40D or 450D?

Nearly bought my first dSLR today, but thought I'd better do a little more research first. I'm tossing up between the 40D and 450D, at first for above water, but with the intention of housing it in the next few months. What are the main differences between these two cameras, that will be useful for underwater?

The main one I have seen is the seperate wheels for appature and shutter speed on the 40D, although I'm sure I could manage OK with jsut one (as I have been with my P&S). Is there anything else I'm missing that would make the higher investment of a 40D worth while?

Anyone had any experiences yet with the 450D (obviously above water, as far as I know, there's no housings yet)?

Also, which one will have the better housing choices, that I can use my Ike strobes on? Obviously both will have Ike housings, but I may go for an ali housing.

Thanks for any advice!

Ry.

Ry,

Three weeks ago I was in the same boat.....Went into a store and held the 40D (great camera!), then held the XSi (450D elsewhere in the world). Back and forth.....

The 450D viewfinder is much improved, I don't need dual wheels or to spend anymore than necessary. Plus I'm lazy and want the lightest weight possible camera that will do the job. I know that's more my personal choice and many want or need a heavier camera.

So I bought my first of what will likely be 2 Canon Rebel XSi bodies for the next year or more I liken buying capable low cost RAW producing dSLR cameras to when Nikonos V cameras became the "standard" and were affordable enough to have 2, or 3 or more...Insure it, use it and IF it breaks pull another out and keep shooting......

Problem is, that theory has yet to prove itself! I have progressed through the Canon Digital Rebel series including the original Digital Rebel, Rebel XT and Rebel XTi I have yet to break one exceeding 20,000 "clicks" on several bodies. I know several shooters with the original Digital Rebel having upwards of 75,000 "clicks" and still going strong.....

So far the Canon Rebel XSi (450D) images even at ISO 800 and 1600 look great! Even the new 18-55mm IS lens is sweet and vastly improved over the previous model. Reviews rate it almost equal to the$1,000 Canon 17-55mm f2.8 lens performance! Here in the U.S it only cost $100 more to get the IS kit lens with a 450D. So I'd advise getting it if only for a lightweight travel lens.

Ikelite's housing with eTTL2 will start shipping in a week or so. I already sold one package to a customer with it. Plus I'll be getting my own housing soon

The 450 D feels very solid for a "consumer" camera....

Just one lowly photographer's opinion....

dhaas

www.haasimages.com

Thanks for the reply David. Good to hear some feedback on the 450d, haven't heard a whole lot so far. I did read a little about the 2 different lenses on dpreview, and while I was initially looking at the 17-85mm for above water photography, for travelling, maybe I'll reconsider the 18-55mm IS. I'm only going to need more lenses once I'm ready to go underwater anyway!

Any other opinions?

Ry,

The Ikelite housing is on their web site today Looks good and as I always call it has a bit of "bilge space" in boat terms around the small Canon 450D camera body. I personally like this and with the 450D being fairly light it also gets so close to neutral underwater depending of course on what lens, port and strobe(s) you use.

Most of my shooting is with a 6" dome port and a single DS125 resulting in my rig usually being barely negative by a few ounces. It will sink slow enough to let it go for a few seconds to adjust something on my scuba rig.

I owned the heavier and slightly longer reach Canon 17-85mm IS lens. It's nice, but recent tests say the lowly NEW 18-55mm IS kit lens is sharper especially at 18mm. Plus since the 18-55mm IS focusses to 10" no diopter is required for UW use behind a dome port

Will let Wetpixellites know when I get mine in the water likely using the 18-55mm IS and Tokina 10-17mm as my main lenses

Later!

dhaas