topic Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Suggestions for a new replacement camera

UncleJoe — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 22:03:50 GMT

Hello and thank you in advance for your help with this matter. I've had a Canon Rebel XT for the last 12 years and I want to upgrade at this point. Over time I have accumulated some accessories for the XT that I obviously want to be able to roll over for usage with what ever I chose to replace the XT with. I am hopeful and assuming that the lens I have will be of some standard, I also have a remote for the shutter the additional battery pack that mounts to the bottom of the body a standard mount flash ect. I can provide specific model numbers if that would be more helpful. At a glance I was looking at the t7i model on the belief that being part of the rebel line it might be compatible, but I am open to any and all suggestions. I am old enough to know that one can reach a point where one is better off starting from scratch if that is the case than so be it.

My interest in photography is general but I have been thinking of doing some star field shots (astronomical), landscape some occasional portrait work and as a grandfather I would not mind having some basic video capabilities available. Thanks again for any assistance!

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

Waddizzle — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 23:40:54 GMT

The Rebel T7i is an EXCELLENT upgrade over a Rebel XT. Just make sure that you can read the files it creates, either via USB cable, or via an SD card reader. You might need to be running a fairly recent OS, and hardware, to use the T7i software.

You did not state a budget, but one of my favorite places to get deal on Canon camera bodies is the Canon Online Refurbished Store. The gear comes with a one year warranty from Canon, and it has that new gear smell to it. I have bought a handful of cameras and given them away as gifts.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

UncleJoe — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 00:05:43 GMT

My computer is less than a year old so hopefully that will be up to date. As far as the budget I am reasonably flexible but it's a fool that walks away from a deal! I will be sure to check that out. Appreciate the advice!

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

ebiggs1 — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:50:55 GMT

Rebel T6i or T7i is a winner but you really need to get either of them with the new STM lens. It will make a huge difference over your current XT lens.

A really nice upgrade into a more robust, higher end, camera would be the EOS 80D DSLR Camera with 18-55mm STM Lens.

And my top choice might be the EOS 80D DSLR Camera with the Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens. It don't get much better that that !

Keep in mind it is the lens that makes the biggest difference. The EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens offers a constant aperture of f2.8 a big plus. The kit 17-55mm quickly becomes a rather slow f5.6 lens.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

Waddizzle — Mon, 25 Sep 2017 23:43:56 GMT

@UncleJoe wrote:
My computer is less than a year old so hopefully that will be up to date. As far as the budget I am reasonably flexible but it's a fool that walks away from a deal! I will be sure to check that out. Appreciate the advice!

The best buys in the current Canon DSLR lineup are the T7i, 77D, and the 80D, which is the best bang for the buck, by far. I have bought a few refurbished camera kits, 80D and 7D2, and the gift recipients love them. One year later, and they are still just scratching the surface of what the cameras can do, except for my son who had a T3i.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

RobertTheFat — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 03:41:01 GMT

@Waddizzle wrote:
@UncleJoe wrote:
My computer is less than a year old so hopefully that will be up to date. As far as the budget I am reasonably flexible but it's a fool that walks away from a deal! I will be sure to check that out. Appreciate the advice!
The best buys in the current Canon DSLR lineup are the T7i, 77D, and the 80D, which is the best bang for the buck, by far. I have bought a few refurbished camera kits, 80D and 7D2, and the gift recipients love them. One year later, and they are still just scratching the surface of what the cameras can do, except for my son who had a T3i.

I wouldn't recommend that you buy a 77D unless you were to find it priced lower than the T7i. I see nothing about the 77D that justifies its higher posted price.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

StanNH — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 12:38:08 GMT

The Canon refurb store is your best source for bargain pricing on cameras and lenses. Prices there, with one year factory warranties, are typically less than you'll find for used items on eBay.

My T6S was bought as a refurb and was like new. There was just a sale at Canon, and I bought an 80D with the 18-55mm STM lens for $779.95. It too looks and works like new, although Canon no longer includes the CD's or USB cable in the package.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

TCampbell — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 15:27:51 GMT

After your camera model, Canon came out with the 7D (with the 18MP sensor) and used the same sensor in the T2i, T3i, T4i, T5i, and 60D cameras. It wasn't until the T6i that they put a new sensor in the camera (with some gains over the performance of the long-running 18MP that they used for years).

But when they released the T7i and 77D they replaced the sensor yet again and this time the camera got some VERY significant gains. The T7i & 77D are a huge upgrade over any previous Rebel series camera (most other models were very small gains over the prievious year's model.)

This is why I'd agree that you should look at either the T7i or 77D. The two camera have the same sensor but mostly different body features.

If you look at the "top" of each camera, the T7i has dials and controls much like your current camera (it's changed a tiny bit and there are a few extra buttons but it's mostly going to look very similar to what you have now). But if you look at the top of the 77D... the mode dial is moved to the other side of the viewfinder and in it's place there is now an LCD display screen (not video - just simple LCD) which has all the current exposure info, etc. all displayed.

Also, another significant change is on the back of the camera. On your camera you have a simple up/down/left/right button (which also access different functions). This is the same (or very similar) on the T7i. But on the 77D the buttons have a knurled rotation ring (wheel) around them and you can rotate it. If you like to shoot with manual exposure, the front wheel (next to the shutter button) changes the shutter speed and the rear-dial (which you can easily access with your thumb) changes the aperture (f-stop). This makes it much faster to control than your current camera.

The extra display and dial are features of the mid-grade and pro-grade cameras. I think the difference for the "body only" price is about $50. The camera performance, resolution, ISO, focus system, etc. etc. are all identical (they have the same sensor.)

One noteable MISSING feature... Canon does not make a battery grip for either the T7i or the 77D ... nor can you use a grip from a previous model camera.

If you want a battery grip, you should probably look at a Canon 80D.

Other than that, all cameras can use the same lenses that you've been using on your Canon XT.

If you are using the same entry-level lenses that might have been included with your XT (such as the 18-55mm zoom) then you would want to be aware that the new versions of those lenses are significantly improved. The new versions have at "STM" suffix on the name (e.g. Canon EOS EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6mm IS STM) (I bolded the "STM"). This means the lens has Canon's new "stepper motor" focusing system (very quiet and smooth) but Canon also updated the optics. The new lenses are a bit sharper. The EF 50mm f/1.8 lens was updated with an "STM" version which also updated the number and shape of the aperture blades so now the out-of-focus blur (background blur) is much smoother & creamier than the old generation.

You wont be able to use the battery pack (battery grip) that mounted on the bottom of your XT (battery grips are always camera model-specific and never carry over to any new model).

You should find that your remote (wired) shutter release fits and works just fine (it probably has a jack that looks like a mini headphone jack). However all of these cameras now support WiFi and you can actually use a smartphone (there's a free app) to remotely control the camera.

All the new cameras have video capability (it wouldn't matter which model you get) although of note... these new cameras now have Canon's Dual-Pixel CMOS AF (a feature previously only found on mid-grade and high-end models). The Dual-Pixel CMOS AF allows the camera to use a phase-detect-like focus system (light passes through a beam-splitter (pism) to split it into two phases. If the light re-converges in-phase then the camera is focused at that particular position... if not, then the lens is not focused and the direction and distance of focus can instantly be determined by comparing the two phases.

Ok, so that sounds technical (and it is) but what it means to YOU is that the camera can do continuous auto-focus during live-video and it can follow your subject as they move closer or farther ... the camera tracks focus very accurately and you wont see the camera "hunt" for focus.

You'll get better audio quality if you attach an external microphone (specifically you should check out the Rode VideoMic Pro which is a "powered" external mic with enough gain to avoid that "hiss" sound you often hear on other mics). It's designed to mount in the hot-shoe socket on top of the camera.

The "STM" lenses (the new lenses) have focus motors which are no so quiet that it's extremely difficult to hear them when recording video (you probably wont hear anything but if you try really really hard ... you might just barely make out the sound of the focus motor.)

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

UncleJoe — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 16:21:47 GMT

I guess one you could say the hand writing is on the wall. The t7i seems to be in the cards and a purchase from the refurbished store goes without saying. The current zoom lens that I am using is the EF 70-200 2.8 IS USM and has been my goto so long I don't even know if I will be able to remove it from the body, I think I paid a good deal for that lens when I purchased it is the difference in the new technology worth retirement for her? I believe that would be the only other decision I would want to make with this purchase. If anyone would care I will try to let you what I wind up with at the end of this venture.

I would like to once more express my appreciation for everyone's responses I feel in the company of kindred spirits if I might be so bold. Thank you all!

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

RobertTheFat — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 22:26:26 GMT

@UncleJoe wrote:
I guess one you could say the hand writing is on the wall. The t7i seems to be in the cards and a purchase from the refurbished store goes without saying. The current zoom lens that I am using is the EF 70-200 2.8 IS USM and has been my goto so long I don't even know if I will be able to remove it from the body, I think I paid a good deal for that lens when I purchased it is the difference in the new technology worth retirement for her? I believe that would be the only other decision I would want to make with this purchase. If anyone would care I will try to let you what I wind up with at the end of this venture.
I would like to once more express my appreciation for everyone's responses I feel in the company of kindred spirits if I might be so bold. Thank you all!

The comparable lens that most of us use now is the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, which is a newer model. But I see no reason for you to replace your 70-200, which was and is a fine lens. If you ever get to the point where you believe that you actually need the newer version, you can take action then. In the meantime, spend your money on upgrading the rest of your equipment. I agree with those who have recommended the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS. Many of us (including both me and my wife) have it and like it.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

Mr_Fusion — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 20:50:33 GMT

@UncleJoe wrote:
I guess one you could say the hand writing is on the wall. The t7i seems to be in the cards and a purchase from the refurbished store goes without saying. The current zoom lens that I am using is the EF 70-200 2.8 IS USM and has been my goto so long I don't even know if I will be able to remove it from the body, I think I paid a good deal for that lens when I purchased it is the difference in the new technology worth retirement for her? I believe that would be the only other decision I would want to make with this purchase. If anyone would care I will try to let you what I wind up with at the end of this venture.
I would like to once more express my appreciation for everyone's responses I feel in the company of kindred spirits if I might be so bold. Thank you all!

I agree that that is a good upgrade and will keep you happy for a few years.

My suggestion for a shorter lens would be the EF-S 17-135 IS STM. This covers a broader range and you will probably seldom take it off. It would perfectly compliment the EF 70-200. The 18-135 isn't fast as the EF 17-55, but the zoom range compensates for that and it is half the price. The T7i offers sufficient increase in (quality) ISO that you most likely won't notice the 2 stops you lose. The T7i's increased sensitivity on the lower EV shouldn't let the 18-135's slower aperture be a problem in lower light.

Reviews:

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/17-55mm.htm (available for around $550-$600)*

http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/18-135mm-stm.htm (available for around $250-$280)*

All your other equipment should work with the T7i, except you will need a new SD card as the XT uses CF. Because your file sizes are so much larger, I recommend a 32 or 64 GB*. Leave the card in the camera and use a USB cable to down load the pictures to avoid wear on the card.

* - you can usually find better deals on line. BUT, be careful of the grifters. Buy from recognized outlets such as Adorama, B&H, KEH, Tiger Direct, and the like. Some people like Amazon, but I'm leery when buying their electronic equipment. Canon is probably the safest, but they are also the most expensive. You can often find good deals on Adorama and B&H's used equipment too.

Whatever you buy, good luck and enjoy.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

TCampbell — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 21:10:18 GMT

@UncleJoe wrote:
The current zoom lens that I am using is the EF 70-200 2.8 IS USM and has been my goto so long I don't even know if I will be able to remove it from the body, I think I paid a good deal for that lens when I purchased it is the difference in the new technology worth retirement for her?

I own both the original EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM as well as the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM II.

The optics and performance of the original lens was (still is) extremely good. The new version is fractionally sharper -- not so noticeable near the center of the frame but slightly noticeable near the edges.

The other difference is that the image stabilization on the new version is improved and now claims about 4 stops of image stabilization. I'm not sure what the original lens claimed.

So while the new lens is better, since the original is quite good (and I still haven't sold my copy), it may not be "enough" better to be worth trading up. Another way to think of it is... since a new copy is going to cost about $2k ... where else might you spend that $2k and would it do more good if spent elsewhere? Maybe you'd like some speedlite flash strobes. Maybe you'd like an extra lens or two. etc.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

Waddizzle — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 00:33:50 GMT

@UncleJoe wrote:
I guess one you could say the hand writing is on the wall. The t7i seems to be in the cards and a purchase from the refurbished store goes without saying. The current zoom lens that I am using is the EF 70-200 2.8 IS USM and has been my goto so long I don't even know if I will be able to remove it from the body, I think I paid a good deal for that lens when I purchased it is the difference in the new technology worth retirement for her? I believe that would be the only other decision I would want to make with this purchase. If anyone would care I will try to let you what I wind up with at the end of this venture.
I would like to once more express my appreciation for everyone's responses I feel in the company of kindred spirits if I might be so bold. Thank you all!

Unfortunately, the Rebel T7i is not yet available through the Refurbished Store, and neither is the 77D. The good news is that the 80D with the 18-55mm STM lens is available. If you're thnking of upgrading your lens, then you may have the budget for a 6D at the Refurbished Store, which has low noise performance that the APS-C sensor body cameras cannot approach.

The above shot was made with a 6D and the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. There was no special lighting, and the ISO was 10000. There was someone out of the line of sight on the left shooting a video.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

UncleJoe — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 01:54:43 GMT

That's almost unfair, it's a beautiful shot by my standards any way ( no disrespect meant). I saw the 80D with the lens that you spoke of oand $1249 is certainly within budget for these kind of results. I guess that I did not have great concept of the deference that the , is it the sensor that determines the image size, makes? I have begun the process of purchasing the t7i but even after shipping I can still return it and replace it with what seems far superior from the point of view of coming out of an XT if you get my meaning. I think I need a major rethink. Thank you for saving me from what might have proven to be a impulse purchase.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

RobertTheFat — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 02:51:07 GMT

@UncleJoe wrote:
That's almost unfair, it's a beautiful shot by my standards any way ( no disrespect meant). I saw the 80D with the lens that you spoke of oand $1249 is certainly within budget for these kind of results. I guess that I did not have great concept of the deference that the , is it the sensor that determines the image size, makes? I have begun the process of purchasing the t7i but even after shipping I can still return it and replace it with what seems far superior from the point of view of coming out of an XT if you get my meaning. I think I need a major rethink. Thank you for saving me from what might have proven to be a impulse purchase.

Be careful, though. Note that Waddizzle's picture was taken with a 6D, not an 80D. The 6D is a full-frame camera; the 80D is not. FF cameras generally have better low-light performance (because their sensors have larger pixels), and the 6D's is unusually good, even for a FF camera. You won't get that kind of result with an 80D.

If you were to decide to buy a FF camera, remember that it won't be able to use EF-S lenses. The 70-200's are not EF-S lenses, but the rest of the lenses we've been discussing in this thread are.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

ebiggs1 — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 14:34:22 GMT

"I think I need a major rethink."

Yes you do but it isn't where you think it is from. In your normal real world use the T7i and or the 80D or even the 6D are all going to make nice photos. The distinction comes from pixel peepers not form actual users. The T7i and the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM Lens are going to make beautiful photos. Adding your already good 70-200mm and you will have the ability to do some nice work.

That same photo that you think is so good, and it is nice, could have been done with the T7i/ EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens combo and most will not be able to tell the difference. That combo is going to be hard to beat. Now it makes no difference to me which camera you decide on but if you think you have to get a 6D to do that photo, you are living in fantasyland.

Let's imagine for a bit; the T7i with EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM lens or perhaps the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens for Canon. You own the Ef 70-200mm f2.8L. Let's add the EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens. Pretty nice outfit don't you think? Lastly stop reading posts and go make some pictures!

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

UncleJoe — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 19:37:58 GMT

Well put! Thank you for all the insight!

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

Waddizzle — Wed, 27 Sep 2017 22:11:38 GMT

@UncleJoe wrote:
Well put! Thank you for all the insight!

You can buy the 80D for the same price, or less, of a T7i or 77D from the Canon Online Refurbished Store.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

Waddizzle — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 15:36:17 GMT

@RobertTheFat wrote:
@Waddizzle wrote:

I wouldn't recommend that you buy a 77D unless you were to find it priced lower than the T7i. I see nothing about the 77D that justifies its higher posted price.

The differences between a T6i and a T6s, are similar to the differences between a T7i and the 77D. In fact, I think the 77D should have been named the T7s, IMHO.

The biggest difference is that the 77D adds a top LCD display, a built-in level, and the new 5-axis, in camera, stabilization system. The extra cost of the T6s over the T6i is well worth it, as is the extra cost of the 77D over a T7i.

The 80D is a MUCH better build, beefier battery and battery grip option, and a much better overall performer. Even though the ISO range specifications might suggest otherwise, the 80D produces noticeably lower noise images at ISO 1600 to ISO 6400 than the 7D2.

I used them side by side for a couple of months, and was comparing their AF systems when the noise differences just jumped out at me. I guess the 80D must do more in-camera noise reduction, because it is closer to my 6D than it is to the 7D2 between ISO 1600 and ISO 6400.

The lower noise in the 80D is significant because you when you are using a lens like one of the 150-600mm super zooms, your ISO is going to fall in that range with shutter speeds around 1/1600. Given the fact that the 80D has 27 f/8 AF points compared to just the center point in the 7D2, the 80D wins in all but two categories: weather sealing, and dual card slots. The 7D2 offers GPS, while the 80D offers Wi-Fi.

What good is the more subtle AF tracking when the images are noisier? The new 6D2 has the same AF system as the 80D, and the In-camera, 5-axis stabilization as the 77D. It also has a 26MP full frame sensor. Seeing how the 7D2 has better AF and slightly more resolution than the 6D, I am anxious to see what all that a 7D3 is capable of doing, just as long as they do not give it a fold out display. Although, a tilting display might be a good thing.

Re: Suggestions for a new replacement camera

UncleJoe — Sat, 30 Sep 2017 17:48:18 GMT

I can see I'm going to learn a great deal here! I hope that at some point I will be able to repay all of your kindness and the tremendous amount of knowledge I have received from you and all of the contributors in this forum!