Should I upgrade to the 7D?

[inkdoesntrun]

I am new here so if there is already a thread like this please redirect me

I have been using a 450D for the past two years and looking to upgrade to a more professional camera. I want an all round camera as I'm looking to shoot a mixture or portraits, landscapes and low light photography.

So far the arguments in favour for the 7D have been the dual processor for ISO performance, the auto-focus, metering system and fps for low light situations such as gigs and sport.

Although I have seen some complaints with regards to sharpness and exposure (although I do shoot manual most of the time)

Are there any other cameras I should consider around this price mark or is the 7D the perfect choice?

[GadgetRick]

Originally Posted by inkdoesntrun

I am new here so if there is already a thread like this please redirect me

I have been using a 450D for the past two years and looking to upgrade to a more professional camera. I want an all round camera as I'm looking to shoot a mixture or portraits, landscapes and low light photography.

So far the arguments in favour for the 7D have been the dual processor for ISO performance, the auto-focus, metering system and fps for low light situations such as gigs and sport.

Although I have seen some complaints with regards to sharpness and exposure (although I do shoot manual most of the time)

Are there any other cameras I should consider around this price mark or is the 7D the perfect choice?

Well, I think you need to determine where your current setup is failing you before jumping the gun to upgrade. Many people want to upgrade (I can relate) and never realize they aren't even taxing their current setup. Don't know in your case.

Second, you need to understand the features you're quoting before comparing them.

The dual processor has nothing (at least little) to do with low-light performance. This is for speed more than anything. The camera can process things much faster with 2 processors.

The higher fps speed of the 7D will do nothing for you in low-light situations either. It just means it can take x number of photos each second. In fact, in low-light situations (if it's low enough) the fps will go down anyway (can be drastically depending on the amount of light).

What are you looking to do with a new setup? What kinds of things are you looking to focus on (no pun intended). When you say low-light photography, what do you mean? Things which are moving? Stationary things (in which case you could use a tripod)?

Need more info.

[inkdoesntrun]

At the moment my current set up is failing in that it blows highlights out too easily, i find wide angle images lose sharpness too easily around the edges.

ahh now i re read i realise how i miss worded sorry.

I meant the dual processor and fps for more sport and wildlife type shooting.

The sort of low light im looking into is concert photography and the ISO on the 450d is too low to be able to keep a descent shutter speed. I find band members can sometimes be extremely frantic.

my main focuses will be portrait and live gig work but I want something that can be a good all rounder.

[GadgetRick]

Ok, now you're getting into something.

Where your current setup is failing you is probably a combination of technique and lenses. However, you mentioning needing better high-iso performance means a different camera may make sense if that's a big deal to you.

The 7D is much better at higher-ISOs than your current body and, overall, it's quite good. A 5D would be even better but much more expensive.

Now, the 7D is not a cheap body either. If you can get away with shooting up to about 1250 ISO (occasionally 1600) a 50D in combination with some fast glass would be a big improvement (that's what I shoot only because I don't have the funds for a 7D at the moment). I shoot MMA and the lighting can be low at times but nothing like a concert so I can't speak for what you do.

You're going to need to look at the body AND glass if you want to get the most out of the low light performance.

[RichardTaylor]

Before you upgrade what lenses are you using?
Lenses can make a huge difference in IQ and and low light shooting.

For portraits, landscapes and low light photography I would go with a 5D, however you will need good glass.
It makes for a great all rounder.

If your priority is sports and wildlife I would get the 7D mainly because of the faster focussing and high FPS.

[inkdoesntrun]

I mostly use a 50mm f1.8 prime lens, I do shoot at wide apertures but then depth of field comes into question.
I was hoping to shoot at least 3200 ISO because 1600 just seems to low in getting decent results at gigs.

I will be able to afford the 7D body but the 5D is just out of the question right now as I'm still at university. Seems that the 7D is the best choice although when having a look around shops I will take the 50D into consideration.

[inkista]

The 7D's forte is fast action: advanced AF system and higher burst rate.

But in your original post, you said:

I'm looking to shoot a mixture or portraits, landscapes and low light photography...

I'm not seeing sports or wildlife in that list. Heavy sports and wildlife or chasing small running children, then the 7D would be good, yes. Things that mostly don't zip by a really fast speeds? Maybe a 40D/50D/60D or dRebel will do just as well. I've shot birds in flight with an XT (350D). Landscapes don't move all that fast....

Also, the 50/1.8 is notorious for being wonky with the AF in low light. You may just need a better lens, there. The EF 50mm f/1.4 USM, EF 85/1.8 USM, and EF 100/2 USM all leap to mind (read: you probably want a USM lens), and they're a lot less expensive than a new camera body.

In addition, the 550D and 60D have mostly the same sensor/processor version as the 7D--iso performance will be pretty similar across all three models. You still sure you need the 7D?

On more note. Your 450D is (more or less) the same generation sensor as the 40D. The price/tradeoff for the higher ISO levels on the later generation of cameras is a slight loss on dynamic range. That is, it's slightly easier to blow highlights with a 50D vs. a 40D. You can't have everything.

When it comes to blowing highlights, technique is probably more key, though, than your camera body. I'd highly recommend learning to use your histogram and metering modes, and maybe reading up on HDR.

[inkdoesntrun]

hmmm the 50D and 60D does seem like decent choices, certainly more to think over. I guess the only over plus with a 7D is the magnesium alloy body though that doesn't really matter.

Price wise though 60D 1099 and 7D 1167 on amazon, not much of a price difference.

Cheers for the link i'll get up to speed on it all.

[inkista]

Yeah, the UK pricing is wacky. For us in the states, the 60D body will be $1099, while the 7D body is going around $1500. My guess is that the 60D's street prices will be dropping by a fair bit. For us, the 60D is going for the same price as the 50D.

Historically, when the 7D first hit the scene, it was MSRPing for €1649, and the 50D for €1299. My guess is that the 60D will eventually be streeting in the £600-£700 range. But it's probably going to be a bit of a wait.

[inkdoesntrun]

Some places are trying to sell the 7D for £1800 body only which is rediculous.

I have just under a month before I purchase so hopefully some reviews comparing the 60D and 7D will have come up by then.