Body v Glass

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mangolicious

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My old 300D has shuffled off its mortal coil (AF stopped working), leaving me with a basic Canon 18-55 kit lens, a Canon 90-300 and a Canon 100 f/2.8 macro lens. Have also just picked up a nifty fifty.

Now, in need of a body upgrade, I can't decide whether to buy an entry-level 550D, or maybe up a notch to the 60D, or even stretch to the 7D.

If I opt for the 550D I could afford a really nice piece of glass (not sure which yet) but if I plump for a 7D I'd have to compromise on glass for quite some time until my bank balance recovers.

I would be mainly shooting portrait-style at home with wife and baby, plus some macro work, with the occasional foray into outdoor shots (mostly portraits again).

My main dilemma is whether to spend more on the body (I want something that will survive for a good few years without need for replacement) or is it wise to buy relatively cheap (550D) and splash out more on the lensware? Does it make sense to use quality glass on an entry-level 550D? Could this machine really do justice to a nice lens? Is there any merit in buying a 7D and using the aforementioned lenses until I can afford a higher quality lens?

Aaarghh!!

Can anyone act as advisor? Any suggestions / comments would be appreciated, and if I can emerge with a clearer perspective at the end of it, all the better. :lol:
 
The general idea we seem to agree on is to upgrade the lenses first, body later. The reason being is that the lenses are the main contributing factor in image quality. For example, if you stick fancy lenses on a cheap(ish) camera, you still get beautiful images (provided focus is all spot on, etc.) On the flip side, if you put cheaper lenses on an expensive body, you won't get any improvements in your photos.


It really depends if you think you'll benefit from the better build quality of the 60D/7D, and will be able to take the additional weight of the body. Also, the 7D's auto-focus system is brilliant compared to the xxxD & xxD models! It is rather pricey though, you could get a 550D + 70-200mm f4L for a similar price, which would be a very tidy combo... Going back to the image quality, see if you can demo a 550D + 70-200mm. Take your 90-300 as well. Take sample shots at f8, 200mm on both lenses and see the difference for yourself!



For comparison, my progression path was as follows:
400D + 18-55mm
400D + 18-55mm + 75-300mm
400D + 18-55mm + 75-300mm + 50mm f1.8
400D + 18-55mm + 70-200mm f4L + 50mm f1.8
7D + 17-50mm f2.8 + 70-200mm f4L + 50mm f1.8

And now I've just arrived at my final set (well, until the next purchase! ;) Lucky I'm single, eh?)
7D + 17-50mm f2.8 + 70-200mm f4L + 50mm f1.8 + 10-22mm :)

My reason for going to the 7D was because I needed the faster AF system and frame rate - I shoot extreme sports!
 
For bodies, take a look here:

5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg


You'll see the 550D uses the same sensor as the 600D/60D/7D. Just different tweaks to the same basic package. Choose by what you need rather than the cost. BTW, and IMHO, the 550/600D "suffer" from being small bodied (I always felt like it was a camera on a lens when I had the 70-200 on my old 450D which limited my personal upgrade options).
 
Personally, I'd ignore the 7D with your intended uses. You really don't need the extra focus ability the 7D offers for portraits and Macro work (probably using manual focus for macro anyway).

The 550D and 60D will give very similar results, the overriding factor for me would be the size of the body. I never got on with the 350D because it was just too small, having come from a 5D film camera. You may find the same going from the 300D to the 550D.
 
If I only read the title of the post I would have said glass. Notwithstanding general rule glass is more of a contribution to IQ than the body I gave up my 400D not long ago for two primary reasons.
1 ISO capability of contemporary bodies
2 AF system of 7D

I was not able to capture the images I wanted due to the capabilities of the body. If I could I would have bough more glass. Glass is fun, glass a long term investment, good glass is king, but if the body can not capture the image or the users requirements cannot be met by the body then the glass is irrelevant isn't it. Food for thought - the 5D classic is a cracker for portrait work
 
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arad85 - do you have a similar chart for nikon because that would be a beautiful thing?
 
The 50mm and macro lens should be good enough for most situations and you obviously need a body so I would figure out what features you want as as far as I know (being a Nikon man) all the models you've mentioned use the same sensor so will have the same fundamental IQ, it's just the autofocus and other gubbins that vary - do you need weatherproof body and super-duper AF system?
 
Decca said:
arad85 - do you have a similar chart for nikon because that would be a beautiful thing?
Click to expand...
No, but it only took me an hour or so to put it together.. I'm sure a Nikon user would be more than capable (with the appropriate Nikon columns of course)
 
Splash out on the 7D, you have two good lenses that are suited to portrait work (nifty & the 100mm) and basic but reasonable lenses for outside that can be upgraded at a later date.
 
Cheers for the input - I think the 7D is too hi-spec for my needs if I'm really honest.

Leaning towards to the 550D (gets some great reviews, generally) as something puts me off the flip-out screen on the 60D.

Intrigued by the suggestion of a 5D classic, though not sure how easy they are to find. Am also wary of buying a used body - do I need to be aware of the number of actions if I buy used body? And how would I verify that?
 
We all have our preferences, I think I'd go against the majority and would spend on the body now.

You already have some decent glass. Getting the 7D now will probably last you for the next 7 years. Leaving plenty of scope to upgrade glass further in the mean time.

For me it took me 7 years after owning the D70 before I felt like I needed to upgrade my body...But at the time it was just as expensive as a D7000 is currently. Yet if it lasts me another 7 years before I get that urge, that will be great.
 
Go for the 7d, it is far superior to the 550, is a better size when on the bigger lenses, and it is cheap enough to hire special glass when you really need it.
 
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