Upgrading to a 70D from 1000D

SMN · 2 May 2014 at 13:00

Hi all,

Ive been using a 1000D now for about 18 months and feel like im reaching the limits of it. Its been great for learning and testing, but its letting me down in low-light situations, etc.

I've been offered a brand-new Canon 70D for £550 - so im thinking of upgrading as the reviews seem very glowing. What do people think, worth the upgrade money?

FWIW - I spent most of my time with either the Sigma 10-20mm or the Canon 18-135mm lens on, depending on the situation - and i quite like the pairing.

Best,
Sam

Zogger · 2 May 2014 at 13:28

if you can really get a brand new 70D body (preferably properly imported) for that price it seems like a very good deal and would be a big step up (in a good way) from a 1000D. Basically everything will be better.
Even if not they sell for more than that used on ebay...

Janesy B · 2 May 2014 at 13:32

Spend the money on a Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. Going from f3.5 - 5.6 to f/2.8 will give you a bigger improvement in low light than swapping body.

D.P. · 2 May 2014 at 13:48

Janesy B said:
Spend the money on a Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM. Going from f3.5 - 5.6 to f/2.8 will give you a bigger improvement in low light than swapping body.

This.

If low light is your biggest concern then the 70D won't help massively, a faster lens will. The 17-55mm f/2.8 is a good shout, also worth considering the sigma 18-35mm f/1.8

CGrieves · 2 May 2014 at 13:50

I went from a 1000D to a 40D, which gives a lot of benefits (much better build, better AF, faster frame rate). These days you can pick up a 40D for a little over £100.

As said though, a better lens will give more low light improvement. 17-55 is a good shout but also consider the Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC as a good cheap upgrade.

SMN · 2 May 2014 at 14:53

My parents are coming back from Oz, and the camera prices there are a snip of what they are here, its staggering actually - plus you get 10% off due to GST claims at the airport.

Regarding body vs. lens - its a fair point, i was hoping that the 70D would have better sensors which would help with the quality in low light? I recently did some photography at a wedding, and for indoor shots at the venue it suffered quite badly from graining as i had to have the ISO at 400 to get away with a half decent hand-held shot.

CGrieves · 2 May 2014 at 15:27

SMN said:
My parents are coming back from Oz, and the camera prices there are a snip of what they are here, its staggering actually - plus you get 10% off due to GST claims at the airport.

Regarding body vs. lens - its a fair point, i was hoping that the 70D would have better sensors which would help with the quality in low light? I recently did some photography at a wedding, and for indoor shots at the venue it suffered quite badly from graining as i had to have the ISO at 400 to get away with a half decent hand-held shot.

In my experience, the 40D will give better low light performance than a 1000D.

I went to 50D when my 40D shutter failed, there was no real improvement in high ISO over the 40D, but you gain quite a few features.

60D gives another improvement in high ISO, but is a bit plasticky and loses functionality comparison to the other XXDs.

70D is a marginal improvement again ISO performance, but you do gain a lot of features.

Janesy B · 2 May 2014 at 22:29

In all honesty moving from one crop body to another on Canon is a bit of a waste of time if you're just doing it for noise handling.

CGrieves said:
Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC as a good cheap upgrade.

Good shout. I liked mine.

D.P. · 2 May 2014 at 22:58

SMN said:
My parents are coming back from Oz, and the camera prices there are a snip of what they are here, its staggering actually - plus you get 10% off due to GST claims at the airport.

Regarding body vs. lens - its a fair point, i was hoping that the 70D would have better sensors which would help with the quality in low light? I recently did some photography at a wedding, and for indoor shots at the venue it suffered quite badly from graining as i had to have the ISO at 400 to get away with a half decent hand-held shot.

You will get the 10% OZ tax removed and get the 20% UK tax added on plus any duty.

This only works if you live in a low tax country. When I lived in Switzerland i would sometimes buy stuff in he UK, send in the VAT form at the airport and then get the tax back minus the 7% swiss taxes, getting a 15% reduction of UK prices.

And no, the 70D doesn't have high ISo performance that much better.Not worth the change for that lone, for features, autofocus and things yes.