It’s Official!

Yes, we’re back to a discussion of toys. But, if this site has any particular theme at all, it’s toys, I guess. And most of the toys are probably photographic in nature. So, here goes…

Canon have finally put the 40D up on their web site. Of all the features listed, to me, the most important is the upgrade of the processing engine to the newer DIGIC III Image Processor. This new processor promises — and delivers! — much greater dynamic range, which, as I’ve mentioned previously, translates into better shadow detail and enhanced performance in low-light/high-ISO situations.

A new custom function also allows enhanced highlight detail. This feature is also a “hand-me-down” from the 1D Mk III, and, from what I can gather from the various photo sites, it kinda does a shift in the camera’s dynamic range, sacrificing a small amount of shadow detail for increased highlight detail. This is brilliant for wedding photographers, allowing for a maximum exposure, while still maintaining all-important detail in the wedding dress!

While there’s not a lot of detail available on the DIGIC III processor, the new processor has been used previously in Canon’s flagship 1D MkIII. David Ziser has shown images made with this camera at ISO 12800 (one stop beyond the rated ISO6400!) that were of excellent quality — and Ziser shoots JPEG exclusively! More on that can be found in his Digital Photography Newsletter #11 and Digital Photographer Newsletter #12.

While this is an exciting announcement, and precisely the reason I opted to move to the EOS Digital Rebel XTi instead of the 30D when we transitioned from Nikon to Canon earlier this year, I don’t believe that we’re going to make any immediate jump to the new camera. For one thing, there’s the cost ($1720 for the body, vertical grip and four batteries). While that’s not horrific, it’s also nothing to sneeze at for a small studio such as ours. I also never like to buy anything in “version 1.0.” I am thinking, though, that by springtime we’ll have at least one. I doubt that we’ll let the XTi’s go, though, as they’ll make superb 2nd/backup bodies.