Add a 7D to my 40D?

Kind of just writing to the air here, and understanding that it's the air that will answer as well; the decision will be inside my head and mine alone.

Why I want to:

More pixels. I know, pixels don't matter. But I want more pixels for some shots I'll take that will need extreme cropping.

The extra fps. 6.3 is great, 8 is better. I shoot some action, and more choices is better.

Better low light performance. Action at night, in gyms... candid indoor shots, all will benefit from better noise control at higher ISOs.

Nice to have 2 bodies, under some circumstances. Nothing like having one with the 17-55, another with a 70-200 or 100-400.

Video. It's only not important when it's not there.


Why not a 5D Mk2? Cost, mostly. Because my main lens is the 17-55, is one reason. An investment in the 5D means additional money for a decent walkaround, unless I want to use the 28-135 for that, driving the cost up to $2k more than a 7D. Even $1k more is more than I can comfortably spend on what is only a hobby. (I'd give up the slight frame rate increase, though, if the cost was closer. The frame rate difference is nothing compared to the image quality, my sister's 5D-2 is insane.) If why not a 5D Mk2, then heck, why not a 1Ds Mk IV?


Why NOT add a 7D?

Well, cost on a smaller scale. There is always competition for the hobby/entertainment dollar. Daughter in college, car payment, mortgage; we're not paycheck to paycheck, but we're not living off of lottery winnings, either. $1700 is $1700. The 40D works just fine. On the other hand, it's not like I have a big list of other things I'd rather do with the money. if I kept hold the money in the bank I'd probably waste it on paying bills. Or air fare to Hawaii.

Is the urge to upgrade artificial; IOW, is it like the recent Onion headline, "New Device Desirable, Old Device Undesirable"? I'm just some guy who every now and then thinks, "Today would be a nice day to go out and shoot some pictures," and then does it. Better camera doesn't make that better.

Shot off into the ether, 12/10/09 @ 9:32 AM EST.

Having two bodies with two different lenses is a very nice luxury to have!

Go for the 7D and if nothing else, you could always sell the 40D if you end up finding it sits in the bag most of the time.

johneo wrote in post #9170382
Having two bodies with two different lenses is a very nice luxury to have! ... .

That's not a luxury .. it's a requirement

When I'm out shooting pics of wildlife, the last thing I need to be doing is groping in bags and changing lenses.
When I travel about I have the 30D with a 17-40L attached, and the 7D with my 70-200 2.8L IS. That way I have all my bases covered.
The only downer is now and again I need to insert my 1.4 TC on the 70-200

I really love those new features in 7D. Especially seeing the focus points light up when target is locked, probably like a heat seeking missile..

The feel of the shutter button is also very reassuring, and the shutter sounds a lot more "classy" compared to the 40D.

Right now I'm using the 7D and 40D together. I usually put my 70-200mm f/2.8 on the 7D, and my 17-55mm f/2.8 on the 40D, and for events, they work absolutely great (I take photos for my school newspaper). The 7D especially shines when it comes to indoor sports with the high ISO capability. The extra FPS I suppose helps, but hasn't effected me significantly, even while shooting sports.

However, I don't know how much you use you take photos, but it may not be a wise idea to hold both if photography's just a hobby. Holding both cameras certainly is heavier/less convenient than just one camera, so you may just end up using the 7D and leaving the 40D at home.

Don't overlook the 5D. I went from a 40D to a 5D and went WOW when I saw my first images.

I shoot sports and since I got my 7D, I now shoot with 2 cameras. 70-200 f/2.8 on the 7D and either my 24-105 f/4 or my 17-50 f/2.8 on my 40D.

Two cameras all the way. I went from a 40d/10d combination to a 5dII/40d combo and I'll admit that I don't use my 40d that often anymore. But having two cameras with two lenses gives you the opportunity to capture some great shots that you would certainly miss otherwise. Some of my best shots are with my 40d and 70-200 when I wasn't expecting to use that lens!

I'm in the same situation - 40D thinking of adding the 7D. It's mostly I need two bodies - and I'm the same as you, my main glass is APS-C, and getting a 5D classic/II costs more than I can afford right now.

Thanks. I ordered the 7D. I also noticed that Canon has a $50 rebate to owners of a Rebel or XXD; $50 is $50!

Tom

Mosca wrote in post #9170305
Is the urge to upgrade artificial; IOW, is it like the recent Onion headline, "New Device Desirable, Old Device Undesirable"? I'm just some guy who every now and then thinks, "Today would be a nice day to go out and shoot some pictures," and then does it. Better camera doesn't make that better

yeah, it's like "the onion" parody - you see a newer model, have to buy it!

I bought a 7D last week upgrading from my 40D.
I still love my 40D and I do not plan on selling it but the 7D is definitely an upgrade.

I shoot a lot of action photography with the increase in FPS and auto focusing made the camera worth having for me.

PhoenixPhotography wrote in post #9179884
I bought a 7D last week upgrading from my 40D.
I still love my 40D and I do not plan on selling it but the 7D is definitely an upgrade.

I shoot a lot of action photography with the increase in FPS and auto focusing made the camera worth having for me.

Did you see the $50 rebate for upgraders at Canon's website? I found it by accident.

Mosca wrote in post #9170305
Kind of just writing to the air here, and understanding that it's the air that will answer as well; the decision will be inside my head and mine alone.

Why I want to:

More pixels. I know, pixels don't matter. But I want more pixels for some shots I'll take that will need extreme cropping.

The extra fps. 6.3 is great, 8 is better. I shoot some action, and more choices is better.

Better low light performance. Action at night, in gyms... candid indoor shots, all will benefit from better noise control at higher ISOs.

Nice to have 2 bodies, under some circumstances. Nothing like having one with the 17-55, another with a 70-200 or 100-400.

Video. It's only not important when it's not there.


Why not a 5D Mk2? Cost, mostly. Because my main lens is the 17-55, is one reason. An investment in the 5D means additional money for a decent walkaround, unless I want to use the 28-135 for that, driving the cost up to $2k more than a 7D. Even $1k more is more than I can comfortably spend on what is only a hobby. (I'd give up the slight frame rate increase, though, if the cost was closer. The frame rate difference is nothing compared to the image quality, my sister's 5D-2 is insane.) If why not a 5D Mk2, then heck, why not a 1Ds Mk IV?


Why NOT add a 7D?

Well, cost on a smaller scale. There is always competition for the hobby/entertainment dollar. Daughter in college, car payment, mortgage; we're not paycheck to paycheck, but we're not living off of lottery winnings, either. $1700 is $1700. The 40D works just fine. On the other hand, it's not like I have a big list of other things I'd rather do with the money. if I kept hold the money in the bank I'd probably waste it on paying bills. Or air fare to Hawaii.

Is the urge to upgrade artificial; IOW, is it like the recent Onion headline, "New Device Desirable, Old Device Undesirable"? I'm just some guy who every now and then thinks, "Today would be a nice day to go out and shoot some pictures," and then does it. Better camera doesn't make that better.

Shot off into the ether, 12/10/09 @ 9:32 AM EST.

You know 5D mk II brand new goes for pretty damn cheap these days right? For a few hundred more than a 7D, you can get a 5D mk II. Go to the for sale marketplace, 5D mk II's going for pretty damn cheap, especially with bing around giving deals like crazy.

Undispu7ed wrote in post #9180075
You know 5D mk II brand new goes for pretty damn cheap these days right? For a few hundred more than a 7D, you can get a 5D mk II. Go to the for sale marketplace, 5D mk II's going for pretty damn cheap, especially with bing around giving deals like crazy.

I'd jump on it if it were just the body, but I would need a walkaround lens, too, since the 17-55 is EF-S. So, another $1000 or so for a striped 24-105 or 24-70. Too much, for now.