Upgrade time, but lens or body..

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Tommy
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Hi folks, I'm looking to get myself a nice upgrade to my kit next week or soon after. I've had my heart set on a bigger zoom to get me a bit closer to the birdies specifically the Sigma 120-400, but recently with the gloomy autumn weather in Scotland I've found myself pumping up the ISO on my 400D to get a decent shot and when I crop my pics the grain is magnified making things worse.

So I was wondering if I would see more benefit from going to a 40D/50D with better ISO handling than I have currently or whether the 120-400 lens would be enough to let me get close so that even though I would be shooting at a higher ISO I wouldn't have to crop as much and magnify the problem, the IS built in to the lens would be nice also as I've never had that on any lens yet.

All your comments and advice would be appreciated please. :thumbs:

Tommy.
 
I looked at going from 40D to 50D and really could not see the justification. It just does not have enough extra performance to warrant the cost.

So I guess either consider the 7D, wait for the "60D" in 2010 or go for glass!!

Have you considered a 100-400L?

I use one on a 40D and it is a superb lens when you get used to it.

Hope this helps!!
 
the IS on the 100-400L is very useful, however, for birdies you still need to keep the shutter speed up. it is still f/5.6 at 400mm
 
I'd love the 7D or the Canon 100-400 L but both are a bit outside my budget, so I've settled on the 40/50D for the body upgrade if I go that way or the Sigma 120-400 if go the lens upgrade route.

My post is really about which of these 2 choices is going to give me most benefit for bird photography, the better ISO of the body or not having to crop as much with the longer lens therefore not magnifying the noise of the 400D at higher ISO's.

Tommy.
 
Sorry miss read original post!!:bonk:

Thought you were talking about going from 40D to 50D!!

Now realise its 400D to 40D or 50D

Well I went from a 350D to a 40D It is so much better in all performance areas and is better balanced with a big zoom or prime attached

Its far superior high iso performance over the 400D will be a great benefit in low light and it has a better af system plus the fps is far superior.

If it was me i would go for a 40D if you can still pick one up at a good price new and save the difference between that and a 50D towards a good IQ zoom in the future.

Personally I would still prefer the 100-400L over the Siggy equivalents-you cant beat L glass!!!
 
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