Upgrade or Stick

[solly230]

Hi I am new to these forums and have just started the course I really enjoy my photography and one day hope to go pro. My current camera is the canon 1000d/Rebel XS With the 18-55is and 55-250is lenses.This is a very basic DSLR and I have been thinking of upgrading to maybe the 450d, 500d or 40d. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on the best route to take or whether I would be better sticking with my current camera and upgrading the lenses. I look forward to hearing your views.
Thanks
John

[jerryph]

It depends on you. Is your photography being limited by your cameras? Honestly, I do not think you are pushing even 50% of what that camera can do because mostly, if anything is holding you back, it is your lenses... you have 2 of the lowest quality lenses that Canon can put on that camera, and lenses, more than anything else (up to a point), will have a greater impact on your photography than a body.

[coffee]

The rebel is a decent camera, it was my first DSLR. A few years ago I upgraded to the 40d.

Jerry is right in his advice to look at your lens lineup as well. My best advice is not to upgrade to a 40d or similar if you are going to use the same lenses. Don't get me wrong, the 40d will open up new possibilities that the reble lacks, but your lenses will still be a bottle neck.

I believe John that the 450d and 500d is not a big leap from the rebel. The 40d is a large upgrade from the rebel. If I were you, I would only consider the 40d from the choices you list.

Now, if you were going to upgrade you lenses as well and still have cash for a camera, go with the 40d. But if you only have a choice of lenses or camera, I would go with good quality lenses. They will/should/could last you a lifetime. Camera bodies are something we all go through.

If you are set on buying a camera only with your existing lenses, your quality of images probably won't change much from what probably is fair to ok. What you will get with the 40d once you get familiar with it, is many upgrades that will allow you an advantage in wildlife shots (faster frames), larger files size for larger prints, probably a little better quality than the rebel, much better focusing, Better noise control, many on camera buttons that allows faster changing of things instead of having to go through the menu, and many other things.

So if it's a camera you want, you will have more control and the things listed above, but the same quality of picture images probably.

[solly230]

Thanks for your advice guys it really is appreciated. I think your wright and I should stick with my current camera at least for the time being and look at lenses instead to try and get the best out of my existing camera.
Are there any reasonably priced lenses that you would recomend to help me get the best out of my camera?

[coffee]

Thanks for your advice guys it really is appreciated. I think your wright and I should stick with my current camera at least for the time being and look at lenses instead to try and get the best out of my existing camera.
Are there any reasonably priced lenses that you would recomend to help me get the best out of my camera?

I think the most reasonable lens you can buy is the canon 50mm 1.8. It cost around a hundred dollars or less, and is tack sharp. It's commonly referred to as the nifty 50. The 50mm focal length is not always usable for indoors unless it's a larger room, but anyone that owns a DSLR should have one of these in their bag.

[w8jy]

I agree with the previous comments: your lenses need upgrading before the camera body.

Another thing to keep in mind is that there is a learning curve you need to master each time you upgrade a body. As you improve the quality (and complexity) of the camera body, each step up has a steeper learning curve.

Until you have all the lenses you need to adequately do your type of photography, I would hold off on getting a new body. Camera body upgrades make sense only when you reach the point where your current camera is unable to do the things you wish to do.

Another big advantage in keeping a camera body for a while is that using it becomes instinctive. You no longer have to think about the mechanical functions and can concentrate on the image you are trying to capture.

[solly230]

Thanks for your help I have taken your advice and invested in the 50mm 1.8 wow what a lense and for such a bargain price.
I will deffinatelly be sticking with my current camera and upgrading my lenses before I think about a new body. Do you have any advice on any other good lenses I should look at to replace the two kit lenses I have. As good as the 50mm lens is it is limited due to the focal range.

[jerryph]

Find out what your needs are. No sense in asking what other lenses you should have because the only person to answer that is you. After that, if you want to play it safe, in the Canon world, get the Canon lenses that come in the "L" class.

Don't discount other brands, but do your research as to what lens fits your needs.

[coffee]

Jerry gave some good advice here, but if you were like me when I started out, I wasn't sure what my needs were at the time. I knew I loved wildlife. So I bought a $225.00 150-400mm zoom, not really knowing what the difference in quality lenses fuss was all about. I did learn fast though. That lens sucked all over the place. Sure it was cheap and got me a few shots, but quickly found out it was a slow lens, focused slow, and the zoom mechanism was not smooth. That's when I start learning about quality lenses.

Jerry is also right that once you figure out the type of photography you want to do, and have a good idea what focal lengths you will need, look to Canon and the "L" series lenses. If the cost is too much to stomach, save up or look to other brands and do your research.

[trashytrucker]

Solly,
These people are right and they give you sound advice. Save $$ for the quality "L" series lenses. They seem a bit pricy at first, but in the long run you will learn that you get what you pay for. These people offering advice are trying to help you not make the same mistakes on buying less inferior lenses that "we" all have done. (notice I said we) IMHO Good luck and save,save,save.
Most of us out here have a passion (or insanity) for what we do. It has taken us a long while to get built up on the equipment we think we need. So again, dont settle less for the cheaper. Because if you are like most of us, eventually you will probabally want the better even if it does take you longer and have to wait. (get the 50mm 1.8 though)

[solly230]

Thanks for all your advice guys your all legends and I am going to take your advice. I did upgrade my camera though I was offered a deal on the 40d which would have been silly to turn down. I also picked up the sigma 10-20 wide angle which I think is great. But I will not be buying any other lenses or equipment untill I can afford the best I am looking to do more portrait and wedding work so looking at the best lenses for these when I can afford it.
Thanks again any other advice greatly accepted.