Buy tamron 17-50 for my 50D or sell the 50D and buy 5D MK1?

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Moor

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I'm having a bit of a quandary, I currently have a 50D with a 17-85 kit lens and a couple of primes, 50mm 1.8 and a 35mm 2.0. My photography is family based shots, street photography and the odd bit of landscape, that's about it, the vast majority being family shots. I get on fine with the 50D, it's easy to use and I get fairly good results but can't help feeling I could be getting more from full frame for my photography styles, more clarity, better dof and better image quality, iq being the biggest bugbear as I do feel the 2 primes could do better than what I'm getting with the 50D
The more sensible part of my brain thinks that a decent fast zoom will add to my primes and give me all I need, also the 5D being older technology it might not be as fun to use as the 50D and it will be more difficult for my wife to use along with not having a built in flash. I'm also sensible enough to realise that if I get a 5D it would only leave me with my 2 primes and I know it won't be long before I find reasons to buy a 24-70 2.8L which is a hell of a lot of money
A 17-50 plus my primes will give me all the lenses I need (note I say need not want) where as buying the 5D would only be the start, not that that is a bad thing.
Any thoughts?
 
Throw in to the mix the fact that if you get the tamron you may as well sell your 35 mm prime as a small increase in iso and you have that range covered, I used to have the tamron and my copy was acceptably sharp even at f2.8....
 
IMO having a 17-50 on the 50d will help you develop more creatively than getting the 5D with the same primes you currently have. But you will be making a commitment to APS-C sensor for a little while if you spend the dough on a shiny new EFS fit lens..
 
Alternatively you could buy the 24-70L first and see whether it gives you better results on your 50D than you are currently getting with canons 2 cheapest primes. If you are still not happy then at least you have a good lens when you finally get the 5D.
 
Thanks for the input guys. I wouldn't say I'm not happy with my 50D, I most definitely am I just feel I could do better. I have no doubts that the 17-50 would do my photography the world of good it's just the thought of spending more money on crop sensor lenses that discourages me. Buying the L lens now is definitely an option just one that carries a hefty price tag, a price that will become the norm if I go full frame though, that's scariest prospect lol.
 
It'll fit but the image will not cover the whole sensor.

I've no doubt that the 24-70mm is a good lens but I'd miss the 17-24mm range that the Tamron covers, plus it's a light and compact lens and I like that. Full frame zoom lengths like 24-70mm don't make an awful lot of sense on APS-C to me. Years ago who would have bought a general purpose walk about lens that started at about 38mm?

I'd buy the 17-50mm and sell it if / when full frame calls.
 
Woof Woof has hit the nail on the head - the 24-70mm is a fantastic lens but it's physically huge and there is no actual benefit on 1.6x crop other than the improved IQ, which comes at a big difference in price; you loose the wide end on a crop body (but gain the long end if that's your thing) and compared to something like a 17-50 or canon 17-55, which are both designed for the body you have, it's almost a false economy because they're so good at what they do.

5D1 is a great entry into full frame but it's aging now and compared to your 50D, it may seem like a backwards step in terms of features and overall speed.

I suppose what you ned to ask yourself is just how much you're missing in your photography by not having FF - I can guess that it won't be as much as you'd like to think you're missing once you have a high-quality zoom on your 50D ;)
 
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Putting the 24-70 on my 50D wouldn't be a great choice I agree, its not wide enough for a zoom for me. I am leaning heavily towards the 17-50, as mentioned above I'm concerned I won't enjoy using the 5D with it's older functions as much as my 50D, waiting till a 5D MK3 comes out and picking up a cheaper 5D MK2 might be a better options.
 
Moor said:
Putting the 24-70 on my 50D wouldn't be a great choice I agree, its not wide enough for a zoom for me. I am leaning heavily towards the 17-50, as mentioned above I'm concerned I won't enjoy using the 5D with it's older functions as much as my 50D, waiting till a 5D MK3 comes out and picking up a cheaper 5D MK2 might be a better options.
Click to expand...

I've also been tempted by the idea of a 5D Mk1 for a while now, I'm not sure why its enticing me so much, I bought a 60D 5months ago and its great! The words full frame and classic lure me badly... it also doesn't help when people talk of the magic IQ.

Anyhow, I do keep telling myself that high ISO is better on my camera and if I went and sold my 60D then I would miss the AF system, live view, screen and little perks like the electronic spirit-level.

Anyhow, I just bought a Tamron 17-50 non-VC used from Aperture UK for £190 in good condition, and I am happy with it. It doesn't feel anything like as solid as my Tokina 11-16 or 70-200 F4L, but its IQ is great. The non-VC version is said to have better IQ.

Just watch out for front/back-focus issues, I believe that earlier copies did have some issues. Also heard of loose front elements, but there are 'how-to-fix' videos online for those....!

Go for the Tamron, don't think you will regret it.
 
Well I think I will get the tamron and wait a while and maybe get a 5D MKII when i have bait more spare cash. Thanks to everyone foe the replies. I will sell my 17-85 as there is little point keeping it as well, anyone know the going rate for a mint 17-85 without a box? SRS microsystems have offered £125 in part exchange, is that reasonable?
 
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