topic Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi??? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

msawa — Wed, 07 May 2014 18:45:53 GMT

I have taken over 25,000 photos with my Canon Rebel XSi and have had it for about 5 years. It has traveIed over 60,000 miles and has absolutely seen better days. I have purchased some lenses and started to begin making large prints.

When do I upgrade?

How much do I upgrade?

I am willing to spend $1,000 on a body.

Do I buy a nice used?

or a fresh new?

I am leaving for europe in 2 weeks and am seeking advice.

Help!

Examples of photos I take:

http://500px.com/MaxSawa

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

Skirball — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:04:52 GMT

That's up to you, there is no objective answer. Asking online you're going to talk to an abnormal distribution of people that are gear-dependent/enthusiasts; they tend to encourage upgrading. Which is fine, if you have money to spend and want to upgrade, then go for it.

However, it sounds to me more like you want to upgrade, than need. You mention how old your camera is, and how far it's traveled, but you don't mention any shortcomings. Is your camera limiting your photography somehow? Is it unreliable? Are there features on modern cameras that you need? I'd say that the "when", is when you answer yes to those.

The XSi is perfectly capable of making large prints; to an extent. I too took mine around the world, and put over 100,000 actuations and many many miles packed into an over-full backpack. It's still clicking. I upgraded out of want over need as well. My XSi made me enough money to pay for all my equipment and I had money to spare, so I eventually upgraded to full frame and made up a list of reasons why I needed it. I didn't, but I don't regret the upgrade.

I digress, but my point was stated. Personally I think that lenses are more important than cameras, but no doubt a modern camera would be a nice upgrade from an XSi. But you can answer which camera without answering what you'd like to improve in your XSi.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

Skirball — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:06:06 GMT

Also to add: I wouldn't upgrade before your trip in two weeks. It takes a bit of time to learn the finesse of a new camera. If you're comfortable with your XSi then stick with it.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

msawa — Wed, 07 May 2014 19:55:28 GMT

I appreciate the feedback! I can definitely see your point of view and greatly appreciate it. It is wise advice and your travels resonate with me.

Here are some things I fear with my XSi

I only ask to not combat your point, but to seek more insight on how I can fix these.

with only 12.2 MP I feel that when I enlargemy photos I am missing a great deal of detail.

I feel as if the contrast the XSi provides is no great (this could just be lighting)

Shutter speed is low

no video

Most of my night photos are grainy due to my low ISO settings paired with my MP's

Thanks again Skirball for the insight!

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

hsbn — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:09:59 GMT

-I'm using 30D 8mpx and I can make large print 16x20 for client just fine with some post processing. How large are you looking forward to print?

-There are many different factor for lack of contrast in your image such as low contrast lighting, using cheap filter, cheap lens, etc.

-Shutter speed has nothing to do with your camera. You'll need a faster lens or bump up the ISO which lead to the next point.

-Photos are grainy because you're using high ISO not because of your megapixel like you thought. Upgrading to newer camera may give you a tiny bit better high ISO performance but it will not get rid of the problem completely.

In short, I think you should keep your current camera and upgrade to a better lens which can solve almost all of your shortcoming.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

msawa — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:11:54 GMT

Thank you hsbn for the feedback, that does answer a lot of my questions. I am now probably on the wrong forum but if someone can direct me or provide insighton a great Wide angle lens and fixed lens

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

hsbn — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:12:49 GMT

what lens do you have right now?

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

msawa — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:19:38 GMT

I had a 50mm f/1.8 which was so cheap it broke

standard kit lens

70-300mm lens f/4-5.6

however I have played with

Sigma 70-200 lens

canon 28mm fixed

85mm fixed

sigma 10-20mm

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

Skirball — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:22:57 GMT

@msawa wrote:
I only ask to not combat your point, but to seek more insight on how I can fix these.

with only 12.2 MP I feel that when I enlargemy photos I am missing a great deal of detail.
I feel as if the contrast the XSi provides is no great (this could just be lighting)
Shutter speed is low
no video
Most of my night photos are grainy due to my low ISO settings paired with my MP's

Thanks again Skirball for the insight!

That's all I was looking for. I'm not trying to dissuade you from upgrading, just encouraging you to think about why you are considering upgrading.

If you want to shoot video then it's a no brainer, you need a new camera. Which one is the decision.

You'll get a bit of an increase in high ISO performance moving to any of the crop sensor SLRs that Canon has released in the last few years. But to get a truly large bump in performance you'd need to get a full frame camera, but that's way outside your budget. As HSBN said above, you're better off putting your money towards faster lenses.

The slow shutter speed is an interesting comment. I rarely bump up against the 1/4000 limit myself. But if you find that to be a limitation then you're going to have to go up to the next level of crop sensor cameras. You may be able to find a 60D in your price range. If you can convince yourself that you don't need 1/8000 shutter then I would recommend either a refurbished T3i, or a T5i, which you can find new if you want.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

Skirball — Wed, 07 May 2014 20:25:48 GMT

@msawa wrote:
I had a 50mm f/1.8 which was so cheap it broke
standard kit lens
70-300mm lens f/4-5.6

however I have played with
Sigma 70-200 lens
canon 28mm fixed
85mm fixed
sigma 10-20mm

Lenses are going to do more for your photography than a new camera - except if you need video. I'd look at either a Canon 50mm f/1.4 or the Sigma. 50mm is a great focal length on crop sensor camera, IMHO.

I'm not sure how much the Sigma 10-20 goes for, but I can vouch for the Canon 10-22 being a fantastic lens. It's not fast though, so it won't help in a dark situation.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

hsbn — Wed, 07 May 2014 21:18:31 GMT

I have Sigma 10-20mm. It's a good lens but not great. Although both Canon and Sigma 10-20mm is not a fast lens, they're extremely wide angle so you can shoot with slower shutter speed 🙂 ..

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

ebiggs1 — Fri, 09 May 2014 13:27:44 GMT

"I am willing to spend $1,000 on a body."

This puts a servere limit on any meaningful upgrade. Any of the new Rebels will be better spec wise but may not be better results wise. Plus any will gain you video but the ideal best choice for you, IMHO, would be the ESO 7D.

A true professional level camera especially when comparing to a Rebel series camera.

It will use any lens that you may already have but any of the large assortment of 24-70mm f2.8 lenses out there will make a true upgrade.

This could double your $1000 budget limit, however.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

hsbn — Fri, 09 May 2014 17:26:26 GMT

Canon EF-S 17-55 F2.8 is also a pretty good lens for under $1000.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

ebiggs1 — Fri, 09 May 2014 19:55:37 GMT

"Canon EF-S 17-55 F2.8 is also a pretty good lens for under $1000."

Yes, sir, it is a very good lens. A second choice is the Sigma version 17-50mm f2.8 EX. I was lucky enough to get it for $400 bucks because of a sale at Adorama. Personally I probably would not have bought it for $600, full retail is $900, but at $400 it was irresistible. It has a silly quirk of the focusing ring moving as it focuses. A little tricky to get used to. But all in all a very sharp lens with IS and maybe even better IQ than the Canon version.

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

hsbn — Mon, 12 May 2014 19:04:51 GMT

I know that we're giving him a lot of option now, but I forgot about the 18-35 F1.8 lens from Sigma. It's the fastest zoom lens for crop body. 🙂

Re: When do I upgrade my EOS Rebel XSi???

msawa — Mon, 12 May 2014 19:14:32 GMT

I love all the feedback!

Thank you everyone!

I just picked up a 50mm 1.4

( I love fixed lenses)

....and decided to get more the wide angle, thanks everyone!