time to switch

right, the time has come for me to change from my 40d, in all honesty i have no idea what to look at and am hoping you folks can help me.

basically im studying photography at college and shoot a lot in my spare time in low light, such as at gigs, and night photography. iv heard that full frame cameras are better in low light. im looking for cameras around the 7d price range.

cheers, phil

if you really want increased low light performance then yes go full frame.

As a side what lenses do you currently own and what ISO do you tend to shoot at?

rebelling_lemming wrote in post #9215859
.... im looking for cameras around the 7d price range.

cheers, phil

If your looking at a camera in the 7D price range, heck, get the 7D. It has better low light capability than the 40 and many improved features as well. It's a very sweet camera.

I don't know, I'd spring for the 5D2 if I could. The 5D is a fantastic classic and can be found now use, at our Selling forum here, one at www.keh.com which is highly respected, and at the refurbished departments of Adorama aned B&H Photo.

I have a 40d and recently picked up a full frame 5D. I love the 5D, low light performance is better, although still not phenomenal in my opinion. One thing you would notice is that the 5D is an older camera, not particularly feature laden, and I dont think the autofocus is up to the 40d. That said its a great camera, just a little more methodical to work with.

rebelling_lemming wrote in post #9215859
right, the time has come for me to change from my 40d, in all honesty i have no idea what to look at and am hoping you folks can help me.

basically im studying photography at college and shoot a lot in my spare time in low light, such as at gigs, and night photography. iv heard that full frame cameras are better in low light. im looking for cameras around the 7d price range.

cheers, phil

Is it time to switch because you have money or because you have a problem or need you want to adress with new gear?

rebelling_lemming wrote in post #9215859
iv heard that full frame cameras are better in low light. im looking for cameras around the 7d price range.

For a given sensor technology, larger photosites tend to perform better than smaller photosites. Crop-frame cameras tend to have smaller photosites to jack up the total number of pixels.

I have a 5D2. Were I starting from scratch today and sticking with Canon, I'd go with 7D instead in a heartbeat.

Hows about some nice low light glass?

If you don't know what you want in your next camera, then it sounds like it's not the right time. Open a savings account with the money until it is the right time

Older 5Ds are extremely affordable given what they cost upon release, but it is an older camera. The 5DII is pretty darn sweet but a bit more than the 7D. The 7D is decent at high ISO given its crop sensor. Have you considered the 7D?

I haven't used higher end cameras much, but I think you have a lot of camera in a 40D. I am really interested in art photography and I'm really wanting a FF camera right now to get the added depth of field and better low light performance. But it has been tough to come up with the scratch for it because there really isn't a ton of difference. The 5D Mk II will get you full frame DOF, high ISO (a couple of stops better than the 40D), and the 7D will give you about a stop better high ISO, and upgrades in things like build quality/weather sealing, and AF. If you are shooting sports or wildlife the 7D would be an improvement. If you are shooting art or portraits/weddings the 5D Mk II would be an improvement. However neither is going to be a HUGE jump from the 40D, some red rings might be more worthwhile.

The 5D might be an option, but like said above, you have to bear in mind that you are taking a step backwards in technology. Older menu, no dust reduction, etc.

What does the 40D not do that you wish it did? What is your glass?

I'll get flamed for saying this, but don't expect the 7D to perform much better than your 40D in low light. I wouldn't buy a 7D for it's ISO performance, get a full frame if you want better low light performance. You can get a 5Dii for around $2k if you look. Otherwise, you may consider a 5D classic which are going for around $1200 used these days.

rebelling_lemming wrote in post #9215859
right, the time has come for me to change from my 40d, in all honesty i have no idea what to look at and am hoping you folks can help me.

basically im studying photography at college and shoot a lot in my spare time in low light, such as at gigs, and night photography. iv heard that full frame cameras are better in low light. im looking for cameras around the 7d price range.

cheers, phil

Should it be a Canon?

gjl711 wrote in post #9215907
If your looking at a camera in the 7D price range, heck, get the 7D. It has better low light capability than the 40 and many improved features as well. It's a very sweet camera.

Not a whole lot of ISO improvement, frankly..... Maybe a stop, I'd estimate with the 7D. And as to features, besides the addition of video and wireless flash control (which you actually could get more fully featured with an ST-E2 module), the bump up in features is pretty specialized and not really as great as you might think. Not that the 7D isn't a sweet camera... it is. But it's the most specialized APS-C camera has produced to date and I feel it's actually more of a step down model from the 1D MkIV, than it is a step up model from the 40/50D. Not a bad thing in any way, but just be sure it's what you really need and want or you might be disappointed.

If low light shooting is the goal... unless you really, really need the sports/action orientation of the 7D... get a 5D MkII instead. That will give you a lot better low light shooting capability... probably two to three stops potential. Of course, it's more expensive than 7D, too. If that's a problem, you might look at used but not abused 5DII or even 5D classic.

But, I have to agree with previous responses... If you can't put your finger on what you want and why, or what you feel is lacking with the 40D, then you really should stick with it and wait a bit. I wouldn't recommend an "upgrade" to a 50D, for example. Not enough real difference between the 50D and the 40D. 7D really only brings more AF modes, many of which are specific to action shooting, better build and slightly higher resolution and ISO capabilities. Not a huge bump up. I suspect there will be a 60D announced come springtime, which might have a feature set that makes more sense, coming from 40D.

And, yes, glass before cameras... Always. Lens upgrades will do more for you than changing camera bodies. Don't know what you already use, so it's hard to advise really. One or more fast primes might augment a zoom kit, for example.

I switched from 40D to 5D MKII....it is an upgrade, but there is not going to be any WOW