Need advice on Body or lens!

Hello, I'm having some trouble deciding on what would be the best choice here. Basically, my hubby has an Xti and wants to upgrade the body and I'm using a 60d which I've been pretty happy with. There are 2 options here:

1. Either I give him my 60d and buy myself a 7d (CLP refurbished $1,087.20) and sell my 50mm 1.8 for a 50mm 1.4 (refurbished $319.99) - Total Cost (aprox.): $1500
With this option I get some extra features which are pretty useful and get a nicer lens.

or

2. I keep my 60d, he buys a 60d (refurbished $639.99) and I purchase a 70-200 f4 L (refurbished $567.99) and sell the 55-250. Total cost (aprox.): $1300
With this option I keep a body that I can't complain about and get a telephoto upgrade...the only thing is that I don't know if the lens is that much better than the 55-250, will I get photos SOOC that are gonna blow me away??

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

Oh, and I like all kinds of photography, landscapes, architecture, wildlife, potraits, macro, etc. This is just a hobby for me.

i would go with the 2nd option. the 70-200 is noticeably better than the 55-250 (imo). i dont agree with the 1st option since you're upgrading from the 1.8 - 1.4. i own both and dont use either more than the other.

Yeah, the only thing that "kinda" bugs me about the 2nd option is that we would both have the exact same camera model, maybe it would be nice to have 2 different models and every once in a while switch cameras to play around with the different features, etc.

Option 2 with a used 40d or 50d?

Option 2 since since you have the option to buy the 70-200. Going from 7D you get the mag body, faster fps, more cross type focus points and larger viewfinder and if that is something that appeals to you then go with the 7D. But I'd rather 70-200 f4l then new body.

I think the suggestion of a used 40D (or 50D) sounds smart - I had the 40D and "upgraded" to the 7D and while it has more features (some I need since I shoot sports, some are nice, but don't do anything to improve my results) - the 40D was better for Jpegs straight out of the camera (at least in my opinion) - the 7D (like your 60D) has 80% more pixels on the same size chip and I find it requires a lot more post processing to get images as sharp as I got with the 40D without any post processing at all in most cases......and the 40D is an extremely well built camera...a big improvement in size and feel for most men's hands. The current cost seems like a steal when I see them advertised here on POTN for about $400 in good shape with low shutter counts.

I've been shooting professionally for over 40 years - I didn't own a zoom lens until I got the kit 28-135 IS with the 40D....I now have that lens and one of the 70-200 zooms. The 70-200 zooms are in a class by themselves - I have the 2.8 IS, but need it for poorly lit indoor sports. From what I have read, the f4 (non IS) is not only a LOT lighter, but is sharper - which is hard to imagine of any zoom lens....it's the least expensive of any of the Canon "L" lenses and may be the best or as good as any zoom lens made by anyone on the planet....

. The 55-250 IS may have the IS and a bit more reach, but the optical quality and the build quality of the 70-200 is in a different class entirely. IS is nice, but not really necessary if shooting outdoors in good light and certainly not necessary at all if using a tripod.

As for having two of the same camera bodies, I don't see why that would be a factor one way or the other...either you like the 60D or you don't - I can't imagine what there is not to like about it...unless you really need the extra amount of weather sealing on the 7D - how often do you shoot in the rain or snow or sand-storms? - and the lenses will be as susceptible to the weather to the exact same degree whether mounted to a 1D or the least expensive Rebel you can find.

I think the design of the swivel screen is great (have it on an SX10 Powershot) and the "flash commander" is a super feature if you use it.

edit - forgot to mention - the 70-200 F4 is an ideal lens for portraits -

Yeah, the only thing that the 40d/50d doesn't have HD video, the ISO performance isn't as good as the 7d or 60d from what I've seen here on POTN.

I see most people agree on getting the 70-200mm f4 with a 60d instead of the 7d with a 50mm 1.4, thanks for eveyrone's advice here, it's good to get different points of views.

Are you getting the IS version of the 70-200?

Option 2.

The 50 1.8 -> 50 1.4 isn't much of an upgrade compared to 55-250 -> 70-200 . Plus, you said yourself you can't fault the body, so no need to upgrade it.

^^ It's not the IS version as it's $567.99 refurb'd.

You could always look for a Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM if you want to switch up your tele. They usually sell for less than $400 in the FS section.

7D is great, but if money is a issue and you need video, then either go with the 60D or the T3i (same sensor and your husband is fairly familiar with the rebel size already)

If you don't need video, 40D or 50D gets my vote for crop

Right, it's the non IS version, the IS version is out of my budget right now sadly
Oh, I thought the 50. 1.4 is suppose to be way better than the 1.8 (better autofocus, nicer bokeh, etc.). The autofocus on the 50 1.8 ii really sucks in low light or with fast moving toddlers.

Option (2) hands down.

What is it about your 60D that you find lacking, and NEED the 7D to fulfill?

arch.cm wrote in post #13184928
Hello, I'm having some trouble deciding on what would be the best choice here. Basically, my hubby has an Xti and wants to upgrade the body and I'm using a 60d which I've been pretty happy with. There are 2 options here:

1. Either I give him my 60d and buy myself a 7d (CLP refurbished $1,087.20) and sell my 50mm 1.8 for a 50mm 1.4 (refurbished $319.99) - Total Cost (aprox.): $1500
With this option I get some extra features which are pretty useful and get a nicer lens.

or

2. I keep my 60d, he buys a 60d (refurbished $639.99) and I purchase a 70-200 f4 L (refurbished $567.99) and sell the 55-250. Total cost (aprox.): $1300
With this option I keep a body that I can't complain about and get a telephoto upgrade...the only thing is that I don't know if the lens is that much better than the 55-250, will I get photos SOOC that are gonna blow me away??

Thanks in advance for any recommendations!

my vote for option (2) but if you use a telephoto for wildlife or sports you are going to want more than 200mm