Why do I need the 50D? :)

[sarahdavis]

Awhile back, I wrote a post about choosing between the next step up from my camera (the Canon Rebel XSi) and going for the T1i for the higher ISO mostly. Someone mentioned robbing a bank and going for the 50D. As it turns out, my husband decided to try to talk me into not caring if he pays $1400 for a guitar. I told him if he wants me to be ok with that one then I'm going up another level to the 50D. I didn't really want the video on the T1i anyway so that wasn't a factor. Of course by the time I get the body, an extra battery, and a memory card, it's going to be a little over $1,000. So....Can anyone tell me any big differences between the T1i and the 50D since it's almost $300 more? I just need to totally convince myself I need this one instead so I can fight for it. Thanks!!!

[RLucas]

What kind of guitar is he buying/does he want? I have some guitar gear that I want to sell. If he likes what I have, he can get it cheaper, and save you some money, and I can get some money for a 70-300mm I have been eyeing! PM me if you are interested.

[cphoniball]

Not to be a downer, but here's how I look at it... keep in mind I'm a gear head.

If I (me, myself) don't actually know why I want a new piece of gear and cannot spell out why, in fact, it will benefit my photography, then it's not worth spending the money on it. So, if I was you, I wouldn't be moving up cameras at all until you actually start bumping into problems with your XSi.

Also, if you're concerned about high ISO performance, the 50D isn't going to be substantially (or perhaps at all) better than your XSi. Yea, it has 3200 available (I think) but it'll be ugly. If you're shooting in dark places buy a 50 1.8 or a 30 1.4 instead.

[BCampbell]

Here's a good overview of the 50D's ISO performance. It's not bad for relatively high (3200 and 6400) ISO shooting, and definitely better than the XSi, even just for having the higher ranges available.

As far as I know, you're getting two main advanatges with the 50D over the T1i. The 50D has an advanced autofocus system (all points are cross-type), and can shoot at nearly double the frame rate in burst mode. This makes the 50D much better for fast action shoots, especially sports.

They very similar otherwise and you probably won't notice most of the other differences. So you'll have to ask yourself if the above is worth $300 to you. I think it's smart to discount the video capability of the T1i, it's not quite ready for prime time. A nice feature, but don't buy the camera for it.

[bearly]

another thing is the metal body and the dual control wheels. the body feels (and is) significantly sturdier than the plastic bodies of the rebel line and the control dial on the back is really helpful for a bunch of functions

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by bearly

another thing is the metal body and the dual control wheels. the body feels (and is) significantly sturdier than the plastic bodies of the rebel line and the control dial on the back is really helpful for a bunch of functions

+1.

The ##D line feels more "pro", in general, over the Rebels.

[sarahdavis]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

Here's a good overview of the 50D's ISO performance. It's not bad for relatively high (3200 and 6400) ISO shooting, and definitely better than the XSi, even just for having the higher ranges available.

As far as I know, you're getting two main advanatges with the 50D over the T1i. The 50D has an advanced autofocus system (all points are cross-type), and can shoot at nearly double the frame rate in burst mode. This makes the 50D much better for fast action shoots, especially sports.

They very similar otherwise and you probably won't notice most of the other differences. So you'll have to ask yourself if the above is worth $300 to you. I think it's smart to discount the video capability of the T1i, it's not quite ready for prime time. A nice feature, but don't buy the camera for it.

Thank you all! I'm not wanting to get something more expensive just because I can. If that had been "in the budget" before then I would have wanted this one to begin with - But if his guitar is, my camera is.

I really really want the improved ISO while still being able to use the lenses I have now. I have the 50mm 1.8, and even that isn't much help when the noise looks AWFUL at even ISO 1600. So really, being able to use 3200 (with noise reduction obviously but looking good after that) would be about a 3X improvement for me right now. I very rarely go ablove 800. And it's really a pain, when I've discovered I mostly hate flash.

And of course I looked up reviews before I asked, but it's just different hearing opinions that seem more from "actual people", you know?

[sarahdavis]

Originally Posted by RLucas

What kind of guitar is he buying/does he want? I have some guitar gear that I want to sell. If he likes what I have, he can get it cheaper, and save you some money, and I can get some money for a 70-300mm I have been eyeing! PM me if you are interested.

Oh, and sorry, he already bought his guitar this morning. It was something rare he'd already found on eBay, and was just waiting til he told me about it so he could buy it right then pretty much. But thanks for offer!

[inkista]

Sensor performance-wise, I'd actually say the T1i (or the upcoming T2i) beat out the 50D.

The 50D, however, has the larger heavier metal body, the dual wheel controls, the top LCD, the C1 and C2 customizable shooting modes, autofocus micro-adjust, interchangeable focus screens, a fully cross-type AF array, twice the frame rate in burst mode, and a few more dedicated buttons. Essentially, it's more fully featured, and just makes some things a helluva lot easier.

I made the move from an XT to a 50D, so I can walk you through a little of the different "feel" you'll get. I would highly recommend playing with one in a store so you can see for yourself.

Take the "dual wheel" controls. On the T1i, when you shoot in full Manual mode, if you want to set the shutter speed, you use the wheel under your right forefinger to adjust the setting. And to set the aperture you have to hold down the AV/± button with your thumb and use the same wheel. On the 50D, you use the top wheel to set the shutter speed, and the back wheel under your thumb to set the aperture. Much easier to use.

This dual-wheel extends towards the settings. You have dedicated buttons on the top for Metering/WB, AF/Drive, ISO/FEC, and again, the top and back wheels are used for the individual setting. One button press, one wheel scroll, and you're done. Simpler than Menu -> direction -> direction -> direction -> .... SET. Which is the typical sequence on the dRebel bodies. The T1i has the ISO button, but that's it.

The customizable modes means that you can save the current state of your settings into a shooting mode of your own. I use C1 for birding with my 400mm prime. I have the iso set to auto and the camera in Tv at 1/640s, and the custom functions are set for back-button autofocus with the * button button (this involves messing with two separate custom functions). What would require about a dozen or so button presses and a lot of wheel fiddling on the T1i to set and then unset, I can do by simply turning the mode dial on the 50D.

But image-quality-wise, you're not gaining a whole helluva lot. The additional xxD features over the xxxD are all about usability.

[BCampbell]

Originally Posted by sarahdavis

I really really want the improved ISO while still being able to use the lenses I have now.

If that's most important to you, and you're a little patient, you may want to wait for the T2i. It'll have better high ISO performance along with better metering and some other bonuses.