£1,000 to spend!

[micheletaylor]

I'm a lucky girl: I will be receiving £1,000 for my 50th birthday from my in-laws . I currently have a Canon EOS 450d with kit lens and a 55-250mm zoom. Should I: a) upgrade the camera (I'm thinking a 60d), or b) stick with the 450d and buy lenses and other bits such as a flash gun? Or even a single, super duper lens?

I'm a keen amateur with an eye to moving into a semi-professional arena....

Advice, please?

[donoreo]

I would go for lenses myself. I have a 450D also and do not think the 60D is enough of an upgrade. The 7D on the other hand.....

[thefonz78]

You could get a nice Nikon for that!

Glass is always a better investment. And a tidy tripod if you haven't got one.

[davewebleyphotography]

Get a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM

Its a fantastic lens, pretty light compared to the f2.8 so its travel friendly. I bought one 5 months ago and have not regretted it.

That would be your £1000 spent in one go!

[rbarry]

Originally Posted by davewebleyphotography

Get a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0 L IS USM

Its a fantastic lens, pretty light compared to the f2.8 so its travel friendly. I bought one 5 months ago and have not regretted it.

That would be your £1000 spent in one go!

I second the 70-200mm f4 IS.

I went the extra mile for the IS version as did Dave. In fairness I had also changed my body from a 400D to a 550D, but prior to that I wasted money on lenses I soon upgraded.
Once you have really good glass it's hard to compromise on lesser lenses, but you know good lenses are keepers. Camera bodies become upgraded through technological advances year on year, but a good lens remains a good lens throughout.

Rick.

[micheletaylor]

Really useful advice - thanks. Go for the glass, and - of course (doh!) - a good tripod. Sounds like a plan.

[Koolpc]

Well, i am looking to upgrade myself. Going to sell my 40D and get a 50D. Not a big upgrade but thats what i want!

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by micheletaylor

I'm a lucky girl: I will be receiving £1,000 for my 50th birthday from my in-laws . I currently have a Canon EOS 450d with kit lens and a 55-250mm zoom. Should I: a) upgrade the camera (I'm thinking a 60d), or b) stick with the 450d and buy lenses and other bits such as a flash gun? Or even a single, super duper lens?

I'm a keen amateur with an eye to moving into a semi-professional arena....

Advice, please?

You don't say what type of photography you want to do? So the choice of super lens is hard to suggest. While most lenses can be used for different situations with great effect, your choice of subject will dictate which is the best to go for.

[wavemachine]

Very tricky one this and I supose you need to weigh it all up.

So is there anything you camera body doesn't do, anything that annoys you or frustrates you?

If yes then maybe a new body would be in order but depends on how much that would help.

What do you really want to photograph, you say you want to go semi professional so what will you be photographing.

If it is for example portraits then maybe you want to consider a basic studio kit and a portrait lens (85mm Canon f1.8).

If it is landscape then a wide angle lens, some filters a decent tripod etc.

If it is wild life then a nice F4.0L lens as pointed out by others.

So I guess you need to think about this and maybe post back with some specifics.

[modchild]

I've just got a 70-200 f4 non IS and would of loved to of got the IS version had funds allowed. I've only used it a few times but I've been fair blown away with the IQ. If you're happy with the body, get the glass and you wont go far wrong with the 70-200. You might even find a 50mm f1.8 with the change, they are a fantastic low light lens with great IQ, perfect for portraits.