XTi to 7D; Worth it ?

Hi guys.

I currently have an XTi , and I want to switch to a 7D + 15-85 IS very soon, and keep my XTi + 50mm F/1.8 as a backup. However I've read that the IQ is almost the same; is this true ? Thanks!

P.S: I don't like my XTi at 800 or 1600 ISO. At all.

Edit: Thanks for taking the time to read me and thanks for the help!

If image quality is your main aim then look to glass first. You can get some great glass for the price of a 7D that will not only give you an image quality boost over the lens you have now, but also allow you to expand your possible subjects and compositions by giving you new focal lengths; apertures and features.

A 7D is just a camera body - it can't make your 18-55mm do macro nor do telephoto nor super ultra wide. If you want those things you've got to look to the glass first. Furthermore if you put your money into really good glass you can keep it as you upgrade the body.


The biggest advantage that the 7D offers you, outside of a more pro build quality and weather sealing is its AF being streets ahead.

Normally I would say it is definitely worth it, but have you seen the price on the 7D lately? It's gone bonkers. If you are on the fence, I'd wait until the supply picks up again.

Thanks, Yes, I Really like the AF, Build Quality and WeatherSealing . It would severely hurt my wallet but; right now it's around 2200$ with the 15-85 IS. I would get: IS, Wider (15mm), and more zoom (85mm). The 15-85 IS alone is around 983$ + 15% taxes. 7D body 1650$+15%, which would cost around 3030$, and with the 7D + 15-85 deal it would cost 2530$.

Also, resizing from 18 mp is better than resizing from 10, I think.

What worries me is the "soft focus" issues on some 7D, but then there's the micro adjustment, but I want it to work the first time !

Second issues is the AF problems (won't focus) I've read a little about this.

DO you need 8fps burst and better action tracking AF? I can't imagine you'd be shooting sports with a 15-85 anyway. If you can live with out it., you might just look at the t3i which is a newer version of your Xti but with the 7D's sensor and video. The 60D is kind of there in the middle, too, with the same sensor as the 7D.

$2530 is a LOT of money and it seems like you won't really be gaining a lot of new capabilities.

I'm sure you will hear this a lot. It depends on the type of photography you do. I upgraded from an XSi to the 7D primarily because I do mostly bird photography. The extra speed, better high ISO and improved tracking and focusing features of the 7D was a big improvement. I also have the 15-85 and find that for general landscape work it is not a big change from the XSi kit lens. However in low light situations it is significantly better. Bottom line, you need to take a careful look at what you shoot.

Cars. Stationary Objects. Street photography. Trips. Urban. Restaurant. Friends.

Not really sports, I guess the speedy AF can come in handy.

I can't afford the 5D Mark II at 3600+15% for a 5DII+24-105.

I looked at the Pentax K-5, which is really good at high iso, DR, ect. the IQ seems alot better but.. The lens group are blah, community base is not as big as the big two, and i've read about the "strings of pearls" on the sensor. The weather sealing is really good tho, but require SD. I just paid 95$ for a 8gb CF card.

For the Nikon D7000, the AF and high ISO seems better, but.. I'm already equipped with Canon.

I know it's alot of money, that's why I'm thinking about it. Good lens are around 1000$ anyway, and for 1200$ +/- I would have the 7D with a lens.

If it was me, I would upgrade to a T2i or the T3i and spend the money you save on better glass. The biggest improvement for me on the new 18mp sensor cameras (T2i - T3i - 60D and the 7D) is the high ISO low light performance. IQ will be very similar if you only worry about viewing your images in small prints like 8x10 or on the computer screen but there's about 80% more pixels between an XTI and a T2i or 7D for that matter, so yes, cropping will be better and the overall IQ should be better.

Have you liked the Xti? If so, check out that new T3i (or the T2i). It doesn't sound like the 7D is really going to do much for you. Most of the stuff you listed as your subjects could be done with manual focus and 1fps.

Cr4zYH3aD wrote in post #12391799
Cars. Stationary Objects. Street photography. Trips. Urban. Restaurant. Friends.

Not really sports, I guess the speedy AF can come in handy.

I can't afford the 5D Mark II at 3600+15% for a 5DII+24-105.

I looked at the Pentax K-5, which is really good at high iso, DR, ect. the IQ seems alot better but.. The lens group are blah, community base is not as big as the big two, and i've read about the "strings of pearls" on the sensor. The weather sealing is really good tho, but require SD. I just paid 95$ for a 8gb CF card.

For the Nikon D7000, the AF and high ISO seems better, but.. I'm already equipped with Canon.

I know it's alot of money, that's why I'm thinking about it. Good lens are around 1000$ anyway, and for 1200$ +/- I would have the 7D with a lens.

I think the 7D is overkill for what you intend to shoot. if you can afford it, great. i would have to agree with getting better glass first and get the next rebel up.

Yes, but I hate the ISO at 800 and 1600. 400 is sometimes not enough, even at F/1.8 and my lens have no IS, it's a pain for low light.

I guess at least, the new generation would be usable at 800,1600 and up. Yes I know what you're thinking, I know nothing about exposure ! I'm learning.

Myself I think you're looking a little too strongly at the bodies and not enough at the lenses - or maybe even the lighting. A 580EX2 plus a few diffusion addons would help a lot in many of the situations you describe - two of them on stands and a cheap off camera wireless setup with some cheap softboxes and you're well on the way for a good stationary car setup.

Lenses you could look to upgrading what you've got - 50mm f1.4 from sigma or canon would be a big step up in build quality and options from the 50mm f1.8 version or you could go longer with one of the 85mm or 135mm options or shorter with say a 35mm option .

Go to a shop, pick up a 7d and then make up your mind...

Cr4zYH3aD wrote in post #12391839
Yes, but I hate the ISO at 800 and 1600. 400 is sometimes not enough, even at F/1.8 and my lens have no IS, it's a pain for low light.

I guess at least, the new generation would be usable at 800,1600 and up. Yes I know what you're thinking, I know nothing about exposure ! I'm learning.

But the sensor in the T2i, t2i and 7D all have the same low light quality.

Also, at f3.5-5.6, the 15-85 is not really going to be any better for low light shooting.

Also look into the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 non-vc for under $500, you will fall in love with it.....

Than lens with a new T2i or T3i will cost you less than a new 7D alone and will achieve just as good IQ or better as a 7D and a 15-85mm.