DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Help deciding, new Camera or Lens... or both...:S
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 13 of 13, (reverse)
AuthorThread
12/02/2011 10:19:35 AM · #1
Hi guys,

just need some advice on where to spend, without going into details I have been gifted some money towards some camera equiptment and its a chance for me to buy some Luxury items I may of otherwise not considered.
However I am stuck between a few choices.

I currently own a 550D, A decent set of lenses below 80mm but only a very average lens covering anything higher then that. So its something Already on my shopping list.
As for what I shoot, I am very much in an experimental advanced amateur Phase I guess, still learning all the time. I dont have a niche, I enjoy shooting a little bit of everything at the moment, but in particular I want to play around with action shots and portraits. Earning a little on the side with events and alot of Indoor shots of parties.I shoot alot of video on my DSLR and that something that is very important factor in the camera I own.

So the choice I have in front of me is do I upgrade to a Canon 7D and spend about 600 on a 70-200 L series Lens I have my eye on ( however this lacks USM or IS and only goes to F4) Or do I keep my camera and spend all the money on an L series 70-200mm which has USM and goes to F2.8(about £1500).
then again I could spend it all on a 5D mark2 for the full frame, is that even worth thinking about?
or finally, I buy an L seriers in the £1000 range,(USM and F4) and save the rest to pay towards the next camera that Canon release, as the 7 D has been around a while ( is there any news or rumours about this?)

So thats the predicament I\'m in, I really want something that will take me to the next level in photography and maintain the video capibilities and manual control.

1 extra question I have is if you compare the £1500 2.8 70-200mm L USM series with a £600 4.0 70-200mm L USM, in ideal conditions on a tripod, is there going to be much difference to warrent that price difference?
12/02/2011 10:33:00 AM · #2
buy both
12/02/2011 10:48:27 AM · #3
I would say go and buy the canon 70-200 f4 is usm lens and save up for a new body later.. from what I have read it sounds like the canon 70-200 f4 is usm lens is/was the sharpest lens out of the bunch tell the markii came out..
and to compared to the 70-200 non is verision the one with IS is leeps better... its not just IS your paying for its like a 7 years diff in technology.. and better IQ.. so for the extra $400 you wont regret it...

B&H is having a sale right now check it out.

//www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/457678-USA/Canon_1258B002AA_EF_70_200mm_f_4L_IS.html#costumerReview

Message edited by author 2011-12-02 10:49:06.
12/02/2011 11:11:49 AM · #4
I agree that the 70-200 f4 is a great choice. If you can, get the IS version, but if you can't the non-IS version is a great lens as well.
I would *not* recommend moving to full frame. FF on a limited budget is a heck of a challenge. FF will show you issues with your lenses that you never saw before, and good wide-angle glass for FF is pricey. Stick with a good APS-C body, and improve your glass.
12/02/2011 11:52:45 AM · #5
If I were you, I wouldn't hesitate to invest in good-quality lenses. Camera bodies are constantly being upgraded, and there are always, always, ALWAYS sales on. And hey, maybe you could find a well-cared for FF body as a refurb or used.
12/02/2011 01:26:16 PM · #6
I'd say go for the 70-200L IS f4.0. I have that and the same camera as you - saving for a FF body at some point. The lens is fantastic, and works great, but I think it'll shine even more on a FF camera at some point.

The IS is really worth it IMO.

You know, upgrading to a 7D wouldn't necessarily give you better images, as the sensor is identical. If / when you upgrade your body, I'd really suggest upgrading to a better sensor and not just the case around it ;)
12/02/2011 01:32:07 PM · #7
If there's nothing that irritates you about your camera -- then get the glass. I started with a rebel -- love the camera, but wanted something faster and better for wildlife. Upgraded to the 20D. Always hated that. The focus was soft on it. I still think there was something wrong with the camera, but canon said there wasn't. Saved up for a year and updated to the 40D.

After that, I would have stayed with the 40D, even though the 7D had things I liked better, I really liked my 40D. Any money would be put towards glass.

I only have the 7D because the 40D broke multiple times and badly the last time. I didn't trust it anymore, so I updated. If I hadn't had problems, I'd still be using the 40D and getting the better lenses. Cameras come and go. Good glass is really nice!
12/03/2011 02:58:57 PM · #8
many thanks for your helpful replies, I think its cemented the the opinion that I will only invest in some glass at this point.
Its a toss up between the 70-200L F4.0 USM with IS or without, its about £400 difference.

the only question still on my mind is, ( and the first poster hinted about) is the difference between the 2 simply that one has the IS technology and the other does not, or has the newer lens had more changed about it that would warrant that extra investment.

again, thank you for your help.
12/03/2011 04:53:43 PM · #9
The difference is the IS. There are old & new version of the f/2.8 lens (the new is the "II" version) but not the f4.
12/03/2011 05:07:38 PM · #10
I bought the f2.8 70-200mm as I wanted a fast, sharp lens. When I unpacked it, I knew it was a mistake...it was the same weight and dimensions as my 100-400mm. Trying carrying that around all day!

So, I sold it for the same as I paid and bought the 70-200mm f4 IS model and it suits me, an oldie, down to the ground. Get the 70-200mm f4 with IS, it is worth it in the long run as you have lost a couple of stops by not getting the f2.8 model.

Happy shotting with whatever you chose:)
12/04/2011 11:00:12 PM · #11
What do you think that the new lens will do that the 90-300 won't?
12/08/2011 07:48:38 AM · #12
Not sure what the last poster was refering too as no one is talking about a 90-300mm....

But thanks everyone else for your help, I have ordered the 70-200mm with IS, now I wait anxiously to try it out :)
12/08/2011 07:54:36 AM · #13
Originally posted by kaelell:

Not sure what the last poster was refering too as no one is talking about a 90-300mm....

But thanks everyone else for your help, I have ordered the 70-200mm with IS, now I wait anxiously to try it out :)


You will love that lens
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 06:11:39 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/28/2024 06:11:39 PM EDT.