topic Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7 in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

shantillee — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:17:32 GMT

I want to gift my husband a better camera body to replace his Rebel T7. The T7 works well for general pics and stills but not for indoor sports. He wants to get great action shots as our daughter plays indoor collegiate volleyball. I am looking at the 5D Mark IV. Advice would be appreciated!

Re: Upgrade from Rebel T7

shadowsports — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 12:31:57 GMT

Greetings,

The 5D4 is one of the nicest full frame DSLR's available. Its focus system is highly advanced and it set many standards for sports, wildlife, weddings, etc.

Your husband's existing T7 is a crop sensor camera. This means none of his existing APS-C format lenses would work with a full frame body. If he owns full frame EF lenses, these would work in a 5D4. Can you tell us about the lenses he owns currently? Models, etc.

Have you considered a mirrorless camera? Do you have a budget for the upgrade? We can provide more specific recommendations once we know what lenses he owns now and what your budget is.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

Waddizzle — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:35:01 GMT

@shantillee wrote:
I want to gift my husband a better camera body to replace his Rebel T7. The T7 works well for general pics and stills but not for indoor sports. He wants to get great action shots as our daughter plays indoor collegiate volleyball. I am looking at the 5D Mark IV. Advice would be appreciated!

The 5D4 is an excellent camera, but it is getting long in the tooth. I would recommend the EOS R6 mark II, which can outperform the 5D4 by a wide margin. It costs quite a bit less, even with the addition of the EF-RF mount adapter.

Technically, you would still be able to use any of your existing Canon EF or EF-S lenses. There is a major caveat with using the EF-S mount lenses, though. The camera should automatically switch to “crop mode” when it senses a Canon EF-S lens. This means images will be captured using only the center portion of the image sensor, which will significantly reduce the resolution of the captured images.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

Tintype_18 — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 13:47:17 GMT

FWIW, the replies have a trainload of good information for you. Looking at the prices, are they in line with your budget? Will the photographs be used for publication in newspapers, magazines, personal, etc.? I have had a T7 for about nine years. I have used it for indoor and outdoor photos; action baseball, action cross country, indoor archery, family parties, graduations, to name a few. Some of mine have been published in newspaper, magazine, online. I like to experiment with different settings to see what works best. Thank goodness for digital! Can't imagine what it was like in the film days. Now that things in life are slowing down, I plan on spending more time with the camera in hand while looking at the manual downloaded on my laptop. The camera is much smarter than me. Just don't ask my wife about this. Good luck on your decision.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

John_SD — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 14:19:51 GMT

As you may know, mirrorless is the present and the future. I could not recommend taking a step back into outdated camera tech, thus the 5D IV is a no-go. The EOS R6 II is less costly and can shoot rings around the unwieldy old brick. And it will be a step into mirrorless and full-frame at once, a win-win for any photographer. If you can, I would purchase one with a kit lens to keep your costs down. Enjoy.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

shadowsports — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:05:19 GMT

They guys were reading my mind. The R62 was going to be my recommendation. Less expensive and more advanced in comparison. Many people do not believe mirrorless is within their reach, but in fact, they are, and can ultimately outperform their former DSLR counterparts, and provide a future proof solution in the long term. His current lenses are the only question that remains unanswered.

This is also attractive:

There are some added bundle discounts as well when you purchase specific camera bodies.

If you purchase a Canon EOS R3 or Canon EOS R5, you can add the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM for only $499 more. Simply add everything to your cart to see the kit discount.

You can also add the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM to your purchase of either the Canon EOS R6 Mark II or Canon EOS R6 for only $99. Supplies are limited.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

ebiggs1 — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:49:03 GMT

Perhaps the most logical move would be to the 90D. OK, not a mirrorless but it will be completely familiar to him going from a T7. Sometimes old tech isn't a bad choice and, yes, I totally agree the future is in the R series of cameras.

Here's my thought, the 90D body is around $1200. Now if you were considering some other camera that is in the $2200 to $2400 range the saving would allow you to purchase some faster lenses for the 90D. In the end lenses is where it at. I used a ef 85mm f1.2L lens when I did volleyball shoots. But the outstanding ef 85mm f18 lens ($500) could be a super choice. Although no longer being made but a used ef 70-200mm f4L ($500) could be a very good choice.

My personal best case and I would put it up against any R series camera out there perhaps not feature vs feature but photo vs photo is the 90D with a Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens. And still be around $400 less than the cameras suggested above.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

John_SD — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 15:58:11 GMT

"I would put it up against any R series camera out there..."

LOL. It probably took you forever to give up the old Rollieflex.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

Tronhard — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 18:57:34 GMT

Hi and welcome to the forum:

As several of my colleagues have mentioned, it is challenging for us to give you relevant advice without some idea of budget. We could easily suggest equipment that you simply are not prepared to invest in. Also, you need to consider the optics as much as the body.

Personally, I would prefer to choose my own camera equipment, based on my shooting preferences and knowledge. While specs can be helpful, there is also the tactile feel of handling a camera and lenses to consider. Thus, my first suggestion would be to consider taking him out shopping - explain what you are wanting to do and go have lunch with him, then go to a store with him and let him enjoy, with you, the experience of a surprise camera shopping spree. That takes a lot of the responsibility off you, but lets you enjoy the whole experience with him and it could well give you both a great pleasure of the experience.

Alternatively, if you want to get the gear as a surprise, then you need to consider what gear he has apart from the basic camera body. The complexity of upgrading will be, to a degree, determined by what can be transferred to the new unit, if that is possible. While the camera body itself impacts many aspects of photography, the lenses have a huge impact on the performance in low light and long reach situations, so knowing the EXACT makes and models of the lenses will help us to help you to make a choice.

Basically, the camera he owns is a good, but very basic crop (APS-C) sensor camera - this means that the sensor that records the image is smaller than what is called a Full Frame (FF) sensor, which is the size of a frame of 35mm film. Canon and compatible lens makers made a range of EF and EF-S lenses that will work with this camera. However, EF lenses would be compatible with a FF and the APS-C camera, but if he has EF-S lenses they will work only with the APS-C body.

So, step 1 is to check if the lenses say EF or EF-S on the front of the barrel, and also the numbers thereafter, which are its focal range (e.g. EF-S 18-55) and size of aperture (f:4.5-5.6) - which indicates performance in low light - significant if shooting in low light situations.

If your husband has EF-S lenses that you want to use, and you want to stick with a DSLR camera (same style as he has but newer), then he must stay with an ASP-C body, such as the 90D that my colleague Ernie suggested. If you were to go for the 5D option which is a FF unit, the EF-S lenses simply will not physically attach, so you need to get a whole new suite of lenses too - and that can be a significant cost. Also, DSLRs are living on borrowed time and are being no longer developed.

The alternative is to consider a Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera (MILC), which is the new generation of cameras that Canon is producing. These not only are where future developments will be, but they offer many features that DSLRs simply do not do, or do as well. Some of these can be quite significant to the intended use, such as the ability to focus on and track faces and even eyes. They also have better sensors for low light work and generally better performance as they are mostly much newer technology than the latest DSLRs.

These also come in the same two sensor formats: FF and APS-C. They have a different lens (RF) mount, but the good news is that if the lenses your husband has are of good quality, then it would be practical to use them on an R body via one of the Canon EF-RF adapters and they should work well. However the same principles apply as to compatibility between EF-S lenses and sensor size, but for a different technical reason.

So, if the intention is to keep any existing EF-S lenses and just get a new MILC body, then you should consider an APS-C R-series body, such as the Canon EOS R7, which would be the current best choice in this format for sports, and is the equivalent of the 90D DSLR, and it has eye and face tracking and In-Body-Image-Stabilization (IBIS) that helps to reduce camera shake when taking pictures at distance and/or low light with slower shutter speeds.

If he has EF lenses then, as my colleagues also offered, only those can be used on a FF body, such as the Canon EOS R6 or R6MkII (both are good) that have FF sensors, and his existing EF lenses should work with them.

The third option is to just buy him a whole new kit of body and lenses. For the purpose at hand, I would suggest the R6 or R6MkII for their tracking, low-light performance and IBIS. As regards lenses, then you would be looking at something like the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM, and the RF 100-400 f:5.6-8 IS STM lenses. If that is too expensive, then consider the RF 24-240 f:4-6.3 IS STM lens.

If this all sounds too complicated (and I don't know your own photography knowledge), then option one might be the safest bet, but perhaps give him a bit of warning to let him mull over these issues to make his own informed decision - sometimes anticipation and planning are half the fun! This takes the responsibility off you for choosing the gear, but lets you enjoy his joy of the process and his pleasure at a surprise shopping experience.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

shadowsports — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 19:15:00 GMT

The refurb R5 body for $2199 are gone now. That's a record for shortest time in stock. Poof gone.

Looking to take great indoor sports pics!

shantillee — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 11:20:32 GMT

I am editing this to add some lens info...as some of you asked which lenses we have. I was hoping to get a new body that is compatible with his current lenses, but only if that makes sense, moving into the future. He has:

EFS 18-55mm, EF 75-300mm and the big one- Tamron SP 70-200mm...so I am more confused now than ever. I hate to render these lenses useless but more than anything, I want to finally find what will take crisp and clear volleyball pics for him, as well as nature/family/etc... I would prefer to stay (all in) under $4,000.

{older post} I want to gift my husband a better camera body to replace his Rebel T7. The T7 works well for general pics and stills but not for indoor sports. He wants to get great action shots as our daughter plays indoor collegiate volleyball. I am looking at the 5D Mark IV. Advice would be appreciated!

Re: Looking to take great indoor sports pics!

John_SD — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 15:05:47 GMT

I am increasingly of the mind that a unknowledgeable non-photographer who is considering spending thousands of dollars on gear for a hobbyist or enthusiast could end up with with a case of buyer's remorse. You are going to be making a substantial purchase based on what others like and advise in the hope that the "surprise" is a good one. Has the photographer in question been hankering for a specific camera/lens combo that you could simply purchase? No? Then you are in a guessing game with several thousand dollars at stake. I would try to get a sense of what appeals to your husband and go from there. Get his take on how he feels about mirrorless and what if any model appeals to him. Best of luck.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

ebiggs1 — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 16:32:31 GMT

"EFS 18-55mm, EF 75-300mm and the big one- Tamron SP 70-200mm..."

OK, Kido, take a deep breath for a moment. With that reply the 90D makes the most sense now or sure. All his lenses will work just fine perhaps even better that they did on the Rebel T7. That is even a bigger savings but after Christmas he can decide whether he wants different lenses to add to the combo. You will have saved enough to buy some really top quality lenses if you choose to.

"...so I am more confused now than ever ..."

I agree don't get lost in all the mostly useless information on the ole inner web. Mostly all it does is confuse people even more. Sometimes the latest greatest is not always the best way to go. And remember the 90D was Canon's best effort in the D series of cameras and is still an outstanding camera. It will be for years to come. I have no doubt he will love it and you too for getting it for him. 😁

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

ebiggs1 — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 16:29:58 GMT

Give it up? I just got one. You mean they have something better available..

Re: Looking to take great indoor sports pics!

Tronhard — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 18:00:44 GMT

Given your update, I am even more convinced that this is a decision that you should leave to your husband and agree with John's comments. The 75-300 you indicate is a mediocre optic and yet that has the longest reach for shooting sports, and he can do a lot better for the use you indicated, and within the price as well as get a new body, but what is the big question.

Spending a significant amount of money, the value of which will essentially commit him to a particular platform for some time is a dangerous game unless you know both enough about the context of the gear and his actual needs, and preferences for an upgrade.

I am strongly encouraging you that if you are are determined to commit such a significant amount of money to such an enterprise that he should be a part of the decision-making process. Unless you have somehow investigated his desires in this area, you are flying blind by the advice of others and if you get it wrong it will be a disappointment for you both.
Make a card as a gift that looks like a certificate, telling he has a budget of (whatever) and let him decide how it will be spent. If you show involvement by going out with him for the day, you will add even more to his pleasure and you will learn a bit about his enthusiasm - that bonding is even more positive. He will remember the gear and the experience in sharing the purchasing of it with you - that's pretty special.

Re: Looking to take great indoor sports pics!

Waddizzle — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 17:57:26 GMT

What Trevor said. Especially the part with letting him decide.

Some of the best gifts that I have ever given to someone has been a shopping spree. Let them choose what they want because you were uncertain as to what to buy.

——————————————————-==

It sounds like his current gear is a Rebel T7 camera kit, with the 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses. This is what I would describe as an “absolute beginner” camera kit. The kit is designed to introduce you to photography without spending a lot of money. I would not be concerned about maintaining compatibility with those lenses. This camera kit can be sold as a complete set. I gave mine away to younger relative in his early teens.

———————————————-

The Tamron lens is probably a keeper. I would still recommend a MILC body over a DSLR. The availability of lenses for the DSLR EF mount is becoming more and more limited with each passing month. Canon has discontinued production on nearly all models compared to years past.

Except for the EOS R100, almost any Canon camera you might be will have a different button layout, This is because the R100 is also a bare bones, absolute beginner, entry level camera body.

Re: Looking to take great indoor sports pics!

Waddizzle — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 18:04:21 GMT

“{older post} I want to gift my husband a better camera body to replace his Rebel T7. The T7 works well for general pics and stills but not for indoor sports. He wants to get great action shots as our daughter plays indoor collegiate volleyball. I am looking at the 5D Mark IV. Advice would be appreciated! “

Indoor sports require good low light performance. For that reason alone, I would recommend a full frame camera body like the 5D4. But I think the day of the DSLR has passed. I would definitely bring the R6 and R6 Mark II to his attention.

The EOS R and RP would not be my choice for sports photography. Great for grandkids at the backyard cook out, but not for indoor sports photography. The R8 is another possibility, but it is also an entry level camera with a limited feature set.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

normadel — Sat, 25 Nov 2023 21:16:36 GMT

You said: "T7 works well for general pics and stills but not for indoor sports."

What does this mean? What about indoor sports can he not do with the T7? Could it possibly be his use/technique/settings? A new, "better", fancier camera will be bad for indoor sports too, if not used right.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

Waddizzle — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 00:48:23 GMT

Are you aware that all EX series of Speedlites appear to have been discontinued?

The R Series bodies use a new type of hot shoe. It seem Canon has almost sold off their entire inventory of EX Speedlites. The only new models that are available are the new EL Speeldlites. This means one will need to purchase a third party flash for a 90D, if you wanted to use one.

Re: Upgrade recommendations from EOS Rebel T7

stevet1 — Sun, 26 Nov 2023 01:45:06 GMT

shantiee,

What Tbrevor said.

Do you have a camera store near you, where your husband can actually pick up a camera and hold it in hands, or will your buying be strictly online?

You are flying blind here. You don't want to spend that kind of money only to buy him something he doesn't like or can't use.

If you do move into the R series mirrorless line, you can always buy an EOS EF-R adapter, which would let him keep his existing lenses, although I would use this opportunity to buy some better lenses.

By all means, involve him in the buying process. He will thank you for it in the end.

Steve Thomas