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Rudra Da, I would appreciate if you could also suggest how to do that test. I was about to pick up a Marumi CPL for the Sigma 72mm size, but Naresh mentioned about a 2 stop compromise with the CPL on a lens, so I told him I will check with friends and get back to him for the same.

Simple. Shoot something with that filter and shoot the same again without. See both the images on your comp with max enlargement.
By default Polarizer will cut 2 stops.

I had done that as soon as I reached home, one of my computer table and of the outside view through the window. Could not find any difference dragging all 4 images side to side and corner to corner. My camera resolution is 3872 X 2592 and shots were done on Aperture Priority at f/2.8 without flash on a tripod. Also I paraded all the exif data on a single screen, its all the same.

Image quality wise, it will be similar. Of course 18MP gives you advantages in cropping.
Now if you take an 18-55IS lens, and put it on 550D take a picture and view it 100% it may appear not as good as 40D.
But if you rescale the 18MP to 10MP for apples to apples comparison, there is a chance that 550D may do better than 40D.
Of course, with a better lens, the 550D can do better than 40D even at pixel peep level.

If image quality is your criteria, get 550D without any fear
Thats a point. RAW files from 550D will be much bigger
Havent shot much. Too hot to go out. However at India Gate I got good results
I use polarizer extensively, and it robs me about 1-2 stops depending upon how much polarization I dial in.
But I have a hoya. I don't have much idea as to whether the Marumi is as good as Hoya. Never used Marumi

Use f stops as 8/7.1/6.3/5.6.. Middle apertures show lens's optimum quality. I would like to go down till f16. Carry out this test for one simple reason. Very often these kind of filters downgrade picture quality (sharpness especially).

I'm not saying that your filter is of any poor quality. But just check that out.

:) Your response has put a smile on my face, truly. The tension is off. I have also taken Navin's advice of the 40D and your post reaffirms I won't be making a mistake of getting the 550D. I think I'm ok with the RAW file size; will find a way around to manage that.

I owe you/Navin one for helping me understand both are good cams, from here, the decision will depend only on legit piece availability & price.
--------------------

I just called Naresh's shop, RK Photoguide on Shaju's cue, and they confirmed 40D is not available with B&W with them. Grey price is 37K. I don't prefer and dare to buy in grey. Not for things beyond about 5K. I think I'll get the 550D [which is now between 44.5K and 45K+] if I cannot get a 40D with B&W.

Btw, for anyone considering; RK's shop quoted 58K for the 50D, with b&w. I forgot to ask though, if it's with any kit-lens or body only.. RK's shop # is +91 80 22251929 [thanks Shaju].

yeah and pls remember even trusted sellers (pritam in chandnichowk, delhi) have been known to sell used items in the garb of new while selling gray. beware

Before someone interprets that incorrectly, I meant to say I don't --- dare to buy in grey..

@ phamilyman: thanks; I'll be cautious in my approach.

but please realize - the day you put your money down for xx0D, you'll start lusting for the x0D :p

Quite possible, but it won't be the case with me, sir. I need to run out of range/options/needs of the xx0D before I would want to graduate to a x0D or xD, and for me, that is looooooong time away.. I'm very sure about that. :)

I will do that. Marumi is not a high quality filter as far as I understand, may be it comes in an economical or medium range. A 72 mm UV filter costs 1000 and the same size CPL is quoted 2600. May be gurus can compare with Hoya or other brands.

My purpose is only the basic lens protection, not expecting any increase or decrease in the photo quality. Will report back after another test. :thumbs up

Ajay, I find Naresh (RK) to be more flexible in the final bargain, I can say that since I have paid 30k to Jayesh and now 22.5k to Naresh all within a 40 days time. Its a highly competitive field right now, so everyone is trying to push each other to survive. :)

I would prefer RK anyday from now, you get to have some personal discussion with him about the field, sitting relaxed in the AC and attended by 3 other staff, than standing in the middle of the road in the scorching heat pushed back by a crowd each time you try to speak to the shop owner, a waiting which can even kill your spirit to buy something, not even getting a 50 bucks rounding at the end of the deal. Just sharing what I felt in the atmost sincerity. You can feel it yourself and report back.

Where exactly is RK? I mean the shop location?

Use a lens hood for lens protection. It's better than a UV/CPL filter in this respect as it is cheaper and does not affect image wuality. Also, lens flares get cut off :)

Looking to purchase a tripod soon. Shortlisted Manfrotto 190XPROB, but confused on the head compo.

Any user experience on comparisons between 3-way pan(804RC2) or grip action ball (322RC)?

This is mostly for outdoor photography. Would like to take lot of panoramas and night shots.

The price difference is around $30.

1. I have not compared the 550D output to a good camcorder (my wife uses a Canon HF10 for video). I dont know if the 550D HD video is AVCHD or not but if it is remember that to convert AVCHD to HD DVD you need some serious muscle in your PC and some good software (Pinnacle, Ulead, etc.. btw I dont care much for Sony's vegas it is easy to use but uses up too many resources).

2. I will ask my friend. Currently he is travelling. He was stuck in Germany with the recent volcano and has not gotten back yet.

3. IQ of the 550D will not almost indistingusihable from the 40D under practical circumstances. Where the 40D scores is in handling (speed of response, weight of body to weight of lens esp if you use bigger lenses, etc.). I dont know if the 550D has a metal mount and how much metal the body has.

4. To be honest when I checked out the 40D against the Nikon D300 I liked the D300. But Nikon did not have the prime lenses I wanted in the specs (read as apature) I wanted besides their non IS 17-55 costs more than Canon 17-55 IS etc..so for me it was application that chose the lenses, and lenses that chose the body.

I am sure the limiting factor for the IQ is neither camera (canon, nikon, 5550D, 40D, Hassie, Mamiya etc..) but the monkey holding it (with apologies to Rudra-da).

Ouch. I have compared Marumi to Hoya and have not been happy with Marumi. If you have friends visiting the US ask them to get a thin mount set (UV and warming) from Hoya or B+W. For a polarisier Hoya makes a HD version that is better.

Old man knows everything.:D

I tried both for fun. I had a Hoya set (now use B+W), a friend had a Marumi (he now got my Hoya set).

Is RK = Naresh? How are Naresh's prices compared to Jayesh?