What would you recommend?

So I'm at a crossroads if you will.

I'm selling some items from another hobby in order to buy some camera stuff.

My current kit is:

EOS Digital Rebel + BG-E1, 50mm f1.8 MK II, 100mm f2.8 USM macro, 17-85 f4-5.6 IS. I have the 580 EX II and a 420 EX, but am selling the 420ex and buying a 430ex II.

I'm either looking at upgrading bodies or buying 1 or more new lenses.

The options I'm looking at are:

• Use the Canon Loyalty Program to buy a 50d kit after trading in the 300d

• Sell my 17-85 and buy the 17-55

• Buy the Sigma 30 f1.4 and the Canon 10-22 or other wide-angle lens

Sounds like a plan to me. The only other thing would be something more long distance for wildlife. And that would depend on what you want to spend on it. I only use long distance once in a great while and the canon 55-250 is the best I need for that.

HoosierJoe wrote in post #9766712
Sounds like a plan to me. The only other thing would be something more long distance for wildlife. And that would depend on what you want to spend on it. I only use long distance once in a great while and the canon 55-250 is the best I need for that.

Which one sounds like a plan? I can't do them all if I want to stay married! :-p

What is it about your current setup that you find lacking? The 300D is definitely getting a bit dated, but is still a capable camera. You state you like to shoot wildlife, but you don't have anything longer than 100mm, so a telezoom would help. For the price of the 50D you could pick up something like the XSi or Xti and a 55-250 IS.

For my saltwater fishtank shots, I'm often shooting at 400ISO and the noise is a lot higher than I'd like. The 300D also has a pretty small buffer and I often have to wait for the camera before shooting more shots

I do like to shoot wildlife, but I live in metro Milwaukee and do not often have a chance at wildlife.

The more I think about it, if I don't go with the 50d, I think I'll get the 30 f1.4 and the 55-250

kayl wrote in post #9766728
Which one sounds like a plan? I can't do them all if I want to stay married! :-p

It's an either or thing. OK.

Trade in for the 50D. Sell the 17-85 and get a tamron 17-50 or 28-75 or the sigma equivalent.

I don't use primes so I don't have an opinion on those.


Looks like you do off camera flash. You might want to consider something cheaper than the 430ex since you are keep ing the 580ex. The YN flashes are suppose to be good for ocf, however I have never used mine for that.

Stay married.

Seriously, upgrade the camera; shooting the 300D is painfully slow and annoying by today's standards - the 50D (like the 5D I have) will be so much nicer in use it's not even funny. My 300D can still make great pictures, don't get me wrong, but it's massively outdated. I also only hear good things about the 50D kit lens, so that's worth considering.

50D upgrade for sure. You've already got some decent glass, so get a new body. The 28-135 is really not such a bad lens like others make it out to be. I got a nice sharp copy and I still use it in place of my L sometimes.

I agree with most on here & do the upgrade. The 300D was my first SLR and the higher ISO shots are painfully pixelated.

kayl wrote in post #9766686
So I'm at a crossroadsMy photography is mostly portraits and candids of my 10 month old daughter. I also take macro photos of my saltwater fish tank and corals.

I also do some wildlife photography when I get a chance and enjoy landscape photography, but don't get out too often.

What would you recommend?

save some more money and get a model with video. You may not appreciate it now but with kids and events like birthdays, school, etc. video is a good feature.

watt100 wrote in post #10011964
save some more money and get a model with video. You may not appreciate it now but with kids and events like birthdays, school, etc. video is a good feature.

I ended up going with the 50d w/ the 28-135-
My wife has a SX200is with video that's high enough quality for us

Now I just need to wait for my 50d to get here! Wednesday can't come soon enough!

kayl wrote in post #10066928
I ended up going with the 50d w/ the 28-135-
My wife has a SX200is with video that's high enough quality for us

Now I just need to wait for my 50d to get here! Wednesday can't come soon enough!

Sounds good. I just bought a new 50D and paid $827 for it. Great prices these days on the 50D. I had that 28-135 and didn't like my copy. However many people here have great success with it.

Congrats. I was struggling at a similar scenario. Between upgrading a body and a better lens, both will give you gains but at different perspectives especially if the body is dated. In your case you made the right choice. The 28-135 is a decent lens. Have Fun!