Better low light capability

[Offhand]

I need to squeeze more low light capability out of my gear. I have some pretty fast lenses now (2.8 wide, 1.4 prime and 4/is zoom) and figure I can do okay shooting darkened events that have relatively static figures with lower ISO. My first choice would be a 5D, even the original, but I have a couple of EFS lenses. The 7D is a bit out of my budget right now so the 50D is on my scope. Everything I read online says it does decent 3200 and passable 6400. That beats my 30D by good margin. Still worth buying a used 50D? Just to add, I can actually buy a used 50D for half the price of a used 7d. Thanks.

 

[DC-Photog]

Is this for a hobby or your business? If you're creating imagery as a service to paying clients, then you should save or borrow for the 5D. If not, then try out the 50D or 7D and see if the noise works for you.

 

[shaunly]

I'd go for the 7D if that's out of your budget, get a used 5D.

 

[Offhand]

It's kind of a value added service. I don't actually get paid for the photography but do it because I also provide other services, and I figure this additional skill makes me more competitive. Other people I know in similar positions have cheaper, simpler cameras like Canon G10s and Lumix superzooms. The 5D would be great but I can't justify the cost at the moment since that would also include swapping out a few lenses. I have a Tamron 17-50 2.8 non vc and that's a very sharp EFS lens that would be expensive to replace with something in the Canon L line. I'm trying to overachieve since I want to build up my portfolio and take more paid gigs.

@shaunly thank for the reply. Used 5Ds seem pretty close to used 7Ds in price and then there's the lens thing. So you're both saying I should skip over the 50D?