40D, or...?

[Josh66]

I've been working a ****load of overtime - I'll probably take home around $8000 this month...

There's a lot of stuff we need - another car (probably find something for around $2000, used), new TV (mine is about 10 years old), and a bunch of other crap.

I'll have about $1000 left over to spend on photography gear after bills and all the other stuff. That's my budget.

I'm considering a 40D (maybe 50D?), or possibly a new lens or two.

I have a 350D (with a broken LCD), a 10s (35mm), and lenses.

Lenses I currently own:
18-55 Kit lens (EF-S), can't use for 35mm
50mm 1.4
85mm 1.8
100mm Macro
135mm 2.8 Soft Focus
70-200 f/4L
75-300

What would you get? New body, new lens (which one?), or something else? I don't have a flash... Probably should get one soon. Maybe. I don't use flash much.

I like fast primes. I need something wider than 50mm so that I have a wide angle lens for my film body.

I think I'm pretty much set for lenses (less a wide angle for 35mm), so I'm leaning towards a new body.

A lesser body+lens is an option too (maybe a 450D, plus another lens). The only lens I've really been wanting that I don't have already is the MP-E 65.

Any suggestions? $1000 budget (plus or minus).

 

[Josh66]

To add...

I've been using the 350D with a broken LCD for over a year now... It doesn't bother me much. It's like having a film camera, but with much higher capacity. Camera upgrade isn't required, but it would be nice. The LCD is pretty much a moot point.

 

[Overread]

from what I have read the 50D will gives no real noise advantage over the 40D (what is does do is provide the same noise levels for increased MPs which is an achivement). I have also read that many consider that for one to get good performance out of the 50D you have to use the best glass you can get.
As for the 40D I know quite a few photographers have moved from the rebel camera series to the 40D and been very happy with the improved performance and handeling of the 40D - the 50D would most likley give the same benefits its just that its rather new for there to be many opinions about

As for kit sit down and work it out this way
1) what does your current kit not let you take photos of that you really want to be able to.
2) what kit do you need to achive point 1
3) what prices are those bits of kit - consider the high and low end of the market in this since you might choose to wait and save for longer.

Myself in your shoes I would go possibly look at getting a flash like a speedlite 580M2 - it would let you get so much more use out of the macro lens . Get a diffuser with it (I like the lumiquest softbox - though there are other options) and you a good to go. Also not only macro but fill flash, nighttime, indoors - get away from your popup flash

 

[Josh66]

Myself in your shoes I would go possibly look at getting a flash like a speedlite 580M2 - it would let you get so much more use out of the macro lens .

Is that the same as the 580EX?

Hmm... The MR-14EX (ringlite) has been on my wishlist forever, maybe I'll finally get that.

I think a good flash and a wide angle lens (thinking about the 28mm f/1.8) would be within my budget. I think that combo would be more useful for me than another body. (My 350D does work fine after all - I just can't use the LCD, which I'm used to anyway from using film for most of my life.)

So-
580EX, or MR-14EX...?


(I'm leaning towards the ringlite, but I'm not sure how useful it will be outside of the macro world.)

 

[Overread]

there is an older 580 flash - but the one you link to is the mark2 so yes that flash..
As for the debate of ring vs ordinary - I see it as the ring being a specialist flash - for macro and portrate work only really, whilst the speedlite can do pretty much anything well.
I would say that unless macro/portrate work is your primary interest/motivator then get the 580 - that with something like a lumiquest softbox (good for macro) or a stofen omnibounce or garryfong light diffuser (the latter 2 appear more suited to people work than insect work - especailly the fong).

 

[bace]

I've never used a 40d but I have read this...

Canon 40D vs Canon 450D / Digital Rebel XSi: Digital Photography Notes

It makes me VERY happy with my 450D purchase. This camera is amazing. So many neat features (some that even the 40D doesn't have like live view). Pictures are sharp as hell. Noise reduction is a great addition to a fast lens in low light. Not as many cross type focus points, but still 9 points. I got mine with a battery pack as well which is a GREAT addition to an SLR.

Unfortunately there's none of these left...

Cameras & Camcorders: Digital Cameras: Canon EOS Rebel XSi 12.2MP Digital SLR Camera With 18-55mm IS Lens And Accessory Kit | Best Buy Canada Web Store

 

[Ls3D]

I'd pick up a mint used 5D and rediscover your lenses on full frame.

-Shea

 

[Josh66]

I shoot film too, so I'm well aware of full frame. 5D would be nice - I just think it's going to be a little too much for right now though. If I decide to get a new body, it'll most likely be a 40D or 450D. I'm thinking flash + wide angle lens is the best option now. That's really the only two things I don't have that I think I need.

I would say that unless macro/portrate work is your primary interest/motivator then get the 580 [...]

Hmm... Macro and portraiture are my primary interests. Is the light output between these flashes comparable? I'm a complete noob when it comes to flashes, not quite sure what 'guide numbers' and all that is yet.

 

[Overread]

I have little idea about flashes either - just basic understandings of their use
*point shoot *

 

[Josh66]

...Just a thought -

Would the ringlite even be good for portraiture? Wouldn't it mean guaranteed red-eye (used on the lens)? If I go with the MR-14EX, I will also get the cord for off camera use, so that should eliminate the red-eye issue. I'm just wondering if it will be 'bright enough' for non-macro work.

Ideally, I'd like to have both (ideally, I'd have one of everything...) - I'm just trying to figure out which to get first. It might be a long time till I can get the other one.

I think I've decided that a new body is out though. I already have two bodies that work fine. I don't have flash, and I don't have any lenses wider than 50mm that I can use on a full frame camera.

 

[bace]

RingFlash should work fine for portraiture. Infact as far as I know they're amazing for portraiture.

I don't have one though...so I could be wrong here.

 

[spiffybeth]

a picked up my 40d on friday night!

 

[Big Mike]

Ring flash gives you very flat light...not really idea for most portraits IMO. It can give you ring shaped catchlights if you like that sort of thing.

 

[Josh66]

It can give you ring shaped catchlights if you like that sort of thing.

Kinda undecided on that one. Sometime I like it, other times I don't.

About the flatness of the light - could that be modified with diffusers or reflectors or something?

I've decided that I do need a flash though. I just can't decide between the 580EX and the MR-14EX... I'm kinda leaning towards the ring-lite as I think I will use it a lot for macro. I like shooting portraits too, so I don't want to get something that won't work well for that...

I know this shouldn't be a factor in my decision, but I think the ring-lite looks cooler too, lol.

I assume that the 580EX has higher light output? I'm not sure how much that will matter, but I guess more is better.

If I skip the lens, I think I might be able to afford both. Not sure if I really need a wide angle lens anyway... I like to get pretty close with portraits, and I don't really shoot landscapes much. (I mainly wanted it just because I don't have one.) Probably the thing I would use it for the most is attached to another lens via macro coupler. A 24mm lens would give me double the magnification I can get now. (Damnit - Now I think I need it...lol)

 

[Overread]

with the ringflash you can set each tube to a different power output - so could you not do that to lose the flat lighting effect?
The 580M2 certianly has more power than the ringflash - I suspet that once you get past normal portrate distances the ringflash quickly loses its effect on a scene so a 580M2 would give you more range if you needed that.