Upgrade advice

  • Thread starter Thread starter Deleted member 41401
  • Start date Start date
D

Deleted member 41401

Guest
I wonder if someone could give me some advice please. I'm just an amateur with basic kit. I have a Canon 550d, 55-250mm and 50mm f1.8. I use these for my motocross snaps, but I'm finding that I'm having difficulty tracking riders in AI servo mode, and I get a lot with missed focus. I am thinking that I need to upgrade, but my funds are limited. What's the best upgrade that I can make for £500? I was thinking either changing the 550d for a 7D or getting a 70-200L F4 (non IS). Or, is there another option? I am pretty happy with the pics that I do manage to get, but I feel that they could be sharper/more detailed.

Cheers
 
Try hiring the lens to see if it helps, then you'll have a better idea.
 
Get/hire the 70-200mm f/4, should get you far better shots than the slightly slow 55-250, (excellent value for money though it is).

I reckon the 70-200 f/4 on your 550D is the cheaper way to get better action shots, OTOH a 7D & 70-200 f/2.8 Mk II would be even better........
 
Thanks guys. Unfortunately there arent any lens hire conpanies here in northern Ireland, so that option is inconvenient.

Mad badger... I will take your 7d and 2.8 mk2 lens for my price of £500. Please pn me your bank details and i will do the bt this afternoon.:thumbs:
 
yep the f4 non is brilliant, I bought it for my holidays and here is a shot, its really sharp, I'd say just as good as the 50mm primes if not better at f8:


IMG_0279.jpg by ChristianJ-R, on Flickr

here are some more, all taken with the 70-200 f4l non IS: http://www.flickr.com/photos/christianj-r/sets/72157631161483004/

edit: also the focusing is almost instant compared to the kit lens I had before, I assume will that part will help you a lot!
 
Last edited:
I have a 400D,so similar spec to you 550 and use a 70-200L f4 for a lot of action sport shots. Motocross is pretty fast stuff so upgrading to the 70-200 is going to be the better option.

A couple of example shots to give you some idea of the lens quality in similar environments to what you will be in.

Head on servo focussing

#16 Subaru Impreza by MJK Canon, on Flickr

Panning

#118 Ford Escort mk2 by MJK Canon, on Flickr

Airbourne, subject on sky contrast

Dive by MJK Canon, on Flickr
 
I have the 550d and a 70-200 f4. To put it simply, I think it's the best upgrade you could possibly make for this camera. The lens itself is amazing, if you pay around 350-400 depending on condition you'll not really lose money on it, and it will suit you perfectly for what you want it for.

More expensive lens' won't really perform to their best on a crop sensor and in any case would be a fair bit more expensive.

Any don't forget its so versatile, its great for general pics and the 70 on a 1.6 sensor equals a length of 112mm so if you have the space it's quite pleasing for portraits.

Buy one off here, there's always some on between 350-400 depending on age and condition.
 
Last edited:
johnny8977 said:
I have the 550d and a 70-200 f4. To put it simply, I think it's the best upgrade you could possibly make for this camera. The lens itself is amazing, if you pay around 350-400 depending on condition you'll not really lose money on it, and it will suit you perfectly for what you want it for.

More expensive lens' won't really perform to their best on a crop sensor and in any case would be a fair bit more expensive.

Any don't forget its so versatile, its great for general pics and the 70 on a 1.6 sensor equals a length of 112mm so if you have the space it's quite pleasing for portraits.

Buy one off here, there's always some on between 350-400 depending on age and condition.
Click to expand...

Cheers Johnny and you other guys. :thumbs: I bought a mint one last night for £360. It was bought in April 2011 with a Feb 11 date code. It's supposedly hardly used! :clap: I'll have it in my mitts early next week. :thumbs: ... now to resist this itch for a 7d! (note to self ... "NO MORE CAMERA STUFF THIS YEAR!!!!!)

:D
 
Yeah, forgot to mention the steady torment of wanting a full frame regardless of what lens you get :)

I'm considering a 5d mk2 or poss switching to Nikon for a D700.
 
johnny8977 said:
Yeah, forgot to mention the steady torment of wanting a full frame regardless of what lens you get :)

I'm considering a 5d mk2 or poss switching to Nikon for a D700.
Click to expand...

I've got one eye on that full frame horizon myself! :shrug:

Now jumping to NIKON! :'( ... Never! :gag: Now put that unclean thought out of your mind! ... Yuk, doesnt bear thinking about! :D
 
Well guys, the 70-200 arrived yesterday and is immaculate. I'm well pleased with it.

However, I have a nooby question.... Doesn't that big hood cut out on the amount of light that reaches the lens? :shrug:
 
No, it will be fine. It stops the light that you don't want coming from the wrong angle and offers some protection to the lens.
 
Diamond dec....on the subject of lens hire, have you not heard of Calumet in Belfast? They run a hire scheme (full details on bottom of their site incl prices) although they require a deposit which is fully refunded on return if not damaged. THere are also two or three lens hire companies on the inter web that will haappily ship their lenses over here, which actually works out cheaper than Calumet does!! PS top tip for Calumet.... use their wknd rental rates to make best use of the scheme, and a real cheat is to do it when a public holiday falls on the friday or monday, meaning that you manage to squeeze another days rental in and only pay the single day rate! Get on to it man!!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top