New camera vs. new lens

[Renee80]

If you could only pick one for now, would you rather get a new camera body or a new lens for your old camera? :) For reference I have a digital XT with the kit lens and a Tamron something-300 (sorry I forgot :oops:). I'm thinking of either moving up to a D camera (not sure which one yet.) Or getting a nice wide angle like the EF-s 10-22.


So, whatcha think? :D

[chauncey]

If it's either/or, go for the glass first.

Or pick up the 1Ds MarkIII and some L glass.

[Renee80]

**sigh** $10K. Yeah, if only I could afford that. :lol:

The EOS 30D is more in my price range at $600 (on amazon.com). I'll do a search for that it on here and read reviews.

[Christel_B]

I would say go for the glass. I have an XTI and I do not think I will upgrade it unless it completely dies on me.. in which case I have debated buying a second for backup because I am very happy with it.

[sadatk]

The 30D won't give you better quality images from the XT (save for some better noise). It's all in ergonomics and handling.

If you're satisfied with the body, then I would definitely get the lens.

[matthew h]

The 30D won't give you better quality images from the XT (save for some better noise). It's all in ergonomics and handling.

If you're satisfied with the body, then I would definitely get the lens.

I agree, I went from a 300d to a 30d and whilst its a massive difference in feel & speed, pic quality isn't vastly different

[sandro9mm]

glass glass glass

[Steve Parr]

I started out with the Digital Rebel.

When I was ready to make a big upgrade on something, I opted for the glass; 70-200mm f/2.8L. The other option was the 20D.

I shot with the Rebel/L-lens combination for almost a year, and was quite happy with it. After getting "better" with the set-up I had, I made the move to the 20D. I shot with that for about a year and a half, then moved onto the 40D.

My belief is that the biggest impact on your image quality will be the glass you're using...

[Tumeg]

Upgrade glass! NO BRAINER!
I have an XTi, and some one piece of good glass, 2 crappy,
I want to upgrade my lenses to 3, up to par lenses (currently 1/3 lol)
Then, and only then, will I upgrade my camera (By then, to a 50D lol).
Or, I will upgrade my camera, or start saving, when I hit 45k clicks (Supposedly it dies at around 50k, can last longer, or shorter)

[chilli710]

hmmm...I would say save for a 40d and a couple good bang for your buck lenses. The 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.4 are great prime lenses at great prices.

[Nick Pro]

I have the same problem. I am not really happy with the Xti. Its not weather sealed, 3 fps, etc. I think im going to get a 1D and a 28-135 or something to replace it. 1D and 28-135 would be the price of a 40d.

[johneo]

If you could only pick one for now, would you rather get a new camera body or a new lens for your old camera? :)

If you are satisfied with the results from the body then go for glass, all the way. I always figured the glass is an investment to whatever body I have now or in the future. When I was satisfied with the lenses I have (for the most part as it never ends!) then I would upgrade the body. The lenses I bought for my 10D makes the newer 5D all the better! Now my next lens moves to the top of the wish list, again!

[Perry Ge]

Glass before bodies, always.

[Renee80]

All right, looks like glass all the way. I kinda figured I'd get that advice ;).

Here's a pic with my rebel XT and tamron zoom http://www.huluhae.com/IMG_2721.jpg

How does it look? I don't have Photoshop or Elements so I can't fancy it up with that.

[fireman93514]

I agree, I went from a 300d to a 30d and whilst its a massive difference in feel & speed, pic quality isn't vastly different

I will second that. I did the same thing. Go for some good glass.

[Chris Dana]

I'd go for the glass, too.

[Mum2J&M]

hmmm...I would say save for a 40d and a couple good bang for your buck lenses. The 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.4 are great prime lenses at great prices.

I totally agree with this. You'll really like the 50 and 85, especially if you are doing mostly portraits.

[delhi]

with a higher-end camera body you might look the part. With a higher-end lens, your photos will look the part.

[daleftw]

I would go for the glass. Unless you are unsatisfied with the body. You won't get better photos upgrading bodies and using a kit lens, IMO.

[GilesGuthrie]

All right, looks like glass all the way. I kinda figured I'd get that advice ;).

Here's a pic with my rebel XT and tamron zoom http://www.huluhae.com/IMG_2721.jpg

How does it look? I don't have Photoshop or Elements so I can't fancy it up with that.

The pic is nice. A better body will expose the flaws in your budget lenses, whereas better lenses will allow your budget body to perform to the best of its ability.

Get glass.

Also, glass doesn't depreciate like bodies do.

[d0wne]

**sigh** $10K. Yeah, if only I could afford that. :lol:

The EOS 30D is more in my price range at $600 (on amazon.com). I'll do a search for that it on here and read reviews.

Can I see that link for the 30d at $600?

[Nicky B.]

Get some L in your life

[Renee80]

Can I see that link for the 30d at $600?

Sorry I looked at the price wrong :oops:. Amazon has them used started at $699, not $600. http://www.amazon.com/Canon-8-2MP-Digital-Camera-Body/dp/B000DZDTKU/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1202788813&sr=8-1

[ironchef31]

hmmm...I would say save for a 40d and a couple good bang for your buck lenses. The 50mm 1.4 and the 85mm 1.4 are great prime lenses at great prices.

I would have to go with this one. I had an xt and wasn't very happy with the performance and ergonomics. Traded up to a 30d and now I'm building up my lens collection. Get a body that suits your shooting.

I know there is the popular view of glass before body but I think there is a limit to that. If you are taking one photograph and that's it then there isn't much to debate about. But you also need to consider what kind of performance you would be happy with if you need to take photos quickly and adjust settings quickly. If you want to shoot in raw, you need a camera that has a larger buffer to keep up with the action.

[BPL]

I agree, I went from a 300d to a 30d and whilst its a massive difference in feel & speed, pic quality isn't vastly different

Thanks for the info on the 300D, Was eventually looking to upgrade my 300D to a 40D, but figured I'd get some L glass first.

[JAcosta]

Glass first, body second.

Always.

[BPL]

Got the 70-200mm f/4 L (non IS) today from B&H . Took about 50 pics. What an improvement!!! Love the sharpness and colors!

[EcoRick]

Glass all the way. I asked that question on this forum awhile back and the glass suggestion was the best advice I listened to.

[PhotosGuy]

Glass all the way. A camera is just a box that is between me & the subject. Good glass & the light is what counts with me.
Could I get better shots in tough conditions like a dim high school gym with a Mk III? I expect so. Can I get along without one? Yes, but I'll probably throw more shots away.
Could I do it without a f/1.4 or f/2 lens? Most of the time I don't think so.

I have a 20D now & like it a lot & would resist going back to the 300D. Thing is, the 20D was paid for by the 300D which also paid for the 28-70 f/2.8, 70-200 f/2.8, 85 f/1.8, etc.

So, get good glass for now & find the right light. "Upgrade" when you find that you have to, not just because you want to. ;)

[Nanboh]

Glass definitely. For a long time I used lenses from my film days on my first digital (xt) cuz that's what glass does--it fits as you upgrade (usually, with some exceptions obviously). Glass stays in your kit and is a lot more fun to play around with!