is it upgrading or downgrading?

[choudhrysaab]

I currently have Canon 40D and Canon 24-105mm IS L lens. I purchased these because I was thinking of getting into professional photography but I suppose that's not my calling therefore I didn't quit my day job. Now that I don't really need such expensive lens since I'm just a hobbyist so I'm thinking I should sell my current setup and purchase the new Canon 60D with 18-200mm IS lens. Its got more bells and whistles than 40D with a Digic4 processor and I can also shoot 1080p videos with it as well. Not sure if going from current setup to 60D will up an upgrade or downgrade as I'm upgrading the body but downgrading the lens.

What do you guys think?

[ALwin]

Have a read at this post: Video with DSLR: Things to consider before buying I wrote it for people who look only at the bells and whistles.

As for lenses, first learn the difference between an EF & EF-S lens, Full Frame & APS-C sensor, and field of view cropping.

Photography can be an expensive hobby, if the 40D alone makes good enough photos, why spend the extra money upgrading? A better camera will not make you a better photographer. Knowing how to use the tools you have to their full potential will.

[photolc]

Hi

I owned for years, and still do, the Canon 20D. I recently upgraded to the Canon 550D. I have the 24-105 L lens. I do not regret my camera upgrade one bit.

For about a month I considered the 7D, but decided that for my needs - essentially a keen amateur of landscapes I had no need for the features of the 7D. I also looked at the 60D, but found that it didn't have very good write ups, so I went for the 550D, which seemed to be excellently recieved all round. Yes the 550D takes SD cards, wheras the 20D was compact flash, but with storage the price it is, it was not a problem.

What you have to remember is the camera is really just a capture device, like a sophisticated hard drive. If you shoot RAW then all the information will be captured and it is up to you to take it out and post process. This is where good glass comes in essential. In other words don't spend money on an expensive camera and buy cheap glass to put in front of it. The better the lens, the sharper, more tonal range the pictures will have.

My advice then is if you want to upgrade don't sell your L lens - you will regret it. Sell the 40D and buy a new camera with the proceeds, but don't be bowled over by features you will never use.

[Keitht]

A better camera will not make you a better photographer.

Also, how do you define a 'better camera' in the first place. One may be a higher spec, but if you can't see any difference in the end result how is it better for you?

Do you want to use the camera or hang it round your neck to pose like a 21st century version of 'Medallion Man' from the '70s? Look at what you need from a camera and decide if the camera you have ticks all the boxes. If it does you don't need to change it.

[footloose1949]

Couldn't agree more with keitht ... What you have, is an excellent camera, so why change it? Any camera is only as good as the person using it, and I suspect most people are incapable of producing images (unedited) which tax the optics/sensor being used. The ergonomics of any camera, is another issue; what use is a better quality bit of kit, if it isn't as convenient/intuitive to use as what you already have? Suely, going out and buying a monopod or tripod AND using it, is going to enable you to produce better quality images, than spending twice as much as your existing camera costs. Unfortunately, peer pressure, adverts and the inconvenience of lugging around such a piece of kit, is more than likely to over-ride your decision to buy a monopod or tripod .... it also removes that much-loved incentive to buy the latest gear and participate in the 'My gear is better than yours' technology race!