topic Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ASolo — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 17:05:36 GMT

Hi there everyone,

I'm a photography major at college looking to upgrade my Canon T5 Rebel to something more professional but budget friendly (personal budget $800). I've had my current gear since 2015 and I believe it is time for a step up, not just the body but a lens as well (doesn't need to be the latest model).

Some specifications I'm looking for is that it can be connected through wifi, is good for videos (since I'll be taking a video journalism class), has a movable LCD screen (doesn't need to be touch) and works well in low light. As for the lens something that's versatile and can be used for various things like car and portrait photography.

The current lenses I own are the kit lenses, 18-55mm and the 75-300mm.

I'd be more than glad to hear y'alls recommendations since I've been looking around by myself but it is just all a little bit to overwhelming.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

rs-eos — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 18:18:27 GMT

You'll need to provide us a dollar amount for your budget. Also, what lenses do you currently own? And, would your budget only be for a new camera (body), or would that be for newer lenses as well?

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ASolo — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 11:47:42 GMT

My budget is no more than $800 (which I know its not much I'm sure I can find stuff from 2nd hand retailers). I own a 18-55 mm lens and a 75-300mm lens which are the ones that come in the kit.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

rs-eos — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:18:39 GMT

That will be very limiting, especially if you also need new lenses.

My advice would be to stick with what you have until you can save up more. During this time, focus upon what it is about your current equipment that you find lacking. That will help guide you in what your next camera, lenses should be.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

stevet1 — Fri, 28 Jul 2023 19:56:11 GMT

ASolo,

Do you have any strong feelings about whether you want to go mirrorless or DSLR?

If you want to stick with mirrored, one approach would be to upgrade to either a Canon SL3 or a Canon T8i (rbody only). Right now, Canon is offering both for the same price of $749.00.

That way, you can keep the lenses you have and save up for newer lenses. You can get a refurbished 55-250mm IS STM lens from a reputable dealer for around $200.00, or a 50mm f/1.8 prime for about $$150.00.

I don't have any mirrorless, so I can't give you any advice there.

Steve Thomas

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

Tronhard — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 04:24:08 GMT

Hi and welcome to the forum:

Well, given your limited budget and desire for a lens as well as a camera body upgrade, I my initial reaction was that you may have to stay with a DSLR.

I am curious that you say you got a 70-200mm lens that you say came with the kit. Can you confirm exactly what model that is please?

If you stick with a DSLR, to go for something with Wi-Fi and better video, and be able to use your existing lenses, I would suggest either the Canon EOS 80D or 90D. They have fully articulated screens (which are touch control if you so choose), good sensors and are two steps above the level of your T5.

As to a lens... I suspect you should consider a replacement for the 18-55, which uses one of the less sophisticated versions of that lens on the T5. For silent, fast focus I would recommend the 18-135 IS USM, which has great optics over the range and is specifically tweaked for video, being essentially silent. You can get some good used gear from the Canon Refurbished site. They are like new and come with a limited Canon warranty.

However... Having just had a look there myself, there is one of the new R-series bodies with a lens that might be an introduction into the current Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens (MILC) range that represent where all the development is going.
Here is a link to that camera: Shop Canon Refurbished EOS R10 RF-S18-45mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit |

This camera offers one of the best sensors - used on the prosumer R6MkII, and offers eye and face tracking and some advanced video features. It also comes with an 18-45mm lens, that would work well for some video. If you can afford to get the EF-RF adapter, you may be able to use the 70-200 lens that you say came with your T5 kit.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

shadowsports — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:17:00 GMT

Trevor,

Glad you mentioned the lens "70-200" he referred to as included in his kit. I see he's edited and corrected to 75-300 which was part of the T5's offering at the time. A simple typo no doubt.

@asolo,

Given your major, I agree with Ricky and Trevor's suggestions. Saving a bit more and considering mirrorless might be prudent.

From a DSLR standpoint, the T8i is the bare minimum I would recommend in the rebel series. Its AF is vastly superior to the SL3. While either would be a bump over the T5, you would quickly out grow either given your discipline.

You are also not heavily invested in glass. The 75-300 will take pictures, but lacks in several important aspects as far as a good lens goes, so letting it go with the T5 is a given. The 2 lenses and T5 can be gifted or donated. It will treat someone like yourself who is just starting out well, the same as it did you.

With these factors in mind, the degree you are pursuing and the age of the gear, I really do feel you would be best served moving to mirrorless. The performance is head and shoulders above what you'll get with any DSLR relatively speaking. You already understand photography is an investment in more ways than one and you are not defined only by the gear you own. I think you owe it to yourself, and I am sure you will appreciate what a modern body and lenses can help you to achieve. I'm not saying DSLR's are bad, they are (still) 😃 great.

I just believe that someone in your situation will appreciate and grow into the mirrorless ecosystem which is now a better investment in the long term.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ASolo — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 14:54:02 GMT

Thank you so much for your suggestions. However if you don't mind me asking, I know we're all here canon users but what are the thoughts when comparing the CANON R10 vs Sony a6000?

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ebiggs1 — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:25:44 GMT

My suggestion is Refurbished EOS R10 Body form Canon directly for $700 bucks plus Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R for $100 bucks at B&H.

Use your current lenses until funds become available to upgrade them to R series. RF is the future so you might as well join it now and not spend any more money on DSLR then necessary.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

shadowsports — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 15:29:44 GMT

@ASolo wrote:
Thank you so much for your suggestions. However if you don't mind me asking, I know we're all here canon users but what are the thoughts when comparing the CANON R10 vs Sony a6000?

You can start with this:

Canon R10 vs Sony A6000 Detailed Comparison (cameradecision.com)

As a photography major, I'm sure this will all make sense.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

Tronhard — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 23:13:15 GMT

Looking at the sum of all the posts here, I think the consensus is that moving to the R-series MILCs is the way to go as they offer superior performance in both focus, and video. As Rick has given you a link to a comparison between the R10 and the Sony A6000, I will simply add one comment here. Buying a camera on specs is not the whole story - you need to take into account the ergonomics of the controls, customizability of the camera and the menu system. From my own experience, while Sony gear is excellent, their menu system leaves much to be desired. FWIW, I offer this document on considering the questions you need to ask, and suggest you consider them. Article on questions to consider for gear purchases

That said, given your budget, the unit I gave a link to is the only one I can find in your budget. If you want another lens, now that I know that your 70-200 is actually the pretty awful 75-300, I would suggest selling it all for what you can get and putting that towards another lens sometime in the future.
Canon have a major expansion of their lens lineup - a few months ago they indicated the release of 32 new RF lenses over the next four years, so the range will expand significantly. In the meantime, if you wanted to expand your range there are still quite a few to choose from. To complement the RF-S18-45, the next logical selection would be the RF-S 55-210, if you want that kind of reach, otherwise you might choose to go for prime lens for things like portrait work. You just have to save up!

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

Waddizzle — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 23:36:32 GMT

The Refurbished R10 is a good deal, Canon also has an R50 and an R100. I think a mirrorless camera body is the best way to go fo almost anyone.

But the R-Series cameras I listed may not have the low light performance that you seem to be looking for. You will not be able to use either of your current lenses without the EF-RF mount adapter, which is not as bad as it might first sound. It just means you may find a need to buy an RF mount lens.

You expressed an interest in a used camera body, which I think could be the best path moving forward for you. I recommend visiting B&H and KEH to see what they have available in the following models.

5D Mark II, 5D Mark III, 6D, 6D Mark II.

These are all full frame bodies, which means your EF-S 18-55mm lens would not be compatible. But the EF-70-300mm would, which is not necessarily a good thing.

This is currently listed at B&H. Note the condition rating.

I would recommend getting the EF 50mm f/1.8 STM with any of the cameras I listed. Such a combo would meet your immediate requirements and stay well within your $800 budget. You may have money left over for accessories like memory cards and batteries, or even a camera bag.

There are other lens options that are variable aperture zooms. But none of them would be within your listed budget.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ASolo — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 12:03:30 GMT

Good morning Waddizzle,

I truly appreciate your detailed suggestions, so far it's been the one that has been closest to what I've been looking for.

However if you don't mind me asking, I've narrowed down to 3 options which I have found cheapest (thanks to you guys). These are the 80D, the 6D and the R10, from all of these which would be the best out of them all? (yes I managed to compare them on my own but would still like a 2nd hand opinion).

After this, I believe I am able to make a final decision.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

rs-eos — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 12:46:38 GMT

I would recommend either the EOS 6D or the EOS R10. Both would be a nice jump over your Rebel T5. Here are a bit of pros/cons with each:

EOS 6D:

Full frame, so will do very good in lower light situations. Especially if you also decide to pick up the recommended EF 50mm f/1.8 lens.
Not compatible at all with EF-S lenses, so if you have zero budget for new lenses, you'd only be able to use your EF 70-300mm.

EOS R10:

Can use both of your existing lenses.
Newer tech

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ebiggs1 — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 14:34:05 GMT

"I'm a photography major at college ..."

This indicates you are a younger person. I strongly recommend you not buy the dead end DSLR and look to the R10 and R series lenses in the future. If you buy a DSLR today you are simply putting off until tomorrow what will eventually happen any way if you intend to stay in the photography field.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

Waddizzle — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 16:01:03 GMT

@ebiggs1 wrote:
"I'm a photography major at college ..."

This indicates you are a younger person. I strongly recommend you not buy the dead end DSLR and look to the R10 and R series lenses in the future. If you buy a DSLR today you are simply putting off until tomorrow what will eventually happen any way if you intend to stay in the photography field.

This above observation is true. You will want to primarily invest in a MILC body.

ASolo expressed a desire for good low light performance when shooting video. What is really needed is a slightly larger budget for a full frame sensor camera like the R8.

The MILC, mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, bodies are the future and the present. A photography student will need a full frame camera at some point, too. I think the R10 kit is great camera, but it does not fulfill his expressed needs as much as a full frame DSLR.

———————————————-

The R10 package deal in the Refurb section may go “out of stock” at any moment. It will not wait for you to make up your mind. You have a tough choice to make. I wish your budget were a bit larger because the R10 package will still need a few accessories, including a fast lens for low light shooting.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

shadowsports — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 17:33:31 GMT

I concur. @Asolo, If you buy a DSLR you are going to buy twice, instead of once. Regardless of your age. A mirrorless body for all the reasons I mentioned.

**Do not buy an M series body <<<<

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ASolo — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 17:10:33 GMT

I also wish I had a larger budget (I also have to pay for college creds out of pocket which makes the budget this minimal at the moment). Truly I just need a simple upgrade. My gear especially the body itself is falling into pieces (due to such extensive use) and for a photographer to go out with bad looking gear does not look professional, even as a student.

Nevertheless, I do appreciate all of you guy's recommendations and suggestions.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

ASolo — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 17:44:54 GMT

I had also looked up a used canon M50 which by doing some comparison to the R10 they seem to be quite similar in many aspects aside from the fps.

Re: I'm looking to upgrade my gear from the Canon T5 Rebel

rs-eos — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 17:41:06 GMT

The M-series would be a dead end. If you're that contrained with your budget, you really only have two options. A used DSLR or a used/refurbed R-series camera.