Canon 7D or...

Hi Guys,
I have been using an EOS 350D since 2005. I have

• Tamron SP AF28-75/2.8 XR Di LD Aspherical (IF)
• Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

I want to upgrade the body to get tack sharp images. what do you guys recommend.

• buy a canon 7D
• Abandon Canon for Nikon or Sony (I have heard sony sensors are one of the best in the market)

Ref. Sensor Ranking DxOMark - Sensor rankings
I am only looking to get the best images and I don't mind spending time clicking in RAW and spending time processing images
PLEASE HELP I AM DESPERATE

If I had canon lenses and was happy with my previous Canon I would probably stick with it. At a certain price point I am not sure that there is much difference (but I could be wrong).

I think it is the photographer's technique and the lenses that make for sharp images. I think the advantages of a higher end camera are more along the line of how the camera operates . On the bigger, high end cameras, everything you need to adjust are a fingertip away for example. You can adjust settings on the fly instead of going to the interior menus. They also generally have larger sensors which is important if you are enlarging the photos significantly. Also ISO performance is generally better on the higher end cameras -which is a big deal.

Thanks for your replys JAS_Photo and Bambi. I do identify that part of my problem in my technique and lenses.
Lately though, I have been frustrated with the noise I get when I am using ISO 400 on my camera. The colours are just too drab and the shadows are just WEAK for lack for a better term.
I am sure that in 5 years the sensors have improved enough to give me a better result. or maybe I just need a better lens and tripod/monopod.

still confused
appreciate any help
Thanks again you two.

Maybe you should show some examples of your issues? We might be able to help. There does come a point when the camera holds you back and if you've been shooting for 5 years maybe you've reached it. I shoot with the Canon 350D (Rebel XSi) and my biggest complaint is also the ISO and lens sharpness but that's because I'm trying to shoot in relatively low light with inexpensive lenses :( My budget does not currently allow me to upgrade at the moment.

Anyway, if you have some examples we may be able to help identify the camera issue or possibly help you improve your skills/techniques to isolate whether the issue is the camera or the lens then you can better decide where to put your money.

I am bothered by the lack of detail in the shadows. even at ISO 100, the details at 80% black and above are noisy
Attachment 11897

Attachment 11898

Is this what everybody faces?

The colour depth in this shot is also lost
Attachment 11899

Trust me, these don't print as well as can be seen on the screen!

All I am asking is, I think I want to invest in a camera or lens now and I am strictly aiming to achieve a sharper image. in addition, I only have a budget to buy a lens or a body. which one should I upgrade? the body or the glass?

Bump...I haven't had a chance to review this post but I don't want to forget it. Sorry for being slow. Maybe someone else has an opinion?

Hi Bol Ray:
I'm a Canon shooter. I bought a 50D over a year ago and love it. Once one gets used to Canon, other Canon cameras have a similar feel so are easier to learn to use. A 7D will cost you around 1700 give or take. A 60D will cost you around 1000, a T2I around 700. From what I've read, the 7D is a magnificent piece of machinery with awesome focusing capabilities. I'm sure you have read all about it and drooled. I think it's overkill for us advanced amateurs. The newer 60D has less capability but is still a very reasonable camera, much better than entry level with features well beyond what the T2i has. Even the T2i is much improved over the T1i and the 350D. Canon has some really great EF-S lenses that fit all but their full frame cameras. In your situation, I would definitely consider the 60D or T2i instead of the 7D, and invest the difference in a new lens, either the EF 24-105 f4L IS, or the EF-S 17-55 f2.8 IS. Both are super lenses, and there's a trade off between them for reach versus speed. The IS works well on both lenses and would improve your sharpness. They cost about the same, around 1100. I might be quoting low dollar numbers, taking prices from the B&H website, so those are USD prices. Save your money for a telephoto lens after that, and you can consider yourself having fallen into the black hole called photography. You're on the edge right now.
By the way, I quite like your photo of the flower in the glass. Nice use of DOF.
Mike

Thanks Iguanasan for keeping me in your radar, Much appreciated. mbrager, your advice was just the kind of advise and direction I needed. thanks a bunch. The price difference between 60D and 7D here in india is not that much. I might be wrong, but the difference here is only about 225 dollars (Rs.10000) that is that is making my decission a bit difficult. though you have surely motivated me to saveup for a good L lens.
thanks for the compliment about my pic.
Angad

You're welcome. Glad someone could come through with some really good advise. It sounded very good to me anyway. I can't argue with your complaints too much as I think I'm running into similar issues now that I see you point them out. I'm going to suffer a bit longer (I don't have any money :( ) but I'll probably take mbrager's advise and buy a new lens or two then upgrade to the next level.