Posted: 5/6/2009 5:40:05 AM EDT
My wife and I are looking at getting back into photography. I have an A-1 body and several lenses, however we want to go to digital. I'm thinking if I want to stay in about the same level camera I should be looking at the 50D's
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If you're wanting to use your lenses, you'd have to get an adapter... I am pretty sure the A1 uses the old FD mount as opposed to newer cameras that use EF or EF-S mount lenses. I'm going to assume that the adapter would make the lenses manual focus only, but I honestly haven't ever played with that type setup, so I could be wrong.
the 50D will be more zoomed in than your A1, so multiply any focal length by 1.6x to get an equivalent field of view on your A1. If you liked shooting at 80mm on your A1, then you'd want to use a 50mm lens on the 50D to get the same FoV. I'd personally recommend getting a used 40D over a 50D and saving a few bucks. Try KEH.com, or if you're comfortable with buying directly from a person, you can save a few bucks by finding someone selling direct on forums, such as fredmiranda.com. Good luck. |
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Don't even consider trying to use those old lenses. 50D is a great camera. Just make sure you want to go with the smaller image size chip. Personally, if I had to start over again choosing my DSLR, I would look for a good used 5D. the crop factor on the 40D/50D and Rebels is 1.6, so your 70-200 is actually going to be 112-320. One of the biggest debates I've read is that the Bokeh (background blurr) is more controllable using a full size chip camera vs. the C size chip camera.
You really cannot compare the A-1 to any digital camera these days. It is a completely different world. DSLR's are almost more comparable to video cameras than they are to film cameras. You have to set white balances like shooting video. Built in noise filters, exposure latitude is all done via electronics, shooting in RAW mode even adds more latitude where you can convert to B&W, and filter effects without buying filters, etc... About the only filter you will need (Other than a UV for protection) is a good Circular Polarizer. A "basic" Rebel XSi or XTi or XT now is so expensive, I'd jump straight into the 5D or D40/D50. Wish I did. At least you can burn "film" all day long and not pay for it!! |
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50D is an excellent choice. Look at getting the best glass for the camera that you can afford.
Once you get an L lens (the ones with the red trim ring) you will not want anything less. The L glass lens are superb. I have a 24-105 f4L on my camera most of the time. Other good glass to start out with would be the 17-40 f4.0L and the 70-200 f4.0 L. The 24-105 has Image Stabilization (IS). This is great for a walk around lens. It allows you to use lower shutter speeds while hand holding the camera in low light conditions. You will absolutely love shooting in the digital world. The image quality is beyond belief with a decent DSLR and good glass. You will not be disappointed. I also had an A-1. Wonderful camera but the FD lens mount system is not compatible with the EOS system in use by Canon today. RWW |