Canon 50D vs 550D

[froot]

I recently had to shoot a group portrait with it in a fairly high contrast situation on my 7D and I spent more time removing fringing than anything else. Barrel distortion is also pretty noticeable but I understand that has been rectified with the IS version.

Oh ok. Yeah I haven't taken more than maybe 200 photo's with the 18-55mm lens. Bought the 70-200 about a week or two after buying the camera.

 

[bwana]

Oh ok. Yeah I haven't taken more than maybe 200 photo's with the 18-55mm lens. Bought the 70-200 about a week or two after buying the camera.

Which 70-200?

 

[froot]

Which 70-200?

Sorry, yeah. 70-200 F4 L series.

 

[koffiejunkie]

I recently had to shoot a group portrait with it in a fairly high contrast situation on my 7D and I spent more time removing fringing than anything else. Barrel distortion is also pretty noticeable but I understand that has been rectified with the IS version.

Thought you ended up not selling the 16-35mm?

 

[bwana]

Sorry, yeah. 70-200 F4 L series.

Ok - that's not weather sealed so I don't know how much that should influence your decision wrt the 550D vs 50D (though you can isolate the lens by using the 1.4TC which is sealed)

Thought you ended up not selling the 16-35mm?

I didn't get it back in time for that particular shoot.

 

[froot]

Ok - that's not weather sealed so I don't know how much that should influence your decision wrt the 550D vs 50D (though you can isolate the lens by using the 1.4TC which is sealed)

Well I'm not planning on taking "weather photos". The 50D is simply an option because it's in my budget (my budget is around R9000, max R10k).

Here in Pretoria we either have RAIN, or SUN. No drizzling effect that allows us to take photos

 

[BigAl-sa]

I think the weather sealing, more sensitive AF and speed are the only pros of the 50D. Other than that - 550D all the way.

The back wheel is a major plus for me as is the penta-prism viewfinder, rather than the penta-mirror. Also, I stand under correction, but the 550d doesn't have micro-focus adjustment.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Here in Pretoria we either have RAIN, or SUN. No drizzling effect that allows us to take photos

LOL, that's so true. That said, my 50D + 24-105L got a good washing in NY last year when I was stuck in a crowd at the Halloween parade in absolutely pouring rain. I went out without my camera bag - simply with the camera over my shoulder - and it took me about two hours to negotiate my way through the crowds to some cover. I was completely soaked, camera is still ticking over just fine

 

[froot]

The back wheel is a major plus for me as is the penta-prism viewfinder, rather than the penta-mirror. Also, I stand under correction, but the 550d doesn't have micro-focus adjustment.

You're right, the 550D doesn't have it.
What does it do, and how does it help me? I'm merely an amateur photographer looking at taking it further. I'm not experienced, but people say I have natural talent...

 

[undesign]

but the 550d doesn't have micro-focus adjustment.

That's the one thing I would have liked on my 550D to assuage my focus paranoia. If I upgrade to a 7D or 60D later that will definitely be a big factor.

 

[froot]

That's the one thing I would have liked on my 550D to assuage my focus paranoia. If I upgrade to a 7D or 60D later that will definitely be a big factor.

How do you find the 550D? I will still look further, but the double lens kit with the 550D does look like a possibility to me

 

[bwana]

How do you find the 550D? I will still look further, but the double lens kit with the 550D does look like a possibility to me

Planning on selling the glass?

 

[froot]

Planning on selling the glass?

Well, if I get the package...

CANON 550D body
CANON 18-55IS LENS
. CANON 55-250IS LENS
. KATA BACKPACK
. SANDISK 8GBULTRAII CARD

Then I can use the 55-250mm in the meanwhile until I can afford a better lens (there's a 24-105mm I think that looks nice).

It's also nice that a bag and the 8GB card is included, as those two go for almost R1k now.

 

[undesign]

How do you find the 550D? I will still look further, but the double lens kit with the 550D does look like a possibility to me

It is my first DSLR, so i can't compare it against anything other than a range of bridge and P&S cameras I've owned. Having said that I really, really enjoy the 550D, very happy with the purchase!

I bought the 55-250 lens (I rarely use long zooms) and also very happy with that - the price/performance is impressive, I like the photos taken with it for its sharpness/colour (for a noob like me in any event ).

The 50 1.8 is on the camera 90% of the time. And soon, hopefully, a 15-85 as my walk-around lens.

The twin-lens combo is a good price, I paid R12,000 for the camera + kit lens + the added 55-250 only a few months ago

 

[bwana]

Well, if I get the package...


Then I can use the 55-250mm in the meanwhile until I can afford a better lens (there's a 24-105mm I think that looks nice).

It's also nice that a bag and the 8GB card is included, as those two go for almost R1k now.

You have a better lens - the 70-200.

 

[Dolby]

I also don't quite get what micro adjustment does?

I'd go for the double lens purely because it's R1,500.00 more than the body only - and I could save up in the meantime.

 

[Dolby]

You have a better lens - the 70-200.

bwana - is it generally accepted that the higher the range of a lens, the worse the lens is?

 

[bwana]

Micro adjustment is handy if your lenses regularly front or back focus by a small amount. Some cameras (or most?) allow you to set this on a per lens basis rather than applying it across the board.

bwana - is it generally accepted that the higher the range of a lens, the worse the lens is?

Generally. You'll notice that most canon lenses only give you a 3x factor when it comes to zoom and I think that's why.

 

[froot]

Sigh... MyBB crashing for me, so the reply didn't come through...

 

[froot]

You have a better lens - the 70-200.

Yes, quite true.
Spoke to my dad about this, he says it's a pretty good deal. Will chat to him about it tonight again though.
The 550D costs R8400 with the 18-55, so getting the 55-250 and the bag and the 8GB card for ~R1500 isn't bad at all.