T1i VS 50D Price>Power?

Eh!? Yes, possibly a silly thread; and maybe even a pointless one; but I'm trying to make a best decision; again.

Yes, I know the T1i is a Rebel and the 50D isn't; so apples and oranges; however. I'm looking for better ISO perfomance than the XS, faster FPS; and better a better AF system. Both cameras supply that; but one costs more than the other; and one has a video function that will never see use.

Another thing I'm looking at is money for glass; cause I still need better glass; so would my best option be to get the cheaper camera and use extra money on more glass; then later on make a bigger jump? (Into maybe the 7D range)

So save a few more hundred more bucks and get the 50D or grab a T1i; and start saving for glass faster? (50D also has microadjusting which I've heard is amazing, but I'm on the fence about that)

So:


Option A) 50D- 1000$


Option B) T1i- 600$ + 400$ for glass

Option C) Make your own option and give it as advise

Option C:

Go glass first! Glass is the real 'need' that you have it seems to me. That body is capable enough that if you put some glass on it you may be impressed with the results. IMHO, people too readily upgrade bodies and don't spend enough time thinking about lenses. I think people really buy into the whole 'latest and greatest' philosophy with bodies (which actually depreciate and become outdated much faster anyway).

I was patient with my XSi, and assembled a really nice lens kit (70-200 f4, 17-40, 50 1.4) so that way when I was ready to upgrade the body I had lenses that could shine on the new, tech heavy bodies.

I may not yet be fully capable of utilizing my 50D, but I'd still recommend it. For some reason I can never seem to get the hang of the controls on a Rebel body - it's just so much easier shooting manual when you have a thumb wheel and joystick on the back. Plus, with the 50D you can utilize the ~6FPS burst mode for, well, whatever you want - that was probably the biggest selling point for me since I started off shooting sports. But I digress.

As far as noise goes, I'm always an advocate of filling the frame to avoid crops. When you crank up the ISO you'll notice a lot of noise at the pixel level. Avoid massive crops and utilize PP to reduce noise and you'll have no complaints at 3200 with either body (haven't tried any higher myself).

I rarely if ever do full crops; and almost always fill the frame of my shots. I do a lot of nature, and animal shots; so full blown high speed movement generally isn't involved. (Which is the T1i's 3FPS isn't horrible).

mikemo618 wrote in post #10738072
Option C:

Go glass first! Glass is the real 'need' that you have it seems to me. That body is capable enough that if you put some glass on it you may be impressed with the results. IMHO, people too readily upgrade bodies and don't spend enough time thinking about lenses. I think people really buy into the whole 'latest and greatest' philosophy with bodies (which actually depreciate and become outdated much faster anyway).

I was patient with my XSi, and assembled a really nice lens kit (70-200 f4, 17-40, 50 1.4) so that way when I was ready to upgrade the body I had lenses that could shine on the new, tech heavy bodies.

I agree with Mike, spend the money on glass first. Good lenses rarely go down in price unless there is a major upgrade or change while camera bodies are like buying a new car. I have a 50D and love it; however you have a decent camera already so my opinion is spend it on good glass! Besides it looks like the 50D will be replaced by the 60 soon. Either wait on the 60 or pick up a 50 later for a greatly reduced price.

Option C: Glass first!!

If I can turn back the time, I would prefer to stick with my XS (since it is already outdated) and invest more in glass before I'm ready to upgrade.. XS is a very capable camera for my own use minus the 800 ISO usability and sensor heat issue (even my t2i has it).. Glass will definitely make a big difference..

And most importantly, IQ wise, the 50D is still not a huge step up from Rebels..

Thats it..my 2 cents

I agree with option C. You'll notice better results with good glass versus a different body. Decide what lens you'd use the most and go for it. N

I would suggest to find 550D instead of 500D, because 550D seems to have better images on higher ISO.
I liked 50D over 500D, but went with 500D last December. 50D was more expensive as it is now and 550D was not on the market. My first big upgrade was for better glass. For me it was shocking to see how better images are from the same body.
50-250 is very good lens, I assume, you would like to upgrade from the kit lens. With 400 budget for better lens (same I’m thinking of) it might be fast EF Sigma or Tamron, as far as I learned.

Upgrading the body isn't as much as feeling that I need a new body for better photos; I just really hate the AF system, and want some higher ISO shots. (I can't really go past 800 with the XS).

Syntaxxor wrote in post #10739185
Upgrading the body isn't as much as feeling that I need a new body for better photos; I just really hate the AF system, and want some higher ISO shots. (I can't really go past 800 with the XS).

In that case I'm not sure what the point of this thread even is then. You've clearly made up your mind that the best option (C) is off the table.

Consensus from people that have been there seems to be glass first, and for some reason you can't get over a new AF system and ISO capability when you said you really don't even need those things much. Your quote was:

So, seems to me like you should just go ahead and pull the trigger on your new body.

Edit: The OP may also not realize this: You are in possession of sloooooow focusing lenses. About as slow as they come as a matter of fact. That may be your real quarrel with the AF system on your XS. I know that with mine, I was easily able to shoot some Birds in Flight as well as sports and other quick moving objects when I stepped up to the 70-200L.

Oh yeah, I know my lenses are "slow" compared to people who are used to their USM and L lenses; for me they're quite adequate, only because I'm not used to the faster lenses. (YET).

The AF system searches alot and when it does find a spot, it's generally not where I really want it focused, and is this mainly for still shots; especially when using my nifty fifty, it'll say center focused, but in reality it's just under the center, so I get the nose of my cat in perfect focus, and his eyes are blurred. (When I take the shot I can't realy tell until I get a 50%+Crop and it becomes obvious)

Syntaxxor wrote in post #10739185
Upgrading the body isn't as much as feeling that I need a new body for better photos; I just really hate the AF system, and want some higher ISO shots. (I can't really go past 800 with the XS).

You aren't going to notice any difference in ISO performance other than higher options to choose. Its not really any cleaner. Seriously go compare test shots from review mags. You aren't going to notice anything really.

The AF system on the T1i is identical to the XS other than the addition of an extra line type high precision sensor which only gets activated using lenses faster than f2.8. Considering your only fast lens is a 50mm f1.8, and that itself has poor AF abilities, you are not likely to notice anything there. Also as far as Fps, just shoot your action shots in JPEG and the speeds are the same.

Now the 50D gives you 6fps and has all cross type AF points. That will make a noticeable difference, but again your limiter on AF speed is probably going to be your lenses that all have the cheapest micromotors Canon makes.

Syntaxxor wrote in post #10743150
Oh yeah, I know my lenses are "slow" compared to people who are used to their USM and L lenses; for me they're quite adequate, only because I'm not used to the faster lenses. (YET).

The AF system searches alot and when it does find a spot, it's generally not where I really want it focused, and is this mainly for still shots; especially when using my nifty fifty, it'll say center focused, but in reality it's just under the center, so I get the nose of my cat in perfect focus, and his eyes are blurred. (When I take the shot I can't realy tell until I get a 50%+Crop and it becomes obvious)

That would normally indicate a frontfocus issue for the lens itself. If you were able to microadjust it would eliminate the problem.. though I don't think the rebel series has a microadjustment feature.

I would source a used 50D, it has enough bells & wistles to satisfy you longer than a Rebel. The T1i will likely give as good an image under the right conditions but the 50 will have more conditions that are useable.