Equipment upgrade dilemma

<p>Hello people. I have recently decided to upgrade my photography equipment. At the moment I have the EOS Rebel XT (1000D) along with an EF 50mm f1.8 and an EF 100-300 f3.5/5.6. I was thinking about purchacing either the EF 28-135 f3.5-5.6 or the EF 24-105 f4 L for 3 times the price.<br /> <br /> Then I realized that the Canon 50D comes with the EF 28-135 f3.5-5.6 as a kit lens for nearly the same price as the EF 24-105 f4 L lens. Now my question is: what would be a better upgrade? Getting the 50D along with the cheaper EF 28-135 or getting the EF 24-105 f4 L and sticking with my current Rebel XT (1000D) camera?<br /> <br /> Any advice would be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>XT (350D) or XS (1000D)? I don't know what you like to shoot, but do you not have a need for a wide end? Going to 24-28mm from a 50mm is a pretty big jump, but it's still going to give you a roughly normal FOV. Anyway, like I said, it's hard to tell you what to do when I don't know anything about you. I don't know why the 28-135 is even an option as a kit lens with an APS-C camera, its such a weird range, but if you only want a normal to telephoto range, it works for you. The solution really depends on if you want better image quality or better performance.</p>

<p>Thank you for your reply. My camera is actually the Rebel XS 1000D (i made a typing error earlier). The main reason for upgrading is to (hopefully) achieve better image quality. Will the 50D with the 28-135 give me better image quality than the 1000D with the 24-105?<br>

As far as the focal lenght is concerned is there a particular all-around lens that you would recommend for an APS-C camera?</p>

<p>What is the reason you are considering those lenses? You have the long end covered with your 100-300 so I assume you are looking for something on the wide end. If I am correct, why not consider the EF17-40L or if you want wider still, the EFS 10-22. I think the 17-40 would be a nice fit on your Rebel considering your other lenses. The 50D with the 28-135 as a kit may be a good value, but that's an expensive way to acquire the 28-135 if all you are looking for is a lens. So, is there a reason you want the 50D other than it's a good deal with the lens? If you're happy with your Rebel I would concentrate on glass rather than new bodies.</p>

<p>Will the 50D with the 28-135 give me better image quality than the 1000D with the 24-105?<br>

I don't think so. I had the 28-135 and have the 24-105, the 24-105 is clearly better.</p>

<p>The reason im considering those lenses is that my 100-300 lens is one of the cheapest lenses around and therefore not particularly sharp. As you said I am considering the 50D mainly because of its great value with the kit lens. I was under the impression that the 50D would also dramatically increase the image quality compared to my entry-level Rebel. Is this not the case?<br>

I am also considering the 17-40 and I believe that it would be a great addition to my lenses at a later stage.</p>

<p>What kind of photography do you do? I have both those lens and they are both very good lens. If you do mostly out door type of shooting then either one will serve you well. Indoor then either one can serve you if you know how to use a flash, and I am not talking about the one that comes with the camera. I have attached a photo taken with the the 28-135 IS</p><div></div>

<p>Nice photo! The main use of my camera is for astrophotography but I know that neither of those lenses are fast enough for that (well except for star trail photos). However the reason that I am thinking of buying one of those lenses is for general purpose outdoor shooting. I have no idea how to use a flash and I don't even own one. Indoor shooting is not my thing at the moment.<br>

Is the difference (in terms of sharpness) between the two lenses huge even if you scale down the photo to 50-70% ?</p>

<p>The 24-105 is sharper, is it worth the extra $1,000 bucks? Here is a photo taken with the 24-105L and a Canon 5D, same event.</p><div></div>

<p>One buys lens for what one photographs, for instance, I also have the 24-70L. If flash had not been allowed during the event that is the lens that I would have used. Well that and some primes.</p>

<p>I would probably avoid the 28-135 as it is an old lens and i suspect when Canon has got rid of the stock the new 18-135 will replace it. In your situation I would be tempted to get a good lens like the 24-105 F4. this depends on your plans for photography - if you plan to continue for many years and are likely to stick with Canon then it is worth buying a good lens. Good lenses last for a very long time but with digital the life cycle of a body is getting much shorter. I still regularly use Canon FD lenses I bought in the early 1980s and they work justas well as they did when new. I cannot comment on the 50D quality verses the Rebel as i do not shoot either camera. I suspect however that any real quality difference will only beceome obvious at higher ISOs or in prints above 8x10. One thing you might want to consider is to take your existing body into the store and shoot a few shots with the 24-105 (use several ISOs) and shoot the same shots with the 50D and 28-105 using your card. If possible use a tripod. then you can take the card home and compare the images to see what you are happy with.</p>

<p>The Canon 50mm f/1.4 is an old lens, the Canon 35mm f/2.0 is and old lens, the 85 f/1.8 is an old lens, the 24-70L can be considered an old lens, old is not a good reason not to buy or get rid of a lens, here is a link to some photos taken with a Sigma 400 and either a Canon 1D or 1Ds, very old lens and cameras by some standards. <a href="http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=930216">http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=930216</a> I still have those primes and the 24-70L and use them often.</p>

<p>The 50D is a very nice camera and I think the upgrade in the camera body and all that this unit delivers will result in some very good images. Mine came with the 28-135 lens, and this is a pretty darn good kit lens for this body. Is it as good as the 24-105 in terms of image quality? Most the time it is a push, but when it really comes down to it, you are going to find that the 24-105L is going to be a little bit better. I have found the focusing with the 50D to be excellent and getting sharp pics w/ the 28-135 has not been a problem. Would the slightly wider perspective/reach justify the purchase of the 24-105 vs. the 50D w/28-135 justify the slighly wider reach? That is a personal issue, but based on what you are used to in your kit, I doubt it. FWIW I don't own the 24-105, instead I own: 17-35L(for 5d2), 24-70L, 70-200L for my zooms + 10-22 Sigma (for 50D), plus primes.</p>

<p>Probably the best, most cost effective and versatile upgrade would be to get the Canon T1i/500D with the Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 lens. The interface is the one you are familiar with from your XS1000 experience with the 15mp sensor from the 50D. This should give you much higher image quality, better viewfinder, much better processor and with the 2.8 constant zoom much more versatility. Good luck!</p>

<p>What Gil said.</p>

<p>Seriously considering 10MP to 15MP an upgrade? This is an increase of 50% on the surface area, which is effectively only a 22% increase on both the Horizontal and Vertical resolution. This is, for all practical purposes, irrelevant. If you are unhappy with your current camera's IQ, all the 50D or the T1i will present is a more expensive disappointment. The camera will be faster and control better, but you can expect IQ to be the same.</p>

<p>If I were about to spend $1000 on something, I would jump at the opportunity to get either the 24-105mm f/4L or the 24-70mm f/2.8L. I would not settle for a cheaper (28-135mm) lens, thinking I was getting a bargain bacause of the replacement camera in the exchange.</p>

<p>Get the 50d with the kit lens. It is a great buy and it will be a total upgrade for you. Go to the store and pick up one and try it and if you like the difference between the 2 bodies enough to change then go for it. Is the L series lens sharper of course it is but not to the point that it would make this a more enjoyable upgrade for you.</p>

<p>If anything, I would add the EFS 18 55 IS only. No other lenses and no camera body either. That should be good to get you going.<br>

I don't want to be RUDE, but skills are more important than gears. Good luck.</p>