400d Upgrade

N

neilw

Suspended / Banned
Messages
59
Edit My Images
No
I'm thinking about upgrading my 400d. I find it struggles in low light. Also I'm going on a Safrai later in the year. I don't mind buying second hand from the forum as stuff on here tends to get looked after. As far as I see it these would be my options

New 600d
Used 40d
Used 50d

I could probably strech to a used 60d, although I'm not sure if these would come up for sale too often.

What do you think my best option would be. I use my camera for Airshow photography (400d also struggles with this), as well as general use. The lenes I have are the 50mm1.8 70-300IS USM and a Sigma 17-70
 
Thanks for your comment. Is the 50d a better body than the 600d?
 
50D will give you a larger viewfinder, heavier build body, better AF, second control wheel, top LCD and AF micro-adjust over the 600D. The 600D will give you video, a lovely screen and more megapixels for cropping, along with slightly better high ISO performance.

Try both first if you can, the 50D is much bigger and heavier than the xxxD series cameras, but will likely be easier to use due to the bigger viewfinder and second control wheel.
 
I've a 40D and really like it, fast fps and I use mine at airshows no problem.

I think you'd be happy with either the 40 or 50D. As you know, the 60D is the newer model, this also has a swivel rear LCD. They are starting to come up 2nd hand, might be worth keeping an eye open.
 
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Digital-SLR-Camera-Reviews.aspx

I would choose the 50D as it would offer slightly better ISO performance and auto-focusing you require although that being said, is the 70-300mm your longest lens? Perhaps invest in glass rather than a new body?

300mm f2.8 + 1.4x TC
IMG_5997_copy_1.jpg


70-200mm f2.8
IMG_6068_copy_1.jpg


300mm f2.8 + (2x + 1.4x TC stacked)
IMG_6377_copy_1.jpg


All shots with a canon 20D. The lenses made the difference for these shots

kruger National Park

or both images below with a 300mm f4 + 1.4x TC
IMG_8000_copy_1.jpg


IMG_7959_copy_1.jpg


Peter
 
theres quite a few used 7ds on MPB (a tad over 900 notes IRRC)

that asid i'd say get a 40 or a 50 rather than the 600D - the xxD series cameras are a big step up from comparable xxxD ones
 
Thanks for the replys people. 50D is probably the way to go then. I don't use the camera enough to justify spending over £600 on a body so used 7D's are out of the question unfortunaly.
 
I was in the same boat and I've gone for the 60D. Biggest problem I found with the 400D was the physical size of the thing. Its so small. I've not got the biggest hands in the world, but I can only get my first and middle fingers around the grip, and usually had the other two sat under the body. Not good when the weight starts building, as its quite uncomfortable.

When I mounted my 17-55 (which is a big, heavy lens) and a 430 flash it was a nightmare, and I would suspect putting a 300mm lens on would be similar.

Therefore, my vote would be for a xxd body, whichever your budget allows for.
 
neilw said:
What do you think my best option would be. I use my camera for Airshow photography (400d also struggles with this), as well as general use. The lenes I have are the 50mm1.8 70-300IS USM and a Sigma 17-70
Click to expand...


More likely your 70-300 is struggling.
 
Morph3ous said:
I was in the same boat and I've gone for the 60D. Biggest problem I found with the 400D was the physical size of the thing. Its so small. I've not got the biggest hands in the world, but I can only get my first and middle fingers around the grip, and usually had the other two sat under the body. Not good when the weight starts building, as its quite uncomfortable.

When I mounted my 17-55 (which is a big, heavy lens) and a 430 flash it was a nightmare, and I would suspect putting a 300mm lens on would be similar.

Therefore, my vote would be for a xxd body, whichever your budget allows for.
Click to expand...

Or fit a battery grip?

I have big hands and a 450D, but fitted with a battery grip its not trouble at all
 
pete.rush said:
I would choose the 50D as it would offer slightly better ISO performance and auto-focusing you require although that being said, is the 70-300mm your longest lens? Perhaps invest in glass rather than a new body?

Peter
Click to expand...

I was going to say the same Peter!







Can I just say, this picture of the Typhoon is WOW!!!!

pete.rush said:
IMG_7959_copy_1.jpg


Peter
Click to expand...
 
Which is fine but the glass used there is over a grands worth and the OP seems to be stating he doesn't have the money for a used 7d much less glass at a grand and upwards :-/
 
I'd get a 40D, controls/handling is much better than the 400D and overall its a nice upgrade, performs better in all areas. IMO the 50D is probably not worth the extra money over a 40D, given the 40D bodies are selling at just £300 now.

Spend the rest on glass, either a Tamron 17-50 2.8 non VC, or the Canon 17-55 2.8 IS if you can afford it. Or if you don't need the reach of the 300mm then the 70-200mm F4 is a CRACKER and a total bargain at £350.
 
50D all the way but then i am biased:lol:
seriously I went from a 400d to a 50D with a grip and love it, one suggestion, if you cannot afford better glass then have a look at hiring a lens for your safari, be a shame to upgrade the body and go on safari and find your lens is still letting you down, look at hiring maybe a 100-400mm lens.

spike
 
Thanks everyone. I've thought about upgarding 70-300 to a 70-200L but I'm abit worried about the lost reach, as sometime I find 300 isn't enough. With the Extra MP of a xxD body I guess I could get a closer crop to make up the missing focal lenght?
 
neilw said:
Thanks everyone. I've thought about upgarding 70-300 to a 70-200L but I'm abit worried about the lost reach, as sometime I find 300 isn't enough. With the Extra MP of a xxD body I guess I could get a closer crop to make up the missing focal lenght?
Click to expand...

For the safari I would say a 70-200mm ain't long enough and the extra MPs aren't going to help much either unless you have a decent lens (prime). In the Kruger Park in SA more and more I was using TC's with my 300mm for the majority of my shots, only on a few instances did I swap to my 70-200mm, but that was because the animals were usually at quite a distance from the road. Could also depend whether you're going to a private reserve or a national park, at a private reserve, there's probably more opportunites to get closer to the animals. Personally, if your budget is limited I would Have a look at one of the sigma xx/xxx-500mm lenses.
 
Ok I'd get a 40D, sell the 70-300m and get a 100-400mm, that will do you very nicely.

Selling your 400D & 70-300mm should raise enough for the upgrade to be possible? A hire of a 100-400mm for 1-2 weeks would surely cost £100+, i.e a 7th of the cost of one new, if anything just buy one and sell it when you get back for the same price!
 
Thanks. I'll certainly have a look at hiring a 100-400. Safair is in Kenya, not sure if it's private or national park.
 
You will LOVE that holiday, I did :).

As I said though why hire, just buy used off here then resell on :) Might lose £20.
 
Resurrecting this thread, this is the exact choice I am going for at the moment. I currently have a 400d, and have the 18-55 IS kit lens, the 50mm f1.8 prime mkii, and a sigma 70-300 (gimmicky macro). I rarely use anything but the 50mm prime, so when I upgrade I would also sell the other two lenses and look at some more serious glass. Could someone also give their opinions on what the best walkaround lens to get would be, at a minimum? I was hoping something like the canon 15-85 might suffice, but if not I will look into the 24-xx L glass available.

I would prefer a xxd upgrade rather than a xxxd upgrade, as I'm sure I wouldn't really use the video all that much, and would prefer the build quality. My biggest question on whether to get the 40d vs 50d is that I do crop a lot of my photos significantly, and occasionally like to print bigger than a standard photo (up to around A3 size). I would be happy to settle with a cheaper 40d, but would it be more limiting in terms of crops/print sizes compared to the 50d?

Thanks
 
Is it worth getting a 40D over a 50D or not? Reason i ask is that i have been offered a 40D for £300 with 6 months warranty, under 2k shots or a 50D for £420 3 months, not sure on actuations. Both from the same camera shop.

Which one!!? Ta
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top