550d to 60d

Captain Chaos · 9 Jul 2011 at 07:59

Hi all

Thinking about upgrading my 550d to a 60d

is it worth it?

Whats your thoughts?

theheyes · 9 Jul 2011 at 08:14

Generally speaking, yes, but I would factor in what sort of lenses you have currently and what about the 550D isn't meeting your needs. If you just have the kit lens for example, then I'd spend money on lenses rather than replace the body because the 550D is very capable.

Captain Chaos · 9 Jul 2011 at 09:07

liking the 550 tbh. Have a couple of l series lenses, kit lense and a nifty fifty lol.

Suppose i just want a new toy lol

Vertigo · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:19

the xxxD and xxD series are very different cameras, size and feel wise - I think a huge part of whether to upgrade depends on whether you prefer the feel of the smaller or larger body. If you're fine with the size of the 550D then maybe the 600D is a more logical upgrade path?

An Exception · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:20

If your not fine with the size of the 550D, then just get a grip.

Vertigo · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:22

Yeah I never used a grip with my 400D but quite a few friends with xxxD series bodies say it helps a lot

An Exception · 9 Jul 2011 at 12:37

^^^
It does, it completely transforms the feel of the camera, and now can't go back to a grip-less camera, even with larger bodies (compared to 550D) like my D7K.

Captain Chaos · 9 Jul 2011 at 17:54

Ooooo never thought of getting a grip

maybe the cheaper option

ElDude · 10 Jul 2011 at 00:58

In my high flying photographic career

I've gone from a 300D to a 30D and just upgraded to a 60D. The 60D feels like a Nikon to me (and I swear they've deliberately done this as I see no reason why they would change the size!), but I need a grip anyway as I have giant Andre the giant hands

I'm getting used to the 60D, but it is a little cramped and feels cheaper than the 30D. I've not tried the 50D, but people rave about that camera and are up in arms about the change to the 60D. Still, if you've only an older camera I'd definitely recommend the 60D. The range of features it has is exceptional, and covers a wide range of things. Although I have to say I feel like Canon are trying to grab too much of the market in one camera for my liking. As a result of this camera I feel the only way for me is to get the 5DmkIII when it's out next, but that's a whole other query/story.

Have a look on youtube for 60D videos. I spent a few hours the other night looking at what it can do, and used properly, it's a damn impressive camera.

jaybee · 10 Jul 2011 at 01:05

I'd go with a 50d personally. I did. You get the benefit of having AF adjust as well. They took that away from the 60d which is a major let down.

An Exception · 10 Jul 2011 at 01:57

^^^
I had a 50D, it's not a bad camera in terms of features, especially the lack of shutter lag and micro adjust and nicer controls, but it feels like it's made of lead when you put a grip on it, which is a negative thing imo, but the 60D has the sensor advantage (like the 550D also).

@Op
If the 60D had the 50D's trimmings I would say it would be a good upgrade, as it stands the 60D is practically a larger XXXD camera, although it does have some slight advantages of that it's a larger body, has larger View Finder, and the shutter get's to 1/800 and you get 0.3 stops better sync speed.

IMO I think the best (Canon) choice would be a used (but good condition) 5D classic, the IQ would be much better than the 60D etc, and you have more control over things like DOF being a FF camera.

Vertigo · 10 Jul 2011 at 10:13

Ejizz said:
^^^
I had a 50D, it's not a bad camera in terms of features, especially the lack of shutter lag and micro adjust and nicer controls, but it feels like it's made of lead when you put a grip on it, which is a negative thing imo, but the 60D has the sensor advantage (like the 550D also).

I love the grip on my 7D but it does make it inordinately heavy. My standard walkabout setup now weighs 2.4kg!

bigredshark · 10 Jul 2011 at 10:42

Ejizz said:
IMO I think the best (Canon) choice would be a used (but good condition) 5D classic, the IQ would be much better than the 60D etc, and you have more control over things like DOF being a FF camera.

I'd fairly strongly disagree with that, having used the 5D classic a bit, it's ISO performance isn't exactly wonderful and it lacks features compared to all the modern bodies. Unless you must have the DOF associated with full frame it's not worth it, not least because they're not exactly cheap still and aren't bullet proof build wise.

An Exception · 10 Jul 2011 at 11:39

^^^
Better ISO than the 18mp crop sensors and a weaker AA filter (probably because it doesn't do video), the Op isn't going to get better IQ with Canon without going to a more expensive FF body.
With regards to build quality, who really cares, let's face it if you drop one camera hard enough that it will break, probably so will other bodies, the lesson of the day is, look after your gear, or get insurance...

An Exception · 10 Jul 2011 at 12:03

Vertigo1 said:
I love the grip on my 7D but it does make it inordinately heavy. My standard walkabout setup now weighs 2.4kg!

I know how you feel, but now I use primes over zooms for this reason, as I like a nimble setup, and only have one battery in my D7K's grip, but luckily the grip hardly weighs anything anyway, and doesn't add too much weight.

To make the primes more convenient I carry the prime lenses in a Thinktank belt system with a mixture of 'lens drop in's' and 'lens changer 50's', it now only takes about 2 seconds to swap lenses (as no messing about with any lens caps or opening/closing bags etc.).
The only downside is, it screams photographer, so only good for paid gigs, or if your somewhere where your not a likely 'target' for muggers.

bigredshark · 10 Jul 2011 at 12:31

Ejizz said:
^^^
Better ISO than the 18mp crop sensors and a weaker AA filter (probably because it doesn't do video), the Op isn't going to get better IQ with Canon without going to a more expensive FF body.
With regards to build quality, who really cares, let's face it if you drop one camera hard enough that it will break, probably so will other bodies, the lesson of the day is, look after your gear, or get insurance...

I don't think so, ISO1600 is on a par or very slightly better than my D200 in my view, which means equal to a D300s/D90 or not as good as a D7000. Which it still costs almost as much as.

It's a nice camera in some circumstances, it has nice colour rendition in particular and obviously it's the cheapest full frame body you'll find but it's far from perfect and it's low light performance and IQ has been surpassed by crop sensor cameras today.

An Exception · 10 Jul 2011 at 13:05

^^^
I think you have under estimated the 5Dc, everyone I have spoken to who have both a 7D and a 5D say the 5D has much better noise control, and is sharper.

For comparison, below are the DXO mark ISO scores

5Dc = 1368

D7K = 1167

7D = 854

From the below comparison, I know which body I'd go for if I valued image quality above all else, the 7D has one noisy blue channel...

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/820707/0

theheyes · 10 Jul 2011 at 15:04

The battery grip as suggested makes a huge difference. I don't have particularly big hands but even I find my 500D a bit dinky without the grip.

If you just want a new toy I would look at a macro lens or even a flash gun. I think they'd be more of an investment than a new body just for the sake of it.