topic Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ??? in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

SimplyEuphoric — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:13:16 GMT

Hi all, I have owned a Rebel T3 for about a year and a half or two years. I origianally bought the camera to be able to take a little nicer of photographs than my point and shoot. Now, photography has become a hobby of mine now and I'm looking to upgrade my camera to something a little nicer and more professional.

I have a few questions:

1. I have a budget of under $800, (and honestly would like to spend as little as possible for a decent upgrade camera, broke college student) I would buy a body only, and have no problem purchasing from the refurbushed store. What are the best options for me? (I'm specifically looking for something that will do a bit better in low light.)

2. I often shoot outdoors and enjoy the idea of weatherproofing option in some of the cameras, have any of you had any problems with that feature?

3. I would sell my Canon T3: Think I'd be able to sell it without the kit lens? I know its not the best peice of glass, but I'd like to keep it around, sometimes I do still use it. What would you pay for a used T3 in almost perfect condition.

Thanks all for the help!

My Gear:

Canon Rebel T3

75-300mm EF f/4-5.6 III

18-55 EF-S f/3.5-5.6 IS II

28-80mm EF f/3.5-5.6II

50mm EF f/1.8 II

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

SimplyEuphoric — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:17:57 GMT

I forgot to mention, I am really considering the 60D because the price is right for all the rave reviews I've read.

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

TCampbell — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:52:00 GMT

The 60D is a particularly good value right now because of it's price reduction. The 70D is the replacement for the 60D and while Canon is still marketing the 60D I would expect that it's going to be withdrawn from marketing in the near future. BUT... this means it's a great time to get a deal on it.

The sensor on the T2i, T3i, T4i, T5i, 60D, and 7D are all nearly identical with respect to high ISO / low-noise performance (the amount of noise you see when shooting in low light and cranking up the ISO.) I've noticed the 70D (which does NOT use the same sensor as the rest) seems to have a bit of improvement over the others.

This means regardless of which body you choose, the image quality and ISO performance will be the indistinguishable. What really separates these cameras is the rest of the features. This, btw, is the main reason why I think the 60D is a good bargain at the moment.

The 60D has a 9 point auto-focus system, but all 9 points are "cross type" -- which will be a big improvement over your T3. It also has many improvements in the area of video (if you shoot video) -- for example, it allows manual audio gain (most other bodies only have auto-gain so when things get quiet, the gain goes up and you hear the microphone pick up that "hiss" sound.)

The 60D does have some degree of weather-sealing in the body -- but keep in mind this is not the same as waterproofing. It really means most obvious body seams have gaskets and dials have o-rings. But these are not designed to deal with water under pressure (only water which is not under pressure). If it is submerged, it will leak. If it is blasted with water under force, it will also likely leak.

Also... none of the lenses on your list are weather sealed lenses, so you would still need to take precautions in the dust or rain. You can get relatively inexpensive (literally a few dollars) package of disposable rain sleeves. Think... plastic baggies shaped like a camera (very loose fitting) which protect it if you get caught in the rain.

To get weather-sealed lenses, you'd have to buy Canon "L" series lenses and those are the high end / more expensive glass. (Also... not all "L" series lenses are weather sealed and you have to read the specs on any lens you are interested in.)

As you specifically point out that you are a "broke college student", I wouldn't necessarily run out and start buying glass... but over time you might start to upgrade your collection. The new "STM" version of the EF-S 18-55 and 18-135 has improved focusing speed as well as improved optics. The "STM" versions of these lenses sell for only about $50 more than the non-STM version (and frankly that $50 is well worth it).

Shopping the refurb store is a great idea -- gear from the refurb store basically has the same warranty as non-refurb new camera, so there's very little risk in buying a refurb.

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

TCampbell — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 16:55:10 GMT

I forgot to mention... the first noticeable jump in low-light performance (being able to shoot at higher ISO with low noise) is when you get into the full-frame bodies... the 6D or even a used 5D II. But these are going to cost considerably more than the 60D.

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

ebiggs1 — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:45:24 GMT

Yes the $800 dollar limit is going to seriously narrow your possible choices. This is a Rebel budget.

But, any of them will do what you want most likely.

The idea of a used 5D Mk II would be my choice but cost is going to be a factor.

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

TCampbell — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 17:47:36 GMT

Incidentally... the refurb store is showing the 60D for about $576 right now (before tax & shipping):

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/cameras/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras/eos-60d-body-refurbished

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

Yorptunes — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:06:30 GMT

Well I poked around the WEB to see how cheap a 70D could be obtained. I found the 70D body only for 850 dollars. I think you would be better served with the 70D since it does so much more than the 60D and I consider it a revolutionary camera because of the sensor alone backed up with the other features it has. I don't know if this will violate the sanctity of this forum but go here

Mod Note: Link removed per forum guidelines.

They advertise the body only for the lowest price I have seen. Your lenses you already have will work with the camera.

I am a former 60D owner, a current 7D owneer and 70D owner.

John

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

TCampbell — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:06:54 GMT

@Yorptunes wrote:
Well I poked around the WEB to see how cheap a 70D could be obtained. I found the 70D body only for 850 dollars. I think you would be better served with the 70D since it does so much more than the 60D and I consider it a revolutionary camera because of the sensor alone backed up with the other features it has. I don't know if this will violate the sanctity of this forum but go here

Mod Note: Link removed per forum guidelines.

They advertise the body only for the lowest price I have seen. Your lenses you already have will work with the camera.

I am a former 60D owner, a current 7D owneer and 70D owner.

John

Careful! There seem to be a lot of complaints against this company. As the saying goes "If the deal seems to good to be true... it probably is."

ALSO note that Canon imports their own gear into the US for distribution to their authorized dealers. They handle any charges associated with imports (duties & tariffs). This gear is sold as "USA" gear and comes with Canon's north america warranty and is backed by Canon service.

Any other gear is sold as "Import" gear... which means someone else got it into the country and Canon considers this to be "gray market" gear. That gear is NOT backed by Canon warranty or even out-of-warranty service.

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

SimplyEuphoric — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:27:09 GMT

Thanks for all the help!

I did see that the 60D is super discounted via refurbished price! Would I be better off spending the $575 on a refurb 60D then spending the extra funds getting a used lens? Or should I wait it out and save up more for a newer model and skip on the lens?

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

Yorptunes — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 20:29:52 GMT

Apologies posting that link.

However, there are 70D's available from reputable companies for just under 1000. and I mean just under.

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

TCampbell — Mon, 20 Jan 2014 21:18:38 GMT

@SimplyEuphoric wrote:
Thanks for all the help!

I did see that the 60D is super discounted via refurbished price! Would I be better off spending the $575 on a refurb 60D then spending the extra funds getting a used lens? Or should I wait it out and save up more for a newer model and skip on the lens?

How big of a deal is low light performance?

I do notice the 70D does seem to do a little better in noise tests and gains about a stop worth of ISO performance over the previous 18 MP sensor.

A full-frame body would add several stops of performance -- but there's a big price jump to get into full-frame bodies.

I would probably go with the 60D and then save funds to acquire better glass (or even other gear such as off-camera flash, etc.)

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

SimplyEuphoric — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 20:38:44 GMT

A big thanks to everyone who has helped!

I did compare ISO noise on this site: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos60d/11 to other canon models. I ended up purchasing the 60D. It will be a great step up from the T3, and will be a great camera to again learn on for a few years while I save for something even nicer! I figured for $575 in the refurb store, why not? The 70D was out of my immdediate price range, and the T5i seemed nice, but seemed to have a higher noise than the 60D. The 60D also had a larger battery life, big plus for me! Since I shoot mainly outdoors (horses, people, landscapes, etc) I don't have access to a plug for a recharge. I hope I made the right choice and if not, hopefully I realize it before its too late to return!!!

Re: Time for an upgrade: T3 to ???

TCampbell — Tue, 21 Jan 2014 22:08:10 GMT

If you shoot on manual (or want to learn to shoot on manual) you'll find that the 60D's extra wheel is a very welcome feature. With forefinger on the front wheel and thumb on the back wheel you can adjust both shutter and aperture at the same time without needing to press any other buttons.

Also, in either Program, Tv, or Av the rear wheel controls exposure compensation (you can tell the camera to expose a bit above or below the exposure that the camera would otherwise have used.)

The top LCD has a row of buttons in front which creates instant access to many features without even taking your eye away from the viewfinder. For example... the only button with a dimple on it (so it's easy to find with your index finger) is the ISO button. You can easily change ISO, shutter speed, and aperture all without taking your eye away from the viewfinder -- there are some nice conveniences to having a body with those controls.