You may have noticed that I have added a new link at the top of my page under the header picture. The link is called Photography and it links to my SmugMug Gallery. Here you can see a lot more of my photography as well as purchase prints of my pictures. Feel free to visit often!

One of the neighbors having fun with a sparkler.

The new Canon 40D has finally arrived. It came via UPS yesterday afternoon. I was excited to see it finally. Upon opening it, I am more convinced that the first one I got was a return that someone bought just to steal the battery. Very frustrating. But, I now have the camera. In fact, I have two of them! I haven’t gotten the prepaid slip to send back the old camera yet. It would be awesome if I could keep both, but I don’t think that will happen.

I took a few pictures with my new camera last night. I was mostly just messing around, so there isn’t so much good stuff. Today though, I took some pictures of the fresh strawberries we picked this morning. The picture above is one of them. So far I am loving the new camera. I think the quality is great, and it functions great. The most amazing thing that I like about it is how quiet it is. I was shocked when I took the first picture. It is so quiet compared to the Rebel XT.

I will take some more pictures and post a further review, but for now, I am loving it.

So I get home today and there is a lovely Amazon box waiting for me.  I quickly open the box, and there it is.  The new Canon 40d.  I proceed to unpack the the camera from the box.  I slowly take out each piece one by one.  The instruction manuals are on top.  Next the strap.  I pull out the bubble wrapped camera and examine it.  It is absolutely beautiful. Next I pull out a smaller white box.  Inside is the strap, the 28-135mm IS USM lens, the USB cable, the video cable, the battery cover, and….that’s it.  Yep, no battery.  No battery charger.  WTF!!!???  I look inside the camera.  Nope, battery not there.  I open the package with the instruction manuals.  Nope, no battery or charger.  Frantically I look at the packing list.  Yep, the battery and charger are supposed to be there.  Alas, I finally give up.  The contents check list says to contact the vendor if there are missing items.  So I call Amazon.

Me – “Yeah, hi.  Amazon? I just got my camera and it is missing the battery and battery charger.”

Amazon – “Um…OK.  Let me put you on hold and check what that is supposed to come with.”

Me – “Fine.  Great.”

After 2 minutes or so…. Amazon – “OK, yes those items should be included.  What we need you to do is send the package back to us and we will send you a new one. Is that OK with you?”

Me – “I guess it has to be. I don’t really have any other choice. So how soon can I expect the new one?”

Amazon – “24 to 48 hours.”

Me (in my head) – “You have got to be F***ING KIDDING ME!!!!” (to Amazon) ” OK fine.”

What else can I do.  I thought about going to buy the same camera at Circuit City, taking what I need and then returning it, but with my luck, that would end up being more work than it is worth. So I sit and wait. Admiring the awesome new camera that I can’t use because I have no power! UGH!

I just ordered a new camera from Amazon. I bought the Canon 40d with the EF 28-135 IS USM lens. I currently have the Canon Rebel XT with an 18-55 lens on it, but I thought it was time to upgrade. I have been taking a lot more pictures and I am trying to get the best quality possible. That said, the XT has been great over the past couple of years, but I am ready for more. Some reasons that I decided to upgrade include:

1. As I said, I am shooting a lot more, and feel I am ready for a closer to professional level camera.
2. I want to have the best picture quality and the XT has an 8.2 megapixel sensor, whereas the 40d has a 10.1 megapixel sensor. The 40d also has a newer image processor (the DIGIC III) vs the older processor in the XT (DIGIC II).
3. I wanted something that felt a bit more solid. The XT does feel a bit plastic at times, and the 40d with the magnesium case, is a bit heaver and feels more sturdy.

All in all the Rebel XT is a great camera, but I think the 40d will be even more enjoyable to shoot with and whether or not I actually get better picture quality, it will feel like I do. I will update more once I get it (should be Monday) and post some pictures of the unboxing.