dbeals Loc: Washington State

I know it's the photographers experience that makes the picture. However, I've been told it's the lens that is more important than the body (camera body). How true this statement is I'm not sure? Therefore, I have a Rebel XS with a esf18-35mm lens and a esf 55-250 mm. In order to take better quality landscape and wildlife photography would the experts out there give me your advise. Does purchasing a higher quality lens for my Rebel XS or a higher quality camera/ lens be the best step to take? I'm not the pro.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Gee. This is tough. First, do you mean esf 18-135?

But sensor, focusing and other camera tech has advanced so much in the 10+ years since this camera came out, I would say you are due for a camera upgrade. Esp. for wildlife.

Do you have a budget?

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

dbeals,

You have asked a question that has a very broad series of answers, and without enough information to provide you with a good answer. The answer depends entirely on what your final goal may be for your image captures.

The body can be as important as the lens in front of the body, depending on the final use of the captures. Example: your XS body with your 55-250 mm lens in the heart of Africa shooting a lioness at full speed attack on a Gazelle for a National Geographic print at poster size would not be very successful.

On the other hand, your camera body and the 18-35mm lens on a tripod can capture excellent sunset images and print them above 11 x 14 inch.

It is true, the image capture is in the hands of the photographer, and his/her experience in selecting the equipment for the desired end product.

My Canon EOS 1000D captures wonderful images that I print up to 11 x 14 inch, it is capable of printing up to 48 inch (on the long side) if the viewer is at normal viewing distance from the print.

Michael G

Curve_in Loc: Virginia

You should post some of your favorite shots (remember to check the "store original" box). There are lots of talented people on here that would then be able to point you in a good direction. If you head over to https://pixelpeeper.com/ you can put in your current camera and lens combo to get an idea of what it can do.

dbeals Loc: Washington State

My lens correction is 18-55mm and I have had own this Rebel XS for 5 years. As for money question. I was looking to spend around $850-900 for body. I do not plan on going to Africa but I do live in Wa state both in the desert and mountains. We do a lot of traveling and need a great camera/lens. Can I upgrade to a higher quality lens for this Rebel XS camera or start all over. I hope this clarifies the above questions.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

You are talking about two very different ends of the photography spectrum, when talking about wildlife, and landscapes. Landscapes will dictate a ultra wide angle lens, upward to a wide angle lens. Shooting wildlife dictates a need to get close, but not dangerously close, this will dictate a telephoto lens. In either case the body you have is quite old, but works good now, but depending on how much use it got, may fail at any time. Your lens collection will need to be expanded upon with better/longer lenses for wildlife. In your shoes, you may want to remain in the crop sensor arena. You may want to look at a Canon 70D camera. It has been out a few years, it is available in refurbished, and used. Personally, I'd look for a refurbished one, by Canon. Of course, if your budge allows a Canon 7D Mark II would be perfect. I also would look at two lenses to cover the landscape, (ultra wide) and telephoto (wildlife). Canon has just come out with a good EF-S 10-18mm ultra wide angle lens, for less than $300. Tamron has also come out with a great telephoto the Tamron SP 150-600mm lens. The Tamron has a lot of reach, and will take great bird, and animal shots, and you will not have to get so close you disturb the wildlife, or put yourself in danger. Keep in mind, your best photographs will be from a tripod. Don't buy the cheap skimpy one that is on sale for just a few bucks. Get a good heavy legged model, that will hold three times your camera and lens weight. Look at ball head mounts that are of good quality. You can save a bit here by looking on the used market. In reality, a full frame body would be best for landscapes, and the cropped body would be best for birds, and animals. Notice, I did not suggest any Canon "L" quality lenses, I'm thinking about your wallet. Also, the lenses you now own will work on the 70D body. But, you make it obvious you are not happy with the results using those lenses.

B

Armadillo Loc: Ventura, CA

dbeals,

I did not assume you would be going to Africa, I gave you a visual contrast between photographic opportunities, the high speed chase and printing the capture on large format paper, and an evening sunset printed on the same paper. It depends on the final product you hope to achieve.

We still do not know what you want in the final product.

Of course, you can upgrade to a higher quality body, lens system. or both. The real question should be: Do I need to upgrade? Followed with the equipment you have provided, and the expected results for your intended projects.

Tip: When replying to a follow-up to your post, if you click the "Reply" link, the forum will keep all the current replies in context, like a threaded e-mail message.

Michael G

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

Keep one little piece of information in the front of your mind:
It is the LENS that captures the image, the camera is merely a recording device.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

How important is a larger viewfinder, more megapixels, a faster max shutter speed, more memory card slots, lower noise in High ISO, wifi, touchscreen...and so on.
The XS if fine, but I suspect that it's starting to show its age. Was this your first DSLR, how long have you shot with it? Whats the current number of shots on the shutter.
Personally I'd upgrade, both lenses and the body if you can foot the bill. If not, then better lenses will give you better results on an older body.

Bill Emmett Loc: Bow, New Hampshire

I never thought you were going to Africa. I made suggestions for lenses and body that you would find a much better photographic experience than what you have now. You mentioned you want something that would give you a better landscape, and wildlife photos. I suggested a Canon EOS 70D, EF-S 10-18mm ultra wide angle lens, for landscapes, and the Tamron SP 150-600mm telephoto for wildlife. I never implied this equipment was for Africa. If it was you sure would have had better suggestions than those. As for your current Kit, those are all medium or low quality lenses, known as "kit" lenses. Sure you could go on forever using those lenses, and that camera. You will never get any better results than what you get now. I personally shot in your State, in the Mt Baker area, and in Seattle, Spokane, and many other areas in the Pacific Northwest. There are many place there that a ultra wide, and a super telephoto would be the lens of choice. I would not hike miles into the interior of both the forests, and the desert packing your kit collection. But, I don't take snapshots, I take images that may or may not bring me the satisfaction of a quality image. Nor would I endanger myself moving on a dangerous animal, such as a elk, bear, mountain lion, mule deer or grizzly with a max 250mm zoom. You don't have to go to Africa to find dangerous animals. You do want a lens that you can get close enough that the animal does not have to change its natural situation.

B

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

dbeals - you have hit on one of the secrets ... A better lens can have more impact than a new camera .... Others have commented on the disparity of landscape & wildlife, likely two different lenses. Your XS is likely fine for your needs and lenses can be used on multiple bodies if / when you upgrade within the Canon family. You'll have to decide what to upgrade next, if at all.

Here's a few ideas on making an informed decision:

1. Read the lens reviews at: http://www.the-digital-picture.com/ This site is dedicate to Canon reviews of cameras, lenses and other equipment specific for Canon bodies.

2. Consider renting to experiment on ideas. LensRentals.com has also an own-it option such that if you really like a rental, just pay to purchase and don't send it back.

3. Look at used equipment from KEH. Here's another secret: why buy new when lightly used can be as low as half the original price and typically just as good as new. KEH has a 2-week return policy, no questions asked, that is a much better deal than shopping on ebay where both the prices and the quality are inconsistent.

4. Coming back to reviews, read all the available reviews on your current lenses. Many times you'll find recommended best uses (aperture or 'sweet spot') that will help get the best out of the lenses you own. Just google your lens and reviews and you'll find probably 5 to 8 'core' review sites of with the Digital Picture should be one. Ken Rockwell also does extensive and detailed reviews although he doesn't cover ever lens nor every body.

Finally, someone mentioned print size. I've made wonderful 20X30 sized printed from an XTi that also was 10.1MP. Those prints always came from the best lens I owned at the time ....

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

I

Dbeals, welcome to the Hog.
I can see this is going to get confusing.
My personal opinion, and it's just my experience and opinion. The best lens in the world Is probably 10% better than the worst lens being sold and you'd be lucky to see that difference on any camera. I would NEVER buy a lens because I thought it was sharper. That's just setting yourself up for disappointment. For ME, there are a lot of reasons to buy expensive lenses, but IQ is not a big one.
That said, your XS camera is a few years old and Two processors behind. At about a $1000 the 70d has double the mp, wifi, higher ISO, articulating screen and the best auto focus systems for the price. Not to mention the best and most groundbreaking video Auto Focus capability of any other camera made.
The gains in expensive lenses are VERY small. The gains in body technology goes by leaps and bounds.
I would start with your existing lenses then swap out the shorter one for the efs 15-85 lens and add or subtract from there. Not saying what you can afford, just that you haven't given much info.
Dbeals, it can seem really mind boggling. Nothing wrong with spending whatever amount you want, but probably 90% of all photographers are over-glassed and over-cameraed(?). Good luck. ;-)
SS

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

your question is one that gives our pompuss members a chance to show off, and the camera makers an opening to sell more stuff. since you are not a pro, your standards will be different. after you decide whether your present equipment is , or is not doing what you need it's all down hill. if the answer is yes then just keep shooting. if no, try to keep picking new stuff simple.

MarkD Loc: NYC

Sometimes it's better to upgrade the body, and sometimes it's better to upgrade the lens(es). In your case I think that since the body is so old by today's standards it's better for you to upgrade the body. Your lenses are not bad. You can always upgrade them when you have the money.

I'm a Nikon user so I'll let others recommend which Canon to upgrade to.

Erv Loc: Medina Ohio

I would go with better glass. If you are going to stay with Canon. I just upgrade to a D600 from my D300s. The only real difference is the low light I can get with the 600. But I went out and got the 80-400 Nikon and it brought back new life to the 300s.:) Down the road you can upgrade the body. I would look at the 28-300 or the 18-300. Both are great lenses And make great walk arounds.
Erv