Eos 40D, good camera for MF-lenses?

[caspert79]

Until about two years ago I used to be a very enthusiastic amateur photographer. About a year however, I lost my interest a bit: as a result I left my camera at home a lot. I decided to sell my camera (Pentax K10D), and buy a more compact camera that is easy to take with me on city trips, holidays, parties etc. Being used to dSLR image quality I decided not to buy a pocket size compact but an Oly E-P1.

Initially, I didn't plan to use any MF lens on this camera, but..... since a couple of months I regained my enthusiasm for MF lenses! I bought adapters to fit my M42 and PK lenses to my Pen. Unfortunately I find manual focusing on the E-P1 an absolute nightmare. The Oly's Magnified Manual Focus Assist works fine when the camera is mounted on a tripod, but hand held the magnified image shakes so much that accurate focus is almost impossible. Using MF lenses on the K10d was quite a joy. So....I'm considering to buy a dSLR next to my E-P1, that I can use with my MF lenses. I'm not planning to spend a huge amount of money, so I'm considering a 2nd hand EOS 40D (I prefer Canon because of it's short register distance and availability of many adapters).
Does anybody have experience with using MF lenses on the 40D? Please share your experiences!

[Olivier]

Sure Casper !
40D is a very good camera and nice for MF lenses.

I changed the focusing screen for a stigmometer one but came back to a more classical one with the Ef-s. This is a clear one, especially good for focusing with luminous lenses.

Don't hesitate to buy a second hand one, but try to get one with not too much photos taken.

If you want to see results, have a look around of my posts here, or go in the gallery. All my pics in the gallery are taken with the 40D.
http://www.mflenses.com/gallery/v/mfl_club_members/Olivier/?

I now have a 5D MkII but still have the 40D. My daughter uses it more and more, instead of her 400D.

[poilu]

the 40D is quite big, about the same size as full frame 5DII
it give precise focus with the Ef-S screen
have you considered the Sony Nex5, it seem to give nice quality, of course it doesn't have a optical viewfinder

[std]

If you would like to carry this big body the Canon will be just fine.
You will need to get a nice focusing screen with micro prisms in order to be able to focus properly .. like Haoda fu or Katz.

I had a 30D before and it was a way better than Oly Pen or Nex in terms of picture quality.

The thing is that when you go with those small cameras there is no turning back. I will hardly imagine myself carrying this big thing again:)

[martinsmith99]

Incidentally I have a 40D with all 3 Canon focus screens plus a split image screen with rule of thirds gridlines, plus battery grip & spare batteries for sell at the moment.

It's had little use since I bought the 5Dii. it is quite a bulky heavy camera but I much prefer that having started out with a 400D which feels fragile.

[caspert79]

Thank you very much for the comments so far. I will definitely consider the Ef-s screen or for instance a Katz eye with split prism (I used one on my K10d as well). Honestly, I don't feel like trying the NEX-5, I think an LCD can simply not compare to an optical viewfinder.

I know the 40D is quite bulky, but when I want ease and convenience I can always grab my E-P1. I think that a 400d/ 450d is not really an option, because of the very small viewfinder.

Does anybody have experience with the OptiBright version of the Katzeye? I've used the standard version on my K10d: although I found the quality OK, I was not blown away by it.

[std]

Haven't used OptiBright - i had a Haoda screen, but red somewhere that the difference will be the maximum aperture till which you can use it.

If you have normal screen you can use it till f4 - if you close the lens further you will not be able to focus any more.

With OptiBright you can go higher till f9 i guess.

Anyway it is easier to always focus wide open so the normal screen should be OK unless the lens you use have a focus shift.

[Kram]

A 40D, bulky, heavy?! Are you kidding? My walkabout camera is a Rolleiflex SL-66. I used to hand hold a Mamiya RZ with power winder, prism and 250mm lens but I was younger then.

Really a 40D is not bulky. You just need to make sure you are in good shape and maybe consult your doctor before using it.

Good to hear regarding the screens. I may get one as I will be upgrading to a 7d in a few months.

[martinsmith99]

It's a sign of the times and everything is getting smaller. I prefer a bigger, bulky, heavier camera as it balances better.

[8310]

Compared to film SLRs like the Olympus OM1 or Pentax ME and alike I find it quite bulky. Or even compared to Pentax' lastest DSLRs.

But I think size an weight are not much of an issue when holding it and taking pics (at least not for me) but when it comes to transporting it.
Hum, I need an inflatable camera.

[caspert79]

Good news, bought a nice 40D today, which still has almost a year of warranty left. And PK and M42 adapters are on the way!!!

[Kram]

Caspert, congrats! Better start working out so you can endure it's massive bulk.

Let us know how you like it.

[Olivier]

Congrats !
You'll be very happy with it.

[dsmlogger]

Congrats by me too!

A great camera indeed. The best crop camera by Canon IMO.

[poilu]

congrats Caspert, your avatar show you are a real man, no problem to carry the 40D

[caspert79]

Thanks! Don't worry, I still have some muscles left from carrying around my Kowa Six set, which is probably three times heavier.
I noticed I actually do like some 'heft' in a camera. Honestly, I think it's more effective than the Image Stabilization of my E-P1.

[Olivier]

My daughter, aged 17, uses my 40D with pleasure.
She doesn't find it horrible to carry, compared to her 400D.
In fact, grip and balance are better.