A question about the 40D for those who have one.

[Nickcanada]

So as most of you know I'm debating my next camera body. I have a wedding to shoot in Oct and need a second body.

I think I've narrowed it down between a used 20D and a new 40D from sigma 4 less.

The main reasons I'd like a 40D is the improved AF on the focus points other then the center point. For those of you who use it have you noticed an increase in AF performance?? especially at large apertures.

I like the larger screen, the custom functions, and the improved build too but I think the AF improvements mostly interest me.

I'm also thinking of the Sigma 10mm 2.8 or the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 but I've heard a lot of Quality control issues going on with the Tokina.


Anyhoo any input or advice is appreciated.

[cdifoto]

I find that mounting the Speedlite and disabling the flash via camera custom function (ie using the AF-assist only when flash isn't desired) renders most AF problems moot, regardless of camera or AF point used, FWIW. Doesn't work in AI Servo though.

[Nickcanada]

I find that mounting the Speedlite and disabling the flash via camera custom function (ie using the AF-assist only when flash isn't desired) renders most AF problems moot, regardless of camera or AF point used, FWIW. Doesn't work in AI Servo though.

I hear ya, but I like shooting without the flash on most of the time. In a wedding situation though I guess you are right I'd always have a flash on.

AI servo is pretty important at wedding too though. I guess you would use your 1D for walking down the isle shots, eh Don?

[24Peter]

Just to clarify - I think Don is referring to AF probs on a 20D?

Nick - I never shot with a 20D but compared to my XT, the 40D AF's system is quite improved. As long as I stick to the center AF point, I rarely get mis-focused shots (though it does vary a bit by lens and obviously good light helps.) Low light focusing is good/accurate as long as you've got the time to let the AF work - maybe ~1 sec to focus in low light. I don't notice a lot of improvement using my 430EX focus assist lamp except in very low light conditions - there the combo works well.

[cdifoto]

I hear ya, but I like shooting without the flash on most of the time. In a wedding situation though I guess you are right I'd always have a flash on.

AI servo is pretty important at wedding too though. I guess you would use your 1D for walking down the isle shots, eh Don?

I actually used the 10D & a top (when vertical) AF point in AI Servo, no flash at this last wedding & it was fine. It was kind of bright by my standards though, metering ISO1600, 1/125th, f/2.8.

[cdifoto]

Of course, Saturday night's reception was dead dark so the 10D wasn't even touched. I only own one Speedlite these days and the beam is out of range with the 70-200 anyway. The 1D wouldn't even focus without the Speedlite's AF assist.

[cdifoto]

With AF-assist, you can hit anything:

[Nickcanada]

Cool thanks guys. I dunno maybe I should just stick with the 20D. The 20D is much better in terms of AF over the XT. I like the idea of having dual identical bodies too.

P.S. love that last shot Don.

P.P.S. I'm expecting really tough lighting for the ceremony. It's gonna take place in a really old church.

[cdifoto]

I love that one too. Even better was standing there watching them grind. A little later the taller one's boyfriend took a pic of us and she said we look cuter together than they do.

Yeah old churches? Ehhhh. I haven't done a lot of those yet. For the processional, do the old school thing and tell them to pause at a certain pew so that you can get your shot because the light is too poor to get them while moving. They'll listen to you if you're confident and if you have to, use the ol' "trust me I'm a professional" line. Works every time.

For the ceremony itself, just wait for the slow or no-movement moments. There's always a few of those. Bust out the tripod if you have to. Tell them ahead of time to hold the kiss because of the lighting conditions. They won't mind.

[Nickcanada]

I love that one too. Even better was standing there watching them grind. A little later the taller one's boyfriend took a pic of us and she said we look cuter together than they do.

Yeah old churches? Ehhhh. I haven't done a lot of those yet. For the processional, do the old school thing and tell them to pause at a certain pew so that you can get your shot because the light is too poor to get them while moving. They'll listen to you if you're confident and if you have to, use the ol' "trust me I'm a professional" line. Works every time.

For the ceremony itself, just wait for the slow or no-movement moments. There's always a few of those. Bust out the tripod if you have to. Tell them ahead of time to hold the kiss because of the lighting conditions. They won't mind.

Great advice, thanks! They are good friends and take direction very well so I'm sure they will be up for that. I'm pretty excited for this wedding. The church is Downtown Ottawa right next to our parliament buildings. Fantastic architecture all over the place and they seem pretty receptive to spending a bit of time for pictures after the ceremony. They seem a little nervous as to my abilities but I'm going to rock the sh#$ out of this wedding. I'm thinking of renting a 24mm TS for some great exterior/interior shots. I'm going to have Moxy (Matt) helping me out too.