|
|
I love my Nikon D1x and collection of prime lenses for best possible image quality, however portability becomes a trade-off. I am looking for handy portable DSLR combos for everyday snaps in user-friendly convention and responsive operations.
I have been Nikon friend some years; the D200 and D80 would be natively a complimentary choice to my D1x, but I finally picked a Canon EOS 400D instead of D200 or D80. There are two main reasons drive my conclusion to the 400D. Firstly, I would like the best possible portability, and secondly, I want the camera produces lowest noise at higher ISO sensitivity. And I also need image stabilizer (IS) function to against camera sharks.
I ordered a 400D camera body with the EFS 10-22 USM and EFS 17-85 IS USM lenses instead of the default 18-55 kit lens. They have a better focal length ranges, built quality and IS feature that meets my requirements for traveling and dynamic photography style.
First Impression
So how they are going after few hundreds of shoot? It is up to my expectation. A picture is much better than thousands of words, I am not going to give a details technical review, but keep in a subjective tone to express my ideas on the 400D and combos with the 10-22 and 17-85 IS lenses by hand-on sample photos.
First of first, The 400D is a responsive machine, the 9 points auto-focusing provides almost instant focus lock, clear image quality at ISO 400 and fairly nice at ISO 800 sensitivity. The 400D body seems a bit too small for me; anyway, I can still hold and operate it in one-hand model.
Then, what could be further improved? Well, perhaps Canon can release a firmware update to improve the following:
- Better image quality at higher sensitivity levels at ISO 800 and ISO 1600, this is critical to my photography style
- A spot metering mode
- Auto ISO sensitivity can be selected as default in creative modes
- Better flash lighting exposure
Combo with EFS 10-22 USM
I do about 70% wide angle photography, the 10-22 lens fits very well the focal length required and complementary to the 17-85 IS lens, it has well-build quality in silent and high speed operations, and produces very sharp image. It works fine for me and I have no reservation to shoot along all focal length and aperture though it gives a bit soft when wide-open at 10mm. An amazing lens to be included in my travel kit with the 400D for landscape and close up portrait.
Combo with EFS 17-85 IS USM
A silent and fast operated lens, the IS function works effectively for me, I suspect it could give 2-stops advantage. Hunt-free auto-focusing even under low light condition, the 17-85 IS lens makes hand-held night shoot possible without a tripod in a true walk-and-shoot-around convention. It delivers sharp images even wide open, I am happy with it except the widest side at 17mm, there is noticeable CA distortion and softness, worst at the corners, it may needs some post-processing for serious work though usable for quick snap. A very nice lens to be included in my travel kit with the 400D for general photography work.
Combo with EF 24mm f/2.8
My wife find herself interested in photography, she has tried the 400D & 17-85 combo and complained that is just too much for her, she want something lighter and easier, I think she is referring to a point & shoot compact camera. After a second thought, I am not going to acquire a new toy for her, I decided to have a light prime for the 400D. 24/2.8 is selected for its overall performance across apertures (even wide open at f/2.8).
See the full story at Canon 400D & EF 24mm f/2.8 - Light & Compact Combo for Quick Snap.
Canon EFS 400D + 10-22 USM Samples
Canon EFS 400D + 17-85 IS USM Samples
Snaps of a recent trip with the combo, straight out from camera in jpg, locked at f/8, 17mm. Evaluative metering, only resize applied. Enjoy!
|
|