Photographers: have you used a Canon 40D before? Is that a good digital slr to break into photography?

The 40D is very easy to use and takes beautiful pictures; however, if you are planning to buy a new digital SLR and you don’t know much about photography, you could get away with buying a Rebel XSI or even a used 20D or 30D

Personally, any Canon camera with a full-size (SLR) CCD works. The Rebel has a downsized CCD so you won’t maximize the potential of your EF lenses, but at least they fit! Guess it all depends on your bell-and-whistle and power-source preference. Shoot before you buy.
I shoot a 5,10,20, and also a Rebel xti (when I need something portable).

I have never used a Canon 40D. I HAVE used a digital Rebel and it was amazing.

The one I would recommend since you’re beginning, however, is a Nikon D40. It simply cannot be beaten in quality for its price range.

thx for the advice. The reason for the 40 is because I want to learn and not have to buy a newer camera anytime soon.I don’t know tons but I am working on it. I wanna do weddings eventually.

Are you only interested in SLR?

If you are just learning why not use something like a S5IS or a G9? Sure the optics are not what you will find on SLRs, but neither is the pricetag. Once you are ready to go pro, drop the scratch on a primo rig.

The tech is developing so fast that 6 months down the road you may save a bundle on what you would by today or spend the same on newer technology.

ya I’m just going SLR next. I want to have a loT to work with.

Are you dead set on a Canon? If not you should try Nikon D300, it is a bit more as far as price (about $500 or so) but it is an amazing camera. I haven’t used a 40D so I can’t compare the two but the D300 would definitely be one I would recommend. Here are some reviews of both D300 and the 40D that might help you.

I own a Canon 40D and am very happy with it. I had a Canon 20D before and the major benefit right now off the bat is the bigger screen. Sure I love all the other upgrades too but the screen is great. If you have not yet chosen teams (Canon or Nikon) I think I have to encourage you to take a good look at Nikon. Their newer cameras are truly amazing. Their capability in shooting in low light has improved dramatically and totally outperforms Canon on this point. Out-of-camera photos without post processing is said to be the best ever on the new Nikons. They just released the D700 now too. People still argue that Canon has somewhat sharper optics available but that is probably neglible…

To comment on Knotmyday’s answer… The Canon 40D and the rebels have indeed a cropped (smaller) sensor/CCD, but that does NOT mean that you make less use of the Canon EF lenses. The fullsize sensors found in the Canon 5D and 1D cameras does indeed produce higher quality photos due to pixel density but does not at all limit the full use of the lenses. Actually you can argue that the smaller sensors improve use of lenses since they make all lenses longer. If you have a 100mm lens it becomes a actual 160mm lense on the smaller CCD cameras due to the crop factor. So your lenses actually becomes more tele which can be a benefit.

New cameras come all the time and you should maybe start with a second hand one at first to get to know the cameras and controls and go more pro once you have full control of the workflow. The value of 2nd hand cameras is amazing right now. Maybe a 2nd hand Nikon D100 could be a good deal or even a D70s or something. Still amazing cameras and can be found for nothing!

@HeNKiSdaBro:
I was indeed referring to the 1.6x magnification factor. To a professional photographer or an amateur looking for professional results, “zoom out,” so to speak, is as technically important as “zoom in.”
So as I stated before- The Rebel does not maximize the potential of the EF lens system.
AND, as I also stated before, I do use the Rebel on certain assignments. The quality of the smaller CCD is impeccable, and the unit is compact and light, which makes it a great quick-switch backup unit for me.

@Willbrawn- remember that most camera recommendations are going to be pretty subjective, and most preferences are based on what the photog is used to. I’ve shot Canon digital SLRs from day one. Prior to that, I shot Pentax and Leica 35mm, Mamiya (and Holga :^D) medium, and a 4×5 large format landscape bellows box that I built at school and still use for various projects.
It’s all a toolbox, but Canon is a great digital.