Upgrade advice from 550d?

mw0dbb

mw0dbb

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John
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Hi all, I'm looking for an upgrade but don't really want to break the bank! I'm tempted by a second hand full frame or a new canon copped sensor. My question is what are the options with the cropped? They all seem to be running the same sensor type, so is there any benefit? Bearing in mind I am a newbie with camera's!

John
 
I have a Sigma 10-20mm, canon L 70-200 f2.8, canon 70-300 is usm non L, canon 28-105 non L. I think from that only the 70-200 is a full frame lens?

John
 
I do mainly wildlife and landscape, but really take pics of anything! How was the 7d better? I thought they used the same sensor?

John
 
Also moved from a 550d to a 7d. Excellent move.
 
mw0dbb said:
I have a Sigma 10-20mm, canon L 70-200 f2.8, canon 70-300 is usm non L, canon 28-105 non L. I think from that only the 70-200 is a full frame lens?

John
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I believe that they would all be OK on a full frame Canon except for the Sigma 10-20.

I think the benefits of the 7D would be better build, better AF and more AF points, more fps, larger viewfinder with more coverage. The top LCD is very useful as well. There are some real benefits for wildlife photography but not as much for landscape. For what it's worth I wouldn't swap my 7d for a 550d.

Here's one interesting comparison of the 550d and 7d.
 
mw0dbb said:
I have a Sigma 10-20mm, canon L 70-200 f2.8, canon 70-300 is usm non L, canon 28-105 non L. I think from that only the 70-200 is a full frame lens?

John
Click to expand...

I'm going to ask a different question

What do you hope to gain by upgrading?
 
I think what I'm really after is more accurate af, when I take photos I would say atleast 30% are to be deleted as the focusing is out! Especially if taking moving wildlife. This is with a variety of lenses and settings. Not sure if the 7d would be a big improvement as an upgrade? What other options do I have?

John
 
mw0dbb said:
I have a Sigma 10-20mm, canon L 70-200 f2.8, canon 70-300 is usm non L, canon 28-105 non L. I think from that only the 70-200 is a full frame lens?

John
Click to expand...

All of your lenses will work with a full frame body, except the Sigma 10-20mm.

Do you use this lens a lot - if so, you will need to budget more money for a replacement if you go full frame - just something else to think about...
 
mw0dbb said:
I think what I'm really after is more accurate af, when I take photos I would say atleast 30% are to be deleted as the focusing is out! Especially if taking moving wildlife. This is with a variety of lenses and settings. Not sure if the 7d would be a big improvement as an upgrade? What other options do I have?

John
Click to expand...

The 7D is a big upgrade with relation to the build quality and esp the AF system over the 550D, it's also a bigger body and heavier - this maybe better or worse for you - you could do with holding one...

Not sure what budget you have, but the new 70D spec is out, this may well be a different option from the 7D ?
 
I'm not so bothered about the build, I would much prefer better innards to be honest. Not sure about budget yet, might even sell some of my gear to fund it! What options do have for second hand full frame?

John
 
If you shoot wildlife as a general rule focal range is king, so a cropped camera would seem to be the answer, so the only real upgrade IMHO would be the 7D. Now whether it's worth holding on for bit for a 7Dmk2 is debateable depends what it may offer and of course how much. I've had my 7D almost since it came out and haven't felt the need to change yet, so the Mk2 would have to offer something pretty significant to change that.
 
mw0dbb said:
I'm not so bothered about the build, I would much prefer better innards to be honest. Not sure about budget yet, might even sell some of my gear to fund it! What options do have for second hand full frame?

John
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Obviously staying with Canon, the 5D mark I and II are readily available 2nd hand. There are a few mkIII's popping up, these have a much improved AF system over the mk I & II's, but do carry a premium.

Would think you'll get a mk I for mid hundreds, mk II for late hundreds.

Don't forget, as per my previous post re the 10-20mm if you do opt for full frame and sell the 550D...
 
artyman said:
If you shoot wildlife as a general rule focal range is king, so a cropped camera would seem to be the answer, so the only real upgrade IMHO would be the 7D. Now whether it's worth holding on for bit for a 7Dmk2 is debateable depends what it may offer and of course how much. I've had my 7D almost since it came out and haven't felt the need to change yet, so the Mk2 would have to offer something pretty significant to change that.
Click to expand...

Definitely, and it will lead to more 7D's being available 2nd hand - due to people upgrading (whether they need to or not, but then thats another thread :D), so the price may drop some...
 
I did see a few 5d mark 1's about at reasonable prices but was not keen on dropping the resolution! Think they are 10-12 meg off the top of my head? But would I see a big difference in image quality?

John
 
mw0dbb said:
I think what I'm really after is more accurate af, when I take photos I would say atleast 30% are to be deleted as the focusing is out! Especially if taking moving wildlife. This is with a variety of lenses and settings. Not sure if the 7d would be a big improvement as an upgrade? What other options do I have?

John
Click to expand...

This could be due to your lenses back, or front focusing. If that is the case, this can be solved with the 7D micro adjust option.
 
If its simply a better AF system, then upgrading to a 7d would be of benefit. However, you need to remember that the image quality will be virtually identical to your 550d.

Full frame will offer you the ability to gain in image quality, but if its wildlife that your after, then unless you can invest a lot of money in new lenses then I feel this may be a mistake for you.

Although the rumours are still at the 'unconfirmed' stage, it appears that the 70d may not be too far away. Unless your cash is burning a hole in your pocket, I'd be tempted to see what this is like, and then chose between that and the 7d.

Mike
 
I did wonder if the 7d had that adjustment feature! I sent a sigma lens away as I struggled to get it to focus accurately. I ended up selling it as it just didn't gel with my camera. The canon L lens is very similar especially at wide end of the f stop. I sometimes have to fine tune using mf and the live view if I'm using the tripod.

I think better af is a must for me.

John
 
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