Upgrading a Canon 1000d - now or later?

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Gsrai

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It's a bit of a strange one this, I'm returning to DSLR photography after many years of compact shooting.

A few years ago I bought a canon 1000d with the kit lens but found I quite limiting and preferred my panasonic TZ7 until I bought the canon 50mm f1.8 lens, I love the control over depth of field it gave me. Life then took over and the 1000d went bag in the bag.

Roll forward to today, the 1000d is out of the bag and ive just ordered the tamron 17-50 F2.8 lens and I'm itching to upgrade the body for no real reason.

I could do with your thoughts on whether I should upgrade to a 40d/50d (a whole different debate) or wait and reacquaint myself with the 1000d and buy a 7d later in life?

I'm not really sure how models depreciate but get the feeling the 40d can't really go lower than around the £300 it currently sits at on eBay.

I'd appreciate your thoughts to help me clear the fog in my mind :)
 
Camera technology moves forward at an alarming rate, but the 40D has remained a classic. It will get lower in price, but slowly. The 7D is without a doubt the next step to aim for after a 40D. As yet I don't need to move up, but when I do I will also need to upgrade my lenses to match the camera performance. A 1000D to a 7D is a big jump up, but maybe it is a good move to miss out the XXD range and go for what you eventually want. On the other hand you could go for the 40D and wait for the model that will replace the 7D. I think you will be very happy with the 40D after using a 1000D.
 
Thanks for the reply Gordon.

What I am unable to figure out is what an upgrade on the 1000d will give me.

Putting the tech to one side (I'm not really sure what type of pics I like to take but I know sports isn't big on my list of things to shoot) is it predominantly the ergonomics of the 40d that is the upgrade?

I rarely print pics as well.

It does sound like I'm rambling a bit which is probably true as sometimes I find the 1000d is a little small to hold and I wonder if that's what puts me off taking DSLR pics.

I've looked at the 550/600d but once again am unsure and this is what drives me towards the XXd cameras - I guess they are affordable pure piccie cameras.

Trouble is when you read about things like digic 4 vs 3 and megapixels it's easy to get caught up in the hyperbole and want the newer camera.
 
I should have added I'm a little nervous about buying from eBay as you never know what you might get - are there any good classifieds or shops anyone knows off?
 
I'd hit the limitations of the 1000D before considering an upgrade, personally. If you don't know what the limitations are for you, I certainly wouldn't bother with the upgrade just yet :) As for the 40D, it will continue to drop in time. Look at the price of the 10D, 20D and 30D now :)
 
manualfocus-g said:
I'd hit the limitations of the 1000D before considering an upgrade, personally. If you don't know what the limitations are for you, I certainly wouldn't bother with the upgrade just yet :) As for the 40D, it will continue to drop in time. Look at the price of the 10D, 20D and 30D now :)
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That's a good point, I've not even looked at what the 30d goes for - time to get searching ;)
 
For technology, you might find the following useful:

5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg


The 550D/600D/60D/7D all have the same sensor as far as I can tell - they should all take exactly the same pictures (assuming you have focus - the 60D has a superior focus system and the 7D is superior again with far more options). The differences are in the focus system, swivel screen, ability to trigger flashes off camera, build quality, physical size and some processing/menu options.
 
Gsrai said:
That's a good point, I've not even looked at what the 30d goes for - time to get searching ;)
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To be honest I think the 40D is worth the extra just for the larger screen, the 25% increase in megapixels and the live view.

As for the ergonomics all I can tell you is that from the moment you pick it up you just don't want to let go. Unlike the 1000D which you have to hold, the 40D just moulds into your hand as if it was meant to be there.

Ebay is fine as long as you are careful, but I have seen a few secondhand dealers mentioned on here. Maybe you could look in the trader section on here or post a new thread asking for suggestions.
 
Andy - that's a great summary table, thanks :)

I have been wondering about knowing the limits of the 1000d and I think it does boil down to how it feels in the hands and your description Gordon sounds like it could be the missing link.

I'm not a great photographer (probably not even good enough to be a bad one LOL) but I guess having the right tools for me will be a good start.
 
How the camera feels in your hand is important. Some of the limitations of the 1000D are a small viewfinder, limited ISO range, missing second jog wheel, AF system, battery capacity, continuous shooting rate, low res LCD (compared to modern models) etc. But it still takes wonderful photos and I use one myself occasionally when I need a light setup.
 
I was going to suggest that if you don't have any lenses try to go to a store and play with other brands. Just saw you already bought a great little normal zoom (the Tamron is a real gem of a lens for its price).

Not very familiar with Canon's offerings but I wouldn't spend the £700-800 on a 60D or the 1k+ for the 7D if I was not sure why I was upgrading.

The 40D does seem to be like a classic and a real highlight on the xxD series and really at £300 even if you decide to sell a year or so down the line you will not lose much.

The 50D didn't add much and the 60D actually moved a step or two back seemingly in an attempt from Canon to differentiate it from the 7D.
 
I would upgrade. I know that when i went from my 400D to the 5Dclassic it was a massive jump. Having used the 40D I know it's a fantastic camera and will get some great pictures. Plus it has the burst rate and bigger size which is definitely a benefit.

I've heard good things about the 50D too so both should be great and the increased number of pixels should serve well.
 
arad85 said:
For technology, you might find the following useful:

The 550D/600D/60D/7D all have the same sensor as far as I can tell - they should all take exactly the same pictures (assuming you have focus - the 60D has a superior focus system and the 7D is superior again with far more options). The differences are in the focus system, swivel screen, ability to trigger flashes off camera, build quality, physical size and some processing/menu options.
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Which is what you get from reading stats sheets. This has nothing to do with actual photography though. :THINKING:

As a tool for taking pictures (which is the whole point), the 450d and 40d are poles apart, but people will bang on about the fact that they're essentially the same because they have the same sensor. The build quality isn't just about the fact that they're slightly more robust, the quality comes in the ease of use, as tools they can be used for the same things, but working without the rear command dial is like having an arm tied behind my back. Likewise an accurate focus system that is easy to manipulate.
 
arad85 said:
For technology, you might find the following useful:

The 550D/600D/60D/7D all have the same sensor as far as I can tell - they should all take exactly the same pictures (assuming you have focus - the 60D has a superior focus system and the 7D is superior again with far more options). The differences are in the focus system, swivel screen, ability to trigger flashes off camera, build quality, physical size and some processing/menu options.
Click to expand...

Thats why it's better to go for a 5dc or a 5dmk2
 
Gsrai said:
I've looked at the 550/600d but once again am unsure and this is what drives me towards the XXd cameras - I guess they are affordable pure piccie cameras.
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I'd dissagree slightly, The XXXd cameras have more potential than just snapshots. I've got a 500d as my first proper camera (bought new ~15 months ago) and have been very pleased with the results. (my Flickr: www.andycs.com )
If I'd known then what I do now, I would have probably gone for the 40d. Having had mine from new I can't justify the jump to a second hand 40d yet. The only thing I 'need' is better high iso. That 5d mk2 is tempting me though :)
 
Are you interested in video too? What you want to shoot is important to differentiate between going to say a 7D or 5D2. But in any event pretty much all the cameras will improve in some way and some degree to you present model. I'd have a bit more of a think about what you actually want and then see what is available and then go to a dealer to see some of them. LCE often have older bodies in the window.
 
Hi again - I didn't really mention the type of photos I like to take as I've spent so long taking holiday snaps on our panasonic TZ7. I guess I fancy trying to take pictures of still objects like cars (another passion of mine) but I want to make them interesting.

Fast motion isn't something that I'm keen on although I do want to have a play with those long exposure moving light shots :)

As for video I'm too lazy to carry a separate camcorder and I learnt a long time ago that the videos I take are short few minutes bursts of the kids so the TZ7 is perfect for us. I want my DLSR to be purely for photographs - a bit of a self imposed exile.

As a bit of an update I've sold the 1000d today so an upgrade is definitely in the offing (LOL) - Sometimes you need a kick to make you do something although I'm a bit gutted as I dithered too long on a 40d and it sold :(

The more I think about it I'm erring towards the 40d just on costs alone.

I forgot to say - thanks for inputting on my first question I wasn't too sure how it would be received but I'm really pleased with the help I've received :)
 
Hi! I currently have the 1000d and have had it around a year and a half.

Used it from studio/landscapes/wildlife!

Lovly camera but now finding faults where higher end cameras would iron out.

Such as the focusing and ISO range.

In a few months I'm going to buy a 7d due to the fact its 8fps/ISO controll and range/1.6 crop and also fits my hands with out a battry grip :)

Personly i would sum up your max you can spend and figur out from there.

Best of luck!
 
That's a fair point Sam - I think it boils down to which side of the bed I fall out of as to which one I will go for - my budget is c.£3-400 for the body so kinda covers both on the right day.
 
Just my twopenneth worth....

From what you've said, i'd say try a few better lenses, and really decide what type of photography you enjoy the most....from what i've read so far....a 7D doesn't really fit the bill ....that more suits someone in to BIF and fast moving subjects.... read some reviews on the 5d mk1.....that might suite....but like I say...I think your starting point is try a few lenses....and decide which direction you want your photography to go.

Regards

Russ
 
If your budget is £300-400 then you are limited anyway if you want a bigger body. The 40D would fit into that category, as would a 30D (leaving you quite a bit of spare cash for glass). I seriously doubt a xxxD body would work for you if you need something bigger and a 5D or 7D would be will out of range.
 
Yes I had discounted the 7d but only because I'm not sure how much I will use it so it could become an expensive trinket.

Will buy something in the next day or so :)
 
I read alot of threads in here where people want to upgrade and people say but you havent hit the limits of your currant camera. But usually they have an itch and they want to get something better because its our hobby. buying new bits and cameras keeps us interested in our hobby.

I know alot of you have been there and done it and want to save him spending his cash for no gain but as the OP has said he wants to upgrade for no real reason lol so maybe he just fancies a change and wants a new toy? I dont blame him though lol.
 
Dblock said:
I read alot of threads in here where people want to upgrade and people say but you havent hit the limits of your currant camera. But usually they have an itch and they want to get something better because its our hobby. buying new bits and cameras keeps us interested in our hobby.

I know alot of you have been there and done it and want to save him spending his cash for no gain but as the OP has said he wants to upgrade for no real reason lol so maybe he just fancies a change and wants a new toy? I dont blame him though lol.
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Have we met before, you seem to know me quite well :lol:

Seriously though, the main reason for a change of body is I never felt comfortabl with the 1000d ( not like my old film eos camera) and I think it's because it just didn't hold well for me.

I like taking pics but never wanted to with the 1000d but a recent experience has made me think perhaps I'm using the wrong tools.

I had a mountain bike for over 10 years and when I bought it it looked nice but I didn't know it was a jump bike :(. Every time I took it out for a ride I was quickly knackered so I kinda gave up riding it. I recently sold it and bought a hybrid bike - what a difference, the thin tyres make it effortless and although it has no suspension its a lot lighte and I now regret the last 10 years of hating cycling.

So morale of the story for me is that maybe having the right tools will help me enjoy the hobby and at the 40/50d level it's not a lavish outlay.
 
:lol: I think you know what you want to do. If you can try and borrow a 50d for a day and then you will 100% know.

I think you want something new and if you sell your current camera your recouping some cost so I think its win win :thumbs:
 
This thread has helped me focus on what I really want so thanks to everyone for your help.

Now if I could only decide between 40d and 50d it would be good :LOL)
 
By way of an update I committed to a 50d today.

I deliberated a lot between the 50 and 40 and ultimately decided that the 50 was damned with feint praise as the 40 was so good therefore the 50 is about as good as the XX series will get (the 60d is different).

Exciting times :)
 
I bought a 500D today with under 4k actuations. Mint it is i say, mint!
 
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Gsrai said:
By way of an update I committed to a 50d today.

I deliberated a lot between the 50 and 40 and ultimately decided that the 50 was damned with feint praise as the 40 was so good therefore the 50 is about as good as the XX series will get (the 60d is different).

Exciting times :)
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Congrats! BTW, the 60D is also excellent, just with a slightly lighter body and no AF adjust.
 
manualfocus-g said:
Congrats! BTW, the 60D is also excellent, just with a slightly lighter body and no AF adjust.
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Sorry I wasn't knocking the 60d as I am in no way qualified to do that.

It's more that I like the idea of the prosumer 50d and can't afford the 7d (more to the point probably can't take pics of any sufficient quality).
 
Enjoy your 50D!
I too went from a 1000D to the 50D and I felt it was a wise move.
Having done it I now realise how I prefer the bulk of the mag alloy bodies.

A couple of tips for you,
There's a couple of settings I'm the custom menu which you need to switch off to prevent excess noise. Details of them can be found in the 50D owners thread.
The 50D likes to achieve better results sometimes by exposing to the right slightly.
Not all the time but worth remembering.

Again enjoy!
 
Thanks Stuart - I've book marked that thread, it's huge :eek:

I'm really looking forward to this exercise - I want to learn how to do this properly so am considering a distance learning course but no idea where to start.
 
Gsrai said:
Thanks Stuart - I've book marked that thread, it's huge :eek:

I'm really looking forward to this exercise - I want to learn how to do this properly so am considering a distance learning course but no idea where to start.
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taking a step at a time is the best way.
Remember there are plenty people on here who will assist with any questions you may have.
If it is camera specific you are welcome to drop me a PM too :thumbs:
 
I'm genuinely taken back by your kind offer - thanks v much :)

Expect inbound PM's shortly LOL
 
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