Your thoughts on upgrading my DSLR

[UdubBadger]

So this morning I found myself on Amazon about to pull the trigger on a Canon
EF 50mm f/1.8 II or possibly an EF 50mm f/1.4 USM lens for a solid indoor lens to use when I shoot live bands... and now I'm also really thinking I should upgrade my camera body too.

Heres my story...

I've been shooting digital for about 3 years now (shot film for like 5 back in HS and a few semesters of community college). Right now I'm about to make a big switch and instead of going into the Art Education program at UW to teach, I've made up my mind and will be transferring into an art school in 6 months (not sure which one yet as its down to Illinois Institute of Art or Columbia College) once I finish up this next spring semester here in Madison to get a full BA in photography instead of a teaching certificate and little to no photography training.

Right now I'm shooting with a Canon 20D that I've had for the 3 years I've been doing digital work. It's not a bad camera at all but I just feel like there is such good technology out there right now that its become an antique. The 2 cameras I'm looking at are the 50D and the new 5D Mark II. There is about a $1200 difference in price between the 2 of them, and regardless to buy either one I'll have to take a loan out either from my parents or allocate a little extra into my student loans (which I have no problem doing and paying for in the long run).

I guess I'm just wondering everyones thoughts on what I should do... dare I go for a $2800 camera while I'm still in school? Is the technology on the 50D sufficient enough for me to use right now? I'm sure I'll probably want one like a 5D mk II in 2 yrs when I graduate from Art school won't I... so should I just buy it now so I'm not just pissing away $1200 now on a 50d?

I dunno... just confused on which one to consider is all. Anyones thoughts would help.

Thanks guys/girls.

-Badger

[TopDown]

My two cents; Keep your money in your pocket for now. Focus (no pun intended) on the photography - improving your photographic skill costs nothing. After you're out of school, the technology will have taken another leap, and you'll be better situated to spend the money on it. Good luck.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by TopDown

My two cents; Keep your money in your pocket for now. Focus (no pun intended) on the photography - improving your photographic skill costs nothing. After you're out of school, the technology will have taken another leap, and you'll be better situated to spend the money on it. Good luck.

I just feel like I'd be able to produce a lot better pics by upgrading... not saying my skills are close to being perfect already but having the camera I do right now has SOME limitations to it and I want to be able to not be limited by it, especially while I'm in school learning cool new stuff and possibly even making some money using them while I'm there by doing paid work on the side (right now its mostly just favors for friends).

[UdubBadger]

hmmm... nobody says get a 50d so far

[Teshi]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

I just feel like I'd be able to produce a lot better pics by upgrading... not saying my skills are close to being perfect already but having the camera I do right now has SOME limitations to it and I want to be able to not be limited by it, especially while I'm in school learning cool new stuff and possibly even making some money using them while I'm there by doing paid work on the side (right now its mostly just favors for friends).

Dude, take it from me. Money first on glass. Body is the last upgrade since they will reflect more on your work that the camera body.

Your lenses will be the main tools here. You pick a high end body and slap on a f/4 or even a f/5.6 lens, still resorts you using high ISO's and yield grainy pictures vs a faster lens weather its a prime or zoom. Better glass will suit better pictures before body unless you need lightening AF and clean ISO use but then think to yourself, does that justify the cost of a new camera?

I opted for a 5D not because my skills were lacking, but for what I wanted out of it. When I had my 400D, I sat and shot beside a 1D shooter with virtually the same lens, could anyone tell the difference? Nope.

EDIT : What lenses do you currently own?

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by Teshi

Dude, take it from me. Money first on glass. Body is the last upgrade since they will reflect more on your work that the camera body.

Your lenses will be the main tools here. You pick a high end body and slap on a f/4 or even a f/5.6 lens, still resorts you using high ISO's and yield grainy pictures vs a faster lens weather its a prime or zoom. Better glass will suit better pictures before body unless you need lightening AF and clean ISO use but then think to yourself, does that justify the cost of a new camera?

I opted for a 5D not because my skills were lacking, but for what I wanted out of it. When I had my 400D, I sat and shot beside a 1D shooter with virtually the same lens, could anyone tell the difference? Nope.

EDIT : What lenses do you currently own?

well 2 of the main reasons i want the upgrade is 1, i would EVENTUALLY like a full frame sensor (which is offered in the 5d but not the 50d) and 2 I REALLY REALLY want a sensor with the new auto cleaning function... you have no idea how dirty my sensor gets so often and its a fucking hassle either paying for it to be cleaned or editing the dirty pics in photoshop.

in terms of glass right now I have a 10-18mm wide angle, 28-135mm f/3.5-5 IS USM and a 28-300mm f/ 3.5-5 Macro.

With either camera I choose to get I'll most likely be adding a 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-105mm f/4 EF-L with it and also as of this morning I have a 50mm f/1.8 on its way to me from Amazon.com.

[SpecC]

i think the 50D would be a better investment. it is pretty expensive but you can transfer over whatever lenses you have right now to the 50D. the 50D is new technology too, so you can keep it for a while. 60D's not coming for a while so you'll be fine.

[asdflkijd]

What about the 40d? I recently purchased one for dirt cheap and the controls are amazing... Makes shooting so much easier and also the shutter speed is ridic! If you look hard, you can get a good conditioned 40d for around 600-675 for just the body of course.. I got mine for 600 flat, I was very lucky. People say that the 50d isnt much of an upgrade from the 40d, I really dont see the need for a video feature in a pre-professional camera. Try your local craigslist.

[Teshi]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

well 2 of the main reasons i want the upgrade is 1, i would EVENTUALLY like a full frame sensor (which is offered in the 5d but not the 50d) and 2 I REALLY REALLY want a sensor with the new auto cleaning function... you have no idea how dirty my sensor gets so often and its a fucking hassle either paying for it to be cleaned or editing the dirty pics in photoshop.

in terms of glass right now I have a 10-18mm wide angle, 28-135mm f/3.5-5 IS USM and a 28-300mm f/ 3.5-5 Macro.

With either camera I choose to get I'll most likely be adding a 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-105mm f/4 EF-L with it and also as of this morning I have a 50mm f/1.8 on its way to me from Amazon.com.

Saying that, cleaning my sensor is not that much of a big deal. 15 minutes for a full clean which you will have to do for more stubborn dust.

As for my recommendation, it still stands, up the ante on lenses and look at a better line up, trust me it will improve your pictures before body.

Once you have picked the right lenses, then moving bodies will make more sense. Looking back at it, I should have done the same. It would have stopped me buying lenses once, selling them and buying the same again.

[vachss]

Buy a new body if you feel that it will provide you with specific opportunities not afforded by your current body. The 50D provides better resolution than the 20D and maybe somewhat better high ISO noise (though some will argue that point). If you're not planning on making huge prints (or cropping extensively) I don't know that the 50 would let you do anything special that the 20 would not.

This is not the case with the 5D. Switching from the 20D to the 5D will open up the world of Full Frame with its potential for low DOF and sharply isolated subjects. If you aspire to this sort of shooting then you should certainly consider a FF body. Right now with all the gearheads jumping on 5D2's you should be able to find a used 5D for somewhere in the $1K - $1200 range. This seems like the most cost effective approach to getting into FF and determining whether the advantages/disadvantages of the larger format suit your shooting style. Unless you absolutely have to have the latest and greatest (or need ISO 6400 and/or 21MP and/or video) for your work I'd recommend that route rather than the 5D2.

[UdubBadger]

a used 5d might be a nice option... hmmm I'll look into that also.


Teshi - I guess what I'm also saying is that I'm ok with the glass I have right now (or will have when I add that "L" lens) and the only reason I'm looking for a new body would really be because I'm just looking for a new body, not because I expect it to drastically change my pictures (unless like you noted I'm shooting above 1600 ISO or making huge prints). I said before "I'd be able to produce a lot better pics than with my current rig because of the things the 50d and 5dmkII offer... meaning specifically "better" because they can do things that the 20d can't so when I would want to shoot above 1600 iso or make super large poster prints or something like that, I could where as with the 20d its not even an option.

I guess I kinda went about this thread the wrong way because it was supposed to be more of.... a 50d vs 5d mk II comparison and not, should I be getting anything at all.

[bmwturbopower]

keep the 30D till you save for what you really want.

btw. I pulled the trigger on the 50mm 1.8 and AMAZINGLY SHARP! here is the back seat view from my car. This was shot at low light handheld.

[UdubBadger]

its a 20d so its even older than that dude...

i think i've ruled out that option anyway.


if anyone has advice pertaining to the pros/cons of used 5d vs 5d mk II vs. 50d then go ahead but I think I've made up my mind in getting a new body, i just need help deciding which one to get.

[asdflkijd]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

its a 20d so its even older than that dude...

i think i've ruled out that option anyway.


if anyone has advice pertaining to the pros/cons of used 5d vs 5d mk II vs. 50d then go ahead but I think I've made up my mind in getting a new body, i just need help deciding which one to get.

Im telling you... 40d

[UdubBadger]

why not just get the 50d? i mean thats what i did with the 20d, I got it cheaper after the 30d had come out. I think if I'm going to upgrade (which I am) I would rather spend the money to get the good upgrades on the 50d cuz to my knowledge the 40 really was only a resolution and screen size upgrade from the 30d. The 50d now has the live view (which as dumb as it sounds would be nice for those low or high angle shots where you can't get your face into the view finder) and the self cleaning sensor.

[Teshi]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

a used 5d might be a nice option... hmmm I'll look into that also.


Teshi - I guess what I'm also saying is that I'm ok with the glass I have right now (or will have when I add that "L" lens) and the only reason I'm looking for a new body would really be because I'm just looking for a new body, not because I expect it to drastically change my pictures (unless like you noted I'm shooting above 1600 ISO or making huge prints). I said before "I'd be able to produce a lot better pics than with my current rig because of the things the 50d and 5dmkII offer... meaning specifically "better" because they can do things that the 20d can't so when I would want to shoot above 1600 iso or make super large poster prints or something like that, I could where as with the 20d its not even an option.

I guess I kinda went about this thread the wrong way because it was supposed to be more of.... a 50d vs 5d mk II comparison and not, should I be getting anything at all.

If you can cough up the money, 5D II will be a formidable weapon although price was my concern and opted for the orig 5D and all in all, no crop and amazing IQ, I cannot ask for more. Price is coming down quick on those so you might have another option here.