Back to square-one

[ret]

On a budget, you can get a new 40D using microsift live and get 6% cash back. $816 for a new 40D free shipping.. Leaves you some extra cash for a nice lens.

those seems like US stores, won't they charge duties on it?

[Travis]

Also would appreciate info on Nikon's 18-55 VR and 55-200 VR lenses

@tirediron .... I just checked the 18-70 on the net but it seems as if it's not VR like the 18-200

I have owned both the 18-55vr the 55-200vr (and even the 18-200vr)

IMO the kit 18-55vr,55-200vr rock. The 18-55 has pretty good close focusing and is sharp. The 55-200 is very sharp for a $300 lens. All in all it's a great combo, the only caveat is they are f5 lenses and ofcourse are a little slower than 2.8 glass. Unlike Tirediron, I greatly value the VR, but it depends on what your shooting. Tripods are good for staged/planned shooting but are a little cumbersome on walk abouts. VR gets you I think 2 extra stops on ver1 and 4 extra stops on ver2. This is handy when shooting with F5 glass. The VR is only effective for your shake (unlike 2.8 glass) so your subjects have to be somewhat static. If I am taking advantage of VR in a lowlight scenario I will usually burst shoot and there is always a keeper or two in the batch. Pertaining to craftsmanship, VR has been out for quite a few years now and I don't see any buzz on forums pertaining to failure. Tirediron has a point that VR is another thing that can go wrong, but there is nothing so far that identifies it as something prone to failure. If you purchase new, Nikon warranties are 5 years. That should be enough time to figure out if you got a lemon.

The 18-200 does have some forum buzz about sample variations. If you are considering buying this lens, buy it new from a local dealer who has a few copies. Mine was sharp and had no issue's. Kiley has one as well and from her postings looks like she's got a good one too. The 18-200 might be easier to sell later on than a 18-55 kit lens (not many people want these). The 18-200 has VR2 equating to four stops. The 18-200 is a tad less sharp than the kit combo, this is the price you pay for not having to miss shot changing lenses. This is what unsharp mask is for.

[scorpio_e]

those seems like US stores, won't they charge duties on it?

They will not charge duties BUT you customs might.

[ret]

Got the 40D with 17-85 lens

As you guys know this was a race b/w the D90 and the 40D and in the end I got a good deal on the 40D so the decision became a no brainer

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions

[ret]

Canon 40D: Ist Impression

Pros: Image quality .... fast operations, quick camera .... ability to shoot at 6 frames per second .... Magnesium alloy construction, superior built quality .... comes with useful softwares like remote camera .... the top info LCD helps and gives one more reason to move up from the entry-level DSLRs. most needed buttons at the fingertips

Cons: Auto white balance not up to the mark in indoor low light conditions [but that may be the case with other cameras too] .... no dedicated LV button. thats not a criticism but an observation. I don't use LV much so this is not an issue with me and on the plus side a lack of dedicated LV button does make the back look less clustered .... a little heavy

Overall Ist impression: fantastic piece of photo equipment


17-85 IS EFS USM lens: Ist impression .... so far it's been good

picture

[scorpio_e]

Congrats on your new camera.
I think you will be happy with your 40D.
The 6.5 frames per sec is SOooooo fast. Personally I will never use it.
It is a quaility build.

Happy shooting !!!

[ret]

The 6.5 frames per sec is SOooooo fast. Personally I will never use it.

that translates into more than 360 shots in a minute!! I don't take than many shots in a month

[ret]

will an UDMA CF card work on the 40D? I am using the Scandisk Extreme III CF card for the 40D but also have the PNY 40MB/sec UDMA CF card and am wondering if I can use it on the 40D as well

[ret]

D90 review by DPreview

As expected they gave it the 'highly recommended' verdict .... looking at the JPEG outputs of D90 vs 450D's, I kind of liked the 450D's, so guess i did the right thing by going with the 40D as I like that kind of JPEJ output