View a larger version of these excellent images in this forum post.

Eduardo del Solar has more amazing bird photography at his site, be sure to check them out.

So, he used the Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM super telephoto lens for these photos.

Looking at the $5,800 USD price tag though, I think I’ll stick to macro photography.

Amazon: This is a predefined link for Canon 40D configurations on Amazon.

B&H: Here’s their 40D page.

J&R: Shop for the Canon EOS 40D SLR 10 Megapixel Digital Camera Body at J&R.

Search multiple stores: Here are links to Canon 40D search results on Shoplinc and Shopzilla

Thumbnail photos credit: Chris Fabbri

See this post for details and the larger images, and a shot of Kimi Raikkonen in his Ferrari.

Here’s a summary of shooting techniques Chris used for the race:

1. Shutter speeds in the range of 1/100th to 1/300th of a second were used. This relatively slow range of shutter speeds were used in order to pan the the moving cars and get the effect of blurred backgrounds.
2. The 100-400 lens was put into IS (Image Stabilization) Mode 2 which helped a lot.
3. Chris finds his copy of the 100-400mm to be pin sharp. Chris also shared an example of airshow pictures shot with the 100-400L lens.

Here’s a few Rottnest Island photos Kristen Risnes shares with us:

For larger view of the photos and the related forum thread, use this link, or visit Kristen’s Rottnest gallery with the 40D.

Some other points from the discussion:

1. Kris prefers the 40D to the 20D, and has no regrets with the upgrade
2. The Canon EF-S 10-22mm lens (review, pricing) was used for the crazy-wide shots. No circular polarizer was used for the EF-S 10-22 shots.
3. Kris shot in RAW mode and used Standard Style and default sharpness of 3 on the 40D.
4. For capturing GPS data into the EXIF, Phil suggests the use of “… WFT-E2A wireless grip and a USB GPS receiver (which plugs into the grip) … “.

There are eight photos of a hummingbird, butterfly and some birds - to enjoy viewing them, follow this link.

Here’s a summary of other points brought up in that thread:

1. Lens mounted on the 40D was the Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM (pricing, review) plus 1.4x TC (teleconverter) and Canon EF 300mm f/4.0 L IS USM (pricing, review).
2. Shasoc finds that the D40’s AF (autofocus) is faster than on the 30D. Specifically, Shasoc used AI Servo for shooting the hovering hummingbirds, and got more keepers than he would have with the 30D. Detail in the 40D images is also superior. (reference)
3. Exposure on the 40D is generally 1/3 to 2/3 stops darker vs the 30D.
4. For postprocessing, Photoshop was used. Photos were shot in JPEG mode, then Shasoc adjusted Highlights / Shadows, Levels and Saturation. Noise reduction and Smart Sharpening was also run. (reference)

Here’s the the direct link to the 6.53 MB 40D user guide.

I’ll update this post with a link to the official Canon site once it becomes available - stay tuned!

Based on the 200mm focal length in the EXIF data of the image, it looks like he might have used the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens (I note that he owns this lens based on an unrelated forum post).

Related resources:
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom options (UK)

The first two images were shot at ISO 800, while the third was taken at ISO 1600. All were photographed with the lenses wide open. Image #1 had HTP (highlight tone priority) switched on.

Lenses used were:
• Image #1, #3 - Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (the photographer remarks that he’s satisfied with this lens)
• Image #2 - Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8, non IS

Related resources:
• Tamron SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) Lens (UK)
• Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L (non-IS, and over $500 cheaper than the IS version)

Photogbil56 used the EF 24-105mm f/4 lens for the image.

Camera and lens settings were:
• Focal length of the lens: 105 mm
• ISO 400
• High Resolution JPEG
• 1/1600th of a second shutter speed
• f/5.6 aperture
• Closest focusing distance to the subject (Vincent adds that the closest focusing distance on the 24-105mm f/4 lens is 0.45 m / 1.5 ft)

Great composition, colors, contrast, and a fabulous example of a “first photo” from a Canon 40D owner, don’t you think?

See two more pictures of those moths in an updated post (shot at ISO 200 and 400).

Related resources:
• Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM options (UK)

Here’s a list of links to related discussions:

1. 40D CDN$1249 at FutureShop in Canada (body only), CDN$1619 if bundled with the EF-S 17-85 IS - part of their back-to-school deal. Here’s a calculation of the savings if you had bought out of province, and a related comment about the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) in Canada.
2. CDN$1,759.99 at Bestbuy.ca for bundle with the EF-S 17-85mm IS lens (was CDN$1583)
3. Here’s a tip by GeeFIve on getting the battery grip for cheap.
4. Zackweed reports having a good experience with Henry’s Camera in getting them to price-match Futureshop’s prices. More tips on getting a local shop to price match Futureshop / Bestbuy.

Kindly add a comment if you bought your Canon 40D in Canada and would like to share your experience - thanks!