Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi everyone,

I am a young photographer that would like to upgrade my rebel XT (2 years old) to a higher model of cannon. I have just started university so i am looking for the best lens and camera arrangement i can buy for under 1000.

What canon camera and lens (i was thinking a general zoom- and all rounder at the moment).

I saw a 50D at futureshop today and fell in love with the clicking mechanism on the camera as well as the quality and interface in comparison to my rebel.

Thanks

a higher model of cannon? Have you considered perhaps a 155mm howitzer?

But seriously, if you have fallen in love with the 50D, you might want to pick up a used 40D at your budget range. The 50D has only marginally better features over the 40D, and to some extent, actually a worse image quality because of the higher pixel density.

Lens wise, for the money you're looking at, something like the kit lens would be good at your budget.

+1 for the 40D

there is the option of the T1i that has video as well, and its been on CL for like $870... what about the lenses you had with your XT?

Or wait for the 7D press release today like the-ricyip is doing.

In the end, it just comes down to what your budget is.

7D would be out of the 1k budget, right? And what about lens?

it's thericyip

add another $500 and go for used 5D mk1

7D.

Oh I missed the budget part. Maybe a used 40D would be the best upgrade.

One could say you can get a brand new T1i for $900+tax, but it's still a Rebel. There's more features, but its not worth the upgrade.

As previously stated, if the 50D won you over, maybe the 40D would be a nice compromise.

technically, even eric prefers th-ericyip I thought? thericyip can be interperted in so many ways... =p

back to the topic.

Without kit lens
1500 for used 5D FF, 2000 for 7D, used 40D for 750. used 50D for 1000

With kit lens
used XSi for 650, used T1i (if you can find one), 850.

If you need lenses too... here's what I suggest.

Either:

1. used 40D for 750, kit lens with IS for aroudn 100. with the other 150 dollars left over from the 1000 dollars, get a 50 f1.8 and get some accessories (like a camera bag). OR add another 50 bucks and hunt for a 55-250 IS for 200 dollars on the used market.

2. Keep your XT, buy better lenses. And go to either FF (with a used 5D) or 7D next year. Next year, hopefully Canon will introduce a cheaper FF camera, pushing down the price even further for used 5Ds.

sony a200

^ get that ish out of here.

for your budget range, i'd stick with a used 40d because you'll get the most bang for the buck.

as others have stated, i wouldn't go with the 50d. if you can find one within your budget as other have stated, get a 5d and you won't go back to a camera with a crop sensor.

personally, with a $1000 canadian, i'd find myself a used 40d and a tamron 17-50mm. if you like shooting wide, substitute the lens with a sigma 10-20mm. if you like shooting close, substitute the lens with a canon 70-200mm f4.

ya, 40D for sure... I'm hoping to be going to that body myself as well

40D

+1

if you do go for 17-50, tamron 17-50 VC is coming out soon. The non-VC versions should drop in price.

+1 for spending the money on one or 2 new lens, improvements to the optics and the photographer are a way more important then the camera body.

It would help knowing what lens you have.

I would go the lens route if you are a student.. I, like a lot of people here, think of camera bodies as just rentals. There's always a newer and better one right around the corner.

What particularly of the XT are you dissatisfied with? High Iso? Small body? IQ?

So the 7D is the next model line for the 5D and if i wait until next year, most are recommending I go for the 5D

Thanks for all your suggestions- i may just wait until next year when i have a larger amount of cash on hand to buy a used model. I may invest in a lens now.

Then next year i will buy the camera to supplement the lens i got this year. Right now i have a kit lens i got with my rebel- but i am really noticing its limitations. I need a more powerful (zoom) and all around lens. I have another 18 year old lens that my mother got with her canon film camera- but that no longer works in terms and focusing and is now use less.

So if i was going to spend a few hundred dollars on a lens then (250) which one would it be.

If your budget is $250. I'd suggest getting the EF 50mm f/1.8 II for $100-120 if you don't already have it.

The 18-55 IS might also be a good upgrade to your non-IS XT kit lens.

There aren't many EF/EF-S lenses under $250 unfortunately.

there is Sigma 28-200 I believe

The body is fine, it's the kit lens that'll kill you. Get the 50mm 1.8, for $100 and hold off on anything else. It'll change the way you feel about your XT. Best $100 a photographer can spend.

While IS is nice optically the 18-55 IS is not much better then the kit.

The lens you should buy depends on the type of shooting you think you would like to do. Although a fast prime would be a good start.

I will definently go for the EF 50mm f/1.8 II it seems to be a really good lens.

But if i was to fork out more- im looking for a faster lens with larger zoom capabilities. What would be the most cost effective lens alternative.

Another +1 for the 40D. You should be able to find a used one relatively easily now that the 50D is the current in that range.

Then blow your savings on glass.

I found a nice affordable replacement for the focal range of the kit lens to be the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 XR Di II. Much less expensive than the Canon IS in that general focal range, and without the hassle of fixing your broken IS two years down the road.

The 50mm AF II "plastic fantastic" is always a great idea, you can't beat the price and the quality is surprising all things considered.