How often do you go through a body? Why do you upgrade?

[willrobb]

After getting my second 5DmkII this week I realized I've been through 5 bodies in 4 years. As well as the two 5DmkII's I currently have I've been through a 30D, a 5D and a 7D. Everything is/was used for work, so I could justify the upgrades solely on that, also I sold my second hand gear for good prices, but I know if I am being honest a lot of my buying was just because I really wanted a new product on the market.

However, I now feel with my two FF bodies I am really happy, the IQ and high ISO ability of the 5DmkII is great for everything I do, I have everything I need lens wise, I'm getting the results I am looking for and I'm not really tempted to upgrade any more until my gear is literally falling to bits (my old 5DmkII which has now become the back up has taken a few beatings and must have way over 200'000 clicks on the shutter, but it's still going strong). I'm sure a 1DX would be great, it'll probably be a lot more useful than my 5DmkII in a lot of ways, but my 5DmkII's do everything I need, so I'm happy to stick with them.

How about everyone else, how often do you go through a body? What makes you upgrade? When do you feel you're happy with what you've got?

 

[tron]

I am not sure that my answer is entirely on topic since I bought a 5D mkII because my only digital camera (a 40D) was stolen.
As an amateur, this camera is enough for me. It is still like new! On the other hand I do not know how I will feel when 5DmkIII becomes a reality!
That will depend of the features I guess. I may or may nt be tempted depending on the features
introduced. I would welcome:
1. Much better autofocus - I think it will but how much better is debatable.
2. Even better noise handling with no increase in megapixels (the latter will not happen )
3. Weather proofing (I do not believe this will happen too).

I felt an urge to get the 5DmkII months before my 40D was stolen for both the FF factor and ISO capabilities but I could not completely
justify it. All I know is that I am not going to sell my current camera. It's either just current camera or an additional body in the near or even far future.

This is not however how I feel for lenses-I do not have much self-control- so please do not ask a similar question...

 

[akiskev]

I change the body as soon as it stops working.

 

[tron]

I change the body as soon as it stops working.

+1

 

[Eisbaer]

I take photographs for about 25 years now. Bodies during this time: T70, T90, 40D. That's it. Strange.

Best regards
Eisbaer

 

[EYEONE]

I had my Rebel XSi for about a year and upgraded to a 7D. I'm a bit of a gear nut but I made sure that wasn't my reason for upgrading. I really felt like it was time to move on from the Rebel. Basically I wanted:

-the control of the 7D. A control wheel and a control dial makes making adjustments so much easier.
-higher ISO ability. Not necessarily better performance, I just needed the ability to shoot at 3200 or 6400 if I had to.
-the auto focus system. Focus lock and recomposing had yielded too many out of focus shots and was getting tiresome.
-the view finder.
-The wireless flash control. What a great feature to have at your finger tips.

When I can justify the cost of a 5DII or III I'll get it (A year or more away).

 

[ianhar]

I have 4 bodies. 450D 7D 5D mark ii and a 1Ds(just bought it to see what its like to have a Ds body. Was cheap though when i bought it)

Other than the Ds, mainly i upgraded because my bodies has reach its limitation. Thats all.

 

[QNeX]

Actually I still use my first DSLR: EOS 40D.
I've got a few nice lenses and flashes for it though.

I am currently contemplating getting a 5D Mark II (as III doesn't
seem to be around the corner)...

 

[torger]

I (want to) upgrade when I feel that the technical image quality is significantly worse than the best available on the market (within the 35mm system). Since I mostly do still life focus performance fps and high ISO etc is not it, but sensor image quality and resolution on base ISO. A smart feature that makes it easier to capture pictures can also be a reason for upgrade. The big jump in live view usability seen on 5D mark II is one such thing, makes manual focusing from a tripod a joy. If the next generation would have true RAW histograms and better exposure evaluation capabilities then that could be a reason to upgrade.

Anyway this means that 1DX is not interesting as an upgrade option from 1Ds or 5D mark II, base ISO performance is most likely not significantly better (although I expect dynamic range to be better), and there's no significant UI improvements of what I know of (for still life photographers that is). The new HDR modes are interesting though.

 

[Loswr]

My timeline:

• October, 2009 - bought T1i/500D
• March, 2010 - bought 7D (and sold T1i)
• October, 2010 - bought 5DII

I bought the 7D for better AF performance (the Rebel's AI Servo was challenged by a running toddler) and faster frame rate. I was still hampered by the relatively poor ISO performance.

I bought the 5DII for better ISO performance and shallower DoF. Unfortunately, compared to the 7D I took a big hit on AF performance and frame rate. Thus:

• March, 2012 - buy 1D X (yes, I know the release date will almost certainly slip to April or later)

That will give me the ISO performance and shallow DoF of FF, and even better AF and frame rate than the 7D.

One other main factor is lenses. The general rule - and it's a general rule for a very good reason - is glass before body. Personally, I had three L-series lenses when I got the 7D, and five L-series lenses at the time I got the 5DII. I've got nine of them now (and two non-L lenses, the EF-S 17-55mm which I intend to keep as long as I have an APS-C body, and the MP-E 65mm f/2.8 1-5x Macro. Lenses will do more to improve your shots than the camera, and last longer, too.

 

[unruled]

I went from 350d to 40d. Mostly for ergonomics and controls.

If I ever get a new body it either has to be fullframe, or something has to break on my 40d. I love my 40d, I'm not limited by it. I need some lenses first before a new body. Telezooms are too pricy though (for an amateur)

 

[Tarrum]

February 2008 - Canon EOS XT/350D + Battery Grip for 300€.

April 2008 - Got a new XSi/450D, sold the kit above for 350€, got the 450D for 420€ because of the bigger LCD screen and because I thought more pixels were better.

September 2009 - Canon EOS 50D, sold the XSi for 500€ as I got a free 75-300mm from some friend and put it in the kit. Got the 50D + 17-85mm for 900€, which was very cheap and the camera was amazing

January 2011 - Got a used 7D after months of thinking. Love it!

December 2012/Mid 2013 - Probably getting the 7D Mark II, or a 5D Mark III earlier. This is of course, assuming if the improvements will be worth the money!

I had a friend who went from the D80 to 450D, then D2h, 5D Mark II and then to the 7D which he owns now. What a cycle

 

[motorhead]

I am probably not typical, or am I?

I am still using a 30D, but will exchange it for Canons replacement for the 1Ds mk3 if and when it ever appears.

So I'm certainly not driven to buy the latest thing for the sake of it. Rather I look at what I want to achieve and decide on that basis. I hope that the 1Ds replacement will see me for the rest of my life.

 

[candyman]

My path for the last 10 years:

- Canon EOS 300 (KISS III 35mm) - 2000 (archived)
- Canon Powershot G5 - 2003 (first digital step) - now used by my wife & children
- Canon EOS 350D - 2006 (sold)
- Canon 550D (as replacement of 350D) - 2010 (sold)
- Canon 7D - 2010
- Canon 5D MK III - 2012
Future upgrade: Canon 7D successor

Actually my first digital step was in 2002 when taking stills of my newborn son using the Canon MV530i
Before 2000 I used Practica and Minolta since the early 1990's

 

[JR]

October 2010 - 60D
October 2010 - 7D
December 2010 - 5D mkII (sold 7D)
April 2012 - 1DX !

I started out with a 60D which I quickly exchanged for the 7D because I wanted a better build. Quickly thereafter I got a FF for better ISO performance and DoF since I realize I was going to do most of my shot inside.

I am for sure getting the 1DX when it come out for the better AF, frame rate and hopefully better ISO performance. Still not sure if I will keep the 5D II at that point or sell it for more lens! Because I may to have a smaller bodies than the 1DX for certain occasion, I may get the 5D III when it come out, and then have two bodies...

 

[Zo0m]

May 2010 - Panasonic GF1
Oct 2010 - Nikon D7000 (& sold the GF1)
Oct 2011 - Canon 550D (& sold the D7000)

I was spellbound by the amazing canon lenses and finally couldn't resist any longer after a friend gave me his t2i. My favorite lens is the 70-200 IS2 which I shoot a lot with (Although I must admit it is too long for indoor use on the APS-C sensor...). I was really tempted to get the 5D Mk2 & feel it is the most needed gear acquisition for me. Especially since I already have some nice EF-lenses. But doesn't feel I want to pay 1500 £ for 3,5 yr old tech. I will be making a 2 month trip to China & Japan next summer and will either get the 5Dmk3 or 85/1,2 lens if the mark 3 isn't released until then :O

So... three bodies in 1,5 years

 

[JackSw1ss]

LOL this thread is fun...

I thought I was the only madmad to have changed bodies so fast (receiving also the non-approval of my girlfriend) but in reality I see there's people even faster than me, a loooot faster LOL.
As for me was:

- April 2009 Nikon D60
- December 2010 Canon 7D....and 3 L lenses LOL
.... maybe December 2011 Canon 5D II since I'm wanting FF sooooo baaaad.
will get also 2 non L lenses to gain on pockatability and light weight ability when I go street photography.


I made the swithc from nikon to canon mainly for the video feautures which was (and still is) waaaay to ahead. Plus I was always fascinated by those red rings lenses LOL.
But how difficult it was to sell everything. Expect for 2 lenses, the rest was a PIA really. I ended up givin away the D60 almost as a gift LOL

 

[alipaulphotography]

2009 - 450D (sold)
2011 - 5D

That's it so far. I will upgrade to the MKII when it comes down in price unless the mkIII offers anything spectacular. The original is superb for the price but I really would LOVE 6400 ISO....
I'll need a 2nd body before next wedding season as renting is a pain.

I upgrade only when there is something I specifically need for better images. 90% of the time that will be glass.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

Of digital SLR bodies I've had and used, I've had the D30, 10D, Digital Rebel, Digital Rebel XT, Digital Rebel XTi, 20D, 30D, 40D, 1D MK II, 1D MK III, 5D, 5D MK II, and the 7D over the past 10 years. Usually at least two at the same time. Most of them I bought used and sold them after a year for more than I paid, but my 5D MK II will be three years old in about three weeks. I also had a Kodak DCS 620, but it was mostly as a collectible, and not used other than to test.

In order of IQ, I'd say 5D MK II, 1D MK III, 7D, 1D MK II was what I saw. Certainly the 1 series cameras have a lot more going for them besides IQ, the ability to AF at F/8 or even f/11 (with stacked TC's) is a huge plus, and will be missed with the 1Dx, if I decide to get one.

 

[cdang]

I'm amazed at how many of you change/acquired so many lens and cameras in such a short period of time.

I wish I had that luxury :'(