Which to use Canon 40D or 20D?

I have both the 20D and just purchased the 40D. Currently I use a Fuji 30 with an INON strobe for underwater photography. I would like to step up and use one of my DSLR's.

I have the canon 60mm macro and am purchasing the canon 10-22mm wide. My dilemma is which

camera do I use? Should I set up the 20D for U/W and leave it at that or do I use my new 40D.

Would it make that much difference choosing one over the other?

Sound reasoning anyone?

Thanks

I have been using a 20D underwater for a couple of years. I own a 40D for topside use. I use the 60 mm for macro. It focuses well on the 20D. Last week I tried a 40D underwater with the 60 mm lens. The focus was outstanding. Very fast and accurate. A definite improvement over the already capable 20D. The larger LCD is nice for my aging eyes. If money is no object, go for the 40D. If you would like to save a few $$$, then you should be able to get a great deal on a used 20D housing.

p.s. For underwater use, I strongly recommend getting the Tokina 10-17 fisheye lens instead of the Canon 10-22. I have both lenses. The Tokina is the only one I use underwater now.

I have been using a 20D underwater for a couple of years. I own a 40D for topside use. I use the 60 mm for macro. It focuses well on the 20D. Last week I tried a 40D underwater with the 60 mm lens. The focus was outstanding. Very fast and accurate. A definite improvement over the already capable 20D. The larger LCD is nice for my aging eyes. If money is no object, go for the 40D. If you would like to save a few $$$, then you should be able to get a great deal on a used 20D housing.

 

p.s. For underwater use, I strongly recommend getting the Tokina 10-17 fisheye lens instead of the Canon 10-22. I have both lenses. The Tokina is the only one I use underwater now.

Thanks for recommendation on the Tokina

I Should I set up the 20D for U/W and leave it at that or do I use my new 40D.

The 40D has a bigger viewfinder for the tired eyes and better image quaility,

The 40D has a larger buffer, quieter shutter and the sensor cleaning ability. The 40D has better low noise performance at higher ISO, higher resolution 10.1 M vs 8.2, improved faster auto focus that is better in low light.

40D has better menu system, faster shooting rates and LiveView (arguably useful U/W). The ability to store 3 different custom functions (CFWA, macro, fish?). The selected ISO shows up in the viewfinder.

I based my decision on three things in the end, The large LCD (3in. 230,000 pixels vs 1.8 in 118,000) Better AF performance in low light, and better image quality. I looked around the net at side-by-side image comparisons with photos from the 20D, 40D, and 5D. It's almost impossible for me to tell the difference between the 40D and the 5D images, while the 20D and 30D pictures look a little flatter and washed out by comparison.The 40D produces image quality very nearly the equal of the 5D IMHO. The 14-bit A/D conversion vs the 12 on the 20D should mean finer transitions from light to dark tones, and a significant drop in digital and shadow noise. (Sunballs?)

In actual practise now that I've had the new rig in the pool a few times, I absolutely love the big LCD. Shooting manual, I can actually see what the heck I'm doing on the info screen. I'm hoping that translates to a shorter response time and fewer missed opportunities. For me with the older eyes it was an easy decision. Good luck, All the techie stuff aside, at the end of the day if you're in the ocean with a camera in your hands you win.

Steve

That's a no brainer: get the newest camera wet (I am still using the 20D though). The 40D is 2 generations newer (actually, I would say one and a bit, but still)

The only thing favoring housing the 20D might be the ability to pick up a deal on a second hand housing.

I am a newbie starting off with a 40d so I cannot comment on the 20d. But I must say the 40d is an outstanding camera. One of the main reasons I bought the 40d was the live view function. However I find that it is not as usuful as I thought and I hardly use it.