Canon 50D vs 550D

[froot]

I phoned the shop and asked about the 550D body. They charge R7500 for it.... not too bad imo.... and this might be worthwhile for me considering reviews of the 55-250 is a little ...... negative.

I see the 50D uses a CF card..... which are also double the price compared to SD (but they are faster too, 60MBps compared to SD-ultra's 15MBps).
At the end of the day, does the higher fps of the 50D cancel out the 3MP more of the 550D and the 1080p video capability? Those two aren't things I'm looking at, I'm just looking for a good body at the end of the day.
There is a R900 difference between the two bodies and the 50D body+memory card will cost me R1350 more at the end of the day. Is it worth the difference?

 

[froot]

50D
550D

How are these two reviews? Haven't read the 550D review yet but the 50D one is very much in favour of the 50D compared to the 550D.

 

[koffiejunkie]

If you have a 70-200L, getting a 55-250 is rather senseless, no matter the price.

Only you can decide if the 50D is a better fit for you. Sounds to me like the FPS isn't your thing, but remember the other things mentioned - weather resistance, build quality, bigger viewfinder, MF adjustments, better and more sensitive AF. You mentioned manual focus. The bigger and brighter viewfinder will benefit you there. To that end, you can also swap out the focus screen with one of your liking. There are two more models, one with a grid, one with a finer grain that's specifically meant for manual focus.

 

[froot]

If you have a 70-200L, getting a 55-250 is rather senseless, no matter the price.

Only you can decide if the 50D is a better fit for you. Sounds to me like the FPS isn't your thing, but remember the other things mentioned - weather resistance, build quality, bigger viewfinder, MF adjustments, better and more sensitive AF. You mentioned manual focus. The bigger and brighter viewfinder will benefit you there. To that end, you can also swap out the focus screen with one of your liking. There are two more models, one with a grid, one with a finer grain that's specifically meant for manual focus.

Yeah, after the reviews I read I'm not paying for the 55-250. Especially since it's of similar size to the 70-200L, which is a very nice lens, even though it's F4 and not F2.8.
The only reason why FPS hasn't interested me is because I've never tried being a fast clicker. From what I've read, especially about wildlife photography, which is something I love too, it might be a good option.

Yes MF is definitely something I like. I've had enough beautiful photo's in the Kruger go sour because a twig or leaf grabbed the AF's attention. Lately I've ended up taking all of those shots in MF, even simple P&S ones.

 

[koffiejunkie]

One more thing to keep in mind. When the 60D hits the market (which should be soon - there's a Canon media event next week and the 60D is overdue), the 50D price will come down.

 

[froot]

One more thing to keep in mind. When the 60D hits the market (which should be soon - there's a Canon media event next week and the 60D is overdue), the 50D price will come down.

Yeah, the expected launch date is in November or December, according to www.canonrumours.com but that's still a long way off.

 

[froot]

I saw a 50D with this lens on.... Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM F4-5.6
What's your opinion on this lens? For "everyday" use. The lens costs R5000 on it's own but R2300 if you take it with the 50D.
The only drawback for me is that I still need the 8GB CF-extreme (R750) and a bag (about R700).

 

[the_don46]

50D might come down in price as the 60D is imminent or so I heard..

I have also heard the 40D is better than the 50D but am not sure if this is just hearsay!

 

[the_don46]

I saw a 50D with this lens on.... Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM F4-5.6
What's your opinion on this lens? For "everyday" use. The lens costs R5000 on it's own but R2300 if you take it with the 50D.
The only drawback for me is that I still need the 8GB CF-extreme (R750) and a bag (about R700).

I have the 17-85 on my 30D. Awesome

I use a 4GB CF Sandisk Extreme. Cost me R500 at Orms..

 

[froot]

I have the 17-85 on my 30D. Awesome

I use a 4GB CF Sandisk Extreme. Cost me R500 at Orms..

Is the 17-85mm worthwhile then if I already have a 18-55mm (std Canon lens) and the above mentioned 70-200L F4?
Yeah but I'd rather buy the 8GB for R250 more (Also a Sandisk) :/

 

[koffiejunkie]

I saw a 50D with this lens on.... Canon EFS 17-85 IS USM F4-5.6. What's your opinion on this lens? For "everyday" use.

I don't know what the price difference is, but the lens that replaces it, the EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM is better in every respect. Not that the 17-85 is bad - it's a worth upgrade from the 18-55mm in a few respects - USM motor, better range, and the optics are comparable to the old 18-55mm, but it's not as sharp as either the 18-55mm IS or 15-85 IS. Have a look at the reviews on photozone.de.

I have also heard the 40D is better than the 50D but am not sure if this is just hearsay!

There are some subtleties where each one excels. But I promise you, if I downscaled my 50D pics to 10MP and showed you the lot, you won't be able to tell the difference.

 

[froot]

Ok thanks koffiejunkie.

The 15-85 costs R8000.... :/ way out of my budget.

 

[koffiejunkie]

Ok thanks koffiejunkie.

The 15-85 costs R8000.... :/ way out of my budget.

For that kind of money you want the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. That's the one to have.

 

[froot]

For that kind of money you want the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM. That's the one to have.

Yeah, that one will come in about 25 years time when I can afford it
R10299.

 

[bwana]

Well the 450D is actually my mom's.... I have been using it though, which is why I'd rather get my own. Having two lenses (the 200mm and the 400mm) means I don't have to buy a long lens for now.
The 18-55mm will do for now if I look at the 50D/550D, I'd be looking at this if I get the money... Canon EF 17 - 40 mm f 4.0 L ... goes for R8000 at the moment.

My budget is about R8500 though, which is why I can't go for the 7D ( :drool: )

If you're comfortable with the 450D Game has it on sale for R5499 with the kit lens, a bag and a 8gb SD card.

 

[froot]

Bwana: yeah I'm thinking of buying over my mom's 450D and getting one of the decent short lenses(R5000).and then they upgrade to the 550D.

 

[bwana]

Bwana: yeah I'm thinking of buying over my mom's 450D and getting one of the decent short lenses(R5000).and then they upgrade to the 550D.

Cool. . . . what do you consider to be a decent short lens?

 

[froot]

I'm looking at the 18-85mm I think it is. Will still look further at other options in that range and then see if its worth R5k more than the std lens you get with.

 

[bwana]

I'm looking at the 18-85mm I think it is. Will still look further at other options in that range and then see if its worth R5k more than the std lens you get with.

I'd be looking at a 24-70 to compliment the 70-200 you already own but then I'm really not a fan of EF-s lenses.

 

[froot]

I'd be looking at a 24-70 to compliment the 70-200 you already own but then I'm really not a fan of EF-s lenses.

Haha yeah, the 24-70mm is a mouth-waterer..... but I'd have a lens budget of under R8000.