Help me with a body / lens decision...

[JustinCesler]

Looking for some advice on an upcoming purchase....

I have been shooting with a Rebel XT for 3 years and I think I am out growing the camera. I know that equipment doesn't make the shot, but I feel that I need to upgrade in order to take the next steps in this hobby.

I am looking at the 40d and then dreaming about the 5d. I don't shoot professionally but I do shoot often and would like to make the step to a more serious hobbiest. What does everyone recommend for someone in my shoes.

A year ago I upgraded the kit lens to the 28-135 IS and it has helped the clarity and quality of my shots tremendously. I feel that the new body would also bring the quality up. Is this true? Should I look at better lenses before I look at a new body?

I think the 40d is a very realistic purchase, while the 5d may be overkill, what do the experts say?


Thanks everyone!

[John Jovic]

I've never used the 28-135 IS but it's reputation is not "stellar". You might find that upgrading to something like a 5D would show up the deficiencies in this or most lenses. The only reason I mention that is because as the sensor size/quality improves so does your need for lenses to match it. That's why Leica and Zeiss lenses have become so popular in recent times. It's not that everyone is buying Contax RTS111's or Leica R8's (both top film camera's in their day), it's because some of the Canon alternatives suck compared to some of the German (often made in Canada) alternatives.

I'm only guessing, but I think you'll gain more from the greater CONTROL you get with either the 40 or 5D than from the difference detween 1.6 crop and full frame, or even just the number of pixels. But you're probably the best judge there. I have a 1dsmk2 but I still use my 20D for lots of stuff because it does what I need it to do. The number of pixels aint everything!

If you do get a 40D then you might be tempted to get EF-S lenses which obviously can't be used on future FF bodies. If you shoot lots of sport then the 1.6 magnification is a huge advantage.

There's always talk of a new Canon body but maybe it's getting close to time for a 5Dmk2 which will see 5D prices drop. Depends on how much of a hurry you're in.

I think my next body will be a 40D but mainly because my 20D has been around the block a few times (already had one new shutter fitted, almost time for another).

JJ

[John Waugh]

If you concentrate on sport and action images the 40D is the choice. The 5D is a great camera but a little slow in the focus department. The 40D has a large view screen and the DIGIC III processor that has tremendous color space. The nine point cross focus is a big improvement. The 5D is better in the studio or landscape market as its full sensor and 12+ mpx will give you a very good enlargement. If I were to have just one, the 40D would take the lead, use the extra $ to get a nice "L" series lens. Don't fall for the EF-S glass.
You won't go wrong with either.
John

[John Thawley]

I actually have three 40D bodies and couldn't be happier. Unlike the 30D, they are a full upgrade over the 20D. Build quality has improved, as John mentioned, the color space is great... burst rate is reasonably sufficient.. and if you throw on the battery grip, the feel and balance is very nice. Highly recommended.

JT

[Chris Brasher]

Have a look around for 1dsmk2 bodies, I've picked one up extremely cheap with new shutter and 3 batteries for the price of a used 5D. Many are upgrading to the new 1dsmk3 so there are bargains to be had.

[Dennis Murray]

I actually have three 40D bodies and couldn't be happier. Unlike the 30D, they are a full upgrade over the 20D. Build quality has improved, as John mentioned, the color space is great... burst rate is reasonably sufficient.. and if you throw on the battery grip, the feel and balance is very nice. Highly recommended.

JT

John, just curious - with the amount of work you do, why haven't you gone 1 series? Is there not enough differential in what's important to you on a camera? Ability to have 3 at the price of 1 1-series? Or the ability to upgrade more frequently?

[Chris Clark]

I was in the same situation as you a year ago. I made the leap from the XT to a 1Dmk2N. Big leap.....

I really wish that the 40D was available at the time I was making this decision as I probably would have picked up 2 of those for the one mk2. Don't get me wrong, the mk2 is an amazing tool, but really the 40D is MORE than capable. I briefly shot with JT's 40D at Petit and was impressed. I want one.:)

My only gripe would be that the 40D needs more AF points. Most used feature on my 1D2 isn't the hi burst rate... it's the ability to move my AF points all around, to the extreme corners of the frame... heck, I wish the 1D had more AF points... but thats just me.

That being said.... I'd go for some good glass first. The XT is an extremely capable camera. I love mine, still use it at every event. Granted the AF isn't the quickest, but you can work around that. You can't work around cheap glass. Invest in some Canon L-series lenses. They are worth their weight in gold. I saw a bigger jump in image quality when I upgraded to new glass than I did when I upgraded the body.

Of course in a perfect world... you would buy both.:D

-Chris

[John Thawley]

John, just curious - with the amount of work you do, why haven't you gone 1 series? Is there not enough differential in what's important to you on a camera? Ability to have 3 at the price of 1 1-series? Or the ability to upgrade more frequently?

Yes. :)

Seriously... all of the above.

[Greg Tivadar]

I've kinda had some similar issues as you op.

I started with a digi rebel (300d) and then scrapped the kit lens for the 28-135, and was honestly more confused with the new lens than anything else, I personally now really dislike the lens alot, and realized that after picking up a 15 year old 28-70 2.8l because of it's reputation. The pictures that I took became night and day, with color sharpness and overall feel being much better.

I then used that setup for about a year 1/2 with essentially that combo being all I shot with. After really continually getting frustrated with the high amount of niose and a few dings I put in the camera (tape mod to the battery cover to hold it on and something going wrong with the af display) I finally started looking into a new camera, and was sold on the rebel xti as the next step up, until I read the reviews for the 40d which just came out as I was looking.

Well the better af system, as well as the low light focusing is what won me over and I took the plunge, and honestly couldn't really be any happier, the camera is a nice size, feels amazing, and really does take superior images compared to anything out of my digi rebel.

But to me I would personally invest in some lenses far before I would upgrade in your case, unless your body is damaged or not working properly you can take the same images with the rebel xt as the 40d. Personally I would upgrade lenses and then see where you stand and if you do need to upgrade your body do so lastly.

to me go out and get a 17-40 f4l, or a sigma 10-20, or a 70-200 f4l (or better lenses) and then see how your photos feel and come out, the jump from kit to the 28-135 will probably be less dramatic than the jump from the 28-135 to the L series lenses.

If after getting a few lenses and learning how to use them you still see the need, then buy a new body...;)