Looking for new equipment

[Grummpy1]

A while back I had to sell all my photo equipment to pay medical bills and now I am trying to start over. I work for the federal government so of course my buget is limited. I really liked my old 20D, shows how long I've been out of the hobby, and would like to get something like that or better. Now before anyone says a 5D or 7D they are out of my range. I do want to stick with Canon since I have two lenses left. What is the opinion on the 40, 50 and 60D's? I know the pixels go up but for the money, meaning I need to go cheap as possible and still have a good body, which would you go with?

[tc95]

Glad to see ya back...

[mak65]

I have a 50D and really enjoy it. I also have a 40D that I just bought off this forum the week before. And, I am loving it even with the limited time I have had to use it. You can find some great deals on them. I have never used the 60D so can't give you an opinion on it. The 60 has video that neither the 40 nor the 50 do - if your looking for video.

[Grummpy1]

Thanks Tony. Been a while since I've been on here and was puzzeled when it kept going to pixtus. een away way to long I guess.

Micheal. Thats the kind of input I'm needing. I don't really care about the video part, just a good quality body that won't force me to pawn one of my kids.

[Dobick]

based on what you have said, I think a nicely used 5d (original) would fit you nicely.

I would rather have that than the 40, 50, or 60d.

I currently have a 50d as backup and would trade it for a 5d in a heartbeat

[Jim Victory]

I would go with the 50D. Nicer screen resolution and size, MA, 6.3 fps and a Digic IV processor.

You can get a low mileage one in the $600-$700 range

[Grummpy1]

I would love to have another 5D but the cheapest used one I have found was $1200. $700 would be the max I can spend. I still have my 28-70L and a 15-35 sigma but I sold my 70-200 and would like to be able to purchase another one. If I go over $700 a new lens will be out of the question for several months. I seriously thinking of going back to the oil field because the fed government doesn't pay crap, well actually that is about what they pay. But working at the airport is pretty cool because of all the different planes we have land here. Barksdale airforce uses our airport for touch and goes all the time, plus we have one of the longest runways in the area, 10,000ft which makes it ideal for large planes like the Antonov to land. Lets see? Have fun and get paid peanuts, or work my butt off and make three times as much? Yep, back to the oil field.

[Dobick]

oh man -- I am sorry -- when you said that you didn't want 5d or 7d suggestions, I thought you meant 5d Mk II.

In that case, I will say that I do like my 50d and still use it along side my 7d all the time.

with the same lens on both the 7d and 50d, I cannot tell which camera I shot any particular frame with unless I look at the EXIF.

A 50d is a great camera for the money.

[Grummpy1]

Originally Posted by Dobick

oh man -- I am sorry -- when you said that you didn't want 5d or 7d suggestions, I thought you meant 5d Mk II.

In that case, I will say that I do like my 50d and still use it along side my 7d all the time.

with the same lens on both the 7d and 50d, I cannot tell which camera I shot any particular frame with unless I look at the EXIF.

A 50d is a great camera for the money.

Hey no problem. It's just that right now I have two kids in college plus my wife is taking some classes trying to up her degree. All this plus medical bills and normal everyday bill stretch a government paycheck kind of thin.

[shnitz]

I say go for the 40D, and save your money, either to pay down bills, or to put towards other accessories that you may want. As we've discussed in previous threads such as this one:
40D for IR Photos?
In some ways, the 40D is even better than the newer offerings, because of overcrowded sensors. I'd say that the 40D is Canon's peak performance, as far as appealing to the classic photographer (flame suit on, not trying to start any wars here!). The new cameras may be better in ways, but they're also having you pay for features that you'll likely not use. Since you're on a very limited budget, this makes it even better for you, since it also happens to be cheaper.

[lyttleviet]

If you were happy with the 20D why not a 30D? I guess it depends on what you shoot and how many bills you want to pay off.

[ruaslacker2]

I bought a 40D several months back and haven't regretted it at all. And the price is usually right.....

Jerry

[Mosephus]

It's not an L lens but it is a good option to move some $$$ back to a newer body.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens 579-101 B&H

[David Whatley]

I have 2 40D's and LOVE them. They would get my vote as a great all around camera on a budget.

[Grummpy1]

Originally Posted by Mosephus

It's not an L lens but it is a good option to move some $$$ back to a newer body.

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 II EX DG APO Macro HSM AF Lens 579-101 B&H

I had that lenses before I bought the Canon L and honestly I wasn't able to tell the difference. Only thing I like the Canon for was the IS but I can live with out it. I've always liked Sigma lenses and even used them back when I shot film with my old Minolta X700. A new lens will be several months down the road, a new laptop for my son comes first. I figure this is just a hobby (and stress reliever) for me but this is my son and daughters time so their education is first. I mean hey they have to get some good jobs so they can support my habbits! Photograhy, motorcycles and hot rods.