Dilemma

[Exitialis]

Hey everyone

I am currently faced with a dilemma, currently I have a Canon 400D, a nifty fifty, the kit lens and a cheap Tamron zoom lens. And I have got completely fed up of the lack of IS, the rubbish low light performance of the 400D (swearing at the computer screen when I see the noise in photos is a common occurrence) and so decided I need some new gear.

Was given an EX 580 II for my birthday however I've also saved and received some money so I'm looking to upgrade some of the other hardware as well. Primarily glass so I started looking at the 24-105mm f4 USM IS L and the 24-70mm f2.8 USM L however cant make up my mind between them. On the one hand the 24-105 is lighter and has IS which makes it a decent walk around lens, on the other I favour aperture priority mode and enjoy the f1.8 of the nifty fifty so the 24-70 lends itself better to that.

On top of this is the fact that the problem of the 400D annoying me hasnt been solved either so do I get a 5D MK II as well or wait for the 60D to come out?

Any help would be greatly appreciated because at the moment I can't decide between these two lenses =(

Thank you =)

[RichardTaylor]

5DII for IQ and good low noise performance.
I am not aware of a 60D specs or release date (if ever)

Re the 24-70/105 . That is a choice you will have to make.
Upsides of 24-70 F2.8 are the F2.8 and reportedly better IQ than the 24-105
Downside are it weight.

I have a 24-105 and use it on a 5D it makes for a great walk around lens.
Only downside for me is the distortion at the wide end.

I also own a 4 fast primes in the range 35mm to 135mm

[Exitialis]

well a google of 60D rumours reports it be being announced around may time and released october time, whether theres any truth to that remains to be seen. The other thing said to be on the 60D thats not on the 50D is 1080p hi def recording, other than that it's supposed to just be an update on what's currently available.

Yeah this is the problem between the lenses, really can't work out which one I want =(

[BCampbell]

What kinds of conditions are you shooting in where the 50mm (1.8?) on the 400D is producing unacceptable amounts of noise?

Have you considered the free option of learning better post production skills for noise reduction?

If you buy the 5DMkII body only, you'll only have the 50mm to shoot with. You'll still be buying lenses. While the 24-105 f/4 that comes as it's "kit" lens is good and the body does an awesome, awesome job in low lighting, you're spending $3000+ at that point and will still want faster glass (you will notice the difference between f/2.8@ISO3200 and f/4@ISO6400).

So, you're looking at a $4000 or so investment if you jump to the 5D.

The speedlite will solve many, many problems for you for casual indoor shooting. If you're not shooting in situations where flash is prhibited, learn to use it before buying anything else. Get a sync/hotshoe cord or wireless trigger.

Buying the 24-105 f/4 isn't going to help you all that much as it's not really any faster than your kit lens. You'll have sharper noise.

If you buy the 24-70 f/2.8 you might be able to significantly cut down noise on the 400D. Combine it with the speedlite and up to 11x14" prints or so nobody would know the bifference between the 400D and 5DMkII. In that case, if you were to buy the 5DMkII in the future, you would eventually buy the 24-70 anyway, why not get it now.

Feel free to buy $4000 worth of gear to solve noise problems, but my magic 8-ball forsees a post by a possible future you: "Bought a 5D Mark 2, pictures still aren't what I want, please help!" You have at least two tools you can use now, that won't cost you anything.

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

The speedlite will solve many, many problems for you for casual indoor shooting. If you're not shooting in situations where flash is prhibited, learn to use it before buying anything else. Get a sync/hotshoe cord or wireless trigger.

Exactly. Learn the 580EX II and how to do proper flash photography and you'll be amazed at what you can get. That's the best, "upgrade," you can do for your money as it costs next to nothing to learn...