Upgrading time!

[shmne]

I'm getting my tax refunds back soon, and since I've been starting to photograph more and more for pay I think it will be a wise investment for me to upgrade my equipment.

I've had my Canon T1i since launch now, just about 2 years and change I think. I'm hitting constant walls with it. I really want a pro-level body, even if I may not really need it yet. I'm just frustrated with lack-luster ISO, Auto-Focus, and FPS when firing off rounds. Also the upload speed to the memory card just kills me most of the time.

I really was looking into jumping ship to Nikon so that I could own a camera from each major manufacturer, this way I would be familiar with both. The only problem is the Nikon numbering system confuses me to no end, so I have to look at the tech specs to make sure this is what I want. This is all and well but I am looking for past, used models, and it is really taking quite a long time.

My question is Nikon, or Canon - it doesn't matter - but what body should I look into getting?

I want something that:
-Will cost under $900
-Is Full Frame
-Decent ISO capabilities (preferably, something that is not noisy at 800 ISO)
-Preferably Pro-level, but I'm guessing at my price range I will probably have to go to pro-sumer (like the ##D series from Canon)

Really not sure what prices are at the moment, that is what I'm researching now. I may be well off from even being able to do this and that is alright. I really don't need a body, I just would like one.

I've been shooting for around 4 years now, and my work is mostly freelance. I am a graphic designer primarily, so I do a lot of commercial work. Product photography, models for clothing designers, and images for pamphlets or brochures I make. I am also looking to buy new lights along side with this camera, as my current lights are also leaving me wanting something more. That part I know what I want though. This is not a Nikon vs. Canon question, I want the best body I can get for my money.

I understand logic dictates that I stick to one company, but I have a lot of friends from both sides so it is to my advantage to own both. This way I can be as flexible as possible with whom I borrow from.

Thank you for reading this post!

 

[Bram]

A Full Frame for under $900??

 

[o hey tyler]

You can get a full frame Canon 5D1 for roughly a grand. Give or take. That's what I did. You're not going to find any other full frame cameras for that price point. The 5D is a great performer though, even with it's age (2006). It has worse AF than the T1i, but once you learn how to use it and compose with the camera, it's really not that bad. The entire ISO range (included expanded to 3200) produces usable images.

 

[itf]

A Full Frame for under $900??

Probably a D2X

 

[o hey tyler]

A Full Frame for under $900??

Probably a D2X

The D2x is a crop frame.

 

[itf]

A Full Frame for under $900??

Probably a D2X

The D2x is a crop frame.

Ooops. NVM

 

[Lee_Maryland]

Full frame is going to cost you over 2500, but my local camera shop has used ones for 1k.

 

[shmne]

Thanks for the tip offs

I'm going out to check the condition of this 5d, going for $800. Just body, hopefully it works well!