Second body options...

So I want to pick up a second body for the occasions that I don't have time to switch out lenses or times where it's just more convenient to have two bodys with different lenses ready to go.

Right now I own a rebel t1i. I have no complaints with it and it does what I need it to (which isn't much as I consider myself a novice). I will need a second body anyways as a friend wants me to shoot a charity hockey game early next year (its not paid and nothing is really expected from it, he just asked me to it so he could get a few shots of the game and so I could get some experience)

I've been looking into getting a 50D but I'm also wondering if just getting another T1i would be a better option. I already have 4 batteries and a crap load of SD cards for the T1i as well as knowing the layout of it as well. However if I get a 50D I would need to pick up spare batteries for it as well as CF cards and have to learn the 50D's layout.

So as much as I hate asking this (as in the end I'm the one who has to live with the decision) what does everyone think is the better option? 50D or another T1i? Will I see better high ISO proformance out of the 50d? Better IQ?

Thought? Suggestions? (or just laugh at me for asking a question that has no impact on anyone but me, LOL)

Thanks

Edit: oh and as for lenses, I use a sigma 17-70 2.8-4 and canon 70-200 f4 IS (as well as a nifty 50 and a Rokinon 8mm fisheye). I mainly shoot landscape but I'm trying to learn portrait photography as well and maybe the occasional sport photography for things like this (the charity hockey game)

You should be able to get better ISO performance and image quality from the T2i/60D or 7D. The 50D has some pretty good options, but I doubt that you will see much of a difference from your T1i.

The 7d is just more then I'd like to spend at this point. I was thinking about the 60d but the major selling point of the 50d over the 60d is the micro adjustment (my nifty 50 front focuses like a mofo so MA would be a big plus)

My main concern is that there is no proformance gain (except for the micro adjustment for a lens I hardly use) with the 50d over the t1i so I'd basically be spending a couple hundred more for micro adjustment.

The truth is that any of the cameras you can afford will be fine. The 50D is a good camera. If you can get one to use, you may use that as your primary.

You could either get another T1i and maybe a flash or two or just pick up the 50D+ (I say plus for all of the bodies above that) and use that. Just because you get a new body doesn't mean you're going to need tons of batteries for it. You said it yourself that you consider yourself a novice so you won't really need to have tons of batteries if you don't shoot for 3-4 hours + at a time.

The biggest thing I see is that with all the gear you have now and you wanting to continue with photography why not get something that you can grow into. If you get another T1i you could find that in a year you feel like you've reached it's limits and want a different body to continue to grow your skills on. PLus the 50D is much better then the t1i at noise control and pretty much everything else. Just get a 50D with a few transend CF cards are you'll be set.

Since part of your reason for adding a second body is to be faster on the draw in some situations, I'd think a step up to 50D+ would make the most sense. I would feel handicapped with a rebel if I needed to change ISO really fast, etc. because I don't think I could do it w/out lowering the camera from my eye. If you could stretch and go 7D via the refurb section of Canon direct, I think you'd be happy with it for a long time. Shooting hockey at f4 would be easier on a 7D, I would think.

SuzyView wrote in post #13383917
The truth is that any of the cameras you can afford will be fine. The 50D is a good camera. If you can get one to use, you may use that as your primary.

Oh I'm sure if I got a 50d that would be my primary body and the ti1 would be my secondary

seoul4korea wrote in post #13383939
You could either get another T1i and maybe a flash or two or just pick up the 50D+ (I say plus for all of the bodies above that) and use that. Just because you get a new body doesn't mean you're going to need tons of batteries for it. You said it yourself that you consider yourself a novice so you won't really need to have tons of batteries if you don't shoot for 3-4 hours + at a time.

The biggest thing I see is that with all the gear you have now and you wanting to continue with photography why not get something that you can grow into. If you get another T1i you could find that in a year you feel like you've reached it's limits and want a different body to continue to grow your skills on. PLus the 50D is much better then the t1i at noise control and pretty much everything else. Just get a 50D with a few transend CF cards are you'll be set.

I already have a flash (yn468) as well as radio trigger (impact powersync 16) and a light side and a couple umbrellas for portrait stuff. I also backpack and do long hikes where the extra batteries come in handy and shooting for several hours is common without access to an outlet to recharge batteries. My main concern is that I would not see any performance gain over a t1i. Really I'd love to pick up a 5d but would require another lens purchase as well

Philco wrote in post #13384354
Since part of your reason for adding a second body is to be faster on the draw in some situations, I'd think a step up to 50D+ would make the most sense. I would feel handicapped with a rebel if I needed to change ISO really fast, etc. because I don't think I could do it w/out lowering the camera from my eye. If you could stretch and go 7D via the refurb section of Canon direct, I think you'd be happy with it for a long time. Shooting hockey at f4 would be easier on a 7D, I would think.

Changing ISO on the fly is not an issue as the T1i has an ISO button so I do that without taking my eye out of the view finder. I don't see how shooting at f4 would be easier with the 7d though. f4 is f4 no matter what APS-C camera you're using. If you mean because of ISO then yes I'm sure the 7d has better ISO performance but in a pinch even the T1i goes to 12800...The noise is crazy that high and there is only so much Nik Define can do to reduce noise but like I said in a pinch it's there. Plus If I spend that much on a body I would rather pick up a 5d as most of my shooting is landscape.

I'm thinking the 50d would be the better choice as long as I do see some kind of performance gain. Most sales I see include two batteries and I'm sure I'd pick up the controls of the 50d after using it for a bit....I just really hate CF card (damn pins!!, LOL)

Whats the price difference of a 5Dc and a 50D? That would be a good selection ever if you have to get another lens you could just have your 70-200 mounted on it the whole time.

seoul4korea wrote in post #13384478
Whats the price difference of a 5Dc and a 50D? That would be a good selection ever if you have to get another lens you could just have your 70-200 mounted on it the whole time.

Seems like the 50d is going anywhere from $500 on the low end and $650-700 on the high where the 5d is about $950.

But I would definitely need a 24-70 (or similar lens) if I got the 5d as there is where most of my shooting is done at......plus I don't have a grand to blow on a body right now so really my options are 50d or t1i. After looking into used prices of the t1i I have to say the 50d is looking better and better...seems the t1i is only going for about $100 less then the 50d

If you need a second camera it is because you do not have the time to switch lenses, as you stated. Do you have the time to adjust to a different control layout, different performance (at same ISO) ? Get another similar camera or, if you only need it for one event, rent another T something or other.

I would also get them to pay for the rental. Why should you be the only one out of pocket.