New Camera or new Lens

[Kaeman]

Is it better to buy a new Camera or a lens first? I am getting to a point in my photography journey where my skills in photography are improving a lot more and I feel that I should start looking into the near future for better equipment. Right now I got the EOS Rebel XSi and a Canon 55-250 basic telephoto lens, what should I upgrade first?

[ravncat]

Can you answer these questions?

1. Do you need a new way to see the world?

2. Do you need more control over your settings?

3. Do you find yourself unable to take certain kinds of pictures?

4. Do you need to print larger?

5. Do you find yourself always cropping your images?

6. Do you fear about taking your camera into crazy weather?

7. Do you find you want narrower depths of field?

8. Do you wish you had a bigger viewfinder?

X. Do you have issues with sharpness and or color?

Which questions seemed the most important to you?
If you answered yes to more important odd questions - you probably should go with a new lens
If you answered yes to more important even questions - you probably should get a new body
If you answered yes to question X - you should probably invest in improving your skill level (classes / trips / books / workshops)

[inkista]

As long as there are lenses you want that cost less than a camera body you want, go for the lens. The money you spend on glass will stay with you longer than the money you spend on a camera body. Lenses depreciate much more slowly, and you can often use them with multiple bodies.

Most folks upgrade their camera bodies the way they do most digital equipment: every three to five years. Lenses can last you decades.

[Kaeman]

Lack of sharpness is just a skill I need to build? Because even when on a tripod and i shoot at full length(250MM) With the right settings the image is soft and lacks rich colour.

[RichardTaylor]

@ Kaeman

Are you turning the IS off when you are using a tripod?

In answer to your first question; camera or lens?

For me it was high quality lenses.
The camera really doesn't make a lot of difference unless you are using it in difficult conditions or shooting difficult subjects.

[Exiztence]

Originally Posted by RichardTaylor

The camera really doesn't make a lot of difference unless you are using it in difficult conditions or shooting difficult subjects.

I agree. If you have problems with ISO noise / shooting in dark conditions, have the feeling you can't get to change settings quick enough or if you're missing some settings in general; get a new camera.

If you want better IQ or a different view; get new lenses.

[aprillove20]

By the way, do you find yourself always cropping your images?

[Kaeman]

I always crop photos because most of the time the background has very soft edges and is not very sharp.
Also I do use IS and I should turn it off when using tri pod.

[ptremb3043]

old post brought back. what do you do if there is about the same count on both even and odd questions? my odd comes as 2-3n &1-2y, even comes as 2n & 2y.q5 is the swing as some are cropped from bad backgrounds being unable to change my perspective or loose the shot al together.