40D vs 5D

Hey Guys,
Trying to decide which one to buy.I have a Rebel XTI with a 70-200 2.8L IS and
Tamron 17-50 2.8.Starting to shoot seniors and family portraits.When I have free time
I shoot landscapes and cityscapes at night around Houston.Also down the road doing some
weddings.
Which camera would be best for me to get.
Thanks Guys
Nuke
Also which lens to buy for each.

What doesn't the XTi do for you? And remember - if you get the 5D, you'll need an alternative to the 17-50, as that won't cover the larger sensor.

Starting to do some engagements and bridals.Looking to have the XTI as a backup.
Also looking at doing some weddings next year.
Thanks
Nuke

Yes, but what is limiting to you about the XTi that one of the other cameras could remedy. If you can't think of something, you'd be as well served by getting another XTi (so both your cameras function the same) and put the savings toward one or more additional (faster, different zoom range, fast prime) lenses and an external flash or two. Those will make a bigger overall difference in your capabilities. Basically, don't buy a new piece of gear unless you know it'll deliver an answer to a limitation in your existing gear.

Jon, I don't think theres anything wrong with planning an upgrade path for your equipment while your still mastering your current unit. One of the incentives to upgrading for some of us is a "really good deal".

For example, I am still learning on my Xti but with the 5D successor coming out possibly in the next few months there maybe some deals on 5Ds (new and used) and other XXD's as other people upgrade. So I have decided that my only real reason at this point to upgrade would be to go to a FF camera. So if a "really good deal" on a 5D came along I'd be there.

I would go 40D and use the change for a 24-70 f2.8

I guess I am looking at low light conditions as far as focusing.The 70-200mm 2.8L IS
is awesome but Tammy struggles.I am gearing myself towards doing seniors at night and weddings.
Thanks
Nuke

I see a lot of 40D vs 5D posts on here lately, but its not just a case of "shall I get the 5D or the 40D", they are completely different cameras & require a different lens lineup, if you have all EF-S lenses then you have to get shot of those if you want the 5D.

For portraits the 5D is one hell of a camera, although I use mine for landscapes which is where I found it far better than any APS-C body (yes even with a 10-22), its just so much nicer to use all day long.

I would suggest you find a store that lets you look at both bodies, then see which you prefer to use.

WaltA wrote in post #4182992
Jon, I don't think theres anything wrong with planning an upgrade path for your equipment while your still mastering your current unit. One of the incentives to upgrading for some of us is a "really good deal".

For example, I am still learning on my Xti but with the 5D successor coming out possibly in the next few months there maybe some deals on 5Ds (new and used) and other XXD's as other people upgrade. So I have decided that my only real reason at this point to upgrade would be to go to a FF camera. So if a "really good deal" on a 5D came along I'd be there.

Yes, but unless OP can identify a need that will be met by one or the other, there's no way of answering his question

For the type of paying work he's hoping to get into, external flash is an essential; his lens selection is limited. Those are the needs that stand out in what he's proposing to do.

nuke789 wrote in post #4183029
I guess I am looking at low light conditions as far as focusing.The 70-200mm 2.8L IS
is awesome but Tammy struggles.I am gearing myself towards doing seniors at night and weddings.
Thanks
Nuke

Then take a look at the 50 f/1.4, the 85 f/1.8, the 24-70 2.8 L and the 17-55 2.8 EF-S IS. And don't forget the flash - a couple of them can be used either one per camera or with one slaved off-camera. Remember - the 5D doesn't have a pop-up flash; you'd need one if you were to go that route. And you can use a Speedlite as a focus-assist light in dim conditions without using it as a light source for the photos. For that matter, the ST-E2 will also provide focus assist.

Low-light, night, landscape, weddings all smell like a 5D to me!

Jon wrote in post #4183059
Yes, but unless OP can identify a need that will be met by one or the other, there's no way of answering his question
For the type of paying work he's hoping to get into, external flash is an essential; his lens selection is limited. Those are the needs that stand out in what he's proposing to do.

He said landscapes and cityscape and weddings and night. That would seem to be enough to be able to determine if the 40D or 5D would best accomplish his goals.

,,, Or if the xTi is better and he needs glass

WaltA wrote in post #4182992
Jon, I don't think theres anything wrong with planning an upgrade path for your equipment while your still mastering your current unit. One of the incentives to upgrading for some of us is a "really good deal".

For example, I am still learning on my Xti but with the 5D successor coming out possibly in the next few months there maybe some deals on 5Ds (new and used) and other XXD's as other people upgrade. So I have decided that my only real reason at this point to upgrade would be to go to a FF camera. So if a "really good deal" on a 5D came along I'd be there.

I have the 50 1.4 and the 430ex flash.I have the 85mm 1.8 on the way.I am starting do a lot of senior portraits and family portraits.
Don't get wrong the XTI works greats!I love it but now Iam starting to get paid for my work and it's the only camera I have other than film cameras I have.

Thanks Guys for some insights

nuke789,
I have the 5D and the 40D and either one will probably be a great upgrade

I did a ISO 1600 test between the two cameras and they were pretty close to equal for noise, sharpness and color accuracy.

AF on the 40D has been superior to the 5D even when using a large aperture lens like the Canon 50mm f/1.4.

The larger LCD on the 40D is much more color accurate then the LCD on my 5D.

To top it off the 40D is half the $$$$ of a 5D

Its my main camera now, my 5D is my backup
But like I said either one should be a good upgrade
Good luck with your choice

Go for a second XTi, another (580EX, probably) flash and the off-camera cords and flip brackets for them. High ISO isn't really a substitute for ample light when you want clean shots right out of the camera (weddings and events). Add a fast zoom or maybe the Sigma 30 f/1.4 to the mix. You want to be comfortable moving back and forth between your cameras in a rapid-fire shooting situation - commonality of controls is a big help for this. But with two cameras for a wedding, you'll need to use both, so you'll need two flashes and two brackets.

nuke789 wrote in post #4183149
I have the 50 1.4 and the 430ex flash.I have the 85mm 1.8 on the way.I am starting do a lot of senior portraits and family portraits.
Don't get wrong the XTI works greats!I love it but now Iam starting to get paid for my work and it's the only camera I have other than film cameras I have.

Thanks Guys for some insights

So what if it is the only camera u have. If it is working great than you are getting a bigger profit because the capital cost u less. For the future night shots you are planning on I would invest in a 5d, but as of now why fix what ain't broken?