CO

I agree that upgraded glass is more important. Very important is to check if your camera and lens combination is back focusing or front focusing. There are variations in manufacturing that cause errors in phase detection autofocus. I use the DataColor SpyderLensCal to check mine. Many people use the Reikan FoCal 2 software.

frjack Loc: Boston, MA

Glass.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I think your camera is fine, so decide what focal length lens you want. Then look at KEH or ebay and see what's available.

daveptt

Hearing you fellows talk, as an 89 year old who earnt his living from photography, I wonder how we managed to take any pictures at all, the most important thing is who is behind the camera, top gear does not make top photographers, know your composition, know your light, know your subject, and then shoot a great picture. People won't be able to tell what camera you have or care.

salmander

I agree with everyone here - buy glass. However, if you can afford it, I would suggest a Canon "L" lens. They have superior resolution over regular lenses. Once you go L, you never go back. You'll be chortling with glee when you see the results. And don't forget the Image Stabilization - indispensable. You may need a few more hundred $, depending, but you won't regret it, even if you have to "hurt yourself" to get it.

Szalajj Loc: Salem, NH

I will say without a doubt, it's the glass that you want to upgrade.

If I had known more about lenses before I bought any of my existing lenses, I would have waited on most of those purchases until I had enough to buy the best glass available for the focal lengths that I wanted.

My 55-250 mm lens doesn't take very good shots, unless the conditions are just right. It's a kit lens, and I could have done much better if I hadn't succumbed to a GAS (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) attack during a class that I was taking.

My 105 mm was a replacement for a malfunctioning lens as an upgrade. I rarely use it, but it's a great lens.

But the real learning experience was with my 100-400 mm lens. On the spur of the moment, I decided that I needed a zoom lens with a longer focal length. My budget at the time would only put me into the v.1 of that lens. I pulled the trigger on that purchase, and went out to do some test shots. I was really dissapointed in the quality of those test shots. I was also bothered by the trombone action of the lens, because it kept slamming out to full length with a resounding clunk. That motion and resulting strain on the mount was the deciding factor for me to return that lens for a full refund.

The happy news was that I was gifted the v.2 of that lens soon after. What a difference in the quality of the shots!

Moral of the story, save up a little more money for the best quality lens you can get. If you think that you'll eventually upgrade your body from a crop sensor to a full frame, then buy your len(es) with that in mind and stick with EF not EFS lenses on your current choice. If you can afford it, go with an L version of any lens, you'll never regret that decision.

I've been holding off for over a year on buying a better body, simply because my job situation has been up in the air. But in the meantime I've had my 100-400 to use, and it's pretty much become my walk around lens. I've put aside the cash for the new body, but I've resisted making that purchase.

Let us know what you decide to do.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Ditto to the comments about getting glass. But get a good EF lens that will work for you when you do go to a full-frame camera.

cthahn

When you upgrade, what change do you think you will see? Probably nothing. What most photographers do not understand is that the photographer takes the picture, not the camera. That statement is very difficult for most to understand.

crazydaddio Loc: Toronto Ontario Canada

...i would upgrade the glass and your knowledge and experience at the same time...you may discover that as you research what to buy (and take your time!) you will discover terminology, use cases, examples etc that will cause you to go out and try shots you never thought of... dont buy the glass right away but try to take the shots with the equipment you have and then rent or borrow and compare the output to existing....then you will appreciate whether the investment is worth it . (...this process is well worn by us GAS addicts...you are about to be bitten by the GAS bug so start saving.....and buy EF L lenses (full frame compatible) where possible....they will stand up to time and have good resale value...

Unless you are doing really low light....the T5i will do fine.

Delderby Loc: Derby UK

IMHO. Many replies above are subjective. Cameras and what's inside them can make for better pics - and so can glass. Much depends on the conditions in which you shoot. If you can basically take advantage of good light etc, then you are not going to see much in noticeable improvement. If your present equipment is not faulty, then I think you may need to try harder at getting the best out of it. Don't get caught in the GAS trap.

Fotomacher Loc: Toronto

Glass is an investment. Camera bodies are replaceable. The sensors in expensive bodies and no so expensive bodies are similar so you want to cast the best possible image on to the sensor. Buy the glass.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Work on your skills and spend your $ on good glass. It's going to be difficult to purchase a FF camera AND decent EF lenses for your budget with the possible exception of perhaps a used 6D or 5D2 plus a "nifty fifty". Your T5i. Is a fine body, and for 1k$, you could purchase an assortment of primes (perhaps used or reconditioned ) such as a 28 f2.8 or 35 f2, a 50 F1.8 (or F1.4) and an 85 F1.8 - all of which are EF lenses of excellent quality that you can also use if you ever move to FF. Alternately, if you want zooms, either a 24-105 f4L IS or a used 70-200 f2.8L IS can be had within your budget, and again are excellent quality that will carry you well into the future.

ole sarg Loc: south florida

You are better off saving the money and taking more photographs. A mediocre piano player is still mediocre on a Steinway!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

This isn't quite as true as it used to be. These days manufacturers periodically improve focus motors, aperture control mechanicals, etc.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

Good glass would be my first priority but let me advise you that no matter the camera or lens quality will entirely depend on you the photographer.