Upgrading from 450D

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MarkG

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Mark
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I'm thinking about upgrading my 450D, but utterly confused about where to go next.

Why upgrade? Given how much I hate lugging around even my 450D and two lenses (one of them the 18-55 kit lens), I must be crazy. I also have the artistic eye of a blind man (partly because I am - at least partially :)). However, yes, I'll admit it, I like my toys. I also like air shows and other fast-moving things. Might only make one a year, but when I do, it's nice to get a result, and sometimes I do. So I'd like a faster shutter and movie mode. I'd also like a better lens. :)

My thinking so far has been 7D. I have no need nor desire for the extra expense of going full frame. Little point in going for the 500/550D as it's not enough of an upgrade. 50D is an option, but I just know I'd find some excuse to upgrade again in 18 months. 60D, while a cheaper upgrade path due to its use of SDHC cards (I have three 8GB Extreme IIIs) seems like a bit of a disappointment (though the recent price reductions help).

Is there something I've overlooked?

Next problem is what lens to put with it. I'd like to have a decent walkabout lens as I prefer to only carry the one lens. 18-55 isn't a bad range, but I've found myself wanting for more and not having it. I hired a 15-85 from LfH and loved it, but that has clouded my judgement. Obvious other option is the Canon 18-135. Jessops also put the Tamron 18-270 VC into the mix. I don't know enough about either to know if they're 'right' for me.

I'd also need some memory cards given that I'm currently all-SD. Default choice is something from SanDisk because I've tried other brands on the SD side and been disappointed with all of them. Any suggestions welcome. :)

PS - I'll be keeping my existing 70-300 IS and 430EX.
 
Done deal on the 7D. I've convinced myself I want!

Lens choice is still giving me bother though as I find it so difficult to compare results between them.

So, we have...

Canon 18-135 - Cheapest option. Played with, seems OK. Don't know much more than that about it.

Canon 15-85 - Great bit of kit. Found there wasn't much I wasn't happy taking with it (obviously the really long stuff needed the 70-300).

Tamron 18-270. What a range! Certainly would come in handy in the 'only take one lens' scenario (which I do a lot to save weight). But, slower than my -300 and build quality could be better (though is better than my current 18-55 kit lens, obviously).

Then I guess there's the Canon 18-200, among others!

Help! Don't know how to choose! :(

Just so you know what I use a camera for - typical holiday stuff - scenery, buildings etc. No portrait photography (don't like myself in pictures so what gives me any right to inflict it on others). Plus, special events (e.g. Olympics, Airshows, etc.) Nothing more serious than hobby level (but demanding - I've come all the way up from compacts).

PS - Sorry for the dumb thread title. Guess that's why I didn't get any replies (fair enough).
 
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Unless you want to shoot video, keep the 450D. Or if you're after a faster burst mode, can you justify the cost?
 
I do, and I do. Not primary uses but I would have preferred video had it been an option when I got the 450D, and I use burst mode to try to capture events that I'm not good enough to track accurately. Sometimes, it even works. :)

Oh, and I really like the 100% coverage viewfinder on the 7D. Being partially sighted, that's a real plus.

All that said, the 450D is a cracking bit of kit for sure, and I could possibly be convinced out of upgrading.
 
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I went for Quality Glass before I traded in my 400d.....that made a world of difference....I suspect that, to make the best of the 7d you should be looking at some good quality "L" glass.

Have now upgraded camera mainly to get better performance at higher ISO settings.
 
I did the glass first then body later...

450D + Kit lens
bought a 70-300
bought a 15-85
bought a 70-200 f4
upgraded to 7d

I am really happy with the 15-85, it is a cracking lens, works very nicely on my 7d (which I also love)

:-)
 
I went from 450D to a 7D and have not regretted spending the money once. The 7Ds low light performance is great.

You will need some decent glass to put in front of it though.

Good luck.
 
Could have really done with higher ISO last night. 1600 didn't cut it and I had to resort to flash - which kept bouncing off the heads of the row of people in front.

Thanks everyone. I'm just about sold on going the 7D/15-85 route as it seems like a good combination. I've been thinking about getting that lens even without the body. The 24-105L is a nice idea but 38 equiv seems limiting at the wide end and I don't really want to have to get a third lens to compensate.
 
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Didn't realise the 24-105L was that 'cheap' (comparatively). Comment about the wide end stands though. Shame, as there's one in For Sale right now. :(
 
24-105 is great, even has IS! If I didn't need to go wider than 24, I'd sell my 17-40 in a heartbeat and trade up to the 24-105. I really miss not having IS, especially on an F/4 lens.
 
EdBray said:
Watch this!
Click to expand...

Already watched!

In fact, that's what pushed me further towards the 15-85. It's got some very good reviews and at a similar price to the 24-105, so it should!

I don't know what percentage of shots I take in the 18-24 bracket with my current lens, so I don't really know how much I'd miss that range (and the 15-18, obviously), but I certainly noticed the difference between 15 and 18. Obviously it's all magnified by the crop (so it's actually a difference of 24 to 38).

Like I said, shame, as it's a cracking lens and constant f/4 would be nice.. :(
 
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Mark - I was in a similar position to you earlier this year. Like you, I'm an amateur (at best!), but enjoy my toys a bit too much. I went from 450D to 7D without needing to or having any real justification to - but I can honestly say that I haven't regretted it for one minute.

Don't get me wrong, the 450D is a great camera, but the 7D feels like, & is, a totally different kettle of fish! My brother bought my 450D from me and when I picked it up the other day it almost felt a bit 'toy' like having become used to the 7D. I know it's not a toy and I still think it's a great camera - it just can't compare with the 7D.

I echo other peoples' comments about putting good glass in front of it though - if you don't it will show up any shortcomings of the glass. I've used a friend's 15-85mm on it and can honestly say that it's a fantastic lens - I did some controlled side by side comparison with my 24-105L and, unless you're really pixel-peeping, you'll struggle to find a big difference. The colours with the 24-105 are slightly better (bit more colourful and 'vivid') but that's being picky!

The 24mm end is slightly long if you're wanting a wide shot - I compliment mine with a Tokina 12-24mm f/4 lens which again is another great lens and works well with the 7D - just don't add a CPL to it as it's too wide and gives an uneven effect on skies.

If you're wanting a single lens setup, then you might be better going the 15-85mm route as it's probably a bit of a better range for your style of photography, especially on the wide range. If you want some longer range, you could always compliment with a 70-200 f/4 non IS - a fairly cheap 2nd hand lens nowadays (£350-£375) and an absolute corker! I've got one and it's so sharp it could cut!!!

Hope this helps
 
It does, lots, thanks. My biggest remaining stumbling block was whether I'd chosen the right lens for the job. Camera shop today suggested 60D + 17-85 - but then went on to say that the quality on the 17-85 is somewhat 'variable'. Well, I don't want variable, I want good to 'wow'! :)

By the time I'd replaced the 17-85 with a 15-85 on the 60D, I was within £100 of the 7D kit anyway, so might just as well.

Just waiting on stock now. Cheapest I've found so far has been WEX. My local T4 Cameras store are £100 more but will throw in a spare battery (which I wanted anyway) so that brings it down to £25 difference (without shipping). That'll do me (it's a huge chunk better than Jessops, anyway). There's the odd S/H one here but by the time I've added a lens and battery I'm nearly back up to the same money again.
 
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MarkG said:
Camera shop today suggested 60D + 17-85 - but then went on to say that the quality on the 17-85 is somewhat 'variable'. Well, I don't want variable, I want good to 'wow'! :)
Click to expand...

I haven't seen or played with a 60D, but going on the general consensus of opinion on this, I would say that you're better off staying with the 7D - same goes for the 17-85 - much better reports on the 15-85.

Think you've got a cracking combination there - 7D + 15-85mm - you will be impressed, even if the bank balance is quite a bit lower!
 
The 60D seemed OK, but reviews mark it down as a step backwards from the 50D, save the sensor and twisty screen, obviously.

£1.8k is going to hurt, for sure, especially with holidays and Olympics tickets coming soon, and £3k debt to pay off next month, but that's what credit cards with 12 months interest free are for (conveniently with a £1.8k savings account maturing just in time to pay it off). Sounds like a plan!
 
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