Photography BLOG

The EOS 40D digital SLR, occupying the middle-range of the EOS line of
cameras, is the update to the popular
EOS 30D from 2006. Incorporating the best features of Canon’s prosumer models,
the EOS 40D redefines the state of the art for mid-range dSLR’s, making
it the first choice for amateur photographers. A newly enhanced
10.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, advanced DIGIC III image processor,
completely redesigned autofocus sensor, 3″ LCD and fast, 6.5 fps
continuous shooting capability are but a few of the features that make
this camera stand out in the crowd of enthusiast-level dSLR’s.

Your eye will be drawn to and delighted by the large 3″ LCD screen.
To increase legibility in bright sunlight, Canon has raised the
brightness level of the EOS 40D’s 230,000-pixel LCD screen, broadened
the color gamut and narrowed the viewing angle from 170 degrees to a
still wide 140-degree perspective in all directions. An added advantage
of the larger-sized display is the ability to use a larger font size for
text, making it easier to read setting and menu options on the screen.
The camera’s menu is organized in the same tabbed format as the
EOS-1D Mark III.

Canon designers made the magnesium alloy exterior even more rugged &
dependable than the 30D and have improved the dust and water resistant
construction, particularly around the IO ports, battery compartment and
single-slot compact flash memory card door. The EOS 40D has retained the
best features of the EOS 30D model, including the fast start-up, its
durable shutter rated up to 100,000 cycles, its top shutter speed of
1/8000 sec and 1/250 maximum X-sync flash shutter speed setting

The EOS 40D inherits some advanced features from Canon’s professional
cameras and puts them to good use. It has a newly designed,
high-precision 9-point wide area AF that uses cross-type points,
enabling the camera to focus faster, more accurately, and in more
complex lighting situations. Each of the nine AF points has this
cross-type coverage, a first in Canon AF SLRs. Adding to this AF
performance, the 40D incorporates a diagonally mounted, high-precision
cross-type sensor at the center AF point that is sensitive to both
vertical and horizontal lines when fast lenses (f/2.8 or faster) are
used, for added accuracy and precision with these wide-aperture lenses.
Focus points can be selected automatically, or accessed using the
Multi-Controller.

DIGIC III is the latest generation of Canon’s proprietary image
processing engine. DIGIC III technology ensures that the fine details
and natural colors of the images are optimally recorded and, as an added
bonus, is also responsible for the EOS 40D SLR’s high-speed performance,
faster signal processing and even its efficient energy consumption.

The camera leverages sophisticated technology to make dust problems a
thing of the past. First the Self- Cleaning Sensor Unit uses ultrasonic
vibrations to shake dust particles off of the low-pass filter in front
of the sensor each time the camera is powered up or shut down. Secondly
the supplied Digital Photo Professional software maps the location of
any spots that may remain on the sensor and the “Dust Delete Data”
information is attached to the image file. Later, using your computer,
the dust information is subtracted from the final image during post
processing.

Using the same 35-zone metering sensor as the successful 30D, you can
choose from available patterns such as Evaluative metering, which is
linked to all AF points and is set automatically in the Basic Zone
modes, Center weighted average metering, Partial metering and Spot
metering, covering approximately 9 percent or 3.8 percent of the
viewfinder. The camera’s E-TTL II auto flash and 12 exposure control
modes (11 AE modes plus manual) are also unchanged from the EOS 30D SLR
model. Additionally, Canon has included three Custom exposure modes. As
an added convenience, particularly for wireless flash operations, users
can adjust the flash settings of the Canon Speedlite 580EX II directly
from the camera.

The Canon EOS 40D camera offers ISO speeds from ISO 100 to ISO 1600
in 1/3-stop increments. Users can also opt for a high-speed setting of
ISO 3200. For the first time in any EOS camera, the 40D model offers
Auto ISO capability in Creative Zone exposure modes. This valuable new
feature adjusts the ISO speed to the optimal setting based on low light
or shaky shooting conditions. Additionally, the EOS 40D provides
full-time display of the active ISO speed setting, both in the
viewfinder and the LCD data panel.

Previously available only on the 1D Mark III, the Live View function
now gives EOS 40D users the ability to set up shots using the LCD screen
instead of the viewfinder and a 100% preview. A new Custom Function
allows autofocus during Live View by pressing the camera’s AF-ON button.
Releasing the AF-ON button resumes Live View functions. Also, in the
Live View shooting mode, you can magnify the image by 5 or 10x in order
to ensure optimal focus. Live View helps reduce vibration by lifting the
mirror out of the optical path in advance of the exposure, improving
image quality at slow shutter speeds. A new electronic 1st-curtain
shutter function in Live View mode reduces release time lag and
operational noise even further and the release time lag is miniscule.

 

EOS 40D Major Features

• APS-C size 10.1 megapixel CMOS Sensor with noise reduction
  technology
• Live View function
• 3-inch LCD monitor
• New 14-bit A/D conversion for fine tone gradation and reduction
  of digital and shadow noise
• 6.5 fps, burst rate up to 75 consecutive JPEGs or 17 RAW images
• Next generation DIGIC III Image processor
• ISO range from 100 to 1600 (plus ISO 3200 in extended mode) in
  1/3 stop increments
• 0.15-second startup time, shutter lag time only 59 msec
• Body constructed of lightweight and ultra-rigid magnesium-alloy
• Top shutter speed of 1/8000 sec, 100,000-cycle shutter life
• Top flash sync speed of 1/250 sec
• AF system with 9 cross-type sensors, world’s first diagonal
  high-precision cross-type AF
• Canon EOS Integrated Cleaning System
• 6 Picture Style settings (Standard, Portrait, Landscape,
  Neutral, Faithful and Monochrome), users can create three custom
  settings
• Evaluative, Center Weighted, Partial and Spot metering modes
• Compatible with all Canon EF, EF-S, TS-E, and MP-E lenses
• Updated EOS Digital Solution software disc includes ZoomBrowser
  EX, ImageBrowser, Digital Photo Professional, new Picture Style
  Editor, Canon’s EOS Utility, RAW Image Task, PhotoStitch and PTP
  TWAIN driver
• Built-in E-TTL II popup flash with red-eye reduction
• Hot shoe for Canon EX Speedlites and standard PC flash sync
• Supports CompactFlash card type I and II
• High-speed USB 2.0 interface for fast image downloads
• Exclusive WFT-E3A Wireless File Transmitter
• Video Out with selectable NTSC or PAL timing
• BP-511A Battery Pack with CG-580 Battery Charger
• Compatible with PictBridge printers, PIXMA Photo Printers and
  SELPHY Compact Photo printers
• Optional BG-E2 Battery Grip doubles battery power and adds
  vertical grip, shutter release and controls

What’s in the Box?

• EOS 40D Body
• Eyecup Eb
• Wide Neck Strap EW-100DGR
• Video Cable VC-100
• USB Interface Cable IFC-200U
• Battery Pack BP-511A
• Battery Charger CG-580
• “Great Photography is Easy” Booklet and “Do More with Macro”
  Booklet
• EOS Digital Solution Disc ver 15.1
• Software Instruction Manuals in English & Spanish

The Canon EOS 40D “Body only” has an MSRP of US$1299, while the
Canon 40D kit (with Canon EF 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM zoom lens) will
retail for US$1499