New lenses, or upgrade my body?

RichardC27

RichardC27

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,839
Name
Richard
Edit My Images
Yes
I've come into £400 today, and I'm going to spend it on new photography gear. I'm torn between buying a couple of new lenses, or upgrading my 400D to a 40D body.

I shoot mainly motorsport, but I'm looking to try new things, so the lenses I would buy are the Sigma 10-20mm, because it's a cracking piece of kit and I like the new perspective it can give, and the Canon 28-105mm f3.5-4.5 USM lens, to stand in for my 120-400mm Sigma when things are a little too close for that lens.

However, my Dad has very recently bought a 40D body, and it is a thing of beauty; wonderful to hold, excellent image quality, and much better high ISO performance than my 400D.

So what should I do? Sell my existing body and buy a 40D, or add to my lens collection? This is probably the last bit of cash I'm going to be able to spend on gear for a couple of years, as I'm saving for a house, and my girlfriend is becoming increasingly frustrated with me spending all my spare cash on this.
 
I asked a similar question last week and I agree with the answer that I got.

Buy Glass :)
 
Did you use your lens on the 40D or one that belonged to your dad? If you used his lens, have you tried it on your camera to see if there is a diference in the pictures with a better lens?
 
susie said:
Did you use your lens on the 40D or one that belonged to your dad? If you used his lens, have you tried it on your camera to see if there is a diference in the pictures with a better lens?
Click to expand...

I used my 120-400mm Sigma lens on his 40D. I've taken shot the moon and some birds with it, and was very impressed with the results, particularly when I needed to use a higher ISO. It's just a much nicer camera to hold and use than my 400D. I'm trying to work out in my head how much I would actually use the 10-20mm Sigma, and it it's worth spending £300 on.
 
A 10-20mm lens will dramatically improve your photo options (even your GF will be able to see that :D ) whereas a camera that is maybe a bit better at high ISO and nicer to hold will, erm, not. So I'd go for the lens every time.

On the other hand, whatever turns you on and if a camera does that, and gets you out and about shooting stuff, then maybe that's the way for you. 40D has a damn quick frame rate for motorsport... ;)

Sorry, I've not been helpful at all have I :lol:

Richard.
 
At the moment, I'm thinking of buying the body, and then getting glass for my birthday and christmas next year (or just asking for the money and then spending it on glass). I hate decisions like this :lol:
 
It needs to be new glass.

On my 400D I have the sigma 10-20 and just recently sold my 28-105, for a Tamron 28-75mm, which I haven't regretted. I was able to pick this up for £170 from ffordes. This covers a really nice focal range and is sharper than the 28-105mm and I would really miss my Sigma 10-20 , I just love this lens.

You could also consider something like the Tamron 17-50, which should cover abit more at the wide end.

Once you get the glass, then you can look at the body, but the body without the glass will not give you more options for taking photos.
 
Give the money to me for my 100-400 L fund :shrug:

Tbh, just think about what would help you more to progress? New lens or new body? Tbh I reckon a new body. You will start to find the limitations of the 400D soon.....
 
Can I upgrade my body? Its nearly 50 years old! ;) :D
 
Well, I've decided to go for the 40D body. I placed my 400D and a few accessories up for sale at work today and already have 3 people who want to buy it. I should be able to get a 40D and the 28-105mm lens and still have a bit of cash left over. Thanks for the help everyone :thumbs:
 
The problem is , if you are thinking of going for a new full frame body, then you're going to end up with some lenses that aren't fully compatible with a full frame camera, like the Sigma 10-20mm which is a crop lens. When I got my 5d mkII I had to sell my crop lenses to help fund a new L lens. You'll need to take that into consideration too. If you want to invest in lenses, then it might be a good time to make sure the ones that you do buy are full frame compatible too, if that is the direction that you want to be heading in.
 
A full frame body isn't going to be an issue for a good few years yet. I'm not going to have that sort of cash to throw at my hobby for at least 10 years as I see it, so the 10-20mm Sigma won't be a problem.
 
I was looking at buying some more glass this coming spring but I've ended up adding a 50D to my collection. Next year I'll be a regular customer of lenshire to figure out which lenses I use/need with a view to buying next Christmas :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top