upgrading body

[bottomdweller]

Hi guys and gals

I am currently shooting a 30d and was thinking about upgrading to a 60 or 70d. As far as picture quality would I be gaining alot?

Thanks much

[MN Shutterbug]

The glass is much more important than the body. As far as quality is concerned, when I upgraded from the 30D to the 50D, quality of the pics remained the same. I upgraded due to a few advanced features.

[eyeguy 54]

I have found that if I type in one model VS another model on google it goes to a site that give features and benefits of each camera. pretty neat info to check out. 30D vs 50D for instance. or one brand vs another brand. Have fun.

[Canon Guy]

As already stated, the glass will make a difference in image quality. I switched from the 30D to the 60D two years ago. I suppose the real difference for me is the higher ISO that is available. The live veiw comes in handy but I don't use it very often. I never use the video.

[Todd Caswell]

Higher ISO will be the biggest thing,if theres nothing wrong with your camera and depending what you have for glass I would invest in the best glass you can afford befor upgrading the camera, I have a 30D and 50D and really don't see any difference in image quality, have had photo's published from both..

[bottomdweller]

Thanks all. That helps. Maybe I will just keep adding to the lens collection

heading to alaska the end of may and just thinking about the camera and lens.

I currently have the sigma 70-200 2.8 and tamron 17-50

Any suggestions?

Thanks again

[Todd Caswell]

Well you already have a wide angle, maybe something with a bit more reach, cannons 100-400L, or cannons 400mmL 5.6.

[MN Shutterbug]

When I was last in Alaska, it was during the film days and my lens was a 300mm with a 2X TC. I wouldn't have been happy with anything less. Then again, your preferred subject matter may be different than what mine was. You can certainly keep busy shooting mountain scapes with the wide angle.

If you don't want to drop the $$$$ on a longer piece of decent glass, you could do some research and see how that Sigma performs with a 1.4X or 2X TC.

Got room in your carry on for me? The Last Frontier is a place you'll never forget. Enjoy.

[bottomdweller]

Thanks guys for the response.

Lots of room in the baggage dept:) I will check out those lenses. So looking forward to this trip!!

[bottomdweller]

Shutterbug, I did research those 2x tc some ,reviews are good for the sigma.

Just wondering how well they are to hold. How quickly they assemble and take off?

[MN Shutterbug]

They're not very thick and hand holding a 2X with your 70-200 should be easy. I used a 1.4X with a 100-400 and it was doable. They attach just like a regular lens, but if I was in Alaska I'd probably keep the lenses attached and on the camera at all times. When you do come across wildlife, you'll need the reach and they usually don't sit and wait for you to get ready to take their picture. If you come across a landscape shot you want, the scene will wait for you to switch lenses.

What's on your itinerary? Denali? Katmai? Seward?

[Todd Caswell]

But you will loose some quality/stops/ and focal speed with 1.4 or 2X

[MN Shutterbug]

Yes, you will lose 1 stop with the 1.4X and 2 stops with the 2X, but with that lens, you'll still have a decent maximum aperture. The majority of my shots are at f8 and even with the 2X you'll be shooting at a maximum of f5.6.

I now have the 70-200/4 and it focuses very fast with the 1.4X. No complaint there. The combo is just as fast as my 100-400 alone was.

As far as loss of quality, it would probably be very miniscule if even noticeable. You should be the judge. Order one from a reputable company with a 30 day return policy, run it thru a few test shots and compare them with and without. If you don't like the difference, you're only out the return shipping. When I did some tests with the 100-400 and 1.4X, I was very satisfied with the results. It's always best to find things out for yourself.

[bottomdweller]

Thanks much for the response.

I guess I can leave it on and switch to the wide angle for landscape. Or if time allows take off the adapter for closer shots.

Will be headed to anchorage for a wedding, from there a few days driving to homer and back. Then back to anchorage, and then six days around sitka for fishing and hiking and whatever!!

[MN Shutterbug]

On your way south out of Anchorage towards homer, along Hwy. 1 (Seward Hwy.), keep your eyes peeled to the left and you're bound to see Dall Sheep on the cliffs. There are pull over places along the Hwy. so you'll have plenty of opportunities for photos. The pull over places are to keep the traffic flowing. Otherwise, the tourists slow everyone down. May should be a good time with much smaller crowds. I've always gone in July, the month when most people go. If I was to go again, I'd probably pick May. Wild flowers should be in abundance.

Have a great time and be sure to share photos when you get back.

[bottomdweller]

Thanks Mike

Ive been researching part of that hwy and am looking forward to catching some of those dall on the lens. Looks like alot of nice stops going towards homer

[MN Shutterbug]

And don't forget the glaciers when you get down by Seward.

You have a PM.

[bottomdweller]

For sure!