What am I getting out of my upgrade?

[stealthscrape]

Hi everyone, I've been reading this site since around Dec of last year and thought I would join for a pretty beginner sounding question. I've had my Rebel XTi 10.1 MP since 2006 or 2007 and have loved it. I got it as a beginner DSLR so that I could become familiar with everything. I have been expanding my equipment and am ready to get a new camera. I am still happy with my XTi for the most part (especially with my 50 1.2L and my 70-300), but I feel like it is lacking somewhere, though I can't quite figure out what it is. I am either upgrading to a 7D or a 60D.

I've done a lot of research on all of them and I know this may sound like a real beginner question, but in laymen's terms, what am I getting out of my upgrade. For example, I know I will be getting a 9 point or a 19 point auto focus, but what does that equate to for me and my photos? I know I'm going from a DIGIC 2 to a DIGIC 4, but what's that giving me? Basically I know all of the technical specs and all of that. I just want to know what it all comes out to and that I will be getting what I feel like I'm missing so I can justify upgrading and know that it is really time. Thanks for any help you can offer, and thanks for all of the info I've already gotten from you guys from reading your threads these past few months.

 

[ronderick]

Stealthscrape, I think you will definitely benefit from either a 7D or a 60D.

To start off, I think you'll get more in terms of ISO improvements (more options in low-light situations - u'll be impressed what the 50 f/1.2L can do with these bodies...).

Of course, both cameras also allow you to take videos.

I'll let others fill in the rest...

 

[thejoyofsobe]

size/weight along with the fps of the Rebel XTi would drive me nuts.

 

[distant.star]

Hate to sound like an analyst, but until you identify what is "lacking," your search for fulfillment will be futile. New cameras are always nice, at least for a while.

I am still happy with my XTi for the most part (especially with my 50 1.2L and my 70-300), but I feel like it is lacking somewhere, though I can't quite figure out what it is.

 

[Fleetie]

Well the 7D is a lovely camera to use. Sure, it's "only" 18MP, i.e. no more than the 60D or the 600D, but using it feels like luxury.

It feels VERY snappy and responsive. You press that button and your pic gets taken right then, provided you had focus confirmed with your half-press beforehand. It can do up to 8FPS, so even in single-shot mode, it will be ready for the next shot before you are ready to press the shutter button again. And you can keep on and on pressing as fast as you like and it'll keep up.

Its build quality is excellent. Once you've used a 7D, I don't think you'll want to go back to the x00D (e.g. 600D etc.) models. (Admittedly, I have never used a 60D, so I can't comment on that, but the 60D lacks AF microadjust, which seems to me a really bad thing, and I suspect that it would be a very bad thing for you, given that you have the 50/1.2 lens, which obviously will have a VERY thin depth of field wide-open.)

I really suggest that, having that 50/1.2 lens, you should be looking at a camera to do it justice, i.e. the 7D.

You will not regret it. (Your wallet might, but if you have the 50/1.2, it suggests that you're not on too tight a budget.)

Oh, and the DIGIC4 vs. DIGIC2 thing? The more powerful processor is what drives the camera to be so fast and responsive, and give you your up-to-8FPS maximum shooting rate. It also speeds up the in-camera noise reduction that gets applied to images if you're shooting at high ISO or with long exposures. The 7D has TWO DIGIC4 processors to really give it some throughput.

Hope this helps,


Martin

 

[Admin US West]

It really doesn't sound like you are missing anything. If youu identify something you need, then thats the time to buy.

The newer cameras have sensor upgrades, a 7D is larger, heavier, and better built, and you get video if thats your thing.

For me, liveview was the reason I bought a 40D when they were first announced, because it saved me a ton of time and work with in-studio product photography. Another feature I use is AF microadjust. You already have it on the XTi, its a mechanical set screw that adjusts the position of the sub-mirror. I had to adjust my XTi and then focus was perfect.

I gave my XTi to my daughter, and she still uses it and loves it.

 

[steven63]

One thing you didn't mention is where your passion lies. It would be helpful to know what type of shots you prefer to take so that we can help you determine what you would get out of your upgrade. Sports? casual settings/portraits? Will you be using it in bad weather?

 

[sb]

stealthscrape, the difference between XTi and 7D will be night and day. I own XTi, 7D and 5D Mark II bodies, and I can tell you that the 7D is in a lot of ways a better camera than 5DMK2 even (except for noise levels).

But back to your question - this is what you'd be gaining:

- Low light performance which is simply orders of magnitude better than XTi. You'll be shooting at ISO1600 when you need to and you won't even think twice. With XTi, I would cringe every time I needed to shoot at ISO 400.

- Autofocus system which makes XTi look like a joke. It's not just the number of focus points (to be honest with you, I use 3 focus points 99% of the time anyway) but it's the speed and precision with which it focuses.

- Construction quality which simply can't be compared with plastic XTi toy body. Simply holding the 7D will motivate you to push yourself and get better.

- 8fps is more than I'll ever need, but if you want to shoot sports, you'll be happy you have it

-1080p video! You'll never want a camcorder after you see what 7D does with your 50mm f/1.2

- I won't even talk about megapixels because they are far less important than spec sheets would have you believe. This alone should never be a reason for an upgrade.

- You can use 7D's built in flash as a slave trigger for external speedlight flashes. This in itself is HUGE for creative options. I wish 5DMK2 had this.

- High resolution screen which is actually useful for telling whether the picture is in focus or not before uploading to computer. XTi's screen is useless.

- Live view is useful if you do product/tripod photography


The list goes on

 

[endigo]

I am still happy with my XTi for the most part (especially with my 50 1.2L and my 70-300), but I feel like it is lacking somewhere, though I can't quite figure out what it is. I am either upgrading to a 7D or a 60D.

I am also still using my XTi and I am still getting great pictures from it. In the last year I have had the opportunity to use someone else's camera that has Live View. I found this to be a fantastic feature because you can frame the picture then digitally zoom in to just the eyes and get the focus perfect. I am ready to upgrade for this feature alone.

Other features include video less grain at high ISOs.

As for myself, I want to see what the 5D Mark III is going to bring, I will then decide between the 5D Mark III and 7D. Either way, I will probably keep my XTi as a backup camera.

 

[stealthscrape]

Thanks for all of the responses and sorry it took so long to get back. I've had a lot going on.

First of, I use my camera for a variety of stuff. Mostly portraits of my kids, indoors and outdoors. I like landscapes and various outdoors things, mostly involving water/relections. I like low light, evening/dusk, but I also like mid day shots. I know for landscapes and such, full frame is the way to go, but I feel like that is a bit much for me.

I think what I'm looking for is something that is faster a cleaner. I want faster focus, better low light, higher percentage of sharp, clean shots. I feel like a lot of my images turn out darker than they seem. (I mess with settings a lot and use everything from P-mode to Tv, Av, and M. Never the preset options anymore now though.) Video would be a much welcomed addition, but not the reason I am upgrading. I want a bigger brighter review screen. Live view. And I would really like the ability to fire a flash externally without a transceiver attached. So, I guess that's what I feel like I'm lacking and it seems like these cameras offer me a lot of those things. Thanks again.

 

[Flake]

One thing you do get with the 7D & not the 60D is the microadjust for lenses. With the 50mm f/1.2 it's especially important when you have such a small depth of field, that the autofocus is placing it in the right place, that might perhaps be what you're lacking? Shots which are slightly out of focus have a soft appearance which might be what you're describing?

As for faster focus well the 50mm f/1.2 is known for its slow focus, dunno which 70-300mm you have, but the ultrasonic lenses will make the biggest difference at this level. 1D bodies seem to focus more quickly than the others.

Firing a flash externally is built into the 7D and you can still buy an ST-E2 for £70 (Yongnuo)

Full frame is the way to go? I'm not so sure! There are some very good wide angle lenses for crop frame cameras, and the differences between crop & full is beomming harder & harder to see. Digital technology has now progressed to the point where the law of diminishing returns is really biting. You pay an awful lot more for not a lot more improvement in image quality. The problem now is in choosing the features you need, and the 7D has a lot which the 5D MkII doesn't.

 

[Bruce Photography]

I'm assuming that your 70-300 is the "L" version. If it is, isn't it great!. I have a 50D, 5DMKII and a 7D but not the 60D. If you already own some fine "L" lenses, why not consider the advantage of the 21MP of a full frame camera. The lower noise level on the 5DMIII compared to the 7D is amazing. I'm a person that does large prints and the quality difference really shows for large prints (17x25 and up). If you are not currently producing large prints, consider that the images that you capture today with a full frame camera would have the quality of "Someday" making some truely fine large prints in the future. The current price difference between the 7D and the 5DMKII is less than $1,000 but since you are already in the "L" quality level, why not go all the way unless you wanted to wait for what the rest of us are waiting for. But who knows when that will come.....

 

[alipaulphotography]

Image quality wise at low ISO - There will be no 'noticeable' difference.

That was the real deal for me - an upgrade from the 450D would need better image quality as well as the other features - as that is what a camera is for in the end, to take great looking images.
I wanted low light performance, low noise at high ISO, shallow depth of field and my lenses to actually be in there focal length! Sick of multiplying by 1.6!
I needed to go full frame - cheapest way to do that was an old 5D. Great camera and I'm very happy.

All depends on how you want your camera to improve.
fps?
Lower noise?
Better feel?
Better autofocus?

All up to you.

 

[zerotiu]

I've tested my t2i with 60d and 7d.
If you compare with 60d, you will get only a better grip and better menu adjusting (changing iso-aperture-etc).

But if I compare it with 7d. I'll get a better ISO handling, better grip, fast 19 AF, vivid color. Hey, if you've had enough experience, why don't you consider buying a fullframe one (I always suggest this :-X)

 

[Radiating]

Hi everyone, I've been reading this site since around Dec of last year and thought I would join for a pretty beginner sounding question. I've had my Rebel XTi 10.1 MP since 2006 or 2007 and have loved it. I got it as a beginner DSLR so that I could become familiar with everything. I have been expanding my equipment and am ready to get a new camera. I am still happy with my XTi for the most part (especially with my 50 1.2L and my 70-300), but I feel like it is lacking somewhere, though I can't quite figure out what it is. I am either upgrading to a 7D or a 60D.

I've done a lot of research on all of them and I know this may sound like a real beginner question, but in laymen's terms, what am I getting out of my upgrade. For example, I know I will be getting a 9 point or a 19 point auto focus,

Basically you're going to be able to focus instantly on almost anything. Your camera now will struggle in even the most basic situation. That's the difference. You'll be able to track a bird flying a few dozen feet above your head instead of having issues taking a portrait. Your focus accuracy will also increase to near perfection.


[quotebut what does that equate to for me and my photos? I know I'm going from a DIGIC 2 to a DIGIC 4, but what's that giving me? [/quote]

You'll have noticably less noise in your jpgs and be able to shoot multiple photos in machine gun like succession instead of getting bogged down all the time.

Basically I know all of the technical specs and all of that. I just want to know what it all comes out to and that I will be getting what I feel like I'm missing so I can justify upgrading and know that it is really time. Thanks for any help you can offer, and thanks for all of the info I've already gotten from you guys from reading your threads these past few months.

It all depends on your style of shooting. Keep in mind that with the 7D you also get amazing weather sealing to the point that you can shoot with the right lens in the rain and a big jump in megapixels and noise, which really increases your flexibility in cropping and low light.

 

[jcns]

when searching for an answer, you should know the question first.
I think you should determine what it is that you are missing, lacking, wishing then look for the right camera.
It may not even be a new camera, it may be as simple as different technique; I am not implying you are lacking on skill.

 

[DarStone]

Well if the question is what is the difference between the upgrades you're considering, I'd break it down like this I own both the 7D and 60D APS-C camera's as well as the 5D mkII, to be honest in terms of IQ they are pretty close,
For action(in your case kids playing) the 7D would be the best option this is a fast camera, it focuses better than either the 60D or 5D mkII oh and BTW the 60D is faster than the 5D.

For landscape and setup shots to be honest any of these cameras will blow you away, but the winner here of course would be the FullFramed 5D mkII or even a 5D mkI which are selling for about the same as the 60D.

Now if you want to be more creative with your camera the 60D is the ticket, the articulating screen really opens up the shot possibilities.

You already have some great glass so any of these camera's will give you more detail and IQ than your current XTI, but ultimately like anything you have to feel comfortable with the tool you are using so my suggestion would be to head to you local camrea store and try them out the 60D might surprise you it's a very well balanced camera, and gives you a cross between the other 2 don't let the lack of Micro Adjustment scare you, I've never had to use it with any of my lens, by the way the 9 AF points on the 60D are all cross type with the center one being F2.8, so again a very accurate camera.

Hope this information helps and good luck, you really can't go wrong with either choice.

 

[stealthscrape]

Thank you all for your responses. I am very grateful for the input I have received from you all. Based off of all of your input, I feel like the 7D will be my best option here. I feel like the 5D is above and beyond anything that I need/want. The 60D seems to be lacking a few things that I want, namely the auto-focus system. Thank you again, and hopefully at some point in the future I can contribute some useful info to this site.