Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d?

nitedusk · 5th March 2008

Hi All,

i'm looking to get a new camera. i wanna learn more cos i'm totally new to the technical stuff. I'm interested in taking wildlife cos i do go on quite a few wildlife trips and i wanna enhance my photographic skills. Would you recommend me going for the Sony alpha 200 or Canon 400D? or even Canon 40D just to go all the way for the sake of it and figure it out from there? Any other cameras to recommend? Gonna go for my next trip soon mid march so i'm planning to get a camera before my trip to get a hang of it.

eow · 5th March 2008

40D ....no horse run

Rashkae · 5th March 2008

Betweed these 3, the 40D is in a higher league. A200 and 400D are entry-level, 40D is mid-level. No contest.

You could also try the Olympus E3, Sony A700 or Nikon D300.

nitedusk · 5th March 2008

whatcha mean by no horse run? one more thing..my dad passed me his old camera with a couple of lenses...will it fit if i were to get the 40D or 400D? what's the difference between 350 D and 400D anyhow?

lenses : EF 50mm 1:1.8 and EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6

they must be at least 10 years old if i've not mistaken.

scaredcloud · 5th March 2008

Originally Posted by Rashkae

Betweed these 3, the 40D is in a higher league. A200 and 400D are entry-level, 40D is mid-level. No contest.

You could also try the Olympus E3, Sony A700 or Nikon D300.

Don't forget Pentax K20D, it's a nice camera! You may have a feel of it during the coming IT show.

nitedusk · 5th March 2008

Originally Posted by Rashkae

Betweed these 3, the 40D is in a higher league. A200 and 400D are entry-level, 40D is mid-level. No contest.

You could also try the Olympus E3, Sony A700 or Nikon D300.

thanks..so..for a beginner like me..i shld just stick with entry level? If my dad's lenses are able to fit just fine..i'll be able to save money on the lenses with the kits and just the body so it'll be cheaper yes? Just afraid that within a couple of years i'll wanna upgrade my camera then gotta waste money to buy another set

eow · 5th March 2008

40D is a much better body than both the 400D and A200

...u won't regret getting one...the only problem ....when u going to get it

nitedusk · 5th March 2008

Been asking around for the past few days already. Gonna check out the IT show on Saturday. If my dad's lens works with the D40 then i'll just get D40 and not get a kit. If it doesnt fit..(will it fit??) then i'll get 400D kit. No money la...budget budget..

eow · 5th March 2008

Originally Posted by nitedusk

Been asking around for the past few days already. Gonna check out the IT show on Saturday. If my dad's lens works with the D40 then i'll just get D40 and not get a kit. If it doesnt fit..(will it fit??) then i'll get 400D kit. No money la...budget budget..

get the 400D then, yr existing lens doesn't work with D40

nitedusk · 5th March 2008

thank you so much. ha...damn..i'm so tempted by 40d. It's alright..i'll work up my skills and money at the same time and hopefully in a couple of years it'll be upgrade time!

b2973 · 5th March 2008

Originally Posted by nitedusk

...one more thing..my dad passed me his old camera with a couple of lenses...will it fit if i were to get the 40D or 400D?

lenses : EF 50mm 1:1.8 and EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6

they must be at least 10 years old if i've not mistaken.

Hi Nitedusk,

Does the EF 50mm f1.8 that you have look like

and the EF 100-300mm f4.5-5.6 look like

If yes, they should be OK with the 40D. I am using the same 50mm f1.8 on mine. Should also fit the 400D as well.

If you have the budget, get the 40D. You will love it.

b2973 · 5th March 2008

Oh btw, 40D is not the same as D40. 40D is a Canon and D40 is Nikon. Not sure if you might have mixed it up seeing as you are comparing the Alpha 200, Canon 400D, etc.

But I agree with EOW that you should get the 400D. That way you immediately have a telephoto 100-300mm as well as a portrait lens with the 50mm. Your kit or similar lens would round up the set and you probably won't need to buy another lens in a while.

zoossh · 6th March 2008

Originally Posted by nitedusk

whatcha mean by no horse run? one more thing..my dad passed me his old camera with a couple of lenses...will it fit if i were to get the 40D or 400D? what's the difference between 350 D and 400D anyhow?

lenses : EF 50mm 1:1.8 and EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6

they must be at least 10 years old if i've not mistaken.

em.... why dun u ask your father? he must knew some photography to have these lens? if it is not mouldy, consider canon. if not save up your money for a good tele lens and get the system that suits that lens.

victorlee10 · 7th March 2008

To be honest can you tell by looking at the photo whether it was taken with a a200 or 400d or 40d? Because i've been looking around in the gallery and seriously have no idea......

Leong23 · 7th March 2008

For wildlife photography, you are looking into minimum, Canon 40D or Nikon D300. And most important, a good tele lens.

lsisaxon · 7th March 2008

Originally Posted by nitedusk

whatcha mean by no horse run? one more thing..my dad passed me his old camera with a couple of lenses...will it fit if i were to get the 40D or 400D? what's the difference between 350 D and 400D anyhow?

lenses : EF 50mm 1:1.8 and EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6

they must be at least 10 years old if i've not mistaken.

They should fit on the 40D or 400D. Stick to Canon if you already have working Canon EF lenses to start with.

lsisaxon · 7th March 2008

Originally Posted by victorlee10

To be honest can you tell by looking at the photo whether it was taken with a a200 or 400d or 40d? Because i've been looking around in the gallery and seriously have no idea......

If you see long enough, you might be able to tell the subtle tonal differences. But that's if the images are straight out of the camera on the standard settings.

zoossh · 7th March 2008

Originally Posted by Leong23

For wildlife photography, you are looking into minimum, Canon 40D or Nikon D300.

why? .....

Leong23 · 7th March 2008

Originally Posted by zoossh

why? .....

Speed. (wildlife don't include birdpark or zoo)

nitedusk · 8th March 2008

Finally bought my 400D. Figured i should work on my basics and get a hang of everything before getting 40D and better lenses. Plus, i dont have the dough. My dad wasnt really THAT into photography. Lenses are fine and they fit fine too! Only problem is that i read that the EF 100-300mm lens is not that great. I'll work with what i have for now till i save enough to get better lenses and my skills have improved.

thanks all for the comments and pointers

5th March 2008	#1
nitedusk New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14	Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? Hi All, i'm looking to get a new camera. i wanna learn more cos i'm totally new to the technical stuff. I'm interested in taking wildlife cos i do go on quite a few wildlife trips and i wanna enhance my photographic skills. Would you recommend me going for the Sony alpha 200 or Canon 400D? or even Canon 40D just to go all the way for the sake of it and figure it out from there? Any other cameras to recommend? Gonna go for my next trip soon mid march so i'm planning to get a camera before my trip to get a hang of it.

5th March 2008	#2
eow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,496	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? 40D ....no horse run __________________ 头可断，血可流,倩女不可不追求 carpe diem,when in doubt, hoot first,apologise later:p GALLERY

5th March 2008	#3
Rashkae Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 8,287	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? Betweed these 3, the 40D is in a higher league. A200 and 400D are entry-level, 40D is mid-level. No contest. You could also try the Olympus E3, Sony A700 or Nikon D300. __________________ Alpha

5th March 2008	#4
nitedusk New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? whatcha mean by no horse run? one more thing..my dad passed me his old camera with a couple of lenses...will it fit if i were to get the 40D or 400D? what's the difference between 350 D and 400D anyhow? lenses : EF 50mm 1:1.8 and EF 100-300mm 1:4.5-5.6 they must be at least 10 years old if i've not mistaken.

5th March 2008	#7
eow Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 8,496	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? 40D is a much better body than both the 400D and A200...u won't regret getting one...the only problem ....when u going to get it __________________ 头可断，血可流,倩女不可不追求 carpe diem,when in doubt, hoot first,apologise later:p GALLERY

5th March 2008	#12
b2973 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 52	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? Oh btw, 40D is not the same as D40. 40D is a Canon and D40 is Nikon. Not sure if you might have mixed it up seeing as you are comparing the Alpha 200, Canon 400D, etc. But I agree with EOW that you should get the 400D. That way you immediately have a telephoto 100-300mm as well as a portrait lens with the 50mm. Your kit or similar lens would round up the set and you probably won't need to buy another lens in a while.

7th March 2008	#14
victorlee10 Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 226	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? To be honest can you tell by looking at the photo whether it was taken with a a200 or 400d or 40d? Because i've been looking around in the gallery and seriously have no idea......

7th March 2008	#15
Leong23 Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Ming City Posts: 2,805	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? For wildlife photography, you are looking into minimum, Canon 40D or Nikon D300. And most important, a good tele lens. __________________ flickr APAD 09

8th March 2008	#20
nitedusk New Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 14	Re: Alpha 200 or Canon 400D...or 40d? Finally bought my 400D. Figured i should work on my basics and get a hang of everything before getting 40D and better lenses. Plus, i dont have the dough. My dad wasnt really THAT into photography. Lenses are fine and they fit fine too! Only problem is that i read that the EF 100-300mm lens is not that great. I'll work with what i have for now till i save enough to get better lenses and my skills have improved. thanks all for the comments and pointers