How much does a body matter?

I own a Rebel XS aka 1000D with 18-55, 50mm f/1.8 II and a recently bought Sigma 30mm 1.4 EX DC HSM. I wanted to upgrade the body to 550D but everyone whom I knew said, you don't need it, better invest in a lens.

I haven't tested my new lens fully but I'm not sure if I'll be looking at some amazing difference (or maybe I'm wrong). Do I still need to upgrade the body to get "way" better results? or playing around with the same equipment is good enough.

Only upgrade the body if you feel like the current one is holding you back in some aspect. If you are happy with the XS, no need to upgrade.

Many people upgrade from the Rebels for a bigger, better built body (ergonomics) among other features. Higher ISO, AF performance, etc...

Just depends what you shoot and what you need to pull off your shots.

What do you find lacking with your current set-up (or what is it that you're hoping to improve)?

The time to get a new piece of gear is when you identify a shortcoming of what you have that is holding you back. This usually takes experience.

Are your lenses fast enough, long enough, wide enough, sharp enough, resistant to flare enough, lacking in distortion enough, weatherproof enough, fast focusing enough etc etc etc?

Look at the body...do you have the format that is best for you? Does the viewfinder hold you back? frames per second, blackout, noise, resolution, LCD, live view, MA, focus speed, focus accuracy, dual cards etc etc etc.

You can pay whatever you like for whatever features float your boat. So I suggest you get the features that you really need fixed in mind up front.

Moin wrote in post #14057384
Do I still need to upgrade the body to get "way" better results? or playing around with the same equipment is good enough.

Here's THE solution to answer your question, as only really you can answer it.

Go to the 1000D sample pic thread and have a look at a good sample of the work that people have on display there. Are your photos as good or better? If they are, an upgrade could be in order for you. If not, well...you have an honest answer.

This is unless you have $$$ to burn and you just want to upgrade for the pleasure of owning a more fully featured expensive camera. Again, only you can answer that question.

People usually move up in class when upgrading their camera body. For example a Rebel user might upgrade to the 7D.

I would say its worth it if you get a lot of use out of it. I personally average about 800 photos per week so I would consider that heavy usage. I'll be looking to upgrade probably around the end of this year to either a 5D Mark III or a 1D Mark IV

Most cameras will out shoot your ability. Like most things. Upgrade when you feel you are better than your equipment. Don't get caught up with keeping up with the Jones's.

If you're hot to spend money, spend it on a good lens or a tripod.

Whole string of sound advice.

The body will not make you a better photographer.

Only upgrade if you feel that your present body is holding you back in some way.

I only bought a 5Dc because I was annoyed that I had a 17mm zoom lens and could not use that ultra wide angle on my 10D.
I only got the 7D when the burst rate on the 10D was holding me back at wedding receptions
I got the 5DII when I saw how much less the noise on the 7D was compared to the 5Dc.
I still have the 10D which will be converted to IR.
I still have the 5Dc which permanently has a telephoto zoom on(no sensor cleaning)
If the 7D and 5DII where not giving me something the other two could not I would not have upgraded.

fotoworx wrote in post #14058867
Go to the 1000D sample pic thread and have a look at a good sample of the work that people have on display there. Are your photos as good or better? If they are, an upgrade could be in order for you. If not, well...you have an honest answer.

I agree in part, but realise that posted pics are post processed and limited by screen resolution. You can get a relative comparison, but nothing like seeing the untouched images at 300dpi spit out of a decent printer.

With a few false steps in between I have kept my 10D and my 5D, supposedly worlds apart from each other in many many ways, but honestly they are so similar I have had both around my neck and grabbed one thinking it was the other. They are in fact very different from each other but with some working at it I could produce 2 shots so similar only the exif data would tell you the differance. In use, the slow start up of the 10D is the biggest give away.

If the old body is holding you back, do something about it.

Invertalon wrote in post #14057425
Just depends what you shoot and what you need to pull off your shots.

This.

If you are constantly shooting at the limits of your gear (ISO, FPS, aperture/shutter speed combo, focus speed, etc) then a new body (or lens) might help.

My personal example: I shoot a lot of stage lit stuff (grade school and high school). Focus speed and ISO capabilities on my 20D were causing compromises, underexposing and then pushing in post was one major issue.

Upgrading to the 1DMkIII solved both those problems, and my pictures have definitely improved image quality. It didn't make me a better photog, but it allowed me to better capture the events I had in front of me.


Under "nominal" or controlled shooting conditions (outdoors, inside with a flash, etc) the image quality difference between the 20D and 1D3 is much less noticeable.

More resolution tends to give more detail...most of the time.

Better noise control tends to allow you to shoot in darker places.

Better AF increases the reliability and consistency of focus accuracy in more demanding situations.

Faster burst mode increases the chances of getting a good action shot.

Additional features give you...additional features.

My main reason when I was upgrading my body was ISO performance. The newer bodies were MUCH better (and only getting better) vs the older bodies. It depends what you shoot...

Is the 7d considered the best one for landscape photography?

Dragoro wrote in post #14062026
Is the 7d considered the best one for landscape photography?

Well, for most photography, it's going to be a question of how big you want to print. For large prints something like a 5DII will give better results because it gets more resolution and "cleaner" images, but if you are using a tripod and good techniques for capturing your images then a 7D or a similar new body (60D, T3i, etc) shoud give great results as well.

For smaller prints, well, honestly the body matters less...I have excellent 12x18 prints made from older bodies, lower resolutions, but like I said, things like tripod and technique matter, as well as decent lenses that will get the most out of the camera/sensor.