If I were to upgrade my DSLR...

Hey everyone.
I bought my Canon Rebel XS last summer for $320. I have learned a lot (all thanks to you guys) and I'm still trying to learn more every day. Half of me wants a better camera, while the other half of me wants a better lens. (better zoom)

If I were to sell my XS, what would be the most logical model to upgrade to? I'm still a noob (unfortunately) and don't want to spend too much money. And I also don't use the camera that often. I typically love having the latest and greatest, so maybe I'm just having camera envy. I know if I buy a new kit, it'll still come with the same 18-55mm lens, so I'm not gaining anything there. My pictures (10.1MP) look grainy and such when I edit them. So I *think* I'm just looking for a higher megapixel camera that has a video function. I don't care how good it shoots video, but I miss being able to record random clips when the situation presents itself.

The XS is going for anywhere between $250 and $350 on eBay, so I'm hoping to get close to $300. Like I said, I'm trying to save money, so I don't want to spend a lot. Are there any "upgrades" that can be had for <$400? Refurbished from one of the respected websites that pop up on SD would be fine, too.

On the other hand, if I upgrade my lens and I'm still not satisfied, couldn't I use the lens once I upgrade my body? At the same time, I feel like plunking down money for a lens is a waste considering my camera is really outdated, so I might as well upgrade the camera instead.

Arrrgggghhhhh. Sorry for the rambling and thank you

Get the lens before the body. A good lens will make even a crappy camera look good. Plus they will work with your new body so no need to worry. Bodies always drop in price over time and newer better ones come out but lenses stay pretty much the same.

Grainy can be cause of noise at low light. You can fix this by playing with the iso settings, longer shutter speed, and of course a better flash.

Your camera is a few years old but not that dated. As long as you buy a Canon and don't go with a full frame model ($2000-$3500 options) the lenses you have now, or buy in the future will fit. So that is not a problem. You can buy the camera as body only or sell the new or old lense it comes with if you got a good deal on a kit.

Logical upgrade depends on what you are looking to do and spend. A higher end Rebel would have some of the newer technology but they not exactly brand new. The T2i and T3i are both a bit older however both are currently the newest in their range. I would expect a new T3i successor this fall. That being said you can get great deals on those two models if you watch SD. You could also upgrade to a 50D or 60D but these are probably more than you are looking to spend.

Now when you say your pictures are grainy, what do you mean? What are your settings? High ISO? Are you shooting RAW or JPG? Are you doing any postprocessing to help this? If so which software?

I think a lot of your problems can be fixed with software/technique, and like the idea of buying glass instead of a new lens. I understand the want for video, but do know the current cameras have limitations, like no autofocus while filming video. They are not great for fast motion or handheld video due to rolling shutters and the jello effects. It all kind of depends on what your doing. A new camera would improve high ISO performance but it won't make your pictures tons better instantly. You are also a noob and said you don't use your camera that much. Camera bodies depreciate quickly, so I am just not sure its your best use of funds. Glass on the other hand is a better investment. They hold their value so if you decide to sell your gear or switch systems you get more out of it. You can also bring your lenses forward to a new body when you get one. Lenses do improve picture quality too and or allow you to do things you just could not before like great bokeh, macro focus, telephoto work, low light work etc. Personally in your case I would buy glass, and continue learning technique and software. When you are using your equipment more then think about an upgrade of your body.

What lenses do you have now?

What is your budget for a new lens?

So If you can get 250 or 300 for the camera you could come out pretty well the t2i is about 399.00 with a "trade in" from the Canon refurb site, it is a higher MP as well as it can take video. That said the standard lens is really pretty crappy you did not mention your budget that would help.

Depending on which lenses you have now and how you shoot, I'd recommend keeping your current body and looking at the Canon 55-250 or Canon 18-135. Both will give you more zoom, have IS and are inexpensive.

ebay they are goig for 200 less 20 dollar fees


http://www.google.com/#hl=en&scli...93&bih=427

Quote from cavan : ebay they are goig for 200 less 20 dollar fees http://www.google.com/#hl=en&scli...93&bih=427

I improved your typo in this link

http://www.google.com/#hl=en&sa=X...80&bih=960

Sorry for the delayed reply. Thanks for all the speedy replies.

I'm using the kit lens (18-55mm.) When I'm using my camera, I often want to zoom in to an object further away. But guess what? I can't. That's basically the only reason I want a better lens. When I start cropping images to get closer to the object, that's when it starts to get grainy and crappy looking.

What lens should I look at? I have casually looked multiple times over the past year, but end up confusing myself. Is Image Stabilization a must? I remember reading hear (I think) that it's a must. In the Sunday ads, I often get a Canon ad from some local store and they list a bunch of lenses they have. It seems like there are three different 70-300mm models alone. One without IS, two with IS, but those two are still priced differently.

I know there are a few brands I can buy besides Canon. I don't mind that, considering I'm not a professional by any definition of the word. So if I can save money that way, that would be great.

I don't really have a budget. Hell, I'm not even sure if I'm upgrading yet or not. (I've been spending too much money lately ) Soooo.....this is a learning process as well.

pickup a 55-250mm from CL or ebay. they will get really cheap soon. the market will be flooded.

no warranty, but it's a $100 lens.

it's a perfect budget telephoto lens.

Quote from akkkmed : Sorry for the delayed reply. Thanks for all the speedy replies. I'm using the kit lens (18-55mm.) When I'm using my camera, I often want to zoom in to an object further away. But guess what? I can't. That's basically the only reason I want a better lens. When I start cropping images to get closer to the object, that's when it starts to get grainy and crappy looking. What lens should I look at? I have casually looked multiple times over the past year, but end up confusing myself. Is Image Stabilization a must? I remember reading hear (I think) that it's a must. In the Sunday ads, I often get a Canon ad from some local store and they list a bunch of lenses they have. It seems like there are three different 70-300mm models alone. One without IS, two with IS, but those two are still priced differently. I know there are a few brands I can buy besides Canon. I don't mind that, considering I'm not a professional by any definition of the word. So if I can save money that way, that would be great. I don't really have a budget. Hell, I'm not even sure if I'm upgrading yet or not. (I've been spending too much money lately ) Soooo.....this is a learning process as well.

To best help you, what are you trying to shoot and how far away is it? You can spend a little or a lot on a nice telephoto lens. I personally really like my Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 and it was a great price when I bought it. Now these go for about $900 I think. The canon 2.8 version with IS is something like $1600. So you can see that glass can get expensive fast. IS depends on what you are shooting. If you are shooting really fast moving things in the daytime with fast shutter speeds, IS won't be very helpful. If you are shooting things at dusk or with slower shutter speeds than it is helpful.

Don't sell the camera. Only reason you should sell your camera is if you're finding that the auto focus isn't as good as you want it or you need a specific feature of the higher end cameras (e.g. video, interchangeable focusing screens or swivel screen). A move from a Rebel XS to any of the other Rebels will be a marginal photographic upgrade.

Keep the 18-55 IS. It's a good lens for your purposes.

Pick up the 55-250.

If you are cropping and the image looks bad, try stopping down the lens a couple of stops to improve image quality. E.g. if you are shooting at 55mm f/5.6 with your kit lens, try shooting at f/8. The image quality will improve quite a bit.

Quote from kakomu : Don't sell the camera. Only reason you should sell your camera is if you're finding that the auto focus isn't as good as you want it or you need a specific feature of the higher end cameras (e.g. video, interchangeable focusing screens or swivel screen). A move from a Rebel XS to any of the other Rebels will be a marginal photographic upgrade. Keep the 18-55 IS. It's a good lens for your purposes. Pick up the 55-250. If you are cropping and the image looks bad, try stopping down the lens a couple of stops to improve image quality. E.g. if you are shooting at 55mm f/5.6 with your kit lens, try shooting at f/8. The image quality will improve quite a bit.

Why is that?

in the large majority of cases stopping the lens down a little will improve the image quality.

Quote from akkkmed : Why is that?

Quote from fyu : in the large majority of cases stopping the lens down a little will improve the image quality.

Here is the technical reasons why. http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2...just-a-bit