New body or glass?

danny_bhoy

danny_bhoy

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Danny
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Hi all,

Looking for some advice. I've just about scraped enough dough together to add to my kit. The dilemma is do I replace my body or upgrade my lens?

I'm not particularly unhappy with my current body (Canon 40D) even though it's a few years old. Just feel I could do with a few more megapixels than the current 10 and a bit more oomph in the iso department.

Other than that I could add to or upgrade from my trusty Tamron 17-50 2.8 and plod on with the 40D.

I know the age old 'better camera v better glass' has been done to death but just wanted to see what everyone here would do.

Cheers.
 
I accept manufactures are continually improving the incamera processes with newer chips, but its a fact although you gain more resolution with more MPs, the tradeoff is noise especially when you start to crop into the image. For ISO performance especially for low light conditions, the large sensor camera like the 5D/D700 series perform better than the cropped sensor camera.

Another factor with more MPs is that it will find flaws with the lens because of the quality of the optics. You will need better quality optics that can “resolve” the detail of the sensor as you continually increase MPs

So is more MPs good or bad, depends what you want, On one side of the aisle are those that will always recommend higher resolution sensors to pull the most detail and image resolution in their work. On the other those that prioritize ISO performance. Anyone who shoots in low light knows the power that good high ISO performance can bring.

Are we there yet, NO but technology is continually improving. Personally 12-14MPs is more than enough for most general users of a DSLR..... and I would rather invest in quality optics rather than a new camera body.
 
Phil Young said:
What are you currently using, your budget and shooting subject & style?
Click to expand...

I'm currently using a Canon 40D with a Tamron 17-50 2.8

I'm mainly a landscape kinda guy but I was still pining for a lens with a bit more reach than just the 50mm.

I should have somewhere in the £500 range so with a bit of wheeling and dealing/part ex-ing I should be able to upgrade.

As I say, I'm not particularly unhappy with the 40D but always felt that I was losing out in detail and assumed that was due to the relatively low MP count.
 
pete.rush said:
I accept manufactures are continually improving the incamera processes with newer chips, but its a fact although you gain more resolution with more MPs, the tradeoff is noise especially when you start to crop into the image. For ISO performance especially for low light conditions, the large sensor camera like the 5D/D700 series perform better than the cropped sensor camera.

Another factor with more MPs is that it will find flaws with the lens because of the quality of the optics. You will need better quality optics that can “resolve” the detail of the sensor as you continually increase MPs

So is more MPs good or bad, depends what you want, On one side of the aisle are those that will always recommend higher resolution sensors to pull the most detail and image resolution in their work. On the other those that prioritize ISO performance. Anyone who shoots in low light knows the power that good high ISO performance can bring.

Are we there yet, NO but technology is continually improving. Personally 12-14MPs is more than enough for most general users of a DSLR..... and I would rather invest in quality optics rather than a new camera body.
Click to expand...

Thanks Pete, that's really helpful.

I never considered that a higher MP camera would show up flaws on a cheaper lens. So, really, if I get a mor advanced body I'm gonna need airs advanced lens :-)
 
It could be the lens which isn't giving the best image quality as that camera should be more than capable. You could sell the Tamron and try and get a used Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM which would give you reach for wildlife as well as still being fairly wide for landscapes (not massively wide on a crop though). I'm not sure how much these lenses go for second hand though.

Or you may want to consider the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM which I've never used but it can be had for £305 new, would allow you to sell your Tamron as the focal lens are covered and it got quite a good review here.
 
I recon glass is the 1st priority, something like a 35mm is good for almost everything especially if you upgrade later to full frame, 50mm isn't as useful on a crop sensor like the 40D. Can recommend zeiss even though they are expensive and only manual focus
 
gman said:
It could be the lens which isn't giving the best image quality as that camera should be more than capable. You could sell the Tamron and try and get a used Canon EF 24-105mm f4L IS USM which would give you reach for wildlife as well as still being fairly wide for landscapes (not massively wide on a crop though). I'm not sure how much these lenses go for second hand though.

Or you may want to consider the Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM which I've never used but it can be had for £305 new, would allow you to sell your Tamron as the focal lens are covered and it got quite a good review here.
Click to expand...

Thanks. The sigma is going on my shortlist. I'd love an L lens but might be slightly out of my budget until the next upgrade.
 
I think based on your body, a lens with IS would be the way to go as your ISO capabilities aren't up there with the best of them ;)

Sigma 80-400mm OS is pretty decent and you should be able to get a preowned one for your budget.

Great for wildlife, longer protraits etc and for everthing else, there's master card. Or your tamron :)
 
symmetricalOCD said:
I recon glass is the 1st priority, something like a 35mm is good for almost everything especially if you upgrade later to full frame, 50mm isn't as useful on a crop sensor like the 40D. Can recommend zeiss even though they are expensive and only manual focus
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I'm sold on the fact that new glass is the way to go. Again, Zeiss may be stretching it a bit for this amateur, but a better lens of some sort is on the cards.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dannybhoy83/
 
Phil Young said:
I think based on your body, a lens with IS would be the way to go as your ISO capabilities aren't up there with the best of them ;)

Sigma 80-400mm OS is pretty decent and you should be able to get a preowned one for your budget.

Great for wildlife, longer protraits etc and for everthing else, there's master card. Or your tamron :)
Click to expand...

Thanks Phil :-) I'll look into the sigma. Going to have to remortgage or something to get my ideal kit!
 
What do you want it for?

I am not a fan of the 18-300 kinda lenses as the IQ is frankly lacking compared to a decent lens.

A 10-22 kind of lens might give you more options for landscape than the 17 you currently have...

The 15-85 has great IQ but is slower than the f2.8
 
Having seen a photo of you, a new body is a must.....:lol:

Can you not try a lens hire place, or mates who use canon, and have a try with their lenses, that way you can at least find something you are happy with.

I haven't actually seen a photo of you, that was a joke.
 
mipevo6 said:
What do you want it for?

I am not a fan of the 18-300 kinda lenses as the IQ is frankly lacking compared to a decent lens.

A 10-22 kind of lens might give you more options for landscape than the 17 you currently have...

The 15-85 has great IQ but is slower than the f2.8
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'd be after something for mainly landscape stuff so the 10-22 would do nicely.

From what I can gather from various sources, including this, is that it's going to be a case of slightly compromising on either the body or lens until I have the required funds.
 
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Reidy36 said:
Having seen a photo of you, a new body is a must.....:lol:

Can you not try a lens hire place, or mates who use canon, and have a try with their lenses, that way you can at least find something you are happy with.

I haven't actually seen a photo of you, that was a joke.
Click to expand...


Haha I was waiting for someone to crack that joke!

A mate recommended a place near here that hires various lenses so that's definitely a viable option. Wonder if they'd notice if I forgot to return one of their L lenses :-)
 
Not a cheap hobby... :)

A UWA will really impact your landscapes....

Then again, so would a 5D :)

Its a slippery slope .....
 
Yeah but once you got a good core of decent kit the spending does slow down.
Notice I didn't say stop lol
 
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