What I expect if I upgrade to the 50D

Am I considering upgrading to the 50D after almost 2 years with the XTi. Here is what I expect to gain:

-Much better LCD to be able to determine if the pic is in focus (with the XTi, you have to really zoom each photo on the LCD and it's time consuming or I just have to take multiple shots in hopes for a clear one).
-Live View
-Faster AF

-Less noise with higher ISO (this I'm not happy with - the XTi has very visible noise even at ISO 400.
-Increased ability to crop which I often do
-More control over shooting with the different modes.

I have a buyer for my Xti with kit and a compact flash card for $450 so my investment in the 50D would be approx. $600. I currently have the 18-55 IS, 85 f/1.8, 50 f/1-8, 70-300 IS, Speedlite 450EX.

Are there any other benefits I would get from the upgrade? I shoot portraits, sports, events, basically everything.

--
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy. MLK

you can calibrate each of your lens.

The MA capability is fantastic. Other aspects I really appeciate since getting the 50D in October:

Speed. It boots and switches twice as fast as the XTi.
Usability in very low light. I shoot a lot handheld
Settings at your fingertips (WB, ISO, Av&Tv independent)
Exposure/focus lock independent of each other
Crop ability (as you've mentioned)
Colour is very rich

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hagenhohn/3167908047/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hagenhohn/3167909057/sizes/o/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/hagenhohn/3245543741/sizes/o/

The live view is brutally slow for me as I don't use a tripod much.

--
Hagen
----------------------
50D Canon 24-105 L IS Canon 70-200 L IS Canon 2x extender
soon: Canon 28mm F1.8

Great points...as you can see I'm trying to justify the cost to upgrade as I have a hefty tax return coming my way...
--
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy. MLK

Yes, tax return!

If you are near a great camera store like Henrys here in Canada, they have a phenominal return policy. While I suspect you'll fall in love with the 50D, if you don't Henrys would refund you 100% within 14 days and 100% in-store credit in the first 21 days!.

That might help take away some of the uncertaintly. There are also rental places but you'd need to cough up $150 or so for a week's rental. 10% of the purchase price? Nothing beats hands-on evaluation

Cheers and good shopping,
Hagen

curradob said:

Great points...as you can see I'm trying to justify the cost to
upgrade as I have a hefty tax return coming my way...
--
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy. MLK

Click to expand...

--
Hagen
----------------------
50D Canon 24-105 L IS Canon 70-200 L IS

If you shoot ETTR you'll see noise improvement in the XTi. Going back to the topic 50D is a very nice camera, if you see your print you'll be amazed at the details.

You will notice the shorter shutter lag that makes pressing the shutter release a much more pleasant experience. The burst rate is great for shooting action too. Unless you're P mode type of photographer you'll find the extra buttons and custom functions very useful.

Much better resolution, better high ISO performance, better colour (slight but noticeable on monitor and in print), better exposures (less underexposure), microadjustment of lenses leading to better focus, quicker response to the shutter button, faster frame rate and a larger, brighter viewfinder.

Okay - I've learned alot in the 2 years with my Xti but what is ETTR?
beth

--
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy. MLK

I've been hinting to my husband that I want to buy a new camera and he actually said "well, make sure you actually have yours sold" ...I interpret that comment as a small but significant step towards purchasing!
--
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy. MLK

--

I think it is "estimated time to repair". At least I saw it in a work order for my camera.

4 days later the 50d kit, an extra battery and a 8gb cf card were delivered, then 10 days later an efs 17-55 came, the next week was a 580exII flash and now I am waiting for my battery grip, a 3rd battery, and a camera bag that I ordered from Henrys 2 weeks ago, Do you think they really know what they are getting into when they say these things to us? lol I have started paving the road for the next upgrade tho (full frame in 2 or 3 years) telling her that we really should keep this body instead of selling like my old p+s, I think she's buying it so far.....

good luck with your new camera and you had better not use the "checking price " story like you did for the nifty fifty lol
--
Caution; Newbie in training !
John(picks2592)
http://www.newbie-828.smugmug.com
it's nice to be important,but more important to be nice!!

curradob said:

Am I considering upgrading to the 50D after almost 2 years with the
XTi. Here is what I expect to gain:

-Much better LCD to be able to determine if the pic is in focus (with
the XTi, you have to really zoom each photo on the LCD and it's time
consuming or I just have to take multiple shots in hopes for a clear
one).

Click to expand...

The LCD alone was reason enough for me to upgrade, you'll enjoy it.

curradob said:

-Live View

Click to expand...

Painfully slow but useful for those shots where you don't have access to the view finder. The real plus here is the ability to use live view with 10x magnification to check focus before shooting.

curradob said:

-Faster AF

Click to expand...

I've never noticed this.

curradob said:

-Less noise with higher ISO (this I'm not happy with - the XTi has

Click to expand...

Less noise and better detail with that whooping 15MP sensor.

curradob said:

-Increased ability to crop which I often do

Click to expand...

%50 more pixels gives a lot of room for cropping.

curradob said:

-More control over shooting with the different modes.

Click to expand...

Its nice to have the controls at your finger tips.

You'll like the faster burst speed. The exposure metering on the 50D is much better than the Xti. PLUS, you get spot metering. The hotshoe is more solid. The mostly metal case feels more solid.

It took me a few days to get used to the extra weight.

--
(insert brag sheet here)
http://flickr.com/photos/mbloof
Technologist @ Large

• Mark0

I was just reading some of these posts to my husband...he didn't object about the camera...I'm getting closer to ordering from Amazon...(he did object to the fact that I'm essentially carrying on a conversation with strangers...he's not a computer fan so he doesn't understand the concept of forums LOL!
--
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of
comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and
controversy. MLK

I came from the XT and it's night and day. First great thing I noticed about it is the size and grip. Much more comfortable. The added weight helps me with balance. With the LCD on the back yes you can determine if there is a problem with your shot and take it again.

Cropping, you can push that cropping way beyond what you are used to and still crop some more.

ISO, more than once I needed 1600 on the XT and pushed it 2 stops to get the right exposure. Border line unusable. Where with the 50D the noise reduction system does it job wonderfully. Softens up the image some but you have to give to receive.

Speed and accuracy of the AF is just in another class.

You may find that you would need to upgrade to better glass along the way.