Next upgrade?

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Ben
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Hi

I've currently got a 450d, and while I think it's a fab camera for 'learning', I've already gained more knowledge (albeit small in the grand scale of things) since I got it a year ago and have got my eye on the next step. But where to go from here...??

I've been advised by a couple of photographers that the 5D mkII is a good camera to get if I were start doing any 'professional' work, and I like the idea of full-frame. But with that, do the cost of lenses increase to be full-frame compatible? (Sorry if that's a dumb question!)

Also, is that too big a jump for me, still be 'novice' really? Would I be better taking a medium step and going for a 50 or 60D?

Any thoughts would be appreciated!

Thanks

Ben
 
Spend money on better lenses. Just browse the threads in this section, lots of 'what lens' 'upgrade' threads etc.

IMO yes big jump really ££££wise anyway, a 40/50/60D would be a good next move, but again lenses are where you will see a bigger difference, sort those out then improve the body. Depends on your available finaces etc and how good you currently are, without FlickR account I couldnt comment on that.

As for lens cost, well a 5D mk2 is only going to produce top results with top lenses, so yes you will easily spend a few thousand on a decent lens line up for that body. However plenty of lenses in the £250-800 range will improve your photos a fair bit with the 450D.
 
5D2 is full frame so any EF-S lenses you have won't fit. Additionally, the 5D2 "demands" L quality lenses. The cheap option: 17-40 F4L, 24-105 F4L, 70-200F4L will set you back about £1300 second hand. On top of £1300 for a second hand body and a cheapish flash and you're talking close to £3k to go full frame.

Assuming you have the 18-55 with your 450D, look at adding a 70-200F4L (which can be reused on full frame) and then depending on budget a 17-50 Tamron or 17-55 Canon. Learn with those before you jump to full frame - unless you have £3k burning a hole in your pocket of course ;). Apart from poor high ISO performance, the 450D is a capable body.
 
Cool - thanks. I was wondering if I should concentrate on glass first.... I've got a 28-135 IS USM, 50mm 1.8, plus 18-55 and 75-300 kit lenses.

I'd like to get something a bit better body wise, to maybe be a 'little' less noisy in lower light, and to maybe have HD video - as that would come in handy for family stuff. I'd also like a better longer zoom, and a good wide angle, so maybe I should postpone a new body and get those first?

I've not got much on Flickr yet, but I did post this set in the other part of the forum earlier - http://flic.kr/s/aHsjuE8E37, and I've got stuff for sale on Dreamstime (Zerodeluxe on there) which is more textures/backgrounds, taken on current and previous bridge cameras.

I know the 5D is not cheap, but I could probably eek it out on finance, or go used.

Thanks for the reply!
 
As I believe the 450d is an entry model, go for hmm was it the 50d (magnesium body) although 30d or 40d would probably be good.

They should add a few extra items that you don't get on the 450d. And you can still upgrade your glass too.



I could be talking codswallop tho as I shoot nikon :lol:

Have a browse on pixel peeper (see through google) for lenses or on flickr... just keep an eye on the camera.

When I had the minolta 5d, a colleague at works other half bought a 30d and I was impressed with the crispness of the images. No idea what lens he was using.

From nikon point of view the step up from entry (d40) to d300/d7000 gives you more focal points and lots more options and settings to play with, adjust, curse... ;)

If you have the dosh upgrade the body (should last you 2 yrs or more) and get one or two nice lenses. Should stop the itch for now ;) and if you get good lenses you'll be able to upgrade to the 5dmkii or mkiii in the future.

Enjoy... scratch that itch... :D
 
I made the step from 450D -> 5D2. It isn't a jump you can't do without an intermediate step, it just costs a shed load of money ;). The 5D2 is better at low light than any of the Canon crop cameras (xxxD/xxD/7D), but the latest crop cameras all share the same sensor so will produce "identical" results. You may find this helps you understand the tech differences between the different bodies:

5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg


Unless you need the 300mm reach, I'd be looking at better lenses. If it were me, I'd find 28 at the wide end a little limiting so I'd swap the 28-135 for either a 15-85 (that's 15-, not 17-) or one of the 17-50/55 f2.8s (which will give you better low light performance) and the 75-300 for a 70-200 F4L. I remember being completely blown away when I bought the 70-200 F4L.
 
Thank you - that does help.

Well, I think I'd like to step up from the entry level if I can (even if not until early next year).... so maybe a 60D or even a 7D to get the HD filming.... and some new glass. Maybe I'll wait until I've got a really good regular income to get the 'biggy'...

Thanks also for the suggestions of lenses. I've not long got the 28-135, and it's a great walkaround lens... so I'm keen to keep it for now. Unless the 17- 50/55 wins me over!
 
Have to say it's my partners camera really. She has it set on centre spot focus whilst she's learning. Will see the results of her handiwork from a holiday tonight, so can't yet comment on it. I've not used it enough over my 5D2 to really form an opinion. We're off to the USA in a couple of weeks - I'm sure we'll be playing a lot there

I do know if I want to take pictures of anything that moves significantly, I'd be using the 7D. Even with the small amount of playing I've done, the focusing system is far, far superior for moving objects (60D will be similar to 5D2 focusing).
 
I've recently upgraded from a canon d60 to a canon 7d, I thought at first it maybe too 'professional' and too complicated to use, because I've only been using a Dslr for about a year, but I love it! It's sold as a semi professional camera so it maybe worth a look at?
 
That'll be good for shots of the kids then! :)
The 5D2 does these well too ;). The advantage the 7D has is that it tracks much better across the frame where you are changing focal points (e.g, birds in flight) and it has all 19 sensors that are cross type which give better sensitivity across the whole focal system so it's easier to keep something on one of the edge sensors in focus. It also doesn't lose lock if the object you are tracking travels behind a post for example.

We were looking at buying a 60D but I could get a new 7D for £300 more than a new 60D and I'd just had a bonus so it was a no brainer as far as I was concerned as it complements the 5D2 in all the areas the 5D2 is less than leading spec...
 
Cool. Thanks for all the replies. I think maybe I'd like to look at a 7D perhaps then.... I'll leave the 5DmkII untii I've got some serious wedge.

But.... which do I get first? New body.... or new glass!?

This could get expensive....!!
 
Actually, to put another spanner in the works, your 28-135 and 75-300 are both EF lenses, so would work fine on a 5D2 body. Just you can do better optically and you might find the lenses wanting in the corners (typically) for blurring/vignetting. This may lead you down the path of more expensive lenses and this is where it gets costly....
 
Well, I think I need to stay 'intermediate' for now.... so I might look at some of the Tamrons suggested, or Sigma maybe.... or Canons if I could get a good used price. I think to be wise I'll look to 1 or 2 new lenses over the next few months, and maybe aim for a new body early next year perhaps.

I'm quite pleased with the 28-135 so far so might keep for now, but would like something wider. I was just going to look for 10-22 or thereabouts, and then a better zoom later. I could get something for the kit lenses to put towards new glass (not much, I know!!).
 
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