my turn... cant decide :D

Hello POTN,

I never thought I would be making one of these threads since I read about 20 of them a day and I pick up info here and there about what people are recommending. However, there is still that indecisive part that lurks inside me! I have kept my body through the years and just upgraded glass / worked on shooting technique etc since i felt that was more important than a prosumer body.

Anyways to start off, I am coming from a Rebel XTi (had it for almost ~3 years) and the following lenses:
-Tokina 12-24
-Sigma 17-70
-Canon 50mm 1.8
-Canon 70-200 2.8 non-IS
-Carl Zeiss 135
and a few not worth mentioning :P

I already have a full lighting setup, triggers, stands, etc so I dont feel lacking in the lighting dept.

I shoot mostly on the automotive side of things, but I do enjoy doing landscapes, portraits, etc... (feel free to check out changaroo.com for an idea of what i shoot *shameless plug*)

Currently I have a budget to be able to pick up either a 40/50D + grip, a used 5D + grip or a used 1d MK2. I know all three of these cameras will be a big improvement from what im coming from. But I feel like my XTi under the right conditions can provide me with very capable pictures. Then again, the conditions arent always perfect, which leads me to want an upgrade.

I also do some low light shooting (indoor events, clubs, rolling shots of cars at night), and the XTi's AF is terrible IMO. The keeper rate is very low when there is little to no avail light esp if no flash is used. From what I've seen, the 5D's AF isnt that much different from the XXD line of cameras or my XTi.

I am aware that if i move away from 1.6x crop to a 1.3x or full frame, I will really only have two lenses available to use. I am sure however I can sell the tokina & sigma to fund a 17-40 or a sigma 24-70... or something along those lines.

Each of these cameras have their own pro's and con's and my head is running in circles comparing which one is best for me. Feels like i need features from each camera but I can only have one

Shine me some light!
thanks!

Id go for the 40D with grip unless you need the AF of the 1D2n - 40D v 50D? not sure

unless you need the AF or reach of the 1D and XXD's I would say 5D.... we all know what kind of images it is capable of producing. I think the 5D would be amazing to use in automotive photography. but like you say you would have to sell off some of your lenses.... well good luck with the decision

5D. But you knew that .

5D. I own both 40D and 5D and 40D is slowly getting used less and less. 5D is an incredible camera.

IQ wise, 40D is NOT really any improvement over XTi. So if what you want is IQ, then 40D is not your choice. It mainly offer improved ergonomic and speed, AF. If you mainly shoot fast moving stuff, you will be benefit from the responsiveness and AF.

5D will give your different look, mainly because of the larger sensor. You will also notice the improve in IQ in low light, about 1 stop. If you dont shoot fast stuff, like wide angle, shallow DOF, 5D is still hard to beat for its price.

how bad is the AF on the 5d?

i do kind of wish it had more FPS then again if timing is right, then there really is no use for 2039420934 fps

eelnoraa wrote in post #6661936
IQ wise, 40D is NOT really any improvement over XTi. So if what you want is IQ, then 40D is not your choice. It mainly offer improved ergonomic and speed, AF. If you mainly shoot fast moving stuff, you will be benefit from the responsiveness and AF.

5D will give your different look, mainly because of the larger sensor. You will also notice the improve in IQ in low light, about 1 stop. If you dont shoot fast stuff, like wide angle, shallow DOF, 5D is still hard to beat for its price.

I shoot an XTi and 40D. They both produce nice images with good glass on them. Having made around 30,000 exposures since starting last March, split about evenly between the 2 bodies (I didn't get the 40D until late May) and I can say this with conviction:

Get the 40D. Get the grip if you like the handling (my grip is still in the box it came in). You will notice the difference.