Ye olde equipment dilemma! 40D to...70D? 7D?

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Yes I know...it's not exactly a new concept in forum threads but I just thought you lot might be able to provide some insight :)

I currently own a Canon 40D (from new) and use it to take pics of all sorts - landscapes, people, sports...whatever's there basically! Whilst I've really enjoyed using it over the years, there are a few things that bug me - three in particular:
  1. the LCD screen is a bit pants, especially by today's standards. Can be hard to see if focus is nailed or not as the resolution isn't great. It's happened both ways...i.e. 1) me thinking focus was off and taking many more pics, only to find focus was fine on the first one, and 2) me thinking focus would be OK only to discover it wasn't when viewing later on PC.
  2. the focussing can be hit and miss. Sometimes it just doesn't nail it - now I know this can happen whatever cam you use, but it seems to happen in good light with a fast lens and even a relatively stationary subject. I was taking pics at a wedding a while ago (not as the official tog, I would hasten to add) and I snapped what would have been an absolute cracker of one of the kids, totally unrepeatable...only the focussing was just off so it was a non-starter. I'm not saying it happens constantly or that the focussing system is broken/faulty...but it seems to happen frustratingly often.
  3. high ISO performance - need I say more? Now I know the 40D isn't completely and utterly awful, but when seeing the performance of some of today's sensors, it is lagging behind somewhat. And there are occasions when the ability to crank up the ISO and not badly sacrifice image quality would be SO good.
I know there are some awesome cams around these days and I'm wondering whether it might be time to upgrade to a more up to date model that might assist with the above points. I can't go FF as one of my main lenses is the 17-55 2.8 IS...and whereas I might be able to justify a new body, I think that a new body and a new FF equivalent to the 17-55 would be way out of bounds. So I've been having a peep at the 70D - tons and tons of reviews, tests, etc out there but I was wondering if anyone had done a similar upgrade path, i.e. 40D to 70D? And if so, what are your impressions?

In the course of investigating, I've also had a look at the 7D Mark 2 - it's quite a bit more expensive than the 70D so I was wondering if anyone could provide any insight into their own experiences of the two? Is the 7D worth the extra? My (admittedly limited) understanding of the main differences is that the 7D has more focus points (65 v 19), higher FPS and slightly better dynamic range - all of which would be nice, but worth the extra £££?

I've rambled on long enough I think - so I'll stop there :D
 
Good question! I'm shooting with two Canon 40D's (and a 30D) so will be watching this thread with interest!

A couple of thoughts from me in relation to your points above about the 40D (take them with as large a pinch of salt as you'd like as I've never used the 7DII or 70D).
As you say the iso performance on the 40D is not bad. I'm very happy to use the 40D up to iso 1600. As long as the shot's well exposed, the noise is fine for my use (web and small prints). From looking online it seems the 70D would be better for one extra stop, maybe two? With the 17-55 at f2.8 and iso 1600 and IS you can get some good results in pretty dark conditions. I see you have a 580EX too. For me personally, the extra iso performance of the 70D is not enough to tip me over the edge to upgrade, but you may consider it worth it.
I'm very surprised about the focus issue. If the camera is missing focus regularly, this would definitely be enough to make me switch! Perhaps I'm lucky, but all three of my cameras focus really consistently. Perhaps it's worth looking into the focus issue further before you upgrade?

Just a couple of thoughts.

As I say, definitely watching this thread with interest.
 
I considered it, but went from the 40D to the Fuji x-series instead.

Of the Canon bodies I'd look at either the 70D or the 7Dii depending on budget. I know two local photographers that went to the 7D (from 50D and 60D respectively) and both sold that quickly and went to the 70D instead. Both said it was the ergonomics that made them switch. You need to get your paws on the likely suspects and see which feels the most natural in your hand.
 
Had a 20D as a second body until the shutter went kaput. At the time the 7D MKII wasn't out or had just appeared, can't remember and was looking for a second body. Read up on the 7D, 50/60/70D as possible replacements, the 7D MKII was out of my price range. Basically the 70D was much better than the previous models, it had the autofocus system from the 7D apart from autofocus expansion which, but technology wise, it was generation ahead of the 7D, especially ISO performance, the 7D wasn't great. So I bought a second hand 70D and been very happy using it, bought a grip and extra battery and its works well with all my lenses and the 17-55mm. The autofocus system great, ok occasionally it misses, but that's probably more down to me. For me the 70D second hand was the perfect choice for around £500. Would I go for a 7D MKII, probably not, think I'd rather go with the 1D MKIV.

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Thanks for the input everyone...always good to get a few extra opinions!

I think the position I'm getting to is that the 70D would probably be the most fitting upgrade; whereas the extra focus points on the 7D would be nice, given the volume and type of photography I do, it doesn't quite justify the (not inconsiderable) extra expense. Plus there's also the very mundane fact that the 7D is slightly bigger and heavier (and yes, the fact that I've even said that probably means I'm getting old! :)).

With regard to the screen on the 70D, whereas an articulated screen is never something I've had before or, if I'm being brutally honest, really craved, I can see where it might be useful. But I'm wondering if the fact that it's articulated means it's more prone to failure? Or are such things pretty reliable these days when well treated (which my gear always is)?
 
Never really used the articulated screen for that purpose, just rotate it for the screen to view images or menu info or rotate it back to protect it, not used it to take images via live view
 
Owned all of the mentioned cameras. I'd go 70D ... good value. If you want something better then like Pete says I'd go 1D Mark IV. Can pick them up at a good price now, I'm also selling one lol. But no seriously great for action photography! One reason I really like 70D though is the Wifi, very useful feature when out and about.
 
Az_GTi said:
Owned all of the mentioned cameras. I'd go 70D ... good value. If you want something better then like Pete says I'd go 1D Mark IV. Can pick them up at a good price now, I'm also selling one lol. But no seriously great for action photography! One reason I really like 70D though is the Wifi, very useful feature when out and about.
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Damn you and your tempting "Ooh I'm selling a 1D Mk4" type offers...!! :D It would be an awesome camera to own, but it's outside my budgetary constraints...sadly!

Thanks for the input...I'm thinking the 70D would be the most sensible route to go (not that I always do the sensible thing, but at least the intention is there ;))
 
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