xsi but thinking I should have got a 50d...

[nimblybimbly85]

So, I am new to digital photography, however I took 6 years of photography classes in high school and college combined using film.


I recently purchased the xsi about 5 months ago, and I feel as though I should have spent a few extra hundred dollars on a better camera such as the 50d which really appeals to me. I went with the xsi because it was more entry level for a newbie to dslr such as me.


I have read the reviews on this site for both the xsi and the 50d, however I had a hard time getting through all the tech lingo on the 50d review and it was just too much for me to comprehend.


So, my question is: did I make a mistake buying the xsi (since I already am an experienced photographer)?


And, what real advantages can you list in simple english that the 50d has over the xsi?


**If I do sell my xsi at a loss and buy a 50d, will the 50d be considered a suitable/serious enthusiast camera that i can utilize for many years to come?**





Thank you very much for all and any feedback!!

[btaylor]

I don't think you've made such a bad choice there.A lot of fantastic images come out of the simplest of cameras. As far as I know some (not all) of the major advantages of the 50D over the xsi are a more rugged build, AF microadjust, higher frame rate, a fewmore custom functionsin the menuand a little less shutter lag. I haven't looked into it enough to comment on the noise performance etc though, so that may also be a factor.


As far a selling the xsi and hoping to keep the 50D forever - when you progress from beginning out to becoming an enthusiast you'll likely find that there's always something newer and better that you'd like to buy. I'd recommend using your xsi until you feel that you have "outgrown" it in your skills then think about upgrading.


Just my thoughts anyway. Cheers, Ben.

[Jarhead5811]

I got a <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;"]Canon EOS Rebel XSi Digital SLR when they first became available about two years ago and have really enjoyed it.I would love a 50D but can't bring myself to spend money on a body when I could get more glass. A body is like a computer they come down in value all of the time. Lenses are more like firearms, they hold their value pretty well. There some really great lenses still in production that predate DSLRs. My <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;"]Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 <span style="color: #ff0000;"]L<span style="color: #000000; mso-themecolor: text1;"] USM Lens[/b]is a good example of this being in production since 1995.


There is one main reason I'll get a <span style="font-family: 'Arial', 'sans-serif'; color: #000000; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-themecolor: text1;"]Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR or contemporary equivalent XXD instead of the latest Rebel is AF Microadjustment.


If I had the cash in hand to buy a new body Iwouldn't waste money that could goto better glass.

[nimblybimbly85]

What is af microadjustment?

[Jon Ruyle]

What is af microadjustment?

It lets you callibrate your autofocus. Eg if all lenses or one particular lens consistently front-focuses or back-focuses, you can fix that.


I got along fine without it before it existed


If some of your lenses are off and you shoot with very thin DOF's, it is very helpful. If don't use narrow DOF's or your autofocus works fine, you don't need it. All my lenses are close and have needed only very minor adjustment.

[nimblybimbly85]

is that a problem with the lens or camera that occurs over time/usage?

[Jon Ruyle]

I don't think so. I might be wrong but I've never experienced or heard of calibration deteriorating over time. If it is good now, it should stay good.

[neuroanatomist]

What is af microadjustment? ...is that a problem with the lens or camera that occurs over time/usage?

It shouldn't change over time, no. Also, it's not a problem with either the lens or the camera, usually (unless one of them is defective). It's really about manufacturing tolerances, and pairing a lens and body that are on opposite ends of those tolerances. Roger at LensRentals.com explains it very well in his article, "This lens is soft and other myths."

[scalesusa]

I've bought many new and used Canon lenses both L and non L, some almost 30 years old. Only one needed adjustment of +2 (almost insignificant).

[Jon Ruyle]

will the 50d be considered a suitable/serious enthusiast camera that i can utilize for many years to come?

The rebel is a serious camera that you can utilize for many years to come. But nothing is top of the line for years. Even if you shell out $6000+ (or whatever it costs) for a 1DsIII, something better will be along soon in the form of the 1DsIV.


If you are specifically interested in action, the 50D might be better. If there are specific ways in which you find the rebel lacking, you might consider looking in to something else (possibly, but possibly not a 50D). But I wouldn't dump the rebel for the 50D just because the rebel isn't "considered a suitable/serious enthusiast camera." It is.


Spcific advantages of the 50D include a little more resolution, higher frame rate, bigger viewfinder, and a better autofocus for capturing action. For many uses, the rebel will do just as well.