Where to from the 450D?

[Jethro777]

I have a Canon 450D, and would like to make a sensible upgrade. I use it primarily for portraiture, using a 50mm 1.8 lens (a cheapie but a goodie).

What are some Canon options for an upgrade (I want to keep using the lens)? I find that rather than getting the newest model, it sometimes pays to get a second hand model that is a little older, but more feature and spec rich, so I am open to superior older models if the price is right.

Where should I go from the 450D?

 

[Deleted1929]

There's nothing wrong with the camera so for portraiture an external flash would be strongly recommended.

However unless you have something specific you need from a camera that the 450D does not do, then don't change camera.

 

[Guidenet]

Jethro777 wrote:

I have a Canon 450D, and would like to make a sensible upgrade. I use it primarily for portraiture, using a 50mm 1.8 lens (a cheapie but a goodie).

What are some Canon options for an upgrade (I want to keep using the lens)? I find that rather than getting the newest model, it sometimes pays to get a second hand model that is a little older, but more feature and spec rich, so I am open to superior older models if the price is right.

Where should I go from the 450D?

I'm with Stephen mostly. What do you want that the 450D can't do? Also, what kind of budget are you thinking about. That 50 f/1.8 might be a little wide for many portrait opportunities as well. It's also pretty cheaply built for the long haul. I'm not sure what you're wanting to do or why.

You're possibly right in upgrading the specs but what specs are important. For me, getting a real optical glass pentaprism viewfinder over your dimmer more tunnel-like penta mirror arrangement woudl be of huge importance. I don't know though what you consider important. I'd also want more tactile controls and twin command dials. This would mean a 40D, 50D or 60D and above but no entry level like you have.

You might have deep pockets and might consider Full Frame, since you didn't mention budget. We also don't know your skill level or experience. Maybe you don't need or don't have the experience to appreciate a Full Frame camera. That's not an insult, I promise. A lot of photographers just shoot in P or A mode and JPeg and may never notice the advantages of FF. A good old 5D sells at a real bargain these days and makes a beautiful image. The 5D MKII is also a bargain but much more than the 5D. A used 5D would be my personal choice in your shoes and on a budget. Other than your 50 f/1.8, your other lenses might not work FF. I don't know what you have there either.

So, you really need to let us know a lot more. What you're looking to do that your current camera can't do. Your budget. Your level of experience or skill. What other gear do you have? That would really help us help you in this.

 

[goanna670956]

A second hand 50D would be a good option, or new 60D.

Going to FF would mean having to rethink which lens to use. You would have to by and 85 mm or similar.

 

[goanna670956]

Oh, and by the way, I also agree with the other posters.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

There is nothing wrong with your 450D.

 

[Guidenet]

goanna wrote:

Going to FF would mean having to rethink which lens to use. You would have to by and 85 mm or similar.

Hi Goanna. I'm understanding what you're saying and agree mostly with what you wrote. I just found it ironic these days with where people who started in the crop camera era think one might have to rethink lens use.

It makes me chuckle a bit thinking about my move to full frame being so nice because I could go back to being comfortable with lens focal lengths acting like I was used to them acting after over 40 years of film. Finally my wides were wide again. Finally I got to see the whole scene with a telephoto rather than just half the scene with my APS-C crop cameras. We have to remember that digital crop era is only a very small fraction of time in the history of SLR type cameras. For the large percentage of that time FF cameras were what you used. Now, after a short time with crop digital, they are back again and for many of us, that's normal. LOL You see why I saw it as ironic?

Just an interesting point of view I suppose. Let me see the whole frame, darnit. heheh





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Cheers, Craig

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[beagle1]

Jethro777 wrote:

I have a Canon 450D, and would like to make a sensible upgrade. I use it primarily for portraiture, using a 50mm 1.8 lens (a cheapie but a goodie).

What are some Canon options for an upgrade (I want to keep using the lens)? I find that rather than getting the newest model, it sometimes pays to get a second hand model that is a little older, but more feature and spec rich, so I am open to superior older models if the price is right.

Where should I go from the 450D?

if you don't need the higher end features (better AF, FPS, etc,.) and video and you mainly do portraits then look at used full frame models such as the 5D, 5D2, 5DII, 6D - or wait and get better lens or lighting equipment

 

[hedwards]

Yes and possibly an incident light meter as well. From what I understand, if you're working in a studio environment, the light meter is really not necessary, but when you don't have control over the lighting, it's invaluable.

Also, it's probably not a bad idea to pick up some reflectors and or back ground as well.

 

[hedwards]

It's worth noting that the 60D isn't a real X0D camera it's more of an upgraded Rebel than anything else. As somebody else pointed out on a different forum, it's the dSLR equivalent of an Elan. Not to suggest that it's a bad camera, but to point out that the 50D is probably more of an upgrade than the 60D is in some ways.

If this is studio work, then the difference between the 450D, 50D and 60D are likely minimal as the sorts of corner cases are things you could plan for and work around. Unlike in other types of photography where you don't have the ability to move the subject and lights around as needed.

 

[KCook]

I like my 50D. But the difference in results from the 450D would not be drastic. The 50D is simply more pleasant to work with. For a big difference you would need to jump to full frame, which can be an expensive jump. If you don't already have lighting, the $$ spent there could have a lot bigger impact on your results than upgrading the body. Speedlights are nice, and very popular. The least expensive studio lights (instead of speedlights) can be more cost effective than speedlights.

Kelly Cook