What would you do with that $150?

Hello,
New owner of T1i here, my first ever dSLR. I have had it for about 3 weeks now and love it. Except for when I tried to take some pics of indoor soccer in poor light. I realized that my kit lenses are just not going to cut it. But then I started thinking that maybe I should have gotten the T2i instead for $150 extra (better high ISO performance).
So what would you do? Upgrade or spend that money on 50mm 1.8?

Nifty all the way!!!

If you're interested in tracking sports, other than slug racing, the 50 1.8 would probably be one of my last choices.

I'd save a wee bit more and spring for the 85 1.8.

Sorry didnt read the OP fully, if you want to shoot indoor sports look into the 85mm f/1.8. Its over your budget though at about $380.

Used 40D ($500) and 85 1.8 ($350). Might be a little over budget but for sports would be a killer combo.

The AF on the 50 1.8 is garbage I would never use it for sports.

But if I had to choose from the original choices, definitely the T2i, much better IQ imo.

upgrade to the T2i it does very well at high ISO

ISO performance is not going to be THAT different dramatically by going T2i.

You're really not going to do great with indoor sports with that budget.

(40D + 85 f/1.8 yes will be good for sports but you're really going to limit the camera's usefulness by a lot, but that's indeed an option).

It depends. If you need to stay at f/4 for the DOF, then getting the 50mm f/1.8 isn't going to be helpful anyway. In that case, get the T2i so you can have slightly less noise at high ISO (a lot less at ISO 6400). But if you don't mind thinner DOF, then you'll get better results with the T1i+f/1.8. 85mm f/1.8 is a lot nicer, of course, but requires four times the money.

I assume you were using the 55-250 for the indoor soccer shots. Can you post some with the EXIF? Might give us a better idea of what the weakness is in your particular situation.

See, I am not really after indoor sports, but that was simply the situation that made me realize my equipment's limitations. I would be more interested in getting better results indoors in general (family pictures at home).
I realized after posting the original question that the indoor sport was going to spin this thread in a bit different direction.
Sorry for the confusion.
And yes $150 is as far as I can stretch it right this moment.

$150 will not buy you much at all in the way of lenses or camera bodies that will really improve indoor sports shots. I think a used 430EX would be a better purchase. Strobed sports can be tricky to do well, I tend to stay with natural light, but it is done with good results by many. Getting a 50 is not going to help much. Slow focus and it's to short for soccer. The FL may be usefull for other sports, but field sports, not really!

smyke wrote in post #11293133
See, I am not really after indoor sports, but that was simply the situation that made me realize my equipment's limitations. I would be more interested in getting better results indoors in general (family pictures at home).
I realized after posting the original question that the indoor sport was going to spin this thread in a bit different direction.
Sorry for the confusion.
And yes $150 is as far as I can stretch it right this moment.

Typing at the same time... I'd still say a flash. For indoor family stuff, try getting some gels too!

I presume that you would also have to be pretty close to the Slug Racing Action if you were only going to use a 50mm

Maybe a flashgun would help the situation a little. Good lighting may allow the slow lens and low ISO capability to get a lot better shots and it could be used on your next body when you eventually upgrade. Not sure how much something like a used 430 EXII costs over there but you could always look to third party guns.

I got some good pics from my old 450D but they got a lot better in poor conditions when I added a decent flashgun

Wow. Weird that lacks-focus and I were also typing about flash guns simultaneously!

If you want to upgrade you need to remember that although the new price of your T1i was $150 less than a T2i when new it will most likely cost you more to upgrade now.

As another poster pointed out you are unlikely to notice a significant difference from where you are now by investing $150 on either your body or glass. It is an unfortunate reality that slightly better gear generally costs a lot more cash. Diminishing returns and all that.

I would stick to my recommendation to get a flash. You will need one anyway if you intend to get reasonably serious about decent shots and you will notice an immediate improvement over your current shots when you use one.

If you are intent on getting a new lens or something then really the 50 1.8 is about your only option.

Probably a flash. I would look for a used 430EXII which will really do a LOT for you indoors. When you want to step up to the next level find a 580 and use the 430 as a slave. That's my plan, at least.

Dunno about older 4xx flashes. Cheaper but I don't know the functional differences.

The only alternative I see is a faster prime like a Nifty Fifty or maybe a 28mm 2.8 if those focal lengths work for you. They're in your budget.

Brief comparison of the two: http://www.largiader.c​om …are.php?lens1=1​8&lens2=25

If you really want to focus on indoor shots, do you still need the 55-250? Selling it would free up another $175 or so.

I don't think putting the extra $150 toward better high-ISO performance will be the best bang for your buck. Most likely the flash will be the most useful and it will give you the tools for a lot of learning without spending any more money.