The Age Old Dilemma

Before I even get started, I know these threads have been debated to death, but nothing I searched for suited my specific needs, so I figured I'd try my own thread and see what I got.

Now, I shoot with an Xsi, and I don't dislike it, but lately, I feel that I may have outgrown some of its features. I'd like a bit more ISO capability, better AF tracking, and the general bad-assedness (yup, it's a word) of the 7D.

The dilemma is this: I'd also love to upgrade my lens bag. I only shoot a 17-40, 70-200f4 and a 50 1.4, and I definitely have room for a longer lens like the 100-400 or the 300 f4 prime in my kit. I know, I know, it is a glass first world for the most part, but I'm having a hard time deciding which to upgrade.

I generally shoot landscape and nature, but more and more I have friends roping me into portrait work and paid gigs shooting parties etc...

So, please give me some guidance here. I'm all ears. Oh, and as much as I wish I could upgrade both, I can't, so don't toss that out as an option. I'm a teacher and these things tend to come one at a time

Thanks for the help
-Mike

You already have 3 very good quality lenses. I think it is time for a better camera.

Get the 7D and save for a 1.4x

I agree with Mike. Time for a new body.

The lenses you have are fine for portrait work (the 40mm end of the 17-40, the 50mm f1.4, and the 70-200. All will work well) and for parties.

You won't regret the 7D and consider keeping the XSi for backup or for casual "knockaround" use if you have the "kit" lens for it.

What they say!

mikemo618 wrote in post #10685127
I generally shoot landscape and nature, but more and more I have friends roping me into portrait work and paid gigs shooting parties etc...

Have you considered maybe a 5D Classic?

Eh, your portrait, landscape work scream for a full frame...but the event work and nature screams crop. I'd go 1d3 and call it a day.

I second the motion for the ID3.

ed from pa wrote in post #10686206
I second the motion for the ID3.

Solve one problem and give me another one huh?

I understand the advantages of the full frame as mentioned by a few of you, but there is something that I really like about the reach of the crop. I have thought about the 1DIII as well, but it just feels so "significant" to step up to a pro body. I feel like the 7D offers me a nice bridge between the consumer slr body and a pro body like the 1d series. I have shot all of those bodies before with various friends who are in the business, and I think my decision comes as a result of that for the most part.

So, one more question then in my decision thread. Do I keep the Xsi body around as a backup, or do I sell it to speed my transition to the 7d. Or, does it, uh, 'malfunction' and I trade it through the loyalty program for a new 7d direct from Canon.

Save your XSi as a backup, of course.

Full frame has the same reach as the crop.

If you take a picture with a full frame camera, open it up, and crop it 1.6, then you have the exact same framing. But the full frame handles low light better.

Obviously money is an object, but if you can afford it, why not the 5Dm2?

Now, if you're going to shoot sports or fast sequences, the the 7D is probably the better bet.

You'll get great ISO performance from either the 50D or 7D, but 5Dc or 5D2 will be a significant step up in IQ however there will be compromises in other areas (AF, continuous shooting etc).

I'd recommend the 50D as it's a lot cheaper than the 7D but still a very good camera, and you should have some money left over if you want to buy another lens or a TC.

Do you really need the advanced AF of the 7d for your shooting? I'm not sure if nature includes wildlife, which can be fast moving and hard to track but otherwise it doesn't seem you do. Even the T2i has slightly better ISO performance and may suffice. But if you're constantly shooting at ISO1600 then perhaps you need a lens faster than f4 and a flash to boot.

emitecaps wrote in post #10687368
Do you really need the advanced AF of the 7d for your shooting? I'm not sure if nature includes wildlife, which can be fast moving and hard to track but otherwise it doesn't seem you do. Even the T2i has slightly better ISO performance and may suffice. But if you're constantly shooting at ISO1600 then perhaps you need a lens faster than f4 and a flash to boot.

Nature absolutely includes wildlife, including BIF and other quickly moving subjects. You also clearly didn't read my first post, as I think a 50 1.4 qualifies as a lens faster than 4, not to mention there was no mention of flash at all in our discussion (I have a 580 and a 430 for what it's worth).