Which canon body should I aspire to? advice needed please

U

ukphd

Messages
258
Name
Nancy
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi

I have just purchased a second hand Canon 100 - 400mm lens which I'm thrilled with as an upgrade from my 125 - 400mm sigma lens. I currently have a 450d body and want to know which body I should be aiming to get.

I'm not sure of a budget yet so would like advice for a range of budgets really (sorry!).

I generally use my camera for wildlife photography. I do research in Indonesia and always have my camera with me whenever I'm in the forest. I also like shooting photos of people going about their daily business (i.e. not posed portraits). I also shoot some landscapes and close-ups but really my focus is on wildlife.

Right now I can't afford another body but I just want to start saving and to know what I should be aiming for.

I considered a 550d (I was partly woo-ed by the ability to shoot video too which I know is silly really) but I wonder if it's too similar to the 450d to be worth it. I've heard people talk about the 40d but never seen one in action.
Or should I be aiming higher?

I'd be very grateful for any advice/opinions

thanks very much

Nancy :)
 
Personally would stick with the 450D, there are numerous people on here who achieve some stunning results and the 100-400 is a cracking lens.

The 550D IMHO would be a lot of money to upgrade without that many real gains...

If you had to upgrade the 7D is highly recommended and would offer significant AF bonuses and you would still be able to use all the lenses compatible with the 450D although any issues with cheaper glass (if you have any) would be magnified.

Why is it you feel the need to upgrade ?
 
Your ideal canon body would probably be a 1D MKIV, it will take all the punishment that's bound to happen working in the forest.

Your next best choice would be a 7D, it's a great camera, and would fit your purpose very well.
 
Les McLean said:
Your ideal canon body would probably be a 1D MKIV, it will take all the punishment that's bound to happen working in the forest.

Your next best choice would be a 7D, it's a great camera, and would fit your purpose very well.
Click to expand...

I agree about the 1D series. Generally built like tanks and can take most day to day knocks. On eBay you can get pretty good deals on the 1D Mk II and and the 1DS Classic.

Alistair
 
1D MkIV is a stunning camera but with a hefty price tag attached, might be a better idea to find the OP is looking for in an upgrade and why...

I'ld love a MkIV, would it be a sensible choice for someone like me, definately not, still love one though :D
 
TheNissanMan said:
Personally would stick with the 450D, there are numerous people on here who achieve some stunning results and the 100-400 is a cracking lens.

The 550D IMHO would be a lot of money to upgrade without that many real gains...

If you had to upgrade the 7D is highly recommended and would offer significant AF bonuses and you would still be able to use all the lenses compatible with the 450D although any issues with cheaper glass (if you have any) would be magnified.

Why is it you feel the need to upgrade ?
Click to expand...


Thanks.
Well maybe I don't need to upgrade? I really don't know. I assumed that if I wanted to improve the quality of my images I should upgrade at some point to a better body. I've finally got the lens I wanted so just thought maybe it needed a better body too. Am I wrong? I just feel many of my shots aren't really "good" enough and the 450 doesn't allow you to save RAW files. Maybe none of this matters? I don't really know enough to know if it does or not! :)

I've got some great shots with my 450d and my old sigma lens but they're never high enough resolution when it comes to entering them into competitions etc. Some of this is certainly due to me compromising quality in order to get a shot (any shot!) but not always so I wondered if a better body would help. :)

Les McLean said:
Your ideal canon body would probably be a 1D MKIV, it will take all the punishment that's bound to happen working in the forest.

Your next best choice would be a 7D, it's a great camera, and would fit your purpose very well.
Click to expand...

Thanks - I'll look into those :)
 
I just feel many of my shots aren't really "good" enough and the 450 doesn't allow you to save RAW files.
Click to expand...

You can save Raw files on the 450D as long as you are not in 'Auto' mode, I believe most Canon's will not give you a RAW option in Auto mode - so move to 'P' or any of the other dial settings.
 
Sounds like you could do with a good book on the 450D first to learn to get the most from it. Theres no auto mode on the 1D series.
 
What is it about the images your not happy with? If you could post some on here people could help get the most out of the 450D. If your shooting in Auto you'll be very restricted to what you can do. What modes do you shoot in normally?
 
Ziploc said:
Sounds like you could do with a good book on the 450D first to learn to get the most from it. Theres no auto mode on the 1D series.
Click to expand...

I have a 450D and one of the first things I invested in was a copy of the John Wiley digital field guide for it. This is written by a lady named Charlotte K Lowrie and it's an excellent primer on the subject. I got mine from amazon.co.uk
 
I do not agree that the 550D is a waste of money. I upgraded my OH's camera to one and it really improved her wildlife photos;

1. 18mp allows much more cropping than 12mp (and the sensor is practically the same as the one on the 7D).
2. High ISO capabilities are very good.
3. Video is a great addition for wildlife.

A very worthwhile upgrade IMHO if you do not need the AF capabilities of the 7D.
 
ukphd said:
Thanks.
Well maybe I don't need to upgrade? I really don't know. I assumed that if I wanted to improve the quality of my images I should upgrade at some point to a better body. I've finally got the lens I wanted so just thought maybe it needed a better body too. Am I wrong? I just feel many of my shots aren't really "good" enough and the 450 doesn't allow you to save RAW files. Maybe none of this matters? I don't really know enough to know if it does or not! :)

I've got some great shots with my 450d and my old sigma lens but they're never high enough resolution when it comes to entering them into competitions etc. Some of this is certainly due to me compromising quality in order to get a shot (any shot!) but not always so I wondered if a better body would help. :)
Click to expand...

It sounds like you haven't reached your full potential yet with the 450D, so upgrading now probably wouldn't really help much!

The 450D is a great camera, definitely capable of shooting in RAW (you need to be in AV, TV, M, or possibly P to do it though). The resolution is definitely enough, is it set to only produce small or medium images?

Chris
 
I shoot informal family stuff on a 5D Mk1 with a 24-105, I sometimes take along one of our training cameras, a 450d with a sigma 50mm f1.4, results are as good as 5d combo and camera is ergonomically better. I love the 450d.

John
 
Thanks very much everyone.

I'm quite embarrassed at my lack of knowledge. I usually use the p mode (or auto) and had no idea the 450d could produce RAW images. All the photos I've tried to enter into very basic competitions have ended up too small once they've been resized to the requirements of the competition. I often sacrifice quality for shutter speed as I'm in a tropical forest so light isn't always great. In order to get shots of monkeys for example I will often go to 800 or 1600.

I would love to get more out of my camera so thanks very much for the book tip - I'll look at that.

:)
 
ukphd said:
Thanks very much everyone.

I'm quite embarrassed at my lack of knowledge. I usually use the p mode (or auto) and had no idea the 450d could produce RAW images. All the photos I've tried to enter into very basic competitions have ended up too small once they've been resized to the requirements of the competition. I often sacrifice quality for shutter speed as I'm in a tropical forest so light isn't always great. In order to get shots of monkeys for example I will often go to 800 or 1600.

I would love to get more out of my camera so thanks very much for the book tip - I'll look at that.

:)
Click to expand...

No need to be embarrassed :)

Trust me, most people have asked far sillier questions :D. If you go onto the other modes, you'll be able to select RAW, and also make sure it's set to 'large' and 'fine' to get the best quality images. Consult the manual if you can't find the settings!

Nothing wrong with pushing the ISO, a noisy shot is better than a blurry one. There's some good free noise reductions software out there too that you may want to have a play with too!

Chris
 
TheNissanMan said:
1D MkIV is a stunning camera but with a hefty price tag attached, might be a better idea to find the OP is looking for in an upgrade and why...

I'ld love a MkIV, would it be a sensible choice for someone like me, definately not, still love one though :D
Click to expand...

I met a tog when out and about yesterday who had a 1D Mk4 and I was fortunate enough to use it to take a photo of him and his wife. Never held one before and didn't realise how big they actually are, felt bigger than my head! I don't think I could carry one of those around all day but the viewfinder on it was so nice!

As for OP, the 450D is a decent camera and should be plenty enough to get high quality images. The better bodies will add more features such as faster frame rate and better auto-focus. I'd suggest improving more on this body first by learning how to use Av mode and then once you get to grips with it, possibly take a look at the 40D/50D or maybe a 7D if you feel the 450D is holding you back. Each of these bodies will feel like a substantial upgrade in every aspect.
 
Thanks everyone.

I am keen to do a one day course actually as I definitely learn better by doing and being shown then reading but I wasn't sure which courses were reputable. I've done the obvious google search etc and had a quick look in the classifieds here but wondered if anyone had any recommendations of good courses or places to look for courses? I'm in south west london (Hampton Court area) so would want something local really and it would have to be soon as I go away to the field in 4 weeks. :)
 
lauy said:
I met a tog when out and about yesterday who had a 1D Mk4 and I was fortunate enough to use it to take a photo of him and his wife. Never held one before and didn't realise how big they actually are, felt bigger than my head! I don't think I could carry one of those around all day but the viewfinder on it was so nice!
Click to expand...

if its anything like the mk3 its no heavier or bigger than a gripped xxD series really.. its a little chunkier in places but its about the same overall.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilgates/4584511094/
 
I've not owned one, and I love my 40D, however for wildlife if I was to change camera, for a reasonable price, you could get a second hand 1dII (as mentioned above). The big pro for me of this is the AF is meant to be amazing on the 1D bodies - for fast moving wildlife birds in flight I imaging this will make a difference. #

For now though I'd learn more about your 450D start using the AV and TV modes, they are great ones to learn on. You may take worse pictures at the start but eventually you will get better and be more prepared for when great opportunities arise.

Good luck

Al
 
akr said:
I've not owned one, and I love my 40D, however for wildlife if I was to change camera, for a reasonable price, you could get a second hand 1dII (as mentioned above). The big pro for me of this is the AF is meant to be amazing on the 1D bodies - for fast moving wildlife birds in flight I imaging this will make a difference. #

For now though I'd learn more about your 450D start using the AV and TV modes, they are great ones to learn on. You may take worse pictures at the start but eventually you will get better and be more prepared for when great opportunities arise.

Good luck

Al
Click to expand...


Thanks - I will definitely start to experiment more! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top