Canon 50D

[WillowBelle]

Let me also add that it is a heavy camera---especially with the battery grip (that DH got me for Valentine's Day) attached. Now I need a new tripod. I think the one that I have now will topple over if I put it on set up for a portrait. It also doesn't take the same shutter release cable that went with my Rebel, so I have to go and purchase a new one of those also....maybe I'll get one for Mother's Day . Either way, I'll have it all set up for my upcoming trip to WDW this June.

 

[boBQuincy]

I was about to upgrade my 30D to a 50D but it felt too large and heavy to me. If the size and weight suit you it would be hard to beat, it has some *very* nice features.

I went with a Rebel Xsi instead, not really in the same league but it works great.

 

[Anewman]

I was about to upgrade my 30D to a 50D but it felt too large and heavy to me.

On paper, the 50d is only 1.3 ounces heavier than the 30d... was it really that noticeable, or do you consider the 30d on the heavy side to begin with?

 

[boBQuincy]

On paper, the 50d is only 1.3 ounces heavier than the 30d... was it really that noticeable, or do you consider the 30d on the heavy side to begin with?

The 50D is only a little heavier, only a little larger (or so it seemed) than my 30D but I was already feeling like the 30D was kind of heavy after a full 15 hour day of carrying it. The clumsy handling of the Rebel series kept me from considering them until the Xsi, Canon got that one right!

If I weren't looking for a lighter load I would have a 50D now, it's an impressive camera and I must have made four trips to the store to play with one!

 

[Master Mason]

I don't even know the specks of it. I promised myself when I bought the 40D that I wouldn't even look at the 50, maybe when the 60 comes around....

 

[Donold_Fan]

I don't even know the specks of it. I promised myself when I bought the 40D that I wouldn't even look at the 50, maybe when the 60 comes around....

Similar thing happened with me. I upgraded to the 40D from the Rebel XT and my DW told me I wasn't even going to consider the 50D. I really like the higher ISO with the 50D though....I'll definitely be making a push for whatever comes next.

 

[Rob_Drebel]

I purchased the 50D in early December. I was upgrading from an xti and I am really impressed. I love the speed and feel of this camera. before I got it I never understood what people meant by comparing the rebel series to the xxD series, but when you go out and shoot for a day with you know. The speed and responsivness are great. I never minded the xti, but after teh using the 50D it would be hard to go back.
The screen res and clarity is great as well as that you can view att multiple angles clearly. I always used teh xti with a battery grip so the 50D is actually smaller (since I do not need the battery grip with the 50D being a bit larger).
The 15 mp is nice becuase you can crop and still print fairly large since there is so much data there.
Definate yes.

 

[mabas9395]

I had a Rebel XT for three years before upgrading to a 50D. I love everything about it.

Now I just need the 24-70 f/2.8.

And the 100-400mm.

And some AB1600's.

Then I'll be done.

 

[Anewman]

Then I'll be done.

That is what I told my parents when I asked for two lenses and a dedicated flash for my Canon AE-1 program, and that was Xmas of 85.

 

[WillowBelle]

I purchased the 50D in early December. I was upgrading from an xti and I am really impressed. I love the speed and feel of this camera. before I got it I never understood what people meant by comparing the rebel series to the xxD series, but when you go out and shoot for a day with you know. The speed and responsivness are great. I never minded the xti, but after teh using the 50D it would be hard to go back.
The screen res and clarity is great as well as that you can view att multiple angles clearly. I always used teh xti with a battery grip so the 50D is actually smaller (since I do not need the battery grip with the 50D being a bit larger).
The 15 mp is nice becuase you can crop and still print fairly large since there is so much data there.
Definate yes.

Question - I have read that the motor in the 50D runs the battery down faster. Because of that DH got me the grip for Valentine's Day. Luckily the people @ Canon were nice enough to allow the Rebel batteries to be used in this newer model....therefore I had 2 extra batteries. That said, the battery grip REALLY makes the camera heavier.

Has anyone had any success with a neorpene strap with this camera? I had one with my Rebel that was tattered from lots of use. DH and DBrother said I wasn't allowed to put it on my new camera that it just wasn't right , so I bought a different kind of strap that looked like it had more support in the shoulder area. Not sure that I like it as much, doesn't seem to have as much give.

 

[boBQuincy]

Question - I have read that the motor in the 50D runs the battery down faster. Because of that DH got me the grip for Valentine's Day. Luckily the people @ Canon were nice enough to allow the Rebel batteries to be used in this newer model....therefore I had 2 extra batteries. That said, the battery grip REALLY makes the camera heavier.

You are lucky you had the right battery! The Rebel series has had three different batteries, kind of a black eye for Canon. The original Rebel uses BP-511 same as D30 and the xxD series. Rebel XT went with a smaller non-compatible battery. Now the Rebel Xsi and Xs use yet another different smaller battery, about 1/2 the size of the BP-511.

I like the Domke straps, with the woven-in rubber strips. I do not like most quick-disconnects, none of them appear to have a secondary locking feature and could accidentally be unlatched.

 

[Master Mason]

Question - I have read that the motor in the 50D runs the battery down faster. Because of that DH got me the grip for Valentine's Day. Luckily the people @ Canon were nice enough to allow the Rebel batteries to be used in this newer model....therefore I had 2 extra batteries. That said, the battery grip REALLY makes the camera heavier.

Has anyone had any success with a neorpene strap with this camera? I had one with my Rebel that was tattered from lots of use. DH and DBrother said I wasn't allowed to put it on my new camera that it just wasn't right , so I bought a different kind of strap that looked like it had more support in the shoulder area. Not sure that I like it as much, doesn't seem to have as much give.

You are lucky you had the right battery! The Rebel series has had three different batteries, kind of a black eye for Canon. The original Rebel uses BP-511 same as D30 and the xxD series. Rebel XT went with a smaller non-compatible battery. Now the Rebel Xsi and Xs use yet another different smaller battery, about 1/2 the size of the BP-511.

I like the Domke straps, with the woven-in rubber strips. I do not like most quick-disconnects, none of them appear to have a secondary locking feature and could accidentally be unlatched.

I use an Optec strap with my 40D and grip which is pretty close in size with no problems, but do agree with Bob that the quick connect can be a problem, I had it come loose one time, but luckily I also had my hand on the camera at the time so it didn't drop.

 

[VVFF]

Question - I have read that the motor in the 50D runs the battery down faster. Because of that DH got me the grip for Valentine's Day. Luckily the people @ Canon were nice enough to allow the Rebel batteries to be used in this newer model....therefore I had 2 extra batteries. That said, the battery grip REALLY makes the camera heavier.

Has anyone had any success with a neorpene strap with this camera? I had one with my Rebel that was tattered from lots of use. DH and DBrother said I wasn't allowed to put it on my new camera that it just wasn't right , so I bought a different kind of strap that looked like it had more support in the shoulder area. Not sure that I like it as much, doesn't seem to have as much give.

The worst case I saw for use of the 50D w/ mixed flash use and no to little live view was 600 shots. I would imagine that would be enough for most people

 

[Spinning]

Ok me again...I was searching around for cameras and came across this one...I was leaning towards the Nikon D 90 but this camera has an even fast FPS. I have heard really good things about canon.
I will be shooting my dd & DS's spring board diving and swim team so I need something that will be able to capture it. I KNOW I sound like a broken record but this is a lot of money and I want to get something I will be happy with or a long time.
My thoughts are to go with the basic kit lense since I will be outside with good lighting. Then once I get use the camera, learn how to actually really use it....I will shop zoom lens.

 

[VVFF]

Ok me again...I was searching around for cameras and came across this one...I was leaning towards the Nikon D 90 but this camera has an even fast FPS. I have heard really good things about canon.
I will be shooting my dd & DS's spring board diving and swim team so I need something that will be able to capture it. I KNOW I sound like a broken record but this is a lot of money and I want to get something I will be happy with or a long time.
My thoughts are to go with the basic kit lense since I will be outside with good lighting. Then once I get use the camera, learn how to actually really use it....I will shop zoom lens.

Have you held it? I was deciding between the D90 and 50D as you were and, although I still haven't bought it, I will be getting the 50D. Even though I have fairly small hands, it simply fits more comfortably for me. It is a good deal larger of a body though. That makes little difference for me seeing that the lens really determines the space claim of a camera anyway.

So, if you haven't already, drop by your local camera shop or a BB and try the camera out extensively. See which is easier for you to use. Keep in mind that the models in the store are often abused so I would excuse the horrible wear and tear these models sometimes have.

EDIT: Let me also add that I would still consider getting a F2.8 constant aperture zoom or a F2.8 or lower prime. While you'll be in good lighting the person is moving quite fast so the typical rules of a safe shutter speed to avoid camera shake don't apply. If you have to use F5.6 due to being at the end of the zoom range you might find you end up with a blur diving off a board.

 

[Angrypenguin]

I upgraded from the Canon XS to a 50D a couple months back, and I love my 50D. The ergonomics are fantastic, the autofocus is very quick, and my pictures are really sharp. The D90 from Nikon is a great camera as well, but I think you can't go wrong with the 50D.

However, saying that, are you sure you want to jump to the 50D/D90 right away? It's a lot of camera for someone just starting out. Have you looked at something a little more geared toward beginners, such as the new Canon T1i or the XSi? It'll save you a few more bucks which you can put toward glass and/or accessories.

Good luck!

 

[wild4dis]

I have the XSI and just recently upgrade to the 50.....I shot HS sports for the local newspaper and upgraded to a 70-200 2.8 lens for indoor hockey...as a pp stated the larger aperture is key to low light fast moving objects (sports !!)
The FPS, processor and mp were the big upgrades for me, as well as custom settigns and a few other bells & whistles.....I think you will be more than hapy with the 50.
On another note the XSI is a great camera, almost half the cost and will probably more than handle your needs......many folks believe in the theory that bodies and features come and go, but quality glass lasts forever. You may want to look at the XSI ,spend less for that and purchase a highquality lens (this will have more of an impact on IQ)

 

[Spinning]

I use to shoot all the time with a SLR. Loved it but then I went digital at first I just got a point and shoot and still used my old camera for those "real" pictures I wanted...then I got a little better point and shoot and loved being about to shoot tons of photos print only the ones I wanted and it was easy to share photos and now currently my camera is a bridge camera, Fuji s6000. I went that route a couple years ago because I wasn't sure I really wanted to get back into the game of lenses and need to think, so my fuji camera would allow me to learn different options. I wanted to make sure I would actually learn to use the camera. So......now I am ready to jump in. I feel I have out grown my fuji and need something more. I realize this is a big jump. Which is why so many questions. I want to make sure I purchase a camera I can grow with and once I wear out the body I want to be happy with my lens selection.

 

[Angrypenguin]

Good stuff! You'll probably really enjoy the 50D then. There's some good deals on Canon gear right now due to the instant rebate promotion, I believe you can get 300 dollars off a Canon 50D with the 18-200 kit. I actually purchased the kit and sold the lens (the lens retails for around 700!) and got the lens I really wanted. The 18-200mm is a solid performer though; I prefer it over the "other" 28-135mm kit lens.

Welcome to the world of Digital SLRs!

 

[jann1033]

the 28-135 is not the best lens. i might look for one with either the new kit lens
( 18-50
IS or 55 or whatever it is or the 55-250( if there is such a kit)
the 28 has old IS ( you can't pan with it. it's one of, if not the first, is lens) my first copy the is broke, this copy i've had almost 2 yrs, it's sharp (some are not) but the is appears to be starting to do the same thing again( when i bend over to take a closeup( so the lens is barrel down) it doesn't want to focus which is how it started last time it broke).