What camera body to go with?

[Alex90]

After using my Canon 300D for well over a year i've decided its really not up to the shots i am after. I'm looking to get hold of a new camera body, but im unsure at what one to go with, i have several canon lenses but my main lens is the sigman 150-500mm so would be compatible with most nikon camera's.

The 300D is only 8.1mp and i find this simply isnt enough, when you blow the images up on the computer more often than not you lost quality very quickly.

i have seen the 30D and 40D recommended quite a bit but would like to hear personal experiences with these and other bodies before buyign anything.

I'm looking to spend around £600 and would be happy with a second hand one on ebay.

Cheers

Alex

[slimrbp]

I have used the 40D and it is a good camera, good IQ and you will notice the difference between it and the 300D. Stronger build (more metal) and a few more bells and whistles (spot metering, high frame rate etc).

I would suggest you have a play with one first as it has a different size and feel to the XXXD cameras and may not be what you are looking for.

Don't forget on your budget you could also get a brand new 500D body.

It is always hard to choose a camera for someone else as it's quite a personal decision. What else are you looking for in a new camera as this would help narrow down your choices.

One note though if the Sigma 150-500mm you have is a Canon Fit it won't work with a Nikon (you can get adapters and the like but pretty sure you lose the electrics).

[zan]

Of those two, I'd also go with the 40d. It's a great camera and I was reluctant to sell mine on when I upgraded to the 7d (but I'm not made of money and needs must!). But, if MP are important to you, it might be worth looking at the 500 \ 550d - both are under £600 new and the 550 is 18mp I believe. I'm not saying you should judge a camera only on megapixels, but since that's the only thing you've mentioned is important you might want to check them out

[Geoff F]

With the Sigma 150-500 I would definitely recommend going for the 40D range of cameras.

The current model is the 50D which some people like, while others still prefer the 40D, which may be available secondhand.

They are rather heavy cameras though, especially with the 150-500. But I use that lens on a 40D which I find is well balanced and easy to handle.

[Alex90]

Hiya,

Thanks for the responses, didnt really specify much in initial post.... but by the same point i dont know "that" much about the camera's to be able to go into excessive details.

The main thing about the MP's was that 8.1 isnt enough, i'd like at least 10.1 or higher .... i had a play around with a camera that was 10.1 and noticed a difference as soon as the pics were on the PC.

Another issue i have with the 300D is its relatively slow, i can only take 5/6 pictures in succession over say 5 seconds and it takes a while to load before i can fire again which is really irritating with action shots.

Are there any body's that are "quicker" for example with small birds at a feeder i'd like to be able to get a capture that shows the wings without them being out of focus, would i need to change lens too ... or just body? I end up with shots like this time and time again, no matter how many attempts i have at it ... and even in near perfect conditions.

Cheers

Alex
http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r...y/IMG_0567.jpg

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Alex90

Hiya,

Are there any body's that are "quicker" for example with small birds at a feeder i'd like to be able to get a capture that shows the wings without them being out of focus, would i need to change lens too ... or just body? I end up with shots like this time and time again, no matter how many attempts i have at it ... and even in near perfect conditions.

Cheers
Alex

Hi Alex.

It's not so much the camera bodies that are quicker. It's more to do with the lens. Agreed some camera bodies can shoot more frames per second than others but with the right lens you should still be able to get the shots you are looking for regardless of the camera body.

I looked at your shot of the bird at the feeder and your shutter speed was only 1/80sec. That is nowhere near fast enough to freeze the action. If you want the wings sharp you will need a shutter speed of at least 1/1600sec and preferably more...

You need the best light possible to get high shutter speeds, if you can't get the speed you want you need to push the ISO up to increase the shutter speed. In good light with the right camera settings I'm pretty sure your lens should be up to it.

[Alex90]

Hi Ollie,

Cheers for the response, I think i really need to learn how to use the different setting better, i get myself in all the right places... it's just my knowledge of the camera that seems to compromise my shots. I have read up on various techniques.. and just general use of the camera, however i struggle to figure out how to do it on my camera without step by step pictures, or very clear instructions as i don't knwo the names of the buttons ect Do you know of any good websites or alternative sources which provide such examples?


With regards to the new camera body, what would you say would be a better choice for wildlife photography in general, 40D or 500D... those are the two i've been looking at for some time, both well within my budget 2nd hand on new.

Alex

[Ollie]

Originally Posted by Alex90

Hi Ollie,

Cheers for the response, I think i really need to learn how to use the different setting better, i get myself in all the right places... it's just my knowledge of the camera that seems to compromise my shots. I have read up on various techniques.. and just general use of the camera, however i struggle to figure out how to do it on my camera without step by step pictures, or very clear instructions as i don't knwo the names of the buttons ect Do you know of any good websites or alternative sources which provide such examples?


With regards to the new camera body, what would you say would be a better choice for wildlife photography in general, 40D or 500D... those are the two i've been looking at for some time, both well within my budget 2nd hand on new.

Alex

Can't think of any web sites off hand Alex but this forum isn't a bad place to learn. Just keep posting and asking questions and you will soon pick it up.

As for the camera bodies I aren't familiar with the 500D but I did use a 40D for nearly two years before I got the 7D and the 40D is an excellent camera for wildlife.

[david156]

Hi Alex.

Will PM you a link to a site that have found helpfull.

Cheers David.

[wizzo]

Well Alex....I'd say that if you've got issues with sharpness with 8 mega pixels, then your problems are deeper than the camera. Getting a new camera with more pixels won't solve your problem. I'd be looking at technique/settings, more than equipement. It's possible to get good quality poster size prints using a camera with only 2 megapixels. Just my opinion - Wizzo