I just officially joined the 40'ders...
I will use my 20d as my back up now.

Would love to hear anything about 40d settings, tips and tricks...
Im sure we all would!!

Check out my blog - I did an entire series on the 40D menus.

http://831photo-shannon.blogspot.com

Shan

Love my 40D....I had a 1st gen Digital Rebel and the 40D is so freekin fast compared to the Rebel. I love the ease at which you can change settings and shoot which happens very often with me when I shoot my weddings. Never had the 20D so I dont know about the interface and menus.

High ISO images are very good on the 40D. You would love it.

Good luck with it.

Graeme

Congrats on the new camera! I got one earlier this year and love it. I thought the Live View feature would come in handy, but I have yet to use it. It's an awesome camera and more flexible than my Digital Rebel. Let us know when you post some photos with the new gear.

Would this make a nice pair/backup to a 5D? -- that is, if you've used the 5D as well, and would be comfortable switching between them.

Yes, I use both 40D and 5D cameras. There's a custom function so you can swap the AF start/* button so they're similar in use to a 5D with the autofocus on the * button.

I bought the 40D because of the crop factor. I wanted extra length with my telephotos in some situations.


Eric

Put the af start to the af-on button only and have half press of the shutter lock exposure, unless you use a batter grip then swap the * and af-on buttons so you can still focus if shooting portrait mode.

Also when you're in live view you can magnify and get killer accurate focusing. It really shines with true macro lenses. The only real use for it i've found sadly.

i heard the live feed feature will drain your battery, quickly.

It does drain the battery faster than a 1960's car goes through gas.

I like to use it when I'm doing the church formals. I use the grid to make sure my verticals and horizontals are true. I get a bad case of the lean if I don't.

Other than that, it stays off.

Nice when I need it though!

Shan

Bryce, you will have to explain why to make those changes...
im blonde.

We love our 40Ds! We just picked up two just before Canon came out with the $100 off they are now running

Okie
If you move the focus to only be on the af-on button you can do the awesome focus in one place and re-compose the shot which isn't perfect but is darn useful. So if you have a bride and groom next to eachothers and have two trees to the left and right of them as leading lines you could focus on one of their faces. let go of the af-on so it won't re focus when you put the center right between their heads.

And if you dually have the exposure lock on the half press of the shutter you can have the couple hold up a grey card, you can meter, they can move it and you can then continue to focus, re-compose and be all set. Also then flip to manual and put in those settings you got metering. Then only have them pull it out every few shots (remember to flip back to an auto mode) if conditions change. Or just go by feel.

It may not work with your style, but usually with a little practice it becomes second nature and (in my opinion of course) really helps make shots more consistent.

I shoot using center point.. have tried back button focus or chooseing my af point and fell it always landed but where wanted it to.

I want to jump in on this! I bought my 40D in March and I looove it. I had a digital Rebel that my husband got me for Christmas in 2004, it was a fun little camera but my 40D rocks my socks. I know the whole "it is not the camera but the person...", yadayada thing, but I see a big improvment in my images. It may also have to do with me trading in my crapty (is that with a "t") kit lens for the stellar 50mm 1.4. Only problem is I need something bigger than 1gb cards....

I use a 5d and 40d...my main problem is that changing the ISO is completely opposite on the cameras, one is the back wheel, one is the front wheel...it really throws me off when switching between cameras.

If anyone knows of a fix for this, I would love to know.

I sure do!!! Mail me that 5d of yours and pick up another 40d!

Sadly I don't think there is. Maybe a firmware update will have a custom function for it if people complain enough.

i love my 40d and its definitely keeping me satisfied until i can get a 5d - but i have to say, i am quite disappointed in the sensor dust cleaner thingy. i'm having a huge problem with dust.

You serious Tami? I do a whole bunch of photography in a dusty barn and haven't had a problem with dust yet, i mean changing lenses and all. And a fried of mine has the xti and she's been working in the same (if not worse) conditions way more than I have and had her first bit of dust last week and she's had the camera for about a year! Maybe your dust reduction isn't working as well as it should?

seriously, its awful. there is dust all over my sensor and i have tried everything and i can't get rid of it. after the busy season is ovber, i have to send it in for an 'official' cleaning....

Yeah, that's really odd. Do you have like one of those "blower bulbs"? Ususally i'll do that to clean up the mirror/focus screen where most of my dust ends up. I'd definately mention that it gets "unusually dirty" when you send it in.

And tami you know the best part of asking you a question in a thread? You reply like lighting. It's more like being on IM than posting on a forum, lol.

i think the dust i have, has been adhered from moisture its irritating as hell.

if you dare:

http://www.sensor-film.com/

Watch the video...looks scarier than it is

http://www.sensor-film.com/cleaning.html

Like hard water spots?! *shiver* that sounds scary.

I used to have a 40D and I loved it, but sadly I sold it when I switched to Nikon. I would definitely consider another 40D, almost did when I came back to Canon. Ed Pingol uses a 40D and he produces some amazing stuff.