40D - 7D....should I?

futureal33

futureal33

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Hi all,

I recently purchased a mint second hand 40D with only a few thousand actuations, and I love it and have taken some pics I am really pleased with using it.

However after holding a 7D in Jessops the other day I havent been able to stop thinking about upgrading!

I know the main differences between the 40D and 7D are high ISO performance (7D is better) and the AF system.... but is there anything else?

I have a fairly wide range of lenses

10-20mm Sigma
17-70 Sigma OS F2.8-4
Canon 55-250IS
Canon 50mm 1.8
Sigma 30mm 1.4

I take photos of a complete variety of things, I dont think I have found my "field" yet, as I vary from portraits, to motorsports to landscapes....basically whenever I go anywhere I take my DSLR so its a real mixed bag of different styles..

Making the move isnt cheap..even with Jessops finance which only makes it more appealing!

There is nothing wrong with my 40D or nothing that it doesnt do that I want it to.... am I being silly?
 
If you are often wanting higher ISO and better AF then you're not being silly. If the 40D does everything you need, you are being silly ;)
 
Ask yourself these questions...........

Is the 40D limiting you on what you want to take pictures of? If yes, then upgrade. If no, invest in some glass instead.

Does it still do to an acceptable level everything you want it to? If yes, invest in some glass. If no, then upgrade
 
I keep having the same debate and for the life of me much as I would like to have a 7D I cannot justify it over my 40D,I dont do the type of shooting which would justify spending that sort of money.
Personally if you want to spend some cash I would sell the 50mm f1.8 and the 55-250 and buy either a 70/200 f4 with or without IS(depends on budget) and a kenko 1.4TC or a 100/400

Cheers

Chris
 
I've gone from a 40d to a 7d quite recently and although I haven't used the 7d much, the noise on some of the shots is very disappointing indeed. :eek:

The only time I noticed noise on the 40d was indoor shooting at crazy high ISO which you would expect. :(

Lisa
 
What I have found recently is the "better" kit often requires a longer learning curve and as such dissapointment sets in when purchasing the newer better kit, eventually getting used to it kicks in and it does improve ones photography above where it was with the older stuff, but tbh is it worth it?
We are finally getting to like our 50D but I grabbed my 5D and 1D and fell in love with them both straight away, personally I am very wary of upgrading just for the sake of it.

Matt
 
Yeah, as said, if there's no reason to then don't bother. If you're after more gear, get a new lens.

I went through a stage of new cameras when I decided it was time to upgrade and it took me a while to finally realise the potential of the cameras I currently own.

If it's not broke don't replace it.
 
7D has a few other benefits such as wireless OCF facility, more advanced metering, 7 fps, and of course, an 18 MP sensor.

If you are going to use these then it may well be worth the upgrade. I know my keeper rate has gone up with my 7D and I enjoy shooting more than ever.

Steve
 
grumpybadger said:
None of the lenses you list strike me as super fast AF. I'd be tempted to stay 40D and think about improving lenses before upgrading a body
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This is the route I am going, I hired a 17-55 f2.8 lens and the pictures where amazing, I love my 40d....Like the op I 2 would love to upgrade the body, but I think for now, better lenses....scary prices for the ones I want..but ha ho...;-)
 
Sort of in the same position if I did want to upgrade, never that impressed with the 50D, not sure the 15mp sensor was that good, neither did Canon presumably given they didn't use it for long.

Was hoping the 60D would be the natural successor in the xxD range, but seems more of a xxxD upgrade, also new batteries and memory cards required

7D would be nice I suppose, but mainly use the centre af point, get 6fps from the 40D and its a lot of extra cash not forgetting the cost of new batteries too

Pretty much got the lenses I want so prefer to just carry on and get out there taking some pictures, when it needs replacing will just see what's about then, but for now staying with my trusty 40D
 
Is this because of the plastic v magnesium and lack of MA debate?
Click to expand...

Partly, also like the little joystick,more options on the top lcd buttons, not keen on replacing batteries and memory cards either.

Did pick one up in PC World and it definitely feels different, accepted any new model would have video, but wasn't what I expected or wanted really
 
I wouldn't miss the joystick as I hardly use mine.

The big features that interest me are the articulated screen and 1/8000 shutter speed, I couldn't give a damn about magnesium, but I think I'll be holding onto my money until my camera dies or Canon catch up with the dynamic range and image quality of the latest and by all accounts better alternatives from other makers.
 
I think it's all been said - if you need the extra functionality or benefits, go for it, but it may not help you take better photos!

It's so easy to get caught up with upgrading quite frequently, it happens to most of us and I've certainly done it a couple of times when I arguably could have stuck with older gear.
 
I went from the 40d to the 7d and I wasn't blown away by it.
IQ wasnt the great leap I expected it to be. High ISO although better again wasn't as good as I was expecting. Maybe I was expecting too much.
However, live view on the 7D is simply superb. I'm a single centre point shooter so I don't use the AF system to it's full potential. But when I have used it it has been impressive.

If you want slightly improved high ISO, live view or faster AF, I would recommend the 7D otherwise the 40D is still a very capable camera.
 
To add to my previous comment.

You'll see a bigger improvement to your images by spending the money on a nice L lens than you would buying a 7d.
Glass first body 2nd.
 
Only read the OP, from that I'd say spend the money on a better zoom - this is the weak point in your collection and will be the best thing to change if you are shooting sports/motorsport. IMO a 7D needs primes & L glass (I base this on readings not actual real life!). You have the primes but the rest of the lenses you have can be improved.
 
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