Glass or Body?

[DisasterDan]

To start i want to make it clear that i am a "Advanced Beginner" to photography or thats what i call myself. Ive been taking pictures for about two years now, and Ive found myself in pickle. I have been looking at canons L series telephotos, as i have yet a lens to fulfill that need. Now i have enough money to get one (Not sure as to which) but i also just thought of getting a new body as well instead of the Lens. I was looking at the 7D just for its shear fps because most of my photos are of action sports athletes. So my question is should i stockpile quality glass before i get a new camera? Or Get the camera and slowly buy more lenses? Im not quite sure which path to take. Also some of you might wonder why jump all the way up to an L series lens? Just because i know i have the money now, and i wont regret buying a very nice lens. My current camera is a 550D that i love to death but the fps would be much appreciated and almost needed for my chosen course of photography. Also, i dont just take pictures of athletes or sports I take my camera everywhere i go and take pictures of pretty much anything and everything.

 

[dxqcanada]

Image quality vs FPS.

Which requires immediate improvement ?

 

[DisasterDan]

I'd have to go more on the lines of fps, because wont an L lens increase quality as well? Or not as much as i believe it will?

 

[smeat]

Depends on what you're using now. No doubt L's bring out some color and sharpness that most lenses can't, especially the ones with fluorite elements. I'd pick a quality one shot (through a great lens) over 5 quick ok shots (through a fair lens). But I don't shoot sports, so I may be wrongly bias in that.

 

[Overread]

I've got a 400D and personally I keep working on building up my lenses long before I'm looking for a new body. I'd love a 7D, but getting a 7D won't get me the wide angle that a wide angle lens will; it won't get me a long range telephoto with a wide aperture; it won't get me macro shots without a macro lens; etc....

I see lenses, good ones, as a major reason to keep focusing on the glass infront of the sensor before the sensor itself.

I tend to only change that advice is you need something that your camera can't do - like video or a different sized sensor,

 

[pgriz]

I'll second what Overread said. Unless your sensor is just not doing the job, I'd spend the money on the glass. When you get to the point that the sensor is limiting you (for whatever reason), then upgrade the body. If you're investing in EF lenses, your investment will port over to the new body.

 

[dxqcanada]

DDan ... are you satisfied with the quality of your images ?

If so, then go and solve the FPS issue.
If you require a high shooting rate to ensure you capture every millisecond so you do not lose that moment, then choose that.

 

[cnutco]

Glass now, Body later!

 

[Antonio Carvalho]

Glass usually lasts forever and bodies in digital era last only a few years. Your camera is a recent model but is capable of shooting few fps. The 7D costs as much as (or more than) a good f/2.8L telephoto lens, which might allow you to shoot at action freezing speeds. I would choose a new lens and I have never regreted this path, but I shoot primarely landscapes, architures and staged portraits, so none of my subjects is moving.

[]'s
Antonio

 

[DisasterDan]

DDan ... are you satisfied with the quality of your images ?

If so, then go and solve the FPS issue.
If you require a high shooting rate to ensure you capture every millisecond so you do not lose that moment, then choose that.

Yes i am happy with the quality, but for how long i am not sure. Im going to go with the majority of responses (which i was more leaning to as well) and go with building up a decent amount of glass before looking into a a new Camera. I appreciate the help from everyone as well as changing my mind about some other things.

 

[benhasajeep]

I would do glass now. Bodies change so fast that by the time your ready for a new higher priced item a newer version will probably be out! Good glass lasts a long time. Bodies are only around a couple years.

Doing action stuff. You may find with better glass your getting a stop or two more leeway in settings chioce. You may find even though at a slower FPS your getting more keepers with faster shutter, lower ISO, or aperature settings. Even though you may have a higher FPS body, you may find you can't get a fast enough shutter speed to atain the high FPS without cranking up the ISO, with the slower lenses!

I say Glass first!

 

[subscuck]

While it appears you've made up your mind to get glass first, one further argument in favor of glass sometimes gets overlooked. You don't say what lenses you currently shoot with, but be aware that consumer-ish lenses generally don't translate well to a higher res body. In fact, they will most often show the shortcomings of cheaper glass. The 7D is def a glass hungry body, so it's to your benefit to have the glass to match it before you buy it and not end up disappointed by cheaper glass. Especially after you've most likely shot your wad on the body.

 

[DisasterDan]

While it appears you've made up your mind to get glass first, one further argument in favor of glass sometimes gets overlooked. You don't say what lenses you currently shoot with, but be aware that consumer-ish lenses generally don't translate well to a higher res body. In fact, they will most often show the shortcomings of cheaper glass. The 7D is def a glass hungry body, so it's to your benefit to have the glass to match it before you buy it and not end up disappointed by cheaper glass. Especially after you've most likely shot your wad on the body.

Yes i did forget to mention my current lenses
I have a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8
A Tokina 11-16mm f2.8

and a Canon 50mm F 1.4 for a prime
​

 

[thingsIsee]

Better lens is my choice. Lenses will last you longer then the body and you can upgrade your body later you will have the lenses already. If you can get an “L” lens get it you wont regret it.