450D vs 40D

[vash]

Ok, I'm almost ready to pull the trigger on a new camera, I'll be getting a camera for astro use mainly, I'll stick with cannon and will be modded most likely hutech. As it will be paid for by the tax man I'm not too worried about any excess costs of importing one.
I was looking through the Hutech web site and have noticed that the price on all the camera's have come down which will cover for our weaker dollar at the moment.

I've narrowed it down to either one of these camera's 450D or 40D.
Both have what I want, 14bit, live view etc. But is the 40D $500 better than the 450D.

I know that the 40D has a higher shutter speed, Iso speed (through custom functions), higher burst rate, more metering points, better battery life etc. Most of that has no effect of astro use except battery life, but 2 batteries will cover that.
The 450D is cheaper, lighter more pixels.

I'm leaning toward the 450D more but has anyone got any advice on which is the better camera or anything I might have overlooked?

[Bassnut]

Not much in it Ashley, the 450D is slightly higher res, but the 40D has a much better built quality (more solid). Maybe that doesnt matter if its only for astro.

[Ian Robinson]

More pixcels is not the be=all-end-all. If the pixcels are not as good at capturing photons or turn out being more noisy.

See discussions earlier here that I participated in before I bit the bullet and bought a 40D rather than a 450D.

[Ian Robinson]

The better build quality also means more resistance to moisture.

You can also install different focusing screens and use professional accessories on the 40D , but not the 450D.

[Bassnut]

I agree Ian, I dont think the price diff is worth it, and the res diff is mute for Astro, I got the 40D ;-).

[thestarman]

I am contemplating the same decision.

Just curious. What is the best price you have found the 40D for?

Regards,

Paul Floyd.

[Tandum]

I had a 450D and now have a 40D. The 450D wouldn't work with maxim.

I bought both from here without a problem : http://www.einfotech.com.au/shop/advanced_search_result.php?search_i n_description=1&keywords=40d&osCsid=7ca79f7b2f8c42d9e8079e2c5dce 727c&x=20&y=12

40D is under $1K for the body only.

[RB]

There's probably not much in it but I prefer the 40D.
Better build over the 450D and the lower pixel count should mean better noise performance.

I prefer the better build as it helps dampen shutter vibration, as long as you have a sturdy mount for it.
The better build protects the camera from the elements a little better too.

Also the price difference is more like around $250, body only.

[AlexN]

40D all the way. S/N Ratio will be better, the body is a lot sturdier, more custom adjustment options which can all be useful... and for the meager price difference, you may as well... :)

When you say "astro use mainly"... Do you mean, it may on extremely rare occasions be removed from the scope. If so, buy a cheap point and shoot for happy snaps and save more pennies towards a dedicated astrophotography CCD imager.

My 2c.

[vash]

By astro use only I mean modified and will mainly be used on the scope, I'll still have the 350D for daytime use.

I can't find any good comparisons between the 350D and 450D in regards with noise, is the 450D comparable with 350D, then I'd be happy enough.

The extra pixels don't really mean much, I know this, but normally I end up resizing my images for posting here.
I should really have been a little clearer, the 40D is a better camera and is a solider unit, but I'm already pushing what my equipment can hold, I'd prefer a lighter camera hanging of my scope to keep weight down.

So how would each compare as an upgrade from the 350D (as in dedicated astro use)?

[AlexN]

improved S/N at higher iso's for both, more so in the 40D. user customizable options... I would have typed that 3 times buy im lazy. thats the main difference between a 40D and either a 450D or a 350D (megapixels aside)

[Matty P]

Hi Ashley,

I was in the same position as you a couple of months ago and I couldn't decide between the Canon 40D and 450D. Long story short, I finally decided to get the 450D mainly because the 40D was too bulky and heavy for my liking.

As said above the 40D is a better camera overall but the 450D is a great performer. I have been using mine for astrophotography and I have had absolutely no problems with it. From my experience with it, even at a higher ISO setting it doesn't produce much noise. I am planning to get it modded soon and use it souly just for astrophotography.

No matter which camera you decide to get, you wont be disappointed. Hope this will help.

:thumbsup:

[AlexN]

in your situation, with the weight ur hanging off your mount (im assuming the 10" + ED80 for guiding, guide cam, finder etc etc.. I'd probably go with the 450D just on the fact that its a few hundred grams lighter.

[vash]

I guess I'd be happy with either camera then.
I might go with the 450D as thats what I had my heart set on. Thanks for the help.

[Tandum]

My 450D was great, but my brother in law made me an offer for it I could not refuse. My 40D is easily twice as heavy. The only other difference I notice is that the 450D LCD sceen stayed on showing the cameras settings, where as the 40D LCD screen stays off.

[Bob Jones]

I too am considering a 40D. Do all the necessary cables come as standard?
Is there any difference between "Australian stock" and "English-Japanese model" shown on different Aust.websites.

Also, DSLR Focus seems to be a necessary purchase for complete beginner like me.

Bob Jones
.





Bob Jones
12" LX200

[Ian Robinson]

I think the 220V 50Hz AC cords have a different termination to ours .

We have a Y config , they have -= config ?

[JohnG]

DSLRFocus will not work with the 40D, save your money, only Canons up to the 350D are supported, there have been no upgrades for years and don't look like there will be any. :shrug:

Cheers

JohnG

[leon]

Bob, DSLR is not a necessity at all, get yourself a Canon Angle finder, which you can use with any of the Canon range of cameras, and you wont have to use and software at all, just your eyes.

I use a Canon 5D and have never focused with any software assistance, ever, and 95% of the time it is pretty spot on.

Leon

[Babalyon 5]

Go the 40D. Better built/more solid feel. Better features, very excellent shots and great to use.

[toyos]

Hi Leon

I use a 40D and thinking of getting a full-frame DSLR (eg. 5D). Have you directly compared 40D with your 5D for imaging? Just wondering if it will make any significant difference (other than the fact that it's a full-frame camera). I usually pick the 12" LX200 for imaging.

[leon]

No, I have to admit that I have not made any comparison with the 40D or any other camera for that matter, so I can't really say to much in this area.

Having said that, I did used a 20D for about a week, and the fact that I had been spoiled with the 5D I didn't really like the 1.6 crop factor of the smaller sensor of the 20D, although it proved to be a ripper of a camera.

This was because I like to do wide field imaging.

As you know the full frame 5D has a 1 to 1 ratio, and seeing I really like the wide fields that I mainly image, this camera was perfectly suited to my Tak-106, they are a brilliant camera in MHO, and very solid in build, and very easy to use, even if it has 50 plus custom functions.

Leon.

[Sharnbrook]

Another consideration, which lead me to purchasing a 40D, is the compatability with the 300/350D. My 300D died whilst I was overseas, and I had to buy a replacement. The 450D came immediately to mind, but the batteries are different and so are the cards. As I had 4 batteries, and about 6 CF cards, the costs of buying all new batteries and cards, together with the fact that Canon had a 140 pound ($300 approx) cashback offer, made it an obvious choice. Add to this the fact that I have been able to repair my 300D,(the main mirror had become partially detached, and was flopping around) and now I have 2 cameras with totally interchangeable cards and batteries. A real bonus IMO.

Just another angle.

[RB]

The 40D/450D's have live focus and if you need automated exposures, get a Canon TC Timer Remote or equivalent.

Another option is to use Images Plus.

Personally I love focusing using the live focus (20Da) and the Canon TC-80N3 Timer Remote.

[leon]

Have to agree with you Andrew, those TC-80N3 units are just brilliant.

Leon

[RB]

Yep, and if I didn't need to autoguide, I wouldn't need a laptop out in the field at all !

The best little gadget for the camera in my opinion, along with the Angle C finder too.

[gregbradley]

I have had a Nikon D70 which I modified and a Canon 20D which I modified and used (I have modified several 20Ds). I now have a stock 40D and it is a lovely camera. I haven't used or even seen a 450D.

But I would say that I read a post on the Yahoo digital astro group once that to notice the difference in an image with extra megapixels it has to be a large % increase in the number of pixels to be noticeable - like 25%.

So 10 versus 12 megapixels is therefore not really distinguishable in images.

So I would disregard the extra number of megapixels when making the comparison.

Also smaller pixels usually means more noise as you have more pixels capturing the same amount of light and each with its amplifier etc.

Greg.

[Jeff]

I mulled over the 450D and 40D for about 2 weeks ... ended up purchasing the 450D due to a few things important to me:
- both have similar features (software/modes, 3" screen, live view, sensor size, etc)
- 40D body costs about $200 to $300 more but is heavy (740g versus 475g)
- 40D faster max shooting rate and slightly better S/N at high ISOs not critical for me
- I prefer higher resolution of the 450D (12.2 vs 10.1Mp) for enlargements

When the 450D eventually becomes a limiting factor for me down the track (as opposed to my expertise, mount, scopes and lack of flatteners/filters), then I'll probably add dedicated peltier cooled CCD imager ... which will hopefully be even better in a couple of years (thermo controlled to save juice, >10Mp, cheaper, etc).

Have fun, whatever you get.

Jeff