Upgrade question

[Commando2319]

Ok. I am debating of upgrading either my camera or lens and trying to figure out which will have the biggest bang for the buck.

Equipment:
Canon Digital SLR Rebel xTi
55 to 250 telephoto zoom lens with Image Stabilizer

Problem:
I love to zoom in as much as possible for a very tight, intimate shot. But I always seem to be fighting with not enough light. Adding a good flash is out of the question because I am too far from the subject.

I usually end of setting the ISO at 1600 in order to get any exposure without being to blurry. Then I either adjust the shutter speed or aperture to allow as much light in as possible.

But many times, especially when inside, I end up with photos either a little blurry or just dark.

Solution:
So I was thinking of getting a better quality lens that would let more light in. But recently, I was thinking of upgrading my camera to the Canon EOS 7D. But I can't afford both before my next trip to Disney.

I'd love to hear opinions for some experienced photographers. Which would you upgrade and why?

 

[MICKEY88]

what exactly are you shooting , and how far away are you, that you say you are too far for a flash to help

 

[Commando2319]

what exactly are you shooting , and how far away are you, that you say you are too far for a flash to help

I am usually shooting peoples faces. Either my kids or a Disney character in a show or parade.

A recent frustrating example was at my daughter's school choir concert where I was a few rows back, trying to get a close up shot of just her face as she was singing. Using a flash there wouldn't help much and prob wouldn't have been appreciated when I tend to take hundreds of photos during a show like that.

 

[MICKEY88]

although it may or may not be appreciated, a good external flash would indeed work, I've already shot from the back of a high school auditorium, using my flash, and lit the stage well..LOL

 

[mabas9395]

You need a long fast lens like the 70-200 f/2.8. That way you can zoom in and not need the flash. It's cheaper than the 7d you were going to buy but you will get more bang for your buck IMO.

 

[photo_chick]

I'd Go for the lens. You've got a great camera already, get faster glass. For what you'd spend on the 7D body you can get a really nice lens.

The 7D isn't going to give you a significant advantage as far as achievable shutter speeds in low light and you'll run into the same problems. Use the expanded ISO settings on the T1i. Your standard ISO goes to 3200 and your noise really won't be too bad at the expanded 6400 (H1).


edited to add... for anyone else here... I misread the original post and thought the OP said they had a T1i, not an XTi.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

I would go with the faster glass because even with the upgraded camera it can only work with the light that the lens provides. You probably would have to upgrade your lenses to work with the new camera anyway or be disappointed.

 

[ukcatfan]

Another for the lens. The 7D is only going to be marginally better (if at all) in getting better high ISO shots. Both the T1i and 7D were both among the top models at high ISO results from an APS-C sensor. FWIW, my Pentax K-x is also among the top and I have been very happy with what I get at 6400. The 12800 is also acceptable considering that it is 12800!

 

[photo_chick]

The 12800 is also acceptable considering that it is 12800!

Everytime I use 12800 on my 50D and people look at it and groan about the noise I remind them that regualr 35mm film stopped at 6400. Shooting in near dark is pretty darn cool, even with the nosie.

 

[boBQuincy]

The XTi high ISO is not that good and even though a faster lens would help a very strong flash might be a better choice. Canon's 580 series has a guide number of 190, which (if I recall correctly) means at ISO 100 it is good to about 50 feet at f/4!

If I don't recall correctly I bet someone will correct me very quickly!

 

[ukcatfan]

So I was thinking of getting a better quality lens that would let more light in. But recently, I was thinking of upgrading my camera to the Canon EOS 7D. But I can't afford both before my next trip to Disney.

The XTi high ISO is not that good and even though a faster lens would help a very strong flash might be a better choice. Canon's 580 series has a guide number of 190, which (if I recall correctly) means at ISO 100 it is good to about 50 feet at f/4!

If I don't recall correctly I bet someone will correct me very quickly!

A flash is a definite must in general, but often is not allowed or effective in the shots at WDW.

 

[Frantasmic]

You couldn't afford a 7D and fast lens, but you could compromise a bit.

Get a Ti2 and the 200 f2.8 L lens. You have a better camera, with HD video and a good, crisp lens for about the same price as the 7D by itself.

I am kind of surprised that your 55-250 doesn't do better though. Are you taking pictures in near darkness?

 

[photo_chick]

OK... big DOH here.... my brain read XTi as T1i and I responded with that in mind.... yeah... Ok... sorry bout that. My bad. LOL

You were prolly thinking I was totally nuts there. Which would not be far form the truth.

THe 7D would be an improvement ISO wise but so would the T1i and the T2i, as would the 50D. WIth that in mind... You will gain several stops with any of those cameras. If a faster shutter speed is all you're after I'd go for the T2i and a faster lens than what you have.

 

[mabas9395]

Everytime I use 12800 on my 50D and people look at it and groan about the noise I remind them that regualr 35mm film stopped at 6400. Shooting in near dark is pretty darn cool, even with the nosie.

And playing with Lightroom 3 Beta Noise Reduction gives you very, very acceptable results considering the conditions you can shoot in. But thats a topic for another thread.

Personally, I would be happier with my 70-200 f/2.8 IS on my old Rebel XT than a lower end lens on my newer 50D. Although, I have not tried the 55-250, but I doubt it would be good enough to change my mind.

That being said, my 70-200 f/2.8 IS on a new 7D doesn't sound too bad either. How many more days until Christmas?

 

[Master Mason]

Two things, first I agree with what the others have said about the Lens giving you more bang for the buck,

Second, You could always not zoom in as much and then crop it as needed. I have a lot of sports shoots that that is what I have to do. The far end of my lens is 200 or 320 with the extender, when the kids are a couple of hundred feet away I have way too much space around them so I just crop it down.

 

[ukcatfan]

OK... big DOH here.... my brain read XTi as T1i and I responded with that in mind.... yeah... Ok... sorry bout that. My bad. LOL

You were prolly thinking I was totally nuts there. Which would not be far form the truth.

THe 7D would be an improvement ISO wise but so would the T1i and the T2i, as would the 50D. WIth that in mind... You will gain several stops with any of those cameras. If a faster shutter speed is all you're after I'd go for the T2i and a faster lens than what you have.

You are not the only one. I guess it was seeing it written as xTi instead of XTi somehow threw my brain to T1i Anyway, a T1i and lens would probably be about the same price as the 7D and offer more of an upgrade than just the 7D with no lens.

 

[photo_chick]

And playing with Lightroom 3 Beta Noise Reduction gives you very, very acceptable results considering the conditions you can shoot in. But thats a topic for another thread.

Personally, I would be happier with my 70-200 f/2.8 IS on my old Rebel XT than a lower end lens on my newer 50D. Although, I have not tried the 55-250, but I doubt it would be good enough to change my mind.

That being said, my 70-200 f/2.8 IS on a new 7D doesn't sound too bad either. How many more days until Christmas?

I agree and disagree here.

I also have the Rebel XT and the 50D in my bag. For me, the huge leap in noise reduction along with the extra stops that I immediately had available for every lens with the higher ISO settings was why I got a new camera. But at the same time I've been disappointed in how some lenses that I felt were fine on my XT just don't measure up on the 50D.

I can see both sides.. but the XTi is pretty outdated technology wise.

 

[pjacobi]

Personally, I would be happier with my 70-200 f/2.8 IS on my old Rebel XT than a lower end lens on my newer 50D. Although, I have not tried the 55-250, but I doubt it would be good enough to change my mind.

55-250 IS: weight 13.8oz
80-200 f/2.8 (IS): weight 51.2-56oz

The 80-200 f/2.8 is way too heavy and too expensive for me!

In some cases, the photographer must accept that there is simply not enough light for the shot.


-Paul

 

[Agent P]

Agree that upgrade glass before camera. Always a better long term return on investment. Other cheaper lens options include the Sigma 50-150 2.8 or the Tokina 50-135 2.8.

 

[bob100]

A recent frustrating example was at my daughter's school choir concert where I was a few rows back, trying to get a close up shot of just her face as she was singing.

I agree with the others, 'glass before body' but there are many alternatives. If you expect to take a lot of indoor low light photos look for a "fast" prime that has a large aperture, e.g. f1.4. f1.8 or f2.8 etc. for recommendations look at the different telephoto lens in www.photography-on-the.net/forum