Canon 40D-450D-400D- which to buy? What lens to use? ~around $1200cap~?

Question pretty much says it all, but here we go.


I'm new to DSLR cameras but I'm heading of to Japan for a year. I take a lot of photos and really want to be able to have crisp and beautiful pictures.





I have decided to go with Canon. I was all set to buy my camera from just comparing reviews between the three on www.dpreview.com/ and seeing their comparison pictures. I also spent a lot of time on flickr comparing images between these cameras as well. So I decided to do just a little more research before I bought a 450D, and finally realized it wasn't so much about the Camera as it was about the lens.





Here are some examples of the kinds of photos i like to take:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/flightlessangel/2749050898/in/pool-canon450d


http://www.flickr.com/photos/japa_justin/2776173942/in/pool-593043@N20/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chuan_chee/2056795816/in/set-72157603226808188/


http://www.flickr.com/photos/chuan_chee/1443889905/in/set-72157602172259515/





I also like to take shots of buildings and scenery as well.


So again my question is, which camera out of Canon's 40D, 450D, and 400D should I buy? And what lens, or lenses would be best?


The kicker is I am only looking to spend about 1200$, so i don't know if this can honestly be done either.|||Get the 40d, the other two can't compare. I've held all three of the them in hand. .The canon 40d is HUGE compared to the 450d and the 400d. This camera is a ' prosumer ' camera. Whereby, the other two are just starter line cameras. So, having said that, the images on the 40d are naturally going to be better. Don't mind the 450d's 12 megapixels, that doesn't really matter. The 40d still have better image quality. Also the 400d/450d can only shoot at 3.5 frames per second. On the 40d, you shoot 5. Isn't that's a big enough difference? You say that you like to take photographs of sports, so that added speed will be convenient to you. The 40d is used by professional photographers, as a back-up, or even a main camera. This is a much better camera than the other too, it's MUCH bigger, which is more comfortable to hold in your hands.





However, such a nice camera comes at a price, The canon eos 40d, with a 28-135mm lens costs around 1,150$. So, with your extra money, you can get the canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens:





http://www.amazon.com/Canon-50mm-1-8-Cam鈥?/a>


it's a very sharp lens, mainly for portraits. This lens is also to be used in low light conditions.You never know when you wanna take a photograph and get the most depth of field. Get this lens, it's only eighty dollars.





However, 105mm's, might not be enough length for shooting at a great distance, 300mm's might be better for you. Consider getting this lens, once you get your 40d with 28-135mm lens:





http://www.amazon.com/Tamron-70-300mm-4-鈥?/a>


This Tamron 70-300mm lens seems sharp for 150$. You should get it later when you really need it.





Should You Get Body Only?


no, don't do that. The lens it comes with, the 28-135mm lens is over four hundred dollars by itself. So, it's a pretty sharp, decent lens. That's good enough coverage to start with, you should get this lens with your camera.|||Buy the cheapest body, price wise, and get the best lens you can afford for the action/sports shot that has IS. Maybe a 70-200 2.8, but that would be way over your budget.


If I had $1200 I'd spend it on a K20D too. :)|||I'd pass on the 40D, 450D and 400D since they do not have image stabilization nor live action LCD viewing screen. For around $675 you should look into the 2 lense offering on an Olympus Evolt E-510 from samys.com.





Good luck!|||my suggestion


go to yahoo shopping


digital cameras


digital camera GUIDE


be sure to check titles on the left side


the guide should answer your questions |||If I have $1200 to spend I will get a Pentax K20D|||I agree with David M. Buy a Canon XTi(400D). It offers the same pro features that you would find in high end Canon/Nikon cameras. Most photographers will tell you that lenses are more important than Cameras. You can buy a Canon XTi with a kit lens for around $550 and save money to buy extra lens or external flash. Most begginers spend most of their budget on the camera body and mount a cheap lens on their camera. Built in flash and kit lenses do not produce good results.





The Rebel XTi is compatible with all Canon lenses in the EF lineup so you can mount high end lenses like L series on XTi. You can also mount any Canon flashes such as the great 580ex II on XTi.





You can find plenty of great deals on ebay:





http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-鈥?/a>





Good luck!


|||I would go with the 400D or the 450D and use the extra money to buy a nice lens. The 40D is a little over your budget and unless you are very familiar with an SLR camera you would be better off with the others.





For $1,200 you can get the 400D with the kit lens and a Canon 10-22mm wide angle for shooting the buildings and scenery. Or if you prefer a lens for shooting sports you can get the 70-300mm IS.





Unfortunately you can't get the camera and all 3 lenses for this price. Canon does have a cheap 75-300mm lens that you can use for sports that costs about $200. It is not the best but will work fine on bright sunny days.