Second body

yaaan

yaaan

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Ian
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For my trip to Uganda I'm considering buying a second body to cut down on the need to swap lenses frequently in dusty and humid conditions. Currently I have a 450D and am thinking of buying a used 40D or 50D with a view to, when I return, selling probably the 450D if I get on well with the newer one.

I gather from my reading that, although there are a few feature improvments on the 50D, the most useful improvment will be the higher ISO/improved low light performance which may well come into its own when in the jungle looking for gorillas. Does anyone have experience of using either in similar circumstances that might advise which would be the best option? I'd rather not spend the extra on the 50D if the 40D will serve me admirably but will spend the difference if it's likely to pay off.
 
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Thanks for that.

I had read that thread which was part of my reason for asking. I suppose I should have worded my request better. What I was after really was whether anyone has experience of using either in the situation I am likely to be in e.g. jungle looking for gorillas and knows whether I would suffer with the 40D more than the 50D. It may well be perfectly adequate for the situation in which case that's great. Either way I expect they should manage better than the 450D :)

I doubt I would be disappointed with either as I find the 450 is ok for me at present, but if I'm going to get a second body it may as well be something that is an improvement.
 
If you're going to be somewhere very humid like a jungle you may want to consider one of the older 1D series for the weather sealing. I've heard many stories of cameras dying in that type of environment from moisture damage!
 
TriggerHappy said:
If you're going to be somewhere very humid like a jungle you may want to consider one of the older 1D series for the weather sealing. I've heard many stories of cameras dying in that type of environment from moisture damage!
Click to expand...

Have to agree here, if I had the money to be buying a 50d I would also be looking out for a 2nd hand 1d mkII/mkIII for the weathersealing (Although you really need a filtered weather sealed lens to complete the sealing).
 
Hmm, that's another option to the mix that I hadn't considered. Having a quick browse for these it seems they stack up well against the 40/50D even though they are slightly older technology.

This raises the problem of lenses though. Will my current ones still fit this? I have the Siggy 150-500mm OS and the 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC as well as the Canon EF-S 18-135. I'm guessing this one at least won't work even though the 1d isn't full frame (or am I mistaken?).
 
That's what I was afarid of. And I guess the 10-20 is deisgned for 1.6x crop bodies as well so that won't be much use should I get rid of the 450D on my return. The 1D may be an expensive option. Ah well, off to MPB to see if they can help :)
 
Well after a fair bit of searching here and some googling I think the 1D mkII isn't going to be an option. It's a little beyond my budget, means retiring at least one of my lenses (so will need replacing) and is going to be a bit of a weighty beast to be carrying up mountains looking for gorillas so I'm badk to the 40D/50D choice.

The intention is to have a second body for our trip with a view to selling my 450D when I get back if I get on with/like the newer body. There seem to be varied opinions about which is best but does anyone have any experience of going from a 450D to a 40D? Is there any noticeable difference in IQ or would the 50D be a more noticeable upgrade?
 
THanks for the input. There certainbly idoesn't appear to be any clear cut distinction between the two: it seems to be very much down to personal preference as to which is best. I think if I can find a 50D at a decent price before I go I'll take that but a 40D will be more than sufficient if I'm not succesful.

Thanks for the comments:)
 
That's pretty re-assuring. I'd assumed that many people have been to see gorillas and there aren't many stories of cameras dying due to humidity so would have thought any of the cameras would be ok....it's just the getting caught out in the showers but I've got some rain sleeves on order for that.

Your photos also reinforce that it's more to do with the person behind the camera than the equipment you've got that makes a good photo. I'm sure that my 450d is more than capable of turning in a decent photo and exceeding my abilities :)

I've seen a mint condition 40D with 18000 actuations for £350 which seems reasonable to me so I may just snap that up and then stop worrying about it :)

Many thanks
Ian
 
Well I've just bought a 40D :) Unfortunately I've also had to go away for work so won't be able to play with it for 3 weeks but will give me something to look forward to when I get home.

All set for Uganda now :)
 
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