Luminous Landscape News Feed- September 10, 2007 - More on Canon 40D IQ

News Feeds · #1 09-10-2007, 10:10 AM

September 10, 2007 - More on Canon 40D IQ

There is an axiom among web and print magazine reviewers that as soon as a new camera review appears there will be a flurry of postings on one of the better known discussion boards that has brand specific forums that decry the writers findings. Oh no! It can't be! That's not right. What an idiot! My uncle's best friend says it's not true. My cat pictures prove that he's wrong.

Of course the fact that they may not have ever even held the camera in question, let alone shot with it is beside the point. The fact that they've been doing photography since last Wednesday, and the reviewer has been at it for nearly a half century counts for naught. If their sacred cow is being gored (sorry for the mixed metaphor) facts and experience don't matter. Also, until the patron saint of digital camera testing (you know who he is) has blessed a camera with his charts and graphs the pixel-peepers won't tolerate dissention.

Such was the case with my 40D first-look (not even a review) which was posted here last week. I was vilified online for claiming that the Canon 40D had overall IQ (Image Quality) comparable to that of the 5D. And since my commentary appeared online before any other well known equipment reviewer or pundit had an opportunity to do any testing, the Chicken Littles enjoyed a field day.

Today the highly respected photographer and photographic educator Miles Hecker, has published a brief review on his web site showing examples of the IQ differences between the 20D, 5D and the new 40D. His results closely parallel mine (gee, I'm so surprised).

Maybe the sky is falling after all.

I have downloaded the entire series and am a little over half way though watching it.
It is absolutely first rate and is clarifying a lot of questions I've had about the entire digital workflow.
I find the discussion format between Michael and Jeff particularly helpful.
I'm sure I'll rewatch many segments.