7D an improvement over 50D in IQ/low light?

I have an aging 50D that I'm very happy with, but I know I'll need to replace soon.

I do tripod macro, product and flower shoots, and also want to print large - up to 40 inches. The fast AF of the 7D is not a big factor, but price is, and while I know the 6D seems a logical choice, I won't be able to swing that for a while. So a used 7D would be a backup/interim body.

So, is there a big improvement in low light and IQ over the 50D? I currently have a 70-200 f4L, and the 100 1.28 Macro among my assortment.

Cheers and thanks for any input on this.

If you are doing tripod macro, why do you care about low light? Are you not using a flash? If you're not, a flash will improve your pictures far more than a new body.

There is definitely not a 'big' improvement. Stick with the 50D until you can afford a full frame sensor.

Thanks guys, good to know. I guess I'll wait for the 6D.

Vengence, I use a lot of low light for the flower shots - evening and dusk. Faster shutter helps in slight wind movements and I also do deep woods wildflowers.

greyswan wrote in post #16708675
Thanks guys, good to know. I guess I'll wait for the 6D.

Vengence, I use a lot of low light for the flower shots - evening and dusk. Faster shutter helps in slight wind movements and I also do deep woods wildflowers.

You want to stop movement, you have little light, and you want small apertures for DoF reasons, why do you not want flash photography again?

greyswan wrote in post #16708675
Thanks guys, good to know. I guess I'll wait for the 6D.

Vengence, I use a lot of low light for the flower shots - evening and dusk. Faster shutter helps in slight wind movements and I also do deep woods wildflowers.

For macro shots, I would think that you'd want to stop down to get more depth of field. And to get a fast shutter speed, you'd have to push your ISO or... use a flash. I think you should heed vengence's advice on this.

Is there a reason you're not considering the 60 or 70D? You already said you don't need the AF of the 7D, if that's the case you'd basically get the same camera for considerably less by getting the 60D.

I would do as said above though and just save for a 6D if you're doing large prints on static objects.

greyswan wrote in post #16708632
I have an aging 50D that I'm very happy with, but I know I'll need to replace soon.

I do tripod macro, product and flower shoots, and also want to print large - up to 40 inches. The fast AF of the 7D is not a big factor, but price is, and while I know the 6D seems a logical choice, I won't be able to swing that for a while. So a used 7D would be a backup/interim body.

So, is there a big improvement in low light and IQ over the 50D? I currently have a 70-200 f4L, and the 100 1.28 Macro among my assortment.

Cheers and thanks for any input on this.

The 7D is better at high ISO, but not a bunch, and it doesn't have the banding issue that many 50Ds had at 6400 and above. However, once you take the better ISO, no banding, 100% viewfinder, 19 pt af, faster/better af, etc, it is a very nice upgrade.

I though there was a pretty big improvement in banding @ 6400. I used to NIK NR for that but I have not opened it since updating to my 7D which I have shot at 12,800 if I needed to. I just use ACR/LR for noise.

How about getting a used 5D Mark II, if you can't swing the 6D right now?

I usually try to talk people out of full frame, since I think most don't really need it... But you are definitely a prime candidate for it. Full frame cameras' real fortés are: 1. Low light shooting and 2. Image enlargeability.

7D is a fine camera. I've had two of them for over four years. They are my main users and have taken a couple hundred thousand images. The 7D's features make it an especially good sports/action camera, a better "AI Servo" camera than 50D (which I have, too). But that's not what you are looking for.

7D does not especially improve upon 50D for your needs. IQ is only very modestly improved, it's images are no more enlargeable. It's able to do about one stop higher ISO. 7D is better built and sealed, but it is no better focusing in One Shot and low light.

In comparison, 5DII (which I also use) has a significant "full frame enlargeablity"advantag​e, is about two stops higher ISO capable than 50D (about one stop higher than 7D). It even manages to continue focus, tho slowly, in slightly lower light than 7D. It's not as good at low light focusing as 6D (center point only) or 5DIII, but my 5DII is still able to focus (center point only, too). 5DII is definitely not a sports/action "AI Servo" camera. But it's fine for stationary subject, "One Shot" work.

So, I'd say no.... don't go to 7D. Go to 5DII or 6D instead. Either of them will serve your particular purposes better.

Thanks for all the input, everyone. Regarding the faster shutter speed, I should clarify that I do shoot stopped down, it's just I wanted a little more leeway in certain lighting and processing, and I prefer natural light, other than occasionally using some fill.

amfoto1, I agree about most people not needing full frame, if it wasn't for the large print aspect, I wouldn't consider it. Regarding the 7D, as the 50D has 15MP and the 7D has 18MP - I thought this might make a difference with enlargement quality, so another reason to consider it. I am looking at used 5DMKII's but also prefer smaller sized cameras, being a small (and older, more so by the minute, lol) woman. I usually focus manually so weaker outer points are not a problem.

Cheers, Chris.

I found going to 18 from 15 made a big difference for me. I do a lot of birding and have to crop quite often.

I really pushed this one. My 50D could not go this far.

I have been seeing quite a few used 7D bodies popping up for sale for less then $800 lately. They might be reasonable enough for you to consider.

Have you considered at all the macro ring-lite flash? Not just a regular flash. The ring-lite might help your pictures a lot.

digital paradise - thanks so much, that's the comparison I was looking for. Amazing detail retained in your flicker, great shot!

kaw_200, yes, I'm looking at ring flashes as well. And the used 7D's are in my budget sweet spot right now as well

How about a moon shot with the 7D, cropped from a 2x/1.4x/500mm view?