I have a 5D and would like a better BIF camera

[Rich Swanner]

40D vs 50D Which would be better for $350 more(50D) or(40D) less? I use L lenses 300mm F/4L IS 70-200mm f/4L IS 24-105mm f/4L IS Thanks... Rich

[Paul Granone]

Rich,

I also use a 5D and was faced with the same question. I bought a 50D. The 50D has no problem keeping up with BIF. I used it on Sunday at Bosque del Apache and was very happy with the sharp in focus shots using the 300mm F4 L IS & 400mm F5.6 L lenses. The 400mm F5.6 is a very good lens for BIF

[Arthur Morris]

Another vote for the 50D. The 40D was good for flight but the 50D even better.

[Doug Brown]

I feel that the 50D is a much better BIF body than the 40D, although that opinion is not shared by everyone in the flight photography community. I get a very high percentage of in-focus shots.

[Rich Swanner]

Wow thanks ..... I need the help of real use. I was going to upgrade to the 400mm f/5.6L, but was still faced with 3fps and no crop. I had the 30D and liked it , I need the reach and speed. The reach on the 400 would be even more with the 50D and no lose of AF. I am new here thanks for the great advice...Rich

[Maxis Gamez]

50D for sure but the 40D has been AMAZING to me.

[Ed Okie]

I, too, recently switched (added) a 50D body, after two years use of the highly regarded 5D - almost a legend in its time. Key excuse to buy was the 1.6X lens factor for wildlife work.
The comparative is stark in terms of dollars, $3200 vs $1100 camera bodies. The latter (relatively) so cheap that, well... it couldn't possibly be worthy.
Incredible as it may seem... the 50D is an appreciable UPGRADE. The wealth of new functions available. Biggest Wow-factor! is the high-rez LCD... incredible compared to anything Canon had previously made. One might suggest we need to all thank Nikon for leading the LCD upgrade parade - forcing Canon's hand to get rid of their second-rate LCDs.
As to the Mega-pixel race, 15MB on the 50D, I'm inclined to suggest enough-is-enough! Monster files!
Today, buy a camera for the functions offered; all else is basically hype. The weakest link is the person holding the camera, always was, always will be. Truth be told, all upscale cameras are basically the same, all are capable of producing outstanding images, be it the $1100 50D or those grossly overpriced $4,500 and $8000 editions.
Placed in context: you can own FOUR (4) camera bodies... or one (1) at $4,500. Who-da' thunk?

[Rich Swanner]

I own one now.....I got a 50D free overnight from B+H $1069 $269 more then a new 40D. Thank you all....You telling me Artie was really Cool....I like this forum alot...Rich

[David S.]

I feel that the 50D is a much better BIF body than the 40D

How can this be? They both have identical AF systems.

[Rich Swanner]

It may be the newer sensor that he means IV vs III ?

[Arthur Morris]

No clue. But I am making the sharpest flight images ever with my 50D....