Canon 40D?

[James]

Dear 365ers,

After some opinions.

I have a Canon 300D (original Digital Rebel), which I love and has successfully navigated me through my first year of 365.

However, I've been saving up for a new lens (100mm f/2.8 macro), and was browsing eBay when I came across a fair number of 40D bodies, for about half the price of the lens...

Now I'm a bit torn. Not too fussed about pixel counts, but I find the performance of my 300D a bit limiting, in terms of power on to first shot (several seconds), burst capacity (about 3 frames) and frame rate, and ISO (anything above 400 is pretty ropey).

I'm sure the macro lens would have a far bigger impact on my photography, but a new body would come sooner, and might inject a bit of fun? Plus it would mean I have a spare body.

Any thoughts?

[Mike McCarty]

I have a 40D. Very solid body and I've been happy with it. It is pretty heavy and bulky. Since you are looking at a camera that could be up to 5 years old I would have them run a shutter count program. Canon quotes 100,000 shot life. Mine only has 10,000 so you can get low count bodies. Tough call on which way to go. Both a new lens and a new body can be fun. Here are a couple of my recent shots with it.

http://365project.org/mcrt/365/2012-04-24
http://365project.org/mcrt/365/2012-05-10

[Aaron]

I would definitely go with the lens, it will open up new worlds!

[James]

@mcrt Thanks Mike - nice shots. Do you do the GPS manually?

[James]

@grizzlysghost I suspect you're probably right, but I just like the idea of a better camera....

[Mike McCarty]

@eutony Yes, I do the GPS manually. I play a game called Geocaching which uses GPS so that has made me aware of it. I love to know where others took pictures and this is an easy way for me to share where I took mine.

I suppose the choice of lens or body depends on goals and needs.

[Ron Correia]

I have the 40D as well, and I'm very happy with it. Given the choice of upgrading lens or upgrading body, though, I always opt for the lens. The glass you use has far more impact on the shot than the body. Also, keep in mind that the 40D is now several generations old. If you are going to upgrade the body, there are better options in that family available now. The technology has improved dramatically since the 40D was released.