Time to upgrade 400D to what? Suggestions appreciated

Hello, I am new to this forum and looking for some advice about my Camera. Currently I have a 400D with a 17-85 IS Lens and an old 70-300 lens (that I originally used with my old EOS 300 Film Camera). I have never really been happy with the 400D and 17-85 lens combination. It seems the images aren't bright or sharp enough.
I am planning a trip to Thailand this summer, hopping around islands and spending a few days at an elephant sanctuary and doing a bit of jungle trekking etc. so I thought I might like to upgrade the 400D and lenses to something newer.
I generally take portrait and landscape shots but will be taking some wildlife shots in Thailand and also want to capture my daughters with the elephants.
So the question is do I upgrade the camera, lens or both - I really like the look and feel of the 70D and the 760D possibly with the 18-135 STM lens but should I think of keeping the 400D and getting a different lens but what? What would work best and not break the bank - I think I could spend around STG £800
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance

i went from a 350D ( with a 18-50 sigma f2.8 EX lens) to a 70D, world of difference ! in bright, contrasty conditions, the 350D would be ok, but the 70D blows it away in every way!

I think the 70D is just about the best value in crop-frame dSLRs right now.

Thank you guys. I was thinking greatly of the 70D until I read various posts of focusing problems with a wide open lens but I am still very tempted because the camera just feels right in the hand and has some degree of weatherproofing which would probably make sense for use in Thailand in the summer. Any suggestions on lenses. I do want a worthwhile zoom as I find this most useful for getting good pictures of my girls who are still somewhat camera shy despite being 22 and 16! Many thanks

Not to mention the bounce flash problem.

I'll assume you're in the UK as you quoted £s, so I would try Ian Kerr at Flash Camera for either a 70D wth kit lens at £799 or even a 60D body for£479 and pick a different lens with your remaining budget

Does Flash camera supply grey imports - very good price for 70D and lens? He also has some nice lenses at very good prices

Yes, he imports to the UK from the US, which is a grey import for us. Not sure about his warranty, but worth a look if you are saving money.

Also try HDEW, they are based in the UK and have some great prices.

http://www.hdewcameras​.co.uk

With reference to your original question. I too have been looking at changing my 7D for a lighter camera and was very impressed with the spec of the 760D. OK, it's a rebel, but so what. Check out the side-by-side comparison in the link below.

http://www.dpreview.co​m …eos760d&sortDir​=ascending

I found HDEW and they are cheaper - I know they are imports but good price - also they are in driving distance of me. Torn between the 70D and 760D - not much in price. could be the weather sealing is the clincher for me as I anticipate damp and dusty conditions for my photography in the next year or two. Decisions Decisions!

70D has MFA

Excuse my ignorance but what is MFA?

FishFace wrote in post #17897562
Thank you guys. I was thinking greatly of the 70D until I read various posts of focusing problems with a wide open lens but I am still very tempted because the camera just feels right in the hand and has some degree of weatherproofing which would probably make sense for use in Thailand in the summer. Any suggestions on lenses. I do want a worthwhile zoom as I find this most useful for getting good pictures of my girls who are still somewhat camera shy despite being 22 and 16! Many thanks

I have 15,000 shots on my 70D. Most of them with f/1.x primes. I have no focus issues.

Frodge wrote in post #17897566
Not to mention the bounce flash problem.

Correction. The absolutely horrible, unforgiveable bounce flash problem.

FishFace wrote in post #17898012
Excuse my ignorance but what is MFA?

Micro Focus Adjust. It helps fine tune lens and camera combinations that struggle to attain perfect focus.

FishFace wrote in post #17897054
Hello, I am new to this forum and looking for some advice about my Camera. Currently I have a 400D with a 17-85 IS Lens and an old 70-300 lens (that I originally used with my old EOS 300 Film Camera). I have never really been happy with the 400D and 17-85 lens combination. It seems the images aren't bright or sharp enough.
I am planning a trip to Thailand this summer, hopping around islands and spending a few days at an elephant sanctuary and doing a bit of jungle trekking etc. so I thought I might like to upgrade the 400D and lenses to something newer.
I generally take portrait and landscape shots but will be taking some wildlife shots in Thailand and also want to capture my daughters with the elephants.
So the question is do I upgrade the camera, lens or both - I really like the look and feel of the 70D and the 760D possibly with the 18-135 STM lens but should I think of keeping the 400D and getting a different lens but what? What would work best and not break the bank - I think I could spend around STG £800
Any thoughts would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance

Heya,

The 400D is a very capable camera still, I wouldn't sweat it so much, instead, a new piece of sharp contrasty glass will make the difference. The 70-300 lens you have, just use it as a paper weight, move on from it. The 17-85 IS you have, is not that sharp, so get a new lens and move on from it. I would start looking at the 15-85 IS or 17-50 F2.8 IS as your general zoom if you want a higher quality one, and then there's also the 18-135 STM IS, very good glass, also worth looking into. Any of them would be great, but something F2.8 or faster would be nice for dark canopies and lower light, with a wider angle, like a 17-50 F2.8, etc (Tamron, Sigma, Canon, etc, all are fine really).

The only thing the 400D isn't still really handy at is likely higher ISO, and when I think of Thailand, I think of canopy covered areas. You could grab a new body, but really, you don't need a hugely costly one. You'd be surprised the value that comes from a 40D or 50D used.

But I would get glass over body if you had to choose.

And if you can get both, put more focus on the glass.

Very best,

Well, I have a 400D, bought in 2006. But I've read your budget limit, so I guess it's pointless to tell what I eventually ended up with...