Canon EOS 50D, 7D, or 5D?

[chjang]

I'm set to graduate college soon, and plan to go out into the photography business. I want to upgrade my camera though (I currently have a Canon EOS 450D, aka. Digital Rebel XSi... I'd sell this one when I get a new one).

I've narrowed my choices down to either the 50D, 7D, or 5D. I originally had the 5D Mark II on the list as well, but I crossed it off mainly because of the price.

My own considerations for each:
- 50D: cheapest when bought new, easiest to transition to from my 450D, least number of features
- 7D: probably the best of the three?, most expensive
- 5D: full frame, inability to mount EF-S lenses (which would mean I'd have to sell my 450D kit lens)

I don't care (at least not at this point) about video capabilities or continuous shooting speed. For right now, I'm not sure what type of photography I'll be going into, but I know that I should get an upgrade.

What do you guys think? Is there anything else that I need to consider?

[inkista]

Personally, I don't think you need an upgrade until you can actually detail out the features you need. Not want. NEED. Upgrading just for the sake of upgrading doesn't necessarily make a whole lot of sense. A 5D is a different beast from a 50D. They're different tools for different tasks. So until you know what task you want the camera for, I'd say save up your money.

A 5D is great for studio/landscape work, but not so great for the fast action.

The 7D rocks for the fast action.

The 50D is good for stepping up from the dRebels to something hardier, and is good at action stuff. But then, so is a 60D, and the 60D shares the 7D's sensor/processor and has better high iso performance as well as video capability and a flash master in the pop-up. All things the 50D lacks.

Which one you want depends on a) your budget b) what you want to shoot, and c) what lenses you have. If you haven't nailed down either of those things, then I don't think you're ready yet to drop the cash on a new body.

My general advice is only look at buying a new body when the lenses you want cost roughly the same amount. If you needed a new body that badly for specific features, you woudn't be asking a board which one to get. Also, lenses can upgrade your image quality as much or more than a camera body, and you're much more likely to keep them longer and they'll hold value a lot better. Lenses move with you from camera body to camera body. If all you have is an 18-55 kit lens, and you're planning on going pro, I'd actually say look to your lenses first.

[chjang]

Thanks for the great advice! And yeah, definitely a good call on upgrading the lenses rather than the body. I'll be honest, I was just wondering if other professionals would think lowly of me because I simply have a 450D. Thoughts on that?

I have a 50/1.4 (which I've been using for the majority of the time since I've bought it), along with the 18-55 kit lens. I'm thinking of getting a sturdier walkaround lens (like the 24-70 f/2.8, but probably less expensive) and/or a wide angle lens. Any recommendations?

[oldwolf]

What does it matter what other professionals think of you? It's what product you put out and what your clients think of you that matters.

That's just my personal opinion though.

Oh, between the three, I would pick the 7D but like inki said, what do you NEED? Not want.