Camera bodies

[Bluesbird]

I had a quick but probably not a simple question.

I have been using a Canon 30D (8.0 megapixels) body for about 5 years. I have been very happy with it and I know that the number of megapixels does not necessarily translate into resolution but I am curious as to whether this could limit my photograph quality to some degree. Certainly the amount one can crop would be affected. Is it worth upgrading to a newer body model and if so what would people recommend? I do not have L series lens.

[Diamond Lil]

Vanessa,
I am at work so can take just a moment in between classes to offer a website to look at for a bit: Stephen J. Stephen (http://www.stephenjstephen.com/about.html)
Take a look at what equipment he uses.

I'll be back.

[Joe F.N.]

I had a quick but probably not a simple question.

I have been using a Canon 30D (8.0 megapixels) body for about 5 years. I have been very happy with it and I know that the number of megapixels does not necessarily translate into resolution but I am curious as to whether this could limit my photograph quality to some degree. Certainly the amount one can crop would be affected. Is it worth upgrading to a newer body model and if so what would people recommend? I do not have L series lens.

Hi Vanessa,

I am curious as to whether this could limit my photograph quality to some degree

The answer to that question is yes, since the 30D is now 4 generations behind and a lot has happened in cameras since then. They focus faster, better color resolution, greater cropping abilities, amazing metering and the list goes on. To generalize and say a particular body is best is ludicrous. In Canon that would be the MkIV though most of us won't buy it due to the prohibitive costs. Being a rank amateur I couldn't justify it and have no desire to do so. So that leaves a few questions to be asked. What am I going to use it for? How much am I willing to spend? What's more important; an upgrade in lens or an upgrade in body? The last one is easy to answer. The best body on the market will not improve your images if the glass in front is short of stellar. One of the best wildlife photographers I know, still uses a 40D but all of his lenses are the best on the shelf. e.g. 500mm, f/4. 'L'
Huge cost though. Somewhere in the middle lies the combination we can afford, will use and be happy with.
If you don't shoot a lot of birds in the wild and don't try for in flights I wouldn't recommend a 400mm, f/5.6 'L' for instance. I do just that so that's my #1 'go to' lens. Would I buy a used lens? In a heart beat. (3 out of 4 of my 'L' lenses were bought used.) Would I buy a used body? Nope, unless I knew the seller and the body had low actuations. But even then............
That brings us to bodies. There are presently two bodies I would consider as an upgrade....the 50D and the 7D. I have them both. DON'T buy the 60D. That's a Rebel upgrade and not the next generation after the 50D.
This is strictly my opinion of course and others will have different views.
Let me know what you think.

[Diamond Lil]

Vanessa, as far as body recommendations are concerned I concur wholeheartedly with Joe.

[Bluesbird]

Lots of great information, Joe. Thanks Joe and Lil! I guess it comes down to some choices.....body or lens first. I think I need to start a savings fund. I would like to get a better telephoto lens but I also need to think about the body now too.

I had heard that there were some issues with the 50D but I assume that Lil has been happy with it.....right? I think it has the same problems with graininess at high ISO that I have with the 30D but I seem to remember that that was even worse with the 50D.

[Diamond Lil]

Vanessa, if I were you, I'd go 7D.
2 reasons:
It has video and,
While it is noisy to some extent, good exposure in camera reduces noise better than anything.

The AF points on the 50D are my most significant complaint. They are greatly improved on the 7D.

I will say that the 50D has made me better. It has little tolerance. For poor exposure skill.

Hopefully Joe will keep chiming in as he has both.

[Joe F.N.]

Lots of great information, Joe. Thanks Joe and Lil! I guess it comes down to some choices.....body or lens first. I think I need to start a savings fund. I would like to get a better telephoto lens but I also need to think about the body now too.

I had heard that there were some issues with the 50D but I assume that Lil has been happy with it.....right? I think it has the same problems with graininess at high ISO that I have with the 30D but I seem to remember that that was even worse with the 50D.

Hey Vanessa,
Let's clear up some noise issues. Noise is usually not an issue with shorter lenses for several reasons; landscapes require smaller apertures, greater DOF and lower ISO.
Longer lenses are often used wide open, very shallow DOF and higher ISO, all conducive to noise but to what extent?
The ones that report on noise issues are individuals and web sites who are 'pixel-peepers' and deal in finding fault. Noise is usually reported at extreme ISOs, from 1600 to 6400 and now 12800 and beyond. That's not the world we live in. Journalists do and they don't care about noise. Just the story. They tried hard to brand the 7D with noise issues as well since it has an 18 meg sensor. That backfired. If it's an issue with bird photographers, they can purchase a noise program for 50 bucks that will help or it can be done in Photoshop. The price of 7Ds are now coming down and one can be bought at a reasonable price. Your 17-85 will work beautifully on that camera.
Is it THE perfect camera? Of course not. Such a devise doesn't exist but is a good camera? You bet it is. One of the best features is micro-adjustment. That enables you to match the lens to the body for the sharpest image possible. That's huge with long lenses. Any other concerns, feel free to ask.

Joe

[J. R. Weems]

Vanessa, Of course Joe has nailed this one. Something I was told, and learned so very long ago. ;) cameras come and go, but the glass is almost forever. Lenses I bought 40 years ago are still just as good as the day I brought them home. Yes, technology has changed, but given the chance they still get the job done. Money spent on good glass is never wasted. :)