12mp cheaper than the 10mp? Can someone enlighten me as to which would be best? I am not getting along with my Nikon D80 very well:(. The Nikon appears to have so many shutter speeds (even my teacher doesn't know what some of them are). All my camera class (including the teacher) have canons and seem to be progressing far better than I:o. Everything for the Nikon is seen through the viewfinder, which when on the tripod is rather diffucult! Those with Canons all seem to have everything on their screen.
Sue

[karen donnybrook]

Can't answer your specific question but I have recently purchased a EOS 40D and am very happy with it. I am still learning and probably will be for a long time to come.

Here is one of the photos I took in the first couple of days using a 50mm lens on full auto.

Karen

[Hankw]

Sue:

Try this link:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d40/users-guide/index.htm

I have just received the D40 this AM. going to open it and start putting things together tonite. Unless the Grandkids come again,then it's first thing tomorrow,

Anyway....... I have been reading his manual as he really explains everything step by step. Go to that link and click on home and then you find your camera and go from there. It seems to be a lot easier than reading the owners Manuel.

[msbrad]

I odn't have either one, so just guessing here from the hw, I did when I purchased my camera. Could it have something to do with the sensor? and also its speed to recover and take many images?
m

[ljameso1]

40D has some more expensive features that 450D doesn't; like spot metering, live view, and raw pre-sets. It can also shoot more frames per second. Both are great cameras(I have a 40D as well as an xti rebel). I just got the 40D and am plowing through the manual checking out the differences. Will check out the site link.

[GaryK]

Sue

I have the 40D and like it a lot. It has a more robust frame than the 450 but it is also quite a bit heavier. There are some other features as have been mentioned
Truth is, your Nikon is a great camera, I'm not sure what the issues are. Maybe the link to Kens site will help you sort it out.

[Codebreaker]

As mentioned previously the 40D has a tougher body and some additional features. One point that is often overlooked though is that the Pixel Dimensions on the APS-C sensors are approaching the point where there is little advantage in going higher and what there is needs a very good lens to make use of it.

10MPixels is a good figure but as you get towards 15MP the advantage becomes less. In fact there are some reviews that say the 50D is not as good as the 40D.


Colin

[athegn]

"....I am not getting along with my Nikon D80 very well..."

My normal advice is to the read the manual. Then put it down. Then pick it up again and read it properly.

[elwoodsusanm]

May be it's just me finding it hard to understand f.stops and apertures and which goes with which:confused: I find it all very confusing. There seem to be so many!

[athegn]

Yes it does take some effort to understand these matters. As a start try the Glossary Exposure section of dpreview:- http://www.dpreview.com/learn/?/Glossary/Exposure/ Read the articles are Aperture and Shutterspeed to start. Then read the rest. Your library will have a book on basic exposure; does not have to be specifically on digital cameras, exposure is the same with film cameras.

[Codebreaker]

Sue...

Maybe this will help.

Getting a correctly exposed image is all about capturing the right amount of light.

There are three factors which control this....

1. Aperture
2. Shutter Speed
3. ISO Speed

Aperture is the size of the hole that gets opened in the lens to let the light in. Bigger hole more light; smaller hole less light. The hole size is given in F numbers. The larger the number the smaller the hole ( don't ask why - it just is). So F2.8 lets in more light than F22.

Side effects of choosing the Aperture setting.....

Smaller Apertures (High F number) means the shutter will need to stay open longer compared with a Large Aperture (Low F Number), to get the same amount of light in. (Possible camera shake)

Small Apertures have a greater depth of field than larger ones. That is things will appear to be in focus over a greater range.

Use the Av setting to control this

Shutter Speed is how long the hole is held open for - measured in fractions of a second.

Side effects of choosing the Shutter Speed......

Long shutter speeds e.g 1/25 sec mean you really need to keep the camera steady or the image appears blurred due to you not being able to hold it steady. Rule of thumb is that the shutter speed is related to focal length of your lens to avoid shake . e.g for 100mm Lens use 1/100s; for 50mm Lens use 1/50s and so on.

Of course you can use a tripod to get best results and lenses with Image Stabilisation will mean you can hand hold lower shutter speeds.

Shutter speed should also be chosen to either capture fast moving subjects or creativly blur them. Capture motion; fast shutter speed; blur motion; slow shutter speed

Use the Tv setting to control this

Relationship between Aperture and Shutter Speed is such that if you halve one, you double the other. But beware - the F numbers don't actually double themselves just the size of the hole.

Use the P setting to see this relationship.

ISO Setting... controls the sensitivity of the Sensor. Higher ISO setting means its more sensitive to light, so used in low light conditions or when you need a higher shutter speed or smaller aperture.

Side effect of choosing the ISO Setting.....

High ISO settings can introduce 'noise' into the image. The ISO setting effects the Aperture/Shutter combination. High ISO can allow for faster shutter speeds or smaller apertures

Colin

[Not4wood]

Well I am confused about your statment that the D80 has too many Shutter Speeds. If your talking about the slower speeds, there absolutely wonderful. I found them when I was trying to shoot in a Lightening Storm. As for the Exposure Equation, its gonna be the same thing

Aperature + Shutterspeed + ISO + White Balance = Proper Exposure

What new is the White Balance, you can always leave it on Auto, but I've been using this on Manual and been changing the WB more often then I've been changing my ISO settings.

You change one, you change another equal equal and this equation stays the same for any camera your using.

With all of the knowledgeable Photographers we have here, just ask your questions and we will find a way to figure them out. If you feel overwhelmed with your D80 set your ISO to 100 then set your Black Dial on the top left for the Aperature Priority Setting. This is one of the Semi-Auto settings you change one the camera changes the other. This way you are changing your f:/ stop and the camera is changing the shutter speed. If its too dark for your camera to shoot, then go in and make the ISO to a slightly faster number and try again. You'll get the hang of it.

[ljameso1]

Colin gave a great explanation. I've often wondered if the seemingly inverse number to size of hole ratio is because the f-stop number really refers to how wide the area around the hole. Thus f 2.8 has a really big hole because it's in a very thin frame(kind of like the window opened wide) and F 22 has a small hole and consequently the opaque area around it is larger. Sounds good and helped me to remember when I 1st figured it out so I'm sticking to my hypothesis.:rolleyes:

[nu2scene]

Sue, before you rush out and spend all that money, don't panic. All cameras have all those shutter speeds and f/stops. The D80 from I understand is a great camera. I use the D50 myself, so it's similar to yours, but a little different. You can see your shutter speed and f/stop in the view finder, but you can also see it on the LCD's too. On my D50, which is probably similar to your D80, it's on the top LCD. It tells you the shutter, f/stop, ISO, what type of metering you're using. There's a whole bunch of info on the LCD.

You really need to read the manual. No matter what type of camera you use, you have to read the manual. It makes a huge difference in what you get out of the camera.

So relax, put your money back in your wallet, and read the manual. One hour later, you'll feel much better. You'll see. Then come back and post more questions. I'm sure there will be someone who knows the answer. We'll all learn, which is great.

[JulieM]

Sue,

You've already gotten some good advice here and I just want to repeat what Rob said. You've got a great camera - I know many people who take fantastic images with the D80. The Canon cameras you mention are wonderful but you will certainly encounter the same problems with them until you understand your camera's features and controls and learn the fundamentals of exposing correctly. Once you've done that, you are going to be ready to go off in all sorts of creative directions and will be taking exactly the photos you imagine. Start by reading the manual again, as Rob suggests and if that isn't making sense, I'd suggest the Digital Field Guide. When I got my dSLR, I used the Digital Field Guide as a companion to the manual and found it more easily digestible. I've lost my camera manual but still refer back to the Field Guide every once in a while to learn about a less-used setting. The Field Guide for the D80 can be found HERE (http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_ss_w_h_/276-1031812-3330302?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=wiley+field+guide+d80&x=9&y=24). A lot of people do learn better in a classroom setting and I'm guessing that's why you signed up for a course. If yours is a class aimed at beginning dSLR users, it is unfortunate if the instructor hasn't been able to help you with the basic settings of your Nikon. I'd suggest after you've reviewed the manual (and maybe the Digital Field Guide) you find another teacher. Ask first if they are prepared to help you with your camera. The local camera store where I purchased my camera offers classes specifically designed for the popular dSLRs it sells. Perhaps one of your local stores offers a class on using the D80? If they don't offer classes, you might even ask if there is a Nikon-using staff member there who would like to do a one-on-one with you for a fee. Don't get discouraged - you'll get the basics down eventually and will be able to move on to the fun stuff...

[elwoodsusanm]

Thank you everyone. I have printed off Ken Rockwell's tuts and they make things seem a bit simpler:eek: Will have to settle down with them and try to learn one thing a a time. My teacher says everything has to be done in 'manual' but I need a 'Starting point' as I really haven't a clue:confused:
Sue

[nu2scene]

Here's something else I just thought of. When I first got my camera (D50), I also bought a DVD that explains the features of it. I liked it, in that you get to see someone explain things to you, and they also have the camera in their hands to show you how to set settings and things like that. If you like to watch instead of read, it might be good for you.

Something to think about anyway. Here's an example of what I mean.
http://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Nikon-D80-Digital-SLR/dp/B000M9BPJO

[w7vp]

Hey for all you 40D types out ther I just traded in my 1 year old 40D + $200 for a 50D. Also got a $100 alowance against "the plan." I am just getting used to the new features and will use it in a shoot tomorrow. (I had to scrounge up my 40D box and contents to make the deal work).

[JulieM]

Hey for all you 40D types out ther I just traded in my 1 year old 40D + $200 for a 50D. Also got a $100 alowance against "the plan." I am just getting used to the new features and will use it in a shoot tomorrow. (I had to scrounge up my 40D box and contents to make the deal work).

Through Canon?????

[w7vp]

I made the deal at Cameras West in Bellevue, WA.

[JulieM]

Thanks for the info. Enjoy your new camera!

[TonyW]

My teacher says everything has to be done in 'manual' but I need a 'Starting point' as I really haven't a clue:confused:
Sue

Hmm - I wouldn't be too impressed with a teacher who said that. Sometimes it's needed but most of the time the camera is intelligent enough get it right. If you don't understand exposure then telling people to use manual is probably the worst thing a teacher could say. Just my 10p

Tony

[JulieM]

Hmm - I wouldn't be too impressed with a teacher who said that. Sometimes it's needed but most of the time the camera is intelligent enough get it right. If you don't understand exposure then telling people to use manual is probably the worst thing a teacher could say. Just my 10p

Tony

It's quite a ridiculous statement, to be sure. I know of many talented and skillful photographers who don't use manual. And anyway, using shutter priority or aperture priority is an excellent way to get a grasp on exposure. Learn one of those modes and then move on to manual if you care to.

[elwoodsusanm]

It's quite a ridiculous statement, to be sure. I know of many talented and skillful photographers who don't use manual. And anyway, using shutter priority or aperture priority is an excellent way to get a grasp on exposure. Learn one of those modes and then move on to manual if you care to.
So maybe I not so thick afterall:o Baby steps methinks and not in at the deep end may be better for me:confused: I feel like I am blundering about in the dark:eek: I put it down to my age:D

[GaryK]

Sue

Using manual is not overly difficult once you have some sort of understanding.
The Aperture priority and Shutter priority are great learning tools for going that way.
My old film camera had a little needle that I needed to match up with line in the viewfinder for a correct exposure. I had a devil of a time with my DSLR as it didn't have the needle.
Then I realized that I had an exposure meter (well I realized how to use it:o) built in. All you need to do is make sure that the little markings (led on my camera) are lined up by adjusting the aperture/shutter speed/ISO. All depending on the desired output.
You are still letting the camera tell you what a prooer exposure is but it is easier to change in manual if the camera is different than what you want.

DONT do this at a party or when you are out trying for some action shots. Go fully auto for those times..or at least one of the priority settings. Do it when you have time to adjust and reshoot.
You will mess up. I can't tell you how many times I have taken a shot and realized I hadn't adjusted something properly and had to take a do over. Great thing about digital..:D

oops this went on a bit long