Its normal because it has a safely mechanism to protect the built-in flash head. Continuous flashing will usually increase the temperature of the element. So the system will not let you flash continuously indefinitely due to these reasons. The same applies for external flash too. But external flashes will have a larger tolerances for such torture. If you shoot in the hot afternoon with direct sunlight, the external flash will cease to fire also.

---

Added on March 10, 2008, 5:23 pmYup! The EF50mm F1.8 when stopped down slightly is the best and goes all the way to F5.6. But of course you loose a little bit of DOF by going 2-5.6. Also notice that if you do 1.8 and you stand close to the subject and focus onto the eyes. At some point, the eyes would be in focus but the rest of it will be in DOF. Hahaha! Very funny one. So the point is, you need to stand further a bit so that the effective DOF is usable. But standing away effectively makes framing with the 50mm less tight. Unless you reduce aperture and go closer to prevent the DOF problem.

That is why those 85L and 135L is useful here. Hahahaha! Finally I understand why TheVOIP and D-SKY prefers such primes focal lengths. Do correct me if I was wrong though. This is strictly personal observation.

This post has been edited by davidmak: Mar 10 2008, 05:23 PM

What do you mean? Most Canon cameras are made in Japan anyway. Unless you're talking in terms of warranty policy. We have local warranty ones and gray imports with international warranty.

Well 40D introduces a lot of new features and improved performance. Most importantly they are from different categories, one on the entry level while the other is semi-professional. If you have been reading all the posts over here, even going from 400D to 30D (40D's predecessor) is a well worth upgrade already. Your expectations might not require the 40D's features though thats why you popped up this question.

My expectations that encourages me to go from 400D to 40D was as follows:

- better metering
- better AF (40D has all 9 point cross sensors with the middle one enhanced for F2.8 and below)
- better sensor characteristics
- DIGIC III and all its additional benefits
- bigger body for better handling
- additional external LCD for parameters and settings
- better ergonomics and placement of buttons
- pentaprism for brighter and larger viewfinder
- better focusing screen
- semi-weather proof sealings (not sure if this helps)
- higher flash sync
- higher maximum shutter speed
- more intelligent exposure (don't really need it though)
- spot metering (400D doesn't have one)
- larger batteries
- live view
- motorized and damped mirror flipping motion (up and down, better vibration characteristics)
- etc etc

Some of the things that attracted me lar. But picture taking wise, I don't see a big jump. Some feels this is an important point and don't see the need for an upgrade. But for me, the handling was more important. The platform to begin your lens collection is an important start.

Welcome bro.

No need to contest. Hehehee! The Tamron 17-50 F2.8 loses flat to ring USM and its noisy too. Like robots. However, for certain people focusing speed is not important if you're into general portraits. AF remains accurate in low light at F2.8 and marginally slower at F4. I've owned the lens before and that is what I have to say. Actually the performance does not differ by much. Because the AF operation is noisy, it gives the user an impression of slower AF. But I still say the ring USM is superior in many situations (depending on individual lens and model of course).

It is not really apple-to-apple comparison but if you want a comparison, I'm afraid you will be encouraged to upgrade!

Well, first the 400D is not as fast when it comes to frames per second and the number of pictures it can sustain in the buffer to begin with. The 400D has 3fps while the 40D has 6.5fps. This is quite normal because both are from different product positioning. A higher fps and larger buffers mean you can take more and risk a lower lost of opportunity when taking fast objects like birding, motorsports and etc where you can shoot in burst in hope that at least one will turn out right. The AF mechanism of the 40D is a much improved one too because it now has all 9 AF points cross-sensors with more concentration for the center point. The 400D only has a pair of cross at the center point. AF tracking will be of course better and low-light performance will be swift when couple with one of the ring-USM. The mirror flipping action is now motorized on up and down motions making the operation more damped and silent. Most importantly the mirror flipping emits lesser vibration than before which translates to sharper pictures during long exposures. You can counter this by utilizing mirror lockup and timer mode on the 400D actually.

The 400D does not have spot metering so you will need to use partial metering and zoom to a subject to take a sample. Then the metering on the 40D is more advanced and generally more intelligent. Both cameras expose whites to 18% gray so it will need the user to be experienced enough to detect this and dial in compensations. The 40D can do 1/8000 while the 400D can only do 1/4000 but I am not sure if this is useful hehehehe! One of the most important feature the 400D does not have is the sensor output. The 40D has a generally more advanced cmos sensor than the 400D and this can be translated to better exposures, color rendition and noise characteristics. ISO1600 is marginally better than 400D. If you do RAW, then you will love 40D because its sensor can now output full 14bit of information compared to 400D's 12bit. You will only get this if you do RAW, not JPEG because it is only 8bit file compression. So obviously the 40D has better dynamic range and can record more levels of information. How important is the extra 2bit is of course debatable though.

Also the 40D has better focusing screen and a brighter viewfinder - a pentaprism to be exact as opposed to the 400D's penta mirror. With a larger viewfinder, you can frame better and do manual focusing better. Doing this on the 400D is quite a challenge especially checking DOF preview. You won't notice any difference on 400D other than decrease in brightness unless you look very hard. Lastly, the handling is a lot better on the 40D because of the larger grip and heavier platform.

You see, most of my explanations above revolve around the usage and handling of 40D when compared to 400D. Personally speaking, 400D can take as good pictures as 40D when coupled with a very good lens. All 40D can help you is to give you better options and handling to help you achieve better results. Actually if you ask me, it is better to invest on better lenses than to upgrade to 40D. But at some point, you will need a 40D because of the handling limitations discussed above.

Yeah very lousy price indeed. Hehehe! I think better opt for the 450D lar since it has better features and cheaper than 40D. Oh ya.. do consider the new sensor though because it now has a 12.5MP which could changed the noise characteristics. Better wait for the reviews and picture sampling before jumping the decision. Of course if you get a 40D, it would be a good choice. But the 400D is good enough.

Very weird product positioning. xxxD should be on the same product line. So does that means all x00D is of one product line and all x50D is on another? But the 400D's features look to be an improvement over 350D while the 450D is an improvement over the 400 to me.

I guess that is a way to keep 400D on the shelves while they obsolete the 350D. So guys... the 400D will be the new low price DSLR. Lets hope they come out with some twin lens package for it.

Yes, the lens body will indicate where its origin. The Japan version will have a marking 'Made In Japan', while the China one will have a marking 'Assembled in China'. All materials are designed and manufactured in Japan. Thats not so important. The most important is the assembly part and calibration of lens. Cause during assembly, you wanna make sure all the lens are properly drop in and without any dust. I do think they have a calibration jig to perform tuning and stuff to the Japanese counterpart's standards. But the problem is inconsistencies all happen for the lenses assembled in China. So you may want to avoid those. But thats old news and long time ago, so I don't about today's though.

The Tamron 17-50 F2.8 is indeed a good lens, hands down. Some even go to the extend of comparing with Canon EF-S 17-55mm F2.8 IS USM! But any difference between them will be very fine and debatable. But Canon is better here because of the IS and sharp wide open. The Tamron can be slightly soft at the edges but goes very sharp when stopped down a little to F4.

I have to agree that IS is the only deciding factor for one to aim for the better one. But do remember Sigma and Tamron already has OS/VC capability. Do you think they are not looking at the EF17-55mm F2.8 IS USM? I can tell its already in the works. I just hope there is a replacement for Sigma in the form of 17/18-50mm F2.8 OS HSM EX built.. kekeke! Priced at RM1800-2000. Its gonna have tremendous value and the scale will change significantly.

Sigma and Tamron is look at a general 18-200 zoom range as a launching and test platform. Pretty soon, they will implement into 17/18-50 and 70-200/300 range. Its only natural they would do that.

Yeah! I'm sure that is going to happen sooner or later. I remember Sigma releasing a lens somewhere around that 70-300 range but with OS. Forgot the model. Anyone?

As in?

Hehehe I hope Tamron and Sigma can at least match in by the inclusion of OS/VC with the focal ranges. At least come near 17-55 2.8 IS and at an affordable price. I'm sure a lot of people is waiting for this solution.

One of those links recommended here and this one --> http://planetneil.com/tangents/flash-photography-techniques/

Step by step tutorials. If you're serious, then get this month's Practical Photography (Imported) Magazine. Its around RM30. This month they have flash tutorials in five projects for you to follow. Good luck.

Ya, no spot metering. But spot metering can be tricky to use at times. If you want to use it, you can duplicate the same results with partial metering. You can zoom into the spot you want to meter and then take a reading. Then you zoom out, reframe and shoot.

Always use a lower price or state a higher discount. Or better, say you sold off your old lens and got major savings for the new item you bought. Hahahaha!

Yes you are right. The only time we use a better quality one is where we don't want the new filter to create new flaring and reflection issues. Thats why the normal Hoya multi-coated is ok for use liao. If you worried that your usage might scratch the filter, then you can opt for a high resistance coating that is scratch resistant. Or just throw and buy a new one because it is so cheap.

Price not that much difference lar. Sometimes if price so close and competitive I would look for convenience of buying one. Why go so far to get a saving of RM10?

Bro be careful there when stating 'the lightest', 'the best', etc hahahahaha! You know.. you know...

But I completely agree with you. Canon's 10-22 is really not bad. But I'm very excited about Sigma's 10-20 too.

When is Tamron's 10-24 releasing? But I generally prefers Sigma now because of the distance meters and built. I wonder the 10-24 has similar construction too and not a moving focusing ring?

Bro! Good flash there. A lot of people in dpreview recommends it.

Yo whats your problem till have to do that? You cannot jump now, must wait till you get the 1D Mark III and 5D replacement. Then only your wish is fulfilled mah.

Ya no good. Bad for the building owners. But do remember to tell me where you store your personal lens collection. Would like to get my hands all over them.

Get the full kit with EFS17-85mm F4-5.6 IS USM. Its a good walkaround lens. Keep it. Unless you already got it or something similar.