450D what next..?

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nuttyhannah

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So i have the 450D, which has been a great starter camera.. i have been doing nightclub shoots, kiddies parties, some landscape.. I am still at amateur level..

But i know i would really like to upgrade my camera.. I want my images to be sharper...

I thought the 50D sounded like a really good buy.. But i wasn't sure if that was too smaller jump..
I dont really know enough about camera's. I originally loved the sound of the 5D Mark II and wanted to save for it. But heard this was mainly for portrait and wouldn't b fast enough for anything else.. ?

I want an all rounder kind of camera..

What are your opinions guys...?
 
What lenses do you have? The 450D is capable of producing awesome photos, when coupled to a good lens and good technique. The camera is only a small part of the equation, a fantastic camera with low quality lenses still will not give you the results you're after! If we could see some of the shots you're not happy with as well it would be helpful :thumbs:

Chris
 
Hi there, instead of buying a new camera I think you should invest in some better lenses, as once you are more skilled you could then get a new camera. If you buy good lenses they will last a lifetime, camera bodies come and go.
 
Lens kit broke. Bought the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. Love this lens. Great in nightclub. And i'm just returning the 70-300mm, as im not going away.. so could do with something else..

I just dont seem to be enjoying my camera.. i guess i'm not experienced enough..

A friend of mine has asked me to take some pics of some jewelry. Thought that might be a good project. But what lens would be best.. ?
I like the sound of the nifty fifty.. ?

Also been trying to figure out to use the triggers with the speed flash..

So much to learn so many questions..
 
Stick with the camera

Learn it. Get a few lenses that cover everything you need.
Only consider upgrading your camera when you know that there is something in the upgrade that will improve the images you capture.
 
Hi Hannah

You seem to have caught the highly contagious viral upgraditus bug! This bug spreads quickly and eats away rapidly at you inner bank balance!

As Chris says the 450D should be capable of some great shots. Your pictures not being sharp could be a result of many factors.

When I first got my 400d I took worse pictures than I did with my compact. With practise though things have improved dramatically.

From my 400d I did this

1> Bought Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson - practised lots using examples in the book.

2> Got long 100-300mm lens. Plenty of soft pictures at 300mm. Realised need better light and \ or a tripod \ handholding technique. I still need to improve the latter.

3> Got a Tripod! (redsnapper are good value)

4> Invested in 70-200 f4L - bought second hand, a great lens.

5> Got a Sigma 10-20mm to try out wide angle landscapes ( having used my kit lens realised I wanted a wider lens)

6> Upgraded to a 40D.

If I'd done 6 first I'd probably not have noticed any difference in my pictures.....I'm not saying you do it in the same order, a flash may be better for you etc..

So what I'm saying is practise your technique, find out what you are lacking (you will then have a better idea what lens / camera you might want).

and post pictures, you'll get some great advise and improve.

Good luck

Al
 
akr said:
Hi Hannah

You seem to have caught the highly contagious viral upgraditus bug! This bug spreads quickly and eats away rapidly at you inner bank balance!

As Chris says the 450D should be capable of some great shots. Your pictures not being sharp could be a result of many factors.

When I first got my 400d I took worse pictures than I did with my compact. With practise though things have improved dramatically.

From my 400d I did this

1> Bought Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson - practised lots using examples in the book.

2> Got long 100-300mm lens. Plenty of soft pictures at 300mm. Realised need better light and \ or a tripod \ handholding technique. I still need to improve the latter.

3> Got a Tripod! (redsnapper are good value)

4> Invested in 70-200 f4L - bought second hand, a great lens.

5> Got a Sigma 10-20mm to try out wide angle landscapes ( having used my kit lens realised I wanted a wider lens)

6> Upgraded to a 40D.

If I'd done 6 first I'd probably not have noticed any difference in my pictures.....I'm not saying you do it in the same order, a flash may be better for you etc..

So what I'm saying is practise your technique, find out what you are lacking (you will then have a better idea what lens / camera you might want).

and post pictures, you'll get some great advise and improve.

Good luck

Al
Click to expand...

hey thanks so much for your lengthy post..

Guess i do have that upgraditus bug..
Will listen to all the feedback and comments.. and actually start trying to use all the features.. and internet for help.. on improving my skills..

Thanks again..

p.s the Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson book worth getting then..?
 
I had a 10d (still have) my wife has a 400d, I now have a 50d. I bought the 50d to replace the 10d because I wanted more pixels than the 10d sensor had, extra AF speed and a few other features, tbh I could have got away with a 400d but it was a little small (in size) for me.

I think the difference between XXXd and XXd and Xd are build quality, longevity (if used heavily), size and a few extra features as you go up the range. Tbh if camera X does what you want and you have had it for say a year or two there is little point in upgrading, in my very personal view an upgrade is only worthwhile if you have had your camera for approx 2/3 years if you want extra quality and more features, unless of course you are moving from 1.6 to 1.3 or FF or there is a specific feature you need/want.

Matt
 
MatBin said:
I had a 10d (still have) my wife has a 400d, I now have a 50d. I bought the 50d to replace the 10d because I wanted more pixels than the 10d sensor had, extra AF speed and a few other features, tbh I could have got away with a 400d but it was a little small (in size) for me.

I think the difference between XXXd and XXd and Xd are build quality, longevity (if used heavily), size and a few extra features as you go up the range. Tbh if camera X does what you want and you have had it for say a year or two there is little point in upgrading, in my very personal view an upgrade is only worthwhile if you have had your camera for approx 2/3 years if you want extra quality and more features, unless of course you are moving from 1.6 to 1.3 or FF or there is a specific feature you need/want.

Matt
Click to expand...

yeah i think im going to really spend some time using this camera and doing some serious research and set up projects..

and then maybe I'll be able to justify upgrading. I guess I haven't even really touched the sides yet..

thanks for your info
 
I bought a 500d two and a half months ago, and I've just upgraded to a 7d. It's superb! Driving factor was the extra speed, AF and ISO performance as I like to shoot at the rugby. The 500d was a great camera but I am more than happy with the 7d now. It hasn't improved my ability (obviously, it's only a tool), but it has helped me get shots that I wouldn't have been able to before...
 
nuttyhannah said:
So i have the 450D, which has been a great starter camera.. i have been doing nightclub shoots, kiddies parties, some landscape.. I am still at amateur level..

But i know i would really like to upgrade my camera.. I want my images to be sharper...
Click to expand...

It sounds like you picked some challenging subjects, most of which are indoors and require fast lenses. f2.8 is the minimum that you would require from a lens, normally you looking at f1.4, f1.8 or f2 lenses and predominantly prime lenses, not zooms.

The reason why your images may not be sharp, is that the subjects moving(ed) and you haven't achieved a fast enough shutter speed to capture the action. The light conditions play a major factor. Hand holding the camera which will introduce camera shake, there are many factors that influence the shot. Instead of a lens may be you need a flash?

A new body won't solve your problems, you need to understand how to get the best from the camera in the conditions your shooting in.

For a landscape lens, then your looking at something like the 17-40mm f4 L, 17-55mm f2.8 IS or tamron 17-50mm f2.8 these will give you the wide angle aspect, your 28-70mm actually frames like a 44.8-112mm lens because of the 1.6x crop factors of the smaller sensor in your 450D and for me personally, 24-35mm is the ideal zoom range for landscapes depending on what you want to achieve.
 
pete.rush said:
It sounds like you picked some challenging subjects, most of which are indoors and require fast lenses. f2.8 is the minimum that you would require from a lens, normally you looking at f1.4, f1.8 or f2 lenses and predominantly prime lenses, not zooms.

The reason why your images may not be sharp, is that the subjects moving(ed) and you haven't achieved a fast enough shutter speed to capture the action. The light conditions play a major factor. Hand holding the camera which will introduce camera shake, there are many factors that influence the shot. Instead of a lens may be you need a flash?

A new body won't solve your problems, you need to understand how to get the best from the camera in the conditions your shooting in.

For a landscape lens, then your looking at something like the 17-40mm f4 L, 17-55mm f2.8 IS or tamron 17-50mm f2.8 these will give you the wide angle aspect, your 28-70mm actually frames like a 44.8-112mm lens because of the 1.6x crop factors of the smaller sensor in your 450D and for me personally, 24-35mm is the ideal zoom range for landscapes depending on what you want to achieve.
Click to expand...

I have a £130 voucher for jessops.. and i hear and have read there in financial difficulty. They maybe taken over.
So i really want to use them before something happens.

A few people recommended getting a nifty fifty .. which sounds like a fantastic lens.. and is a good one for the collection..

wondered what you thought..
Also a friend of mine has asked me to photograph some jewelry for her,so i want to set up a little project. Would the nifty fifty be good for this..

Any answers are much appreciated...
 
If you're looking for a Canon prime one which is sometimes overlooked is the 50mm f2.5. It's not as fast (aperture or to physically focus) as some 50mm lenses and although it isn't actually a macro lens it'll focus closer than some other 50mm's and it gives great results. I have one and together with a Sigma 50mm f1.4 it covers my 50mm prime needs.

A Canon 50mm f2.5 might be worth thinking about as it should be pretty good for jewellery shots.
 
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