Thread: Semi-Jong: T2i or 40D or ?

Searched, found a lot of helpful info, but now I'm trying to decide between trying to find a used 40D, picking up a new T2i, or going another route (i.e. Nikon D5000). I've held both, and kind of like the heft of the 40D, but the wife seemed to prefer the T2i, so either way, one of us is going to compromise (but she doesn't really seem to be attached to anything at this point, since she sees this as "my" camera that she'll use occasionally, rather than "our" camera).

Here's what I know about what I'm looking for:

1) I don't intend to blow up prints beyond 16x20 or so, so the "extra" MP on the T2i probably isn't a major consideration

2) I will probably use the camera for, in order: family/friends shots (indoor and outdoor, but not high-action sorts of things. More like candids), scenics, action shots of skiing. I don't see myself doing much in the way of portraits or any supremely "artsy" things, but I do want control over the photo, and have felt limited by a p/s since I made the move from 35mm SLR to digital. I'm hoping that this will be a camera I can use until it falls apart, by which time I'll have it all figured out and be ready to upgrade. For now, the weak link in the chain will definitely be the shooter...

3) I'd like to get started for $800-ish, including lenses that will let me get a running start at the stuff listed in #2.

4) I have no glass, so I'll be buying that, too (not entirely true - I have lenses from some old 35mm cameras I used to use, including a Canon AE-1 and a Ricoh something-or-other, but nothing that can be used on any autofocus DSLR).

5) I don't really care either way about being able to shoot video.

What I don't know:

A) Is there any reason to look at the T2i more closely than the 40D?

B) Is there any reliable way to know how many shots have been taken? I'm a little concerned about shutter life on a used camera.

C) I don't know much about lenses. What should I get out of the gate to get me to the capabilities I mentioned above?

D) Am I missing a good alternative that might fit the bill?

If I missed somewhere that this has been hashed out here, feel free to point me there, but the inability to search 3-letter terms is making it hard...

I'd love some help. I'm hoping to pull the trigger in the next week or so.

There's a program called AstroJargon EOSinfo that can show the shutter count on a 40D. There isn't anything I know of that does that for the T2i.

I'm not sure that I'd consider the T2i over the 40D knowing your requirements. The 40D is a better camera all around and can be had for ~$500 these days with a low shutter count. That would leave you with more money for lenses. If size is a consideration, however, the T2i is significantly smaller and lighter, and would be easier to carry in a pack for skiing and hiking. For $800 total, you're probably looking at the 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS combination for an initial setup, unless you wanted to get a single lens like the new Canon 18-135 IS (not the best reviews, however).

smmokan - thanks for the response.

Size may be a consideration, but I'm also price-sensitive, so I'll have to decide how much of an issue it would be. I guess the only thing that has me worried with the T2i (aside from the cost) is how rugged it might be/not be. I'm pretty gentle with things, but it just feels "plastic-y" (probably because it is).

How much does it need to be babied?

The T2i is plasticy and the controls are not the most intuitive. 40D has more dedicated wheels which makes adjusting iso, aperture, and shutter speed much easier than on the t2i. I would go to the store and hold the t2i and 50D/60D in your hand to see the difference. The 50D/60D is similar enough to the 40D to make a buying decision. 40D has minimal weather sealing and a magnesium body so it should withstand the cold weather / shock better.

I honestly hate the T2i. However you are getting the 7D sensor and 1080p video from it, so it might be worth the sacrifice. If you only shoot photos I'd go for the 40D.

In the same boat, upgrading the gf's xti for xmas. only thing I liked about the t2i was the comparable size...we take our camera's backpacking with us so that's pretty much the only point in the t2i's favor. build, ease of camera controls, FPS, etc are all pointing to a 40D or 50D....fwiw the 50D is only going for $200 or so more used.

Originally Posted by deciblast

The T2i is plasticy and the controls are not the most intuitive. 40D has more dedicated wheels which makes adjusting iso, aperture, and shutter speed much easier than on the t2i. I would go to the store and hold the t2i and 50D/60D in your hand to see the difference. The 50D/60D is similar enough to the 40D to make a buying decision. 40D has minimal weather sealing and a magnesium body so it should withstand the cold weather / shock better.

Are most of the features of the 40D (aside from the higher burst rate) available on the T2i, but just harder to get to? Or are the capabilities "dumbed down"?

I didn't have a chance to dig into all of the menus, etc, but I'm wondering if it's a question of things flat-out not being there, or not being as convenient to find due to the lack of that back control wheel.

I think you'll find you aren't really comparing apples to apples. One is several models old by this point and can be had at a very good deal used with little effort searching. With a little more effort, you might find a good price on a 50D too. The xxD bodies are big for sure. Basically, they've got faster burst rate and the controls are set up more for a photographer to make adjustments on the fly by pushing one single button and/or spinning the wheel. The Rebel bodies are small and feel like a toy. They're probably more durable than they feel, given that they've been wildly popular and there aren't loads of reports of people damaging them with everyday use. Their controls are designed to appeal to the consumer. Looks slick, but you usually have to go into the menu and dig around a little to make changes to your settings. As said previously, the T2i has a $1700 sensor in a cheaper body. The D40 has an inferior sensor in a pro body.
Curious you didn't mention the D90. Unless you're looking specifically for HD video, or you're definitely a canon guy, it's definitely worth considering.

Originally Posted by Captain Awesome

Are most of the features of the 40D (aside from the higher burst rate) available on the T2i, but just harder to get to? Or are the capabilities "dumbed down"?

I didn't have a chance to dig into all of the menus, etc, but I'm wondering if it's a question of things flat-out not being there, or not being as convenient to find due to the lack of that back control wheel.

You can do the same thing in both. The 40D has an extra wheel so it's easier to change. On the T1i/T2i you have to hold down buttons and use one wheel for all.

Like I said go into a camera shop or Best Buy and try adjusting iso/aperture/shutter and seeing how it feels to you.

Only you can decide what is better to you!

Fast shutter in low light favors the t2i. High fps favors the 40d.

For me the higher iso capabilities of the t2i won out. If you want both get the 7d. If fast shutter in low light don't matter to you the 40d would work great.

I have a T2i and one of the things that really impressed me is the high ISO performance. Photos taken at 3200 still look really good. Before I bought the camera I wouldn't have thought this would be a huge factor for me, but I really hate the way flash photos look and I avoid using flash like the plague.

I think the build quality is good, then again I've never owned anything that would remotely qualify as a pro body.

I got mine with a second lens (the 55-250) because the seconds lens was nearly free on Amazon. I have to say I'm pretty impressed with the 55-250 lens. Obviously it's not L glass, but for a cheapo lens it's really good. Even at the long end it's surprisingly sharp.

I'd suggest holding them both in your hand before analyzing the decision too much. For me, the 40D just felt right.

Coincidentally I have upgraded to a 7D recently and happen to have a 40D in great shape that I just haven't gotten around to listing up for sale. If you decide on a 40D and are interested, drop me a PM.

I did get a chance to hold both, and liked the 40D better from that perspective. (It felt more like the 35mm cameras I used to use... Predictably enough, the T2i reminded me of the standard-issue Rebels (film) that the yearbook staff used way back in hs). If it was just on the ergonomics of the thing, I'd definitely go for the 40D.

I do like the fact that there's no "wrong" answer, since it seems they're both great options. I'm also drawn to the low light capabilities of the T2i, since I hate using a flash for snapshots (then again, it's probably just a matter of getting away from the p/s built-in flash that tends to look like crap... I wonder if any of my old flashes will work on either of these?)

I think a friend is going to let me borrow her 40D for the weekend, so I'll get a chance to putter around with it a bit, and will hopefully be able to get a sense of how well it will work for what I want to do with it.

Altmanator - if things go well this weekend, I'll check in with you on your old one...

Never use on camera flash. Pick up some Yongnuo triggers (like $40 for two receivers and a transmitter) and some light stands for flash. Or hold it in your hand off axis from the camera so you don't get nasty flash pictures.

Pretty much still a photojong with limited photog skills but I've found that I am always fighting for a faster shutter and buying a camera with the newer better sensors is cheaper than buying expensive 2.8 zoom lenses. ISO was the reason I bought the T2i over an older 40d and I'm still glad I made that choice.

T2i ISO 1600 F4 @200 mm 1/1250

So, I've got the loaner 40D for the weekend, going out to shoot today. My friend couldn't loan me a lens, though, so I had to rent one from a local shop. Sadly, the only thing they had in stock on short notice was a 70-200/2.8 L-series lens.



Um, just a BIT beyond what I can really justify , but it should be fun. If I get anything that's not totally embarrassing, I'll post it here. (The rental was $40 for the whole weekend, with a $1500 deposit. I'll be guarding that thing with my life...)

It may all be moot, though, since I found a deal at Amazon for the T2i + the 18-55 and 55-200 lenses, plus a 4 GB memory card, plus a UV filter for right around $800 (check this out for details: http://slickdeals.net/permadeal/4281...6-flash-memory)

At that price, it's just about what I'd pay for a 40D body and 2 lenses, and I have the added benefit of it being new, under warranty, etc.

Some of this will depend on how today goes with the 40D, but realistically, I've got a long way to go before I "need" the added features of the 40D.