Stating the obvious!

[swan lover]

In the spring 2010 issue just released I read the write up by Technical Editor Paul Grogan on the New EOS 550D, he was of course stating the obvious this camera with it's bells and whistles will be far in advance of our old models, it is my personal feeling this was being rammed down our throats to make us feel inadequate, my 400D will do me fine thank you I don't need a bells and whistles camera with some expensive HD video rubbish on it.

If Mr Grogan decides to do more writing at least get his facts right, the EOS 400D does not have it's ISO burried in a menu, it has a dedicated button on the rear in the cross buttons.

[digitalvirgin]

Its still missing the all important feature.....................the ability to point itself at something, capture that timed magic moment and take a great photo. But I guess HD video is a real bonus for a photographer.............

[rbarry]

Hello S Lover,

I believe Paul's review was aimed at both those who have never owned an SLR and want to try out the sophistication of Digital SLR photography, as well as existing owners by showing what has changed in the last 3 to 4 years. To do this, Paul compared the 550d to the 400d in order to assess whether the new Canon would make a worthy upgrade from the 400d. It's a subjective proposition because you may not be in the market for an upgrade for any number of reasons.

Personally, I was very interested in Paul's verdict as I trust his opinion. Ok, so he got the ISO button business wrong on the 400d, but if you own the 400d you would know that anyway.
All the same, I'm glad you raised the issue as I am sorely tempted to purchase the 550d and sell my 400d. I wouldn't want any potential purchaser of my old camera to be put off if they valued a dedicated button for switching ISO to the extent that it may become a deal breaker.

As far as HD video is concerned, we are just going to have to accept that this technology has been introduced into most new models throughout the range, as it has with most other manufacturors. Just because it's available doesn't mean you have to use it.
If your main usage is for shooting video then buy a Hi def camcorder, which incidently will have the additional ability to shoot stills, as video cameras have been able to do for the last 20 years!

So long as new digital SLR's continue to make improvements in still image photography then I won't be upset if they can shoot video, make phone calls, surf the net or play mp3's.

Now there's a thought, maybe I'd better hang on 'til the 600d comes out...............

[donoreo]

I just hope that this trend with HD video does not take focus away from improving the camera to take still photos.

[digitalvirgin]

Ah, but what about 3d movies????? Will Canon bring out a 3d hd dvd pc and mac comp. with dolby THX sound? Picture it peeps, we will all have those bloody white glasses just to look at holiday snaps! Is this the future you want???????
I hear the future is in suspending siver crystals in geletin and shining a light through it onto paper that also has real silver in it! Its organic and doesnt need a PC! Its called Annylog apparently (Dont worry, it wont catch on if you cant use it on a PC).

[rbarry]

Originally Posted by digitalvirgin

Ah, but what about 3d movies????? Will Canon bring out a 3d hd dvd pc and mac comp. with dolby THX sound? Picture it peeps, we will all have those bloody white glasses just to look at holiday snaps! Is this the future you want???????
I hear the future is in suspending siver crystals in geletin and shining a light through it onto paper that also has real silver in it! Its organic and doesnt need a PC! Its called Annylog apparently (Dont worry, it wont catch on if you cant use it on a PC).

Too late! 3D has beed around in a consumer digital camera for about six months in both still image and movies WITHOUT using glasses:
http://www.fujifilm.co.uk/consumer/d...pix-real-3d-w1



I realise that a stills camera should be as good a stills camera as it can be for the target market it is intended for. If the new Canon 550d had to be the same size as an HD camcorder with good glass, then it would be compromised by it's increase in size. The 550d is practically the same size as all it's predecessors from as far back as the 300d. The fact it has technically advanced by leaps and bounds in still image capture alone is a good reason to consider it as an upgrade if you are in the market for an upgrade. If it comes with hd video too that can't be considered a reason for criticism.

Market forces have allowed for great advances in most electronic technologies and digital cameras are not excluded. Today's digital SLR cameras continue the trend of advancement in still image photography. I don't believe that the capability to take great looking HD video a compromise , it has to be an asset. Whether you use it or not, it's available if you want it.

[kaliedoscope]

Quote
it is my personal feeling this was being rammed down our throats to make us feel inadequate, my 400D will do me fine thank you



i think what Paul said is perfectly fair, its a newer model so its obviously better than the 400d If you believe the 400d is adequate for you, why waste you're time complaining that you dont have a newer model?

[swan lover]

Hello kaieidoscope my complaint was two fold, yes I felt the bells and whistles was being rammed down our throats maybe making some people feel inadequote but also I would have thought as technical director Paul Grogan would have done his reasearch right leaving no stone un-turned when comparing two cameras this in my eyes he did not.

[donoreo]

Paul may have left no stone unturned, but that made the article too long. I could have been edited to fit the allocated space.