For automotive photography... 50D / 40D or nikon D300 - Help me decide!

[vancouver86]

I recently have sold my canon XTI with 17-85 and now am looking at upgrading to a new camera. I shoot exotic cars mainly during the spring and summer time. When i get pictures of cars i am looking for good colors (If the car is actually a color besides black/white) and good composition. I was looking at the 50D and 40D but then maybe the D300? The 50D and 40D are pretty close, but looks like i want the 50D mainly becuase its new on the market and of its capable 12,800 iso. Nikon cameras always produce rich colored images which makes me want to maybe swich to nikon. But then again i usally do post-processing on all my photos so i guess it doesn't matter.

Here are some pictures just from a XTI of some exotics and as you can see the colors stand out just like i want so maybe no point of swiching to nikon? (some random picutres i found on flickr)
http://flickr.com/photos/dancphotography/2713278460/in/set-72157606430746878/
http://flickr.com/photos/dancphotography/2746248328/in/set-72157606428582066/

[MLphoto]

hi there, i shoot exotics as well. You must attend the shows around Vancouver then?
I has a rebel xt and xti but sold those and actually are in the same position as you.
If you go canon or nikon you should really be happy, 40D and 50D in terms of IQ are the same. If you are looking to save a few hundread bucks get the 40D. If you want good saturated pictures like those example you posted you should get your self a B&H or hoya CPL filter, it does the job. In canon you can always adjust the settings for contrast/saturation/exposure so you can get the same results as nikon.

i say stay with canon because its cheaper and have better lenses.

[Caspita]

I would have to say that the body is not as important as the lenses. Both the 40D and 50D will produce similar images. As far as high iso goes, that will not be necessary because you could just use a tripod instead of cranking it to 12,800. As stated above if you want to reproduce some of those colors a circular poloarizer is a must. Best of luck with your decision, hope this helped.

[PhotosGuy]

I would have to say that the body is not as important as the lenses. Both the 40D and 50D will produce similar images True. And the body isn't as important as the light you use, either. Nikon cameras always produce rich colored images which makes me want to maybe swich to nikon. Shoot RAW & don't sweat the in-cam processing.

[couleur]

MEMORY IS CHEAP BUT MEMORIES ARE PRICELESS...

[synth19]

40d. 50d has some nice newer features, but not worth it when you can get the 40d for almost $300-400 cheaper! Invest that money in some nice glass.

[dawiyo]

I do a lot of automotive photography as well and have used my friend's D300 a couple of times on a shoot. I do static photos and I love the D300's 51 point AF. I found that I usually have to focus and recompose with my camera but it's real easy on the D300 to just elect another focus point.

[4walls]

Pick up a good used 5D and a nice prime lens. You will LOVE the results.
There are a couple on Craigslist and some on the Broadway Camera forum
here in Vancouver if you want to pick one up locally.

[DC Fan]

Here are some pictures just from a XTI of some exotics and as you can see the colors stand out just like i want so maybe no point of swiching to nikon?

The "colors stand out" either from post-processing or because the photographer adjusted the camera to make them stand out. The XTi - and most 21-century DSLR's - has saturation adjustments in the menu system. Set the camera to slightly oversaturate each image and you're most of the way toward what you want.

The XTi and the 17-85mm lens already was a good combination for automotive photography. The only other item you might have needed was a extreme wide-angle lens in the 10-20mm range, or a tripod.

[EbbeJ]

I would recommend you a 40D - shoot everything in raw, use ISO 100 as much as possible(so go get yourself a tripod).

For cars, you need wide angles(get the ef-s 10-22) and tele from around 100 to 200mm. An EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS is the best imho, but if you're scared of the weight of this thing, get yourself the f/4.0 IS version(it's cheaper too).

I'm using the 40D at the moment, and it's great.


Kind regards,

Ebbe

[e r y k]

the xti is more than capable at shooting cars, i would invest in better lenses first as they do most of the work.

all the pics on my site (changaroo.com) are shot with the xti. invest in lenses, then upgrade bodies later.

you will be pressed to find IQ differences between the xti and 40/50D. if you are upgrading for IQ alone, id wait a little longer. however if you are upgrading for build quality / higher ISO performance etc, then go for it.

[smcclelland]

As others have said, an XTI will do just fine and even a 30D/40D is plenty for automotive work. Remember that you're going to have to factor lenses + flashes/strobes into your budget as well so keep the body to whatever fits your needs at the price you can afford.

[dinanm3atl]

the xti is more than capable at shooting cars, i would invest in better lenses first as they do most of the work.

all the pics on my site (changaroo.com) are shot with the xti. invest in lenses, then upgrade bodies later.

you will be pressed to find IQ differences between the xti and 40/50D. if you are upgrading for IQ alone, id wait a little longer. however if you are upgrading for build quality / higher ISO performance etc, then go for it.

Truth right here from a local phenom! ;)


As said the body is not so important. Use a tripod so the high ISO is not really needed anyways. You can search and see the even using the XT or XTi you can get awesome auto shots.

[AndrewFrom1985]

Truth right here from a local phenom! ;)


As said the body is not so important. Use a tripod so the high ISO is not really needed anyways. You can search and see the even using the XT or XTi you can get awesome auto shots.

I didn't know you guys were on POTN! (Long time IA'er here (under a different name))

I'll be getting the 40d for auto pictures. I want just a hair above novice equipment, so as I learn, I won't have as many limitations.

[dinanm3atl]

I didn't know you guys were on POTN! (Long time IA'er here (under a different name))

I'll be getting the 40d for auto pictures. I want just a hair above novice equipment, so as I learn, I won't have as many limitations.

I am everywhere!!!