New Body/Lens combos..... Again!

Russ77

Russ77

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Sorry to raise another thread on this, I've taken on board responses that I had when I posted this question up a few months ago, as well as trying to soak up as much info from the forums and consciously evaluating the sort of photography I do.

At this point in time the body at the top of my short list is the Canon 60D (as an upgrade from my 400D).

Whilst the 550D is well worthy consideration, I think the extra for the 60D would make it a better purchase in the long term and as much as I'd love the 7D, I still couldn't justify the £1000+ price tag.

From a lens perspective, I know my current sigma 18mm-200mm isn't really going to cut it on that (or any) body over 10MP.

I completely understand that in the sub £1000 bracket, having zoom functionality compromises on IQ but given that I take shots of anything that does or doesn't move, I couldn't live with primes.

I'm torn between getting one of Sigma or Tamron's new "superzooms" (18-250/270) or whether my current sigma "would do" for general shots where I'm not going to be pixel peeping too much and a smaller zoom (17-50/80 canon/sigma/Tamron) inconjunction with my Canon 50mm 1.8 would be used for when IQ is higher up on the agenda?

I know ultimately the superzooms are a little hit & miss across their focal range according to what's written on DP Review but surely given my current sigma is 3 years old, the new offerings should be an improvement?

So to summerise, I'm looking to pair a Canon 60D with:

A) Sigma/Tamron 18mm-250/270mm and Canon 50mm f1.8 (with the possibility of adding another prime or smaller zoom in the future)

B) Canon/Sigma/Tamron 17-50/80mm, Canon 50mm f1.8 and a sigma 18mm-200mm when shooting for fun
 
If you think the Sigma 'would do' then why do you want to upgrade the body? You won't see a massive increase in image quality. Unless you want the fold out screen or video I'd save your money.

Also, based on what I have I don't think lenses get much better as time goes by. There's not much technology in a lens. My best lenses were released in 1994 and 1995!
 
ash39 said:
If you think the Sigma 'would do' then why do you want to upgrade the body? You won't see a massive increase in image quality. Unless you want the fold out screen or video I'd save your money.
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I'm finding the max ISO of 1600 and the 10MP of the 400D restrictive in conjunction with the Sigma lens.

My logic was that a 60D with my current Sigma lens wouldn't make things worse but the increased MP and better ISO would put me in a better position than I'm currently in and with the addition of a better quality lens the IQ of my shots would be improved.
 
Above 1600 and 18mp seems like a recipe for noise to me in a lot of cases and think it might show up more weaknesses in your lens

Do you really need those capabilities that often and how big do you want to print, also with such a packed sensor camera shake could become more evident
 
Things have certainly moved on a bit since the 400D, and there are for sure better lenses about than the mega-zooms you've mentioned.

If you want to raise your game in terms of image quality, then you need to upgrade both.
 
daugirdas said:
Why not look at the used original 5D with 24-105mm kit. It may be older, but still many years ahead of xxD and xxxD offerings.
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Except for lack of auto sensor cleaning, live view, video, tiny screen and slow frame rate compared to xxD models.
No doubt it's got better noise performance and IQ than even the newest canon crop bodies, but I wouldn't describe it as 'many years ahead'.
 
The 60D looks to have fantastic performance at ISO 1600 and above. There is a comparison here on DPReview:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond7000/page21.asp

The 60D looks cleaner than the 50D at higher ISOs and this is confirmed by DXOMark. I imagine it will well outperform a 40D given that ISO 3200 is actually ISO 1600 pushed a stop on that model :)

DigitalRev are selling them for silly money on the bay at the moment...
 
squishy said:
Except for lack of auto sensor cleaning, live view, video, tiny screen and slow frame rate compared to xxD models.
No doubt it's got better noise performance and IQ than even the newest canon crop bodies, but I wouldn't describe it as 'many years ahead'.
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In fact one of the advantages of the 5D (mk1) is that its rudimentary in design, so the fact its not that advanced is one of its benefits (the large but uncrowded sensor being one of them)! Its quite similar in design to the 20D.
 
odd jim said:
In fact one of the advantages of the 5D (mk1) is that its rudimentary in design, so the fact its not that advanced is one of its benefits (the large but uncrowded sensor being one of them)! Its quite similar in design to the 20D.
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Agree, IQ from the 5D classic is top drawer.
 
Russ77 said:
So to summerise, I'm looking to pair a Canon 60D with:

A) Sigma/Tamron 18mm-250/270mm and Canon 50mm f1.8 (with the possibility of adding another prime or smaller zoom in the future)

B) Canon/Sigma/Tamron 17-50/80mm, Canon 50mm f1.8 and a sigma 18mm-200mm when shooting for fun
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For Option A), there is a kit that suits your needs very well - Canon EOS 60D Body + Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mk II + Sigma 18-250mm OS HSM + Transcend 16GB SDHC

As for Option B), If you are looking for IF lens for the 17-50mm, the price is higher. You may want to get a bundle of the 60D kit + 50mm f1.8 lens and the other lenses separately.
 
I think I've settled on the 60D paired with the Canon EF-S 15-85MM IS USM

Been doing a lot of reading/comparing and I feel that this will give me nicer results than my current 400D/sigma 18-200 will give (generally speaking).

Better go and count my buttons :lol:
 
Russ77 said:
I think I've settled on the 60D paired with the Canon EF-S 15-85MM IS USM

Been doing a lot of reading/comparing and I feel that this will give me nicer results than my current 400D/sigma 18-200 will give (generally speaking).

Better go and count my buttons :lol:
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That is a very nice combo. You will certainly notice a difference with those two :thumbs:

60D is underrated I think, some great features and good value compared to the 7D. 15-85 is v sharp and has terrific range, especially if you like the wide angle end. 17-55 is also very appealing with it's f/2.8 throughout - tough choice that ;)
 
HoppyUK said:
That is a very nice combo. You will certainly notice a difference with those two :thumbs:

60D is underrated I think, some great features and good value compared to the 7D. 15-85 is v sharp and has terrific range, especially if you like the wide angle end. 17-55 is also very appealing with it's f/2.8 throughout - tough choice that ;)
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I've had the same debate about those two lenses too :lol:

The f2.8 is appealing but for me the extra length (ooo errrr) is better for me, and I will still have my 50mm f1.8 to fall back on if needs be.

Been snooping around a few sites, I can get that combo from Camerabox for £1254, Jessops is £1388 :help: :lol:

DigitalRev is coming out good too and for about the same sort of money as Camerabox I get a spare battery and memory card but I'm a little concerned about the import/warranty side of things, anyone had any experience of this
 
I've just picked up a 60D from DigitalRev, body only. I tried the 60D out a few weeks back at the London Camera Exchange Canon Pro Day in Southampton and was blown away! I tried to avoid the expense of buying one however, and in an attempt to satisfy my craving for crop picked up a used 500D instead, but unfortuntely there was an issue with it. That appeared to be the straw that broke the camel's back and my wallet is now a significantly lighter! :lol:
 
Russ77 said:
I've had the same debate about those two lenses too :lol: The f2.8 is appealing but for me the extra length (ooo errrr) is better for me, and I will still have my 50mm f1.8 to fall back on if needs be. Been snooping around a few sites, I can get that combo from Camerabox for £1254, Jessops is £1388 :help: :lol: DigitalRev is coming out good too and for about the same sort of money as Camerabox I get a spare battery and memory card but I'm a little concerned about the import/warranty side of things, anyone had any experience of this
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You got a quote from Kerso? He usually cheapest - see traders section below. No warranty worries with him :thumbs:
 
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