Canon XTi or 40D??

[binkleyboo]

I currently have a a Ricoh point and shoot with a Sea & Sea underwater housing and 2 YS-25 strobes....I also have a Canon Rebel for land photography. I am interested in upgrading my Canon, with the intent to (at some point) get an underwater housing for it. I have been looking at the Canon XTi and the 40D...the overall feeling that I am getting is that the picture quality is essentially the same between the two. That said, it looks like underwater housings for the XTi are less expensive then for the 40D....although the 40D appears to have better options for lenses, etc.

So I am just curious if anyone out there has any experience with either (or both) setup, and what sort of pros/cons you've experienced from an underwater photogrpahy perspective.

Thanks! ~bb
:fruit:

 

[kamico]

Hi BB, I own a Canon 40D, i had been waiting for it for a long time to be released, now that it has i was amoung the first to buy it. Its so much better than any canon ive used prior. the features are much improved over its previous models. i however havent gotten it in the water yet but seeing how great my land photos are im sure the underwater ones will be even better. hope this helps you.

Kevin

 

[Rynomar]

The 40D is going to have a more robust build and be a little larger than the XTi. The 40D will also have the click wheel on the back. Picture quality should be the same with both cameras.

Your lens choices will be the same for both of the cameras as well. The dslrs and housings are a good bit larger than point and shoot housings but you will be able to get used to it quickly and they are great to work with.

Good luck.

 

[jeraldjcook]

The XTi does not have a spot meter if that's a feature you care about. Canon added it on the XSi though.

 

[n2addict]

I think if the same lens is used both should give the same picture quality in an ideal surrounding. But the 40d has a lot of things going for it to compensate for the price. I think for a more comprehensive comparison you should read dpreview.com

I bought a 40d and think its great compared to my 300d partcilarly for UW work.

 

[alcina]

Both can support the same lenses so it won't matter on that score.

The 40D is a "better" camera, but do you need the better features over the XTi/400D? The 400D is one sweet camera and one that will serve you very well for a long time to come.

Do a side by side review of them and decide if your needs dictate the extra cash. If they don't, I'd head to the 400D and spend the bucks on a) great glass and b) more diving

 

[The Mighty Thor]

Another thing to think about is that the 40D has Live View, which allows you to use the LCD to shoot instead of just the viewfinder. This can be a great advantage when setting up shots underwater. The XTi does not have this feature.

 

[alcina]

Do you use liveview? Tell us more please!

I have turned it on exactly once - to shoot aerial work when I stuck my camera out of the window of an airplane. I can't imagine wanting/needing to turn it on underwater though I keep hearing how it is meant to be this great thing.

Liveview would not make my own list of "things I need in a camera"

 

[Peter Guy]

Alcina -- the 400D (Xti) or the 450D(Xsi)? The few reviews I've seen are fairly positive regarding the Xsi but at least one said it wouldn't make sense to upgrade from the Xti -- but would make sense to upgrade from my 300D.

 

[alcina]

If I wanted to house it, 400D coz I wouldn't want to wait for the housings to finally hit the market for the 450D.

The 400D is a lot of camera - lots of room to grow and learn, a great performer, should meet all of your needs now and for a while at least.

From what I've seen so far, which is admittedly limited, I really don't see the appeal of the 450D for the extra money unless you have it to burn...the 400D is a great camera.