Upgrading worth the money?

[willis37862]

Right now I have a Canon Rebel XT and am drooling over the Canon D50. But we are talking around $1200 with the lens ( or at least that's as cheap as I have been able to find on the internet and we don't have any camera stores near us). My question is are the features and the quality of the photos I will get out of the D50 worth it or is it not that great of an upgrade from what I have? I have been online reading reviews and it looks like a great camera with lots of cool features but I need help justifying the pricetag right now. I'm not a professional photographer ( as if that was in doubt ) just an amateur who loves photography. We are heading to the world at the end of next month and am trying to decide before then. Thanks for any help, suggestions or opinions.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

While I can't give you any advice on the Canon products (Pentax shooter), I faced a similar dilemna. I have a K10d and was debating to upgrade to the K7 (already decided not to do the K20d because not enough upgrades to justify cost). While I was getting good images (kit lenses), I wasn't getting the kick butt images I have seen posted everywhere. After much debate and reading, I decided the issue was me, the photographer. I went to class and read as much as I could about photography and my camera. I decided I would upgrade my glass instead of the body to assist me in getting those difficult lighting shots. I have recently taken possession of three new lenses, Sigma APO 24-70mm f2.8 ex dg hsm, APO 70-200mm f2.8 ex dg hsm, and an APO 100-300mm f4 ex dg. While I'm still learning the nuances of these lenses, I saw an immediate improvement in the quality of the images. I tend not to over process my images, but attempt to get them right with the camera. I have not regretted the choice! Eventually, I will upgrade the body, but for now I want to maximize what I have.

 

[C&B Young]

We upgraded from the Rebel XS to the 50D. What I like about the 50D vs. the Rebel is the higher ISO, higher megapixels (more cropping options), higher burst rate, plus the LCD screen on the 50D is just gorgeous. The ergonomics of the 50D are a lot different than the Rebel, it's a lot heftier and has the scroll wheel control on the back. If you haven't already done so, make sure you handle one and see how it feels in your hands. Have you looked at the Rebel T1i also? It's got a lot of features comparable to the 50D, but adds video. I couldn't find a comparison anywhere online with the XT, but here is a good comparison between the 50D and the T1i, plus the XSi.

 

[AndrewWG]

For what it is worth, I am thinking of "downgrading" from the 30D to the XSi sometime soon. I have seen enough fantastic photos from the XSi to give me all I need to know vs spending another $600+ for the 50D or the 7D that I could spend on lenses if I so desired.

 

[jann1033]

i upgraded from a xt to a 40d and have been more than happy i did it. i was never totally thrilled with my photos with the xt. i thought maybe it was just going from film to digital that made them less than sharp 80% of the time but the focus system difference is so much better it's unreal, espec with the f2.8 lenses(same lenses so that rules out user error imo). the speed is much better. personally i didn't find the difference between the 40 and 50 to be worth the extra cost( and the speed and iq were slightly worse on the 50d than the 40d) but from the xt to 40( or 50 if the 40s are all gone) definitely so. if the speed( 6fps vs 3.5 or so) isn't worth it to you maybe try a xsi since the focus system is better on that as well and it has some of the same features as the 40/50ds.

 

[BorisMD]

jann1033, I too am thinking of upgrading my XT to the 40D (or maybe a 7D). I am curious about your focus comment -- are you usually letting the AF select the focus point, or do you pick which point to use.

I'm trying to figure out why the focusing is better on the better body. I usually use the center focus point, lock on and then recompose. I found that when I chose the auto focus points, the camera would often focus on the wrong part of the frame (eg the background and not the subject).

Regards,

Boris

 

[bob100]

For what it is worth, I am thinking of "downgrading" from the 30D to the XSi sometime soon. I have seen enough fantastic photos from the XSi to give me all I need to know vs spending another $600+ for the 50D or the 7D that I could spend on lenses if I so desired.

that was my thinking. sites like www.dpreview.com rate the XSi (450D) image quality and ISO performance higher than the older 40D and other similar models. If you don't need the high fps or video of the T1i the low price of the XSi makes it a bargain.

 

[boBQuincy]

Right now I have a Canon Rebel XT and am drooling over the Canon D50. But we are talking around $1200 with the lens ( or at least that's as cheap as I have been able to find on the internet and we don't have any camera stores near us). My question is are the features and the quality of the photos I will get out of the D50 worth it or is it not that great of an upgrade from what I have?

This is quite an upgrade, in handling, image quality, cleaner high ISO, focus speed, etc. However... upgrading to a newer Rebel (Xsi or T1i) would also be quite a jump in those areas. We have discussed the pros and cons of Rebels vs xxD models in other threads, the difference in image quality is not an issue. I see little difference in handling while others consider it to be significant. It will probably take a trip to the store and actually handling the cameras to decide.

Fwiw, I went with the Rebel series a year ago and am happy with the choice.

 

[mabas9395]

I did exactly that, upgraded from an XT to a 50D, and for me it was definitely worth it. But I think the better question for the OP to be asking is "Assuming I have $1,200 to spend on photography, what is the best use of those funds?" Depending on what lenses, flashes, etc you already have, you might see a bigger improvement in your photos if you spent some money on some of those, than if you upgraded your body. Then again, a new body might be the right way to go. I just think it would be a good idea to ask the broader question first.

 

[alan]

I don't have the 50D, but I do have a 350D (Rebel XT). If you are using the kit lens, you will get an utterly incredible improvement in quality of your pictures by investing in a 24-105mm L lens. And I don't use the work lightly; truly the difference in image quality is amazing. I know, I've been there!

My expectation is that you will get a far greater improvement in picture quality by doing that than by spending the same money on a 50D, though I can't prove it.

regards,
/alan

 

[disneyboy2003]

Right now I have a Canon Rebel XT and am drooling over the Canon D50. But we are talking around $1200 with the lens ( or at least that's as cheap as I have been able to find on the internet and we don't have any camera stores near us). My question is are the features and the quality of the photos I will get out of the D50 worth it or is it not that great of an upgrade from what I have? I have been online reading reviews and it looks like a great camera with lots of cool features but I need help justifying the pricetag right now. I'm not a professional photographer ( as if that was in doubt ) just an amateur who loves photography. We are heading to the world at the end of next month and am trying to decide before then. Thanks for any help, suggestions or opinions.

First of all, if you're gonna buy the Canon 50D, all the lenses that you're currently using with your Rebel XT should work with the 50D. So you don't actually have to buy the 50D with the lens. You can actually buy the Canon 50D body only.

(However, someone suggested earlier in one of the other threads that you can buy the 50D + kit lens and then re-sell the kit lens and make about $100?)

Regarding your specific question in bold, I think the features of the Canon 50D are a worthwhile upgrade from the Canon XT, but I'm not quite sure the image quality will be soooo much better. Perhaps you could use the Canon 50D as your new primary camera and then use the Canon XT as a back-up camera.

The 50D has quite a few features that make photography much easier. If you normally shoot in Manual mode, you'll really appreciate that big dial / wheel on the back of the camera to adjust the aperture. This allows you to use 2 separate dials to adjust the shutter speed and the aperture separately. Currently with your Rebel XT, you're using the same dial to adjust both the shutter speed and the aperture if you're shooting in Manual mode. Eventually, it becomes finger-gymnastics trying to adjust both of these one-handed on the Rebel XT. (The large dial / wheel in the back is also used for exposure compensation, if you're shooting in Av or Tv modes.)

I also like the LCD screen at the top of the Canon 50D. It shows you all your current camera settings right there, without you having to do anything. On the Rebel XT, if you want to view your current camera settings, you have to press some button to display the settings on the LCD monitor in the back. That can get pretty annoying after a while.

I think the Canon 50D is just a different tool to get you the same picture you could with the Rebel XT. Sure, there have been a few changes in technology (ie. more megapixels, improvements in the camera processor, improvements in ISO and noise reduction, etc), but would these changes be noticeable in your current photography?

If you've got $1200 to spend, I'd hope that you'd get the most BANG for your buck. I'd hate to see you spend $1200 on a Canon 50D, only to find out the pictures you're taking with the 50D turn out *exactly* the same as those with the Rebel XT! I've seen this happen several times.

As mabas9395 said above, $1200 might also be better spent on better lenses or an external flash (ex. Canon Speedlite 580EX II). These will give you noticeable improvements in your photography!

Just some thoughts. Let us know what you end up deciding.

 

[willis37862]

Thank you very much for all of the replies. You all have given me a LOT to think about I must admit I have never been a fan of my Rebel! I had film canons before and loved them but the Rebel has always preformed sub par at best to me, reading your replies maybe it is the lens I have used it with other lens and still not been sold 100% on it. So not sure which it is I don't like.

We went tonight to Best Buy and I tried out several of the Canons including the 50D and was suprised the most at it's weight and how solidly built it felt compared to the Rebel. Of course the lady working there liked the 7D best but that is outta the question for sure.

Thanks again to everyone who has offered help I am going to keep researching and try to make my mind up. I really appreciate everything you all have given me to think over! I admire the beautiful pictures posted on this forum and know you all know your stuff.

 

[jann1033]

jann1033, I too am thinking of upgrading my XT to the 40D (or maybe a 7D). I am curious about your focus comment -- are you usually letting the AF select the focus point, or do you pick which point to use.

I'm trying to figure out why the focusing is better on the better body. I usually use the center focus point, lock on and then recompose. I found that when I chose the auto focus points, the camera would often focus on the wrong part of the frame (eg the background and not the subject).

Regards,

Boris

the focus system is different. on the 40 ( and i think 50) the center point is a diagonal cross point focus for lenses f2.8 and larger, the rest of the points are cross points for f5 or larger lenses. somehow( read about it before i got the camera but my brain retains nothing ) that makes a much more accurate focus. the 40 also has more points , i think the xt had 2or3 less

i use/d the center focus and recompose ( same as you) with both cameras. at times my xt would change points by itself( not on auto, no dialsturned just voila another point would light up ,not sure what was up with that) but imo i rarely got a really good sharp focus. it could have been just my particular body or a combination of factors, i just know the 40 focus works much better than the xt did and my photos are much sharper

 

[willis37862]

the focus system is different. on the 40 ( and i think 50) the center point is a diagonal cross point focus for lenses f2.8 and larger, the rest of the points are cross points for f5 or larger lenses. somehow( read about it before i got the camera but my brain retains nothing ) that makes a much more accurate focus. the 40 also has more points , i think the xt had 2or3 less

i use/d the center focus and recompose ( same as you) with both cameras. at times my xt would change points by itself( not on auto, no dialsturned just voila another point would light up ,not sure what was up with that) but imo i rarely got a really good sharp focus. it could have been just my particular body or a combination of factors, i just know the 40 focus works much better than the xt did and my photos are much sharper

I agree, I never feel like the pictures I take with my xt are sharp. Glad to hear you are having better luck with the 40. I have been reading so much about the different canon's I think my head is going to explode

 

[jann1033]

Thank you very much for all of the replies. You all have given me a LOT to think about I must admit I have never been a fan of my Rebel! I had film canons before and loved them but the Rebel has always preformed sub par at best to me, reading your replies maybe it is the lens I have used it with other lens and still not been sold 100% on it. So not sure which it is I don't like.

We went tonight to Best Buy and I tried out several of the Canons including the 50D and was suprised the most at it's weight and how solidly built it felt compared to the Rebel. Of course the lady working there liked the 7D best but that is outta the question for sure.

Thanks again to everyone who has offered help I am going to keep researching and try to make my mind up. I really appreciate everything you all have given me to think over! I admire the beautiful pictures posted on this forum and know you all know your stuff.

what lenses have you been using with it? i felt the same way as what i bolded though

i may have already said this( my posts wouldn't go through yesterday and to lazy to check what did or did not) but the lenses i used with the xt are the same i am using with my 40 and the end result is sharper( canon 50mmf1.8, 70-200 f4, 28-135 IS( rarely use now though, used all the time with xt since i got the tamron) 100mm macro ( off brand) and tamron 17-50 f2.8( new since i got the 40 so not comparable)

however that being said, most of the stuff i have sold has been taken with the xt so evidently it looks ok for people who maybe don't examine it with a magnifying glass like i have a tendency to do. I could pretty much always tell what photo was taken with a d grade canon vs the rebel even before i got mine so i do think it's something about the older rebels that just didn't have the sharpness the ds did. I think you probably would be happy with either a newer rebel ( according to all reviews i have read much much improved over the xt/xtis) if speed is not an issue for you or the 50d. and the IS "kit " and 50-250 lenses are way better as well so if that is what comes with the 50 now(rather than the 28-135) you could be upgrading both lenses and body, depending on what lenses you have now

 

[boBQuincy]

I agree, I never feel like the pictures I take with my xt are sharp. Glad to hear you are having better luck with the 40. I have been reading so much about the different canon's I think my head is going to explode

The focus chip on the Xsi (and maybe T1i) is very similar (or identical) to the one on the 40D, it is greatly improved from the Xt. The newer kit lenses (with IS) are also greatly improved from the original 18-55. They still look and feel cheap but optically they are quite good.

Most on this board know I favor Rebels for the weight and size. The handling of the Rebels was very clunky and the viewfinders were small & dim, I stuck with the xxD series up until the Xsi was released. Here is what one photographer said about the improvement:

http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/xsi-field.html

One note, what DisneyBoy wrote about the one wheel (Rebel) vs two wheels (xxD) is still an issue for some. I rarely use Manual mode (and see little need for it except for fireworks) so this is not an issue for me. I also do not miss the top LCD since almost everything I need to see is in the viewfinder.

All this should make your brain hurt a little more!

 

[willis37862]

The focus chip on the Xsi (and maybe T1i) is very similar (or identical) to the one on the 40D, it is greatly improved from the Xt. The newer kit lenses (with IS) are also greatly improved from the original 18-55. They still look and feel cheap but optically they are quite good.

Most on this board know I favor Rebels for the weight and size. The handling of the Rebels was very clunky and the viewfinders were small & dim, I stuck with the xxD series up until the Xsi was released. Here is what one photographer said about the improvement:

http://luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/xsi-field.html

One note, what DisneyBoy wrote about the one wheel (Rebel) vs two wheels (xxD) is still an issue for some. I rarely use Manual mode (and see little need for it except for fireworks) so this is not an issue for me. I also do not miss the top LCD since almost everything I need to see is in the viewfinder.

All this should make your brain hurt a little more!

Thanks Bob and yes my head is spinning I appreciate everyone's help. I have been pouring over reviews and am going to look at the 50D again this weekend but after everything I have read I think it is a good fit for me if I can handle the weight. Thanks again everyone