topic Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

Andrewadrian — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 03:23:50 GMT

I feel i am ready to progress to a better camera body. I have had a 450D for about 5 years now. I shoot mainly protraits and landscapes. I do like to dabble in some photojournalism on occasion. It seems the 7D MarkII would be a good choice based on online reviews but I would like to know what the Canon community think? Any advice regarding lenses as well would be greatly appreciated.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 06:15:29 GMT

The 7D Mk II is light years ahead of your XSi. You will love it. It is a robust camera, you will notice that right off. It is a little larger body, for me that is a plus. I shot two 7D's for years and can testify they are great cameras. The 7D Mk II is just a nice improvement over that very good 7D.

Another plus, the 7D Mk II will use your current lens(s). It will also use the even better Canon EF lenses which include the "L" series.

If you have your heart set on a 7D Mk II go get it.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ScottyP — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 09:59:37 GMT

Also consider glass. What lenses do you have?

If you are shooting landscapes and portraits you may not be able to see any difference in your images if you up grade to the 7d2. The 7d2 is all about complex autofocus for fast sports, and about weather sealing and solid metal construction. Your portraits and landscape are not moving so get little benefit from the complex autofocus, and as you have gone 5 years without physically destroying your 450d it is unclear that weather sealing and a metal chassis is something you've been needing much either.

While 2 side by side portraits or other slow moving subject images won't look very different with the 2 different cameras they could look very different with better lenses. If you have not ever updated your lenses to good glass I wouldn't go spend all my upgrade budget on a body and then put kit lenses on it.

in that situation you might rather buy a T6i or an 80d (or no camera) and leave money for lenses.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

Waddizzle — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 14:56:54 GMT

I think your current lens arsenal should factor into your new camera decision. If you are heavily invested in EF-S lenses, then the 7D2 or 80D would be your best choices. If you have a number of EF lenses, then you might consider a full frame camera body like the 6D or 5D3.

I just spent the weekend at a zoo, where I carried a 7D2 and a 6D. I wanted to compare performance and image quality. I had two "L" lenses, the 100-400mm and a 70-200mm. I took a couple hundred shots with each camera, swapped lenses, and shot a couple hundred more. I felt the full frame 6D consistently had the best images, with least amount of noise. It really wasn't close, IMHO..

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7D2 w/100-400mm

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6D w/70-200mm

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

RobertTheFat — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 11:53:27 GMT

@ScottyP wrote:
Also consider glass. What lenses do you have?

If you are shooting landscapes and portraits you may not be able to see any difference in your images if you up grade to the 7d2. The 7d2 is all about complex autofocus for fast sports, and about weather sealing and solid metal construction. Your portraits and landscape are not moving so get little benefit from the complex autofocus, and as you have gone 5 years without physically destroying your 450d it is unclear that weather sealing and a metal chassis is something you've been needing much either.

While 2 side by side portraits or other slow moving subject images won't look very different with the 2 different cameras they could look very different with better lenses. If you have not ever updated your lenses to good glass I wouldn't go spend all my upgrade budget on a body and then put kit lenses on it.

in that situation you might rather buy a T6i or an 80d (or no camera) and leave money for lenses.

I don't dispute the benefits of better glass, but I think Scott understates the difference between the two cameras. The 450D, IIRC, is a 12 Mp camera; the 7D2 is a bit over 20. That alone could make a significant difference if you want to create large prints.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

jrhoffman75 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:02:25 GMT

Google "7D Mar4k II vs 80D" . There is a good "resource" site. Look at the advantages and see if they will fill a void in your shooting needs. Are they worth the cost dif

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ScottyP — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 13:25:04 GMT

@RobertTheFat wrote:
@ScottyP wrote:
Also consider glass. What lenses do you have?

If you are shooting landscapes and portraits you may not be able to see any difference in your images if you up grade to the 7d2. The 7d2 is all about complex autofocus for fast sports, and about weather sealing and solid metal construction. Your portraits and landscape are not moving so get little benefit from the complex autofocus, and as you have gone 5 years without physically destroying your 450d it is unclear that weather sealing and a metal chassis is something you've been needing much either.

While 2 side by side portraits or other slow moving subject images won't look very different with the 2 different cameras they could look very different with better lenses. If you have not ever updated your lenses to good glass I wouldn't go spend all my upgrade budget on a body and then put kit lenses on it.

in that situation you might rather buy a T6i or an 80d (or no camera) and leave money for lenses.
I don't dispute the benefits of better glass, but I think Scott understates the difference between the two cameras. The 450D, IIRC, is a 12 Mp camera; the 7D2 is a bit over 20. That alone could make a significant difference if you want to create large prints.

Not trying to understate but only trying to

see that glass is considered in the budget. Note a

T6i has a 24mp sensor and would leave money for glass.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

Waddizzle — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 14:40:40 GMT

"Not trying to understate but only trying to see that glass is considered in the budget. Note a T6i has a 24mp sensor and would leave money for glass. "

The T6i is a great camera. But, the T6s is more than worth the higher cost. If the OP wants to get more serious about photography, then it is time to leave the Rebel camera bodies behind.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

Andrewadrian — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 15:14:50 GMT

Thanks jrhoffman75,

I hadn't considered the 80D. It seems buying that body and spending the extra cash on decent EF lenses is the way to go. Especially as that body allows me to use my older EFS lenses whilst investing for the future with EF lenses that I may need when I upgrade again in the future.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ebiggs1 — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 17:14:23 GMT

"Especially as that body allows me to use my older EFS lenses ..."

So will the 7D Mk II as any of the other cameras mentioned except the 6D. Any of the xxD or new Rebels is going to be a upgrade that should be easily noticeable quickly by anyone. The 7D Mk II however is a significant upgrade over a XSi.

The 7D Mk II is a pro level DSLR, the others mentioned, even the 6D, are not.

Putting the 7D Mk II in a specific category niche such a, it can only shoot fast action sports is pure nonsense.

In the end though the choice is yours.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

Andrewadrian — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 17:34:58 GMT

Thanks ebiggs1, you make some great points. I didn't realise the 7D also took both lenses. Whilst I agree it is a significant upgrade, I'm not convinced it is great value for money based on my current photographic experience. Also, another contributor made a good point about spending more on better lenses at this stage than a relatively expensive body which leaves me having to work with very my current basic lenses. Hopefully buying a more reasonably priced body will enable me to buy a decent lens or two. My next challenge is which lens to begin with.

Such a tough decision. Thanks everyone for your comments.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ScottyP — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 22:35:53 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
"Not trying to understate but only trying to see that glass is considered in the budget. Note a T6i has a 24mp sensor and would leave money for glass. "

The T6i is a great camera. But, the T6s is more than worth the higher cost. If the OP wants to get more serious about photography, then it is time to leave the Rebel camera bodies behind.

I don't disagree. I was typing on my phone which takes forever and so I only gave the cheapest option I would consider. I think, depending on the OP's budget and on how many lenses he'd like to get or need to get, I think the logical choices to consider would be T6i, T6s, 80d, in order of increasing cost and features.

He seems to be on the right track, planning to get EF lenses so he can have an easier time if he decides to go full frame later.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ScottyP — Tue, 23 Aug 2016 22:47:15 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"Especially as that body allows me to use my older EFS lenses ..."

So will the 7D Mk II as any of the other cameras mentioned except the 6D. Any of the xxD or new Rebels is going to be a upgrade that should be easily noticeable quickly by anyone. The 7D Mk II however is a significant upgrade over a XSi.
The 7D Mk II is a pro level DSLR, the others mentioned, even the 6D, are not.

Putting the 7D Mk II in a specific category niche such a, it can only shoot fast action sports is pure nonsense.

In the end though the choice is yours.

I never said it can only shoot fast action and sports. I only said that the things you pay extra for on a 7d2 are not things the OP seems to need.

He could get a great AF system (the one from the 7d1 actually) in the T6s or the 80d and a higher MP sensor as well, and other nice new features, and save money. Saved money could buy real image quality gains in the form of lenses. On the contrary not leaving any budget for any upgraded lenses (HYPOTHETICALLY because I don't pretend to know OP's budget) could lead to a waste of a very expensive pro 7d2 if it had to be used with the decidedly non-pro kit lenses.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ebiggs1 — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:07:05 GMT

"I never said it can only shoot fast action and sports. I only said that the things you pay extra for on a 7d2 are not things the OP seems to need."

I know you didn't Scotty. Didn't mean to direct that towards you in particularly. But there are a lot of 'reviewers' out there that try to promote that thought. One problem with reading and putting stock in some of those reviews.

It is a balancing act to decide which to do. Better camera or better lenses?

Going from a Rebel XSi we all think a more current up to date camera is a good thing. Just how far and how much gooder?

Certainly, the 7D Mk II is a long term upgrade. Another Rebel may just be a stop gap and a more professional camera will be sought after a little later on.

Do I just get better lenses and use what I have until I can buy a better camera? That would probably be my first choice if I were in his shoes. As I, personally, would not buy just another consumer or prosummer DSLR.

I might suggest the OP go to a store and handle a new Rebel and xxD and then a 7D Mk II. That should be all it takes to explain why I recommend going with the 7D Mk II.

These questions can only be determined by the OP.

Re: What next? I have had a 450D for the past few years. I would like some recommendations?

ScottyP — Wed, 24 Aug 2016 23:27:00 GMT

For sure always a trade off to balance.

In checking specs I was surprised to see the 80d has 45 af points. That's more than twice the 19 AF points 7d1 had, and until 7d2 came out just recently the 19 point af point 7d1 system was considered to be Canon's leading crop sports system. How time flies.