Will I notice much difference? Canon upgrade

[Robbo]

I have a 450d and want to up to a 7d

I can't afford new lenses as well though.

So with the following lenses and upping to the 7d will I notice improvement?

Canon 70-300mm IS USM 4-5.6
canon 10-22mm USM 3.5-5
canon 60mm macro USM 2.8

any advice welcome, only on image quality not build difference, thanks

 

[micloi]

Hi again I just sold my 7D and before that I owned a 450D (amongst others) so maybe I can help a bit with this.

From the photos I took I came to the conclusion that the sensor on the 7D improves on the one from the 450D if:
1. You need to crop (18mp give you a lot more leeway than 12mp)
2. You use higher ISOs as the 7D is better in that respect even with the higher resolution sensor.

Please note that I recognise all other improvements on the 7D, better AF etc., but I am only focusing, please forgive the pun, on IQ.

Regarding the lenses you mention above maybe looking at the resolution (MTF tables) of each sensor will help (see links below) but, from my experience, I found that only the 60mm macro benefited from more megapixels on an 1.6 crop sensor. The 70-300 was not sharp enough and the 10-22 did not really need the higher resolution except for printing billboards!

http://www.photozone.de/images/8Reviews/lenses/canon_60_28/mtf.gif
http://www.photozone.de/images/8Reviews/lenses/canon_70300_456is/mtf.gif
http://www.photozone.de/images/8Reviews/lenses/canon_1022_3545/mtf.gif

More experienced members will be able to give you more technical information on this based on each lens's resolution as whatever I know is from using and testing different bodies and lenses, my theoretical knowledge still lacks in this area.

 

[Robbo]

cheers for that

anyone else/bump

 

[hashcake]

Personally I would invest in glass first.
The Canon 10-22 is an excellent lens and probably the best super wide angle for the 7D.
I have no experience with the 60mm macro USM 2.8 but I expect the Canon EF 100mm f2.8L Macro IS USM would produce a better IQ.
I've used a 70-300mm IS USM but I would consider upgrading to an L lens.
I've moved over to L lenses on my 50D and although I never tried them on my 40D, the gain in IQ is certainly obvious.
I have read that the 7D can be punishing on lenses and this will show when using consumer lenses.
Perhaps a compromise in the body, get a used 40D / 50D and upgrade any lenses you can afford?
I'm sure a few 7D owners can give you a better idea.

 

[Robbo]

hmmmmm

if I went to the 40/50D I would only up to a 7D later see I would rather miss this step out and save time and money.

It looks like I will be best of saving longer and getting the 7D with the glass I need too.

just need bit more moneys!

One thing I hate with the L range is I love the 70-300 distance.

70-200 is too short
300 prime I couldnt manage not being able to adjust range.
100-400 too big lol

 

[hashcake]

if I went to the 40/50D I would only up to a 7D later see I would rather miss this step out and save time and money.

A 40D or a 50D would be a step up from the 450D but if you have your heart set on a 7D then fair enough.

One thing I hate with the L range is I love the 70-300 distance.
70-200 is too short.

Canon 70-200L IS f/4 with a 1.4 extender would make the lens 98-280.
If you need another lens with shorter focal distance then there is the Canon 24-105L IS f/4 but as you've been using the 70-300, the 70-200 with an extender will cover this range all by 20m.

 

[trevorbray]

The 450D is a very capable camera. Only consider the upgrade if it doesn't do what you need. Better glass is nearly always the better option.

The lure of newer, better bodies can be hard to resist though !! Just remember as already pointed out, the 7D will show up any weakness in consumer lenses.

 

[Briony]

Interesting comments as I was thinking of doing the same thing purely because the 450 does not have the speed for me i.e wildlife, racing and sports.

So I would probably need to change everything as I was going for the 7D as my lenses would fit it, but they are not superior lenses, :shrug: so would have to change them also. Could be a very expensive move

I do find it VERY daunting when you turn up at a meet and everyone has a better model, all the kit, you know what mean, it makes you afraid to ask questions.:shrug:

 

[Armitage]

I upgraded from the 450 to the 7. The main reason was for low light stuff, I found anything over ISO400 I was unhappy with. I now find I,m still happy with things shot at ISO3200. I think it all depends on what your shooting.

 

[hashcake]

I do find it VERY daunting when you turn up at a meet and everyone has a better model, all the kit, you know what mean, it makes you afraid to ask questions.:shrug:

Forget about the kit everyone else is using and ask questions.
Nobody will look down at you because their kit is better and if they have that attitude then walk away from them.
The chances are they will be very helpful and be able to offer you some very good advice.

 

[Scotty B]

I do find it VERY daunting when you turn up at a meet and everyone has a better model, all the kit, you know what mean, it makes you afraid to ask questions.:shrug:

All dress and no knickers doesn't make a good photographer.

I've owned a Nikon D40 for years and happily go along to shoots with guys wielding D3s and D300s.
Your camera will hold it's own against the best Canons/Nikons on a nice sunny day, so don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember most of us had to start somewhere.

 

[Briony]

All dress and no knickers doesn't make a good photographer.

I've owned a Nikon D40 for years and happily go along to shoots with guys wielding D3s and D300s.
Your camera will hold it's own against the best Canons/Nikons on a nice sunny day, so don't be afraid to ask questions. Remember most of us had to start somewhere.

Yes, that is so true, think I will stick on my own and practice.

 

[hashcake]

Yes, that is so true, think I will stick on my own and practice.

How about starting a thread for a photography meeting in the meeting section?
We have other members in Oxford and surrounding areas and I expect quite a few would be interested.
You'd be able to meet some really nice people, some more experienced who would be more than happy to answers your questions.
If you feel like jumping on a train and heading to London we are organising a meet.
There will be Canon users there and a mod or two (Fabs and hopefully Yv).

 

[chris321]

Yes, that is so true, think I will stick on my own and practice.

A friend of mine shoots with a 350D and some old lenses I don't recognise, and his shots often blow mine out of the water. A good understanding of technique and lighting will serve you much better than new kit

 

[LongLensPhotography]

If you do action shots then get 7d for better AF. If not perhaps upgrade to a cheap 2nd hand 40D and put the rest to a nice glass. 7D should come down in price (2nd hand) in a year or two.

 

[Byker28i]

Interesting comments as I was thinking of doing the same thing purely because the 450 does not have the speed for me i.e wildlife, racing and sports.

In what way doesn't it have the speed. I often use a +400D as a backup body for Rugby and motorsports and don't have a problem (apart from it feels like a tiny camera and the lenses feel huge on it - oh and I get lost in the menu's )

I have a 450d and want to up to a 7d

I can't afford new lenses as well though.

So with the following lenses and upping to the 7d will I notice improvement?

Canon 70-300mm IS USM 4-5.6
canon 10-22mm USM 3.5-5
canon 60mm macro USM 2.8

any advice welcome, only on image quality not build difference, thanks

I had the 70-300 lens and thought it OK until I bought my first L lens, the 70-200 F4. All I can say is it blew the 70-300 out the water with it's colours and crispness. You say the 200mm end isn't long enough but don't say what you are shooting. As for the 100-400 being heavy, well kind of. You soon get used to it and on a larger camera it feels quite balanced. Just on the xxxD range it feels too big for the small body (to me anyway) but produces great shots.

The 10-22 is a great lens and will be fine, same with the 60mm. Is that the EF-s 60mm f2.8 USM? I've heard really good things about that lens.

You could go for the 7D, but be prepared to save up to replace the 70-300

 

[Robbo]

Hanks for that, yes it's the 60 efs, it's great for my macro and portrait so would like to keep it.

I'm jus starting to get into sport, rugby, cricket any thing really. Finding most of my picture are towards the 300mm end.

I would love the L range but idealy want the IS 2.8 70-200mm

would I be able to manage restricted to that length?

Would the 7d make the 70-300mm worse over being used on the 450d?