topic Re: Looking to upgrade. in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 03:06:13 GMT

Currently own a t3i and looking to upgrade. I love to photograph nature, landscapes, birds. Considering the t6s or the tried and true EOS 7d. Helpful comments would be appreciated . Thank you!

Re: Looking to upgrade.

ScottyP — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 10:49:10 GMT

At this point I would say T6s and save a few bucks for lenses. Unless you truly need the weatherproofing AND your lenses are weatherproof.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

RobertTheFat — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 11:30:09 GMT

@ScottyP wrote:
At this point I would say T6s and save a few bucks for lenses. Unless you truly need the weatherproofing AND your lenses are weatherproof.

The T6s and the 7D use the same lenses.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

ebiggs1 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 14:28:59 GMT

Normally folks asking the same question, I would always recommend going to the 7D or now the 7D Mk II. Why get another Rebel if you are ready to move up. The 7D series is a 'pro' level camera. The Rebels are not. Big difference.

However the T6s is pretty impressive. I have not had a chance to try one personaly but the specs are really interesting.

So at this point I would tell you to try before you buy. I doubt when the rubber meets the road, you would be happy with either.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:35:26 GMT

Thank you ScottyP for that insight. I am impressed with the weatherproof body but unless you have the accompanying weatherproof lenses, it makes no difference. After watching many videos and reading many reviews, I am leaning toward the 6Ts. It has newer processor and the specs are impressive. Plus, it fits my budget. Thanks again!

Re: Looking to upgrade.

JoeN — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:40:20 GMT

You didn't mention budget. I haven't read much about the new T6s though I am sure they are great cameras. However, if you are shooting birds, especially birds in flight, you will benefit from the improved autofocus of the 7D. If you have the budget the 7DII seems to be an improvement over the 7D but the 7D is still a great camera and if you are willing to buy refurbished you can save some more money.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:42:23 GMT

Why would neither camera impress me? I would love to purchase one of Canons top of the line cameras but don't have $6000 quite yet. Lol!

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:44:04 GMT

True, but I think his point was about weatherproofing lenses matching the 7D's weatherproof body.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Skirball — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:45:46 GMT

@Photoluvr wrote:
Thank you ScottyP for that insight. I am impressed with the weatherproof body but unless you have the accompanying weatherproof lenses, it makes no difference. After watching many videos and reading many reviews, I am leaning toward the 6Ts. It has newer processor and the specs are impressive. Plus, it fits my budget. Thanks again!

You haven't mentioned why you want to upgrade. What is your T3i not doing for you?

People on here love to give advice on what new camera you should buy without even knowing why you want one. And a couple give the exact same response regardless of what someone needs. If it's just "to take better photos", then a new camera is probably the smallest ROI out of any new purchase. New lenses, new software, a class or two - all will usually have a greater impact on your photography than a new camera.

If you have specific issues - low light performance, AF in video, weatherproofing not sufficient for your uses, etc. Then perhaps a new camera is the right choice.

Most people want to upgrade just to upgrade. And that's fine, but recognize it for what it is. If that's the case, then it really just matters what your budget is. Another (very important) requirement that you haven't told us.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

ebiggs1 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:46:13 GMT

I know you will love it. How could you not? Please report back.

However.................

"... unless you have the accompanying weatherproof lenses, it makes no difference."

this is false. Some weather proofing is better than no weather proofing. You have to get in to the 1 series line to get complete weather sealing. At least to the level that is offered by Canon.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:49:36 GMT

On BandH the 7d is on sale for $999..$150 more than the 6Ts. I can afford either. Where I get confused is the low ISO settings on the 7d. Also, when shooting video (albeit I don't do much on my camera) it doesn't have AF where the 6Ts does. However, I am really impressed with its speed and 8 fps. Confusingl!

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 15:57:44 GMT

My budget is $700-1000. The 7d is on sale now. My t3i shoots only 3.7 fps...too slow. Plus the buffering time lag is ridiculous. Just not real happy with it anymore. Thank you for your honest feedback.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

RobertTheFat — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:26:43 GMT

@Photoluvr wrote:
My budget is $700-1000. The 7d is on sale now. My t3i shoots only 3.7 fps...too slow. Plus the buffering time lag is ridiculous. Just not real happy with it anymore. Thank you for your honest feedback.

I have two 7D's and have been very happy with them. Last year I bought a 5D Mk III and have found it to be significantly better in both autofocus and low-light performance. But it's way over your budget, and the 7D isn't.

Despite what some have been telling you, the 7D is not a weatherproof camera. But if you give it reasonable protection and don't expose it to a driving rain, you'll be fine.

An important feature that pro and semi-pro cameras (including the 7D) have that the T6s doesn't is autofocus microadjustment. If you use only "L" lenses, you probably won't need it; but you probably won't, so you may.

We pretty much know everything there is to know about the 7D, but the T6s is new and untried. Some new Canon models have been fine from Day 1, but others have had significant startup problems. The effect of that on your decision depends on how risk-averse you are.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

JoeN — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:38:29 GMT

See if you can find a link to the Canon Loyalty Program. They sell refurbished cameras and if you send in an old Canon camera you get an additional discount. I think the 7D is under $1000 now but that is body only. However, any lenses you have for your present camera will fit the 7D. You can call 866-443-8002, Option 2, and they can tell you what is available and the present cost. I have purchased 2 cameras through this program, a 7D and a 5DIII, and they both were like new. They have other bodies available so you might find the deal you want through them though you probably won't see a T6 in this program for a while since it is such a new body.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

ebiggs1 — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 16:49:30 GMT

Bob from Boston,

"Despite what some have been telling you, the 7D is not a weatherproof camera"

Ah, my friend, it at least has an attempt to weather seal it. Certainly not to the level on my 1D Mk IV but it does have some. And like I said, some is better thasn none. None of them are totally weather-proofed.

Still not trying to sway either way. He really does need to decide which meets his goals most. I made good use of Rebels for years, so I can appreciate a person's affection for them. Given the choice today, it would be the 7D or 7D Mk II.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 17:47:24 GMT

Question...the lack of poor performance for the 7d in dark situations, a true concern or not? Btw...I am female. 😃

Re: Looking to upgrade.

TCampbell — Mon, 16 Feb 2015 18:40:24 GMT

The 7D has essentially the SAME sensor as our T3i. The resolution and ISO performance will be the same. The focus system on the 7D is noitceably better... as is speed (the 7D is optimized for action photography). But sensor performance really wont be different than what you have today.

Cameras with improved sensors would include the 7D II, 70D, and the new T6i & T6s (for the T6i & T6s I haven't personally seen how it performs at high ISO... all the sample images I have found are shot around ISO 100 or 200).

Full frame cameras (6D, 5D III, & 1D X) will have a very noticeable jump in ISO performance (low noise). But these are in a different price category. The most affordable is the 6D. That's Canon's "entry" level full-frame body (though for full frame "entry level" is actually fairly high end. Previously it wasn't really possible to buy a new full-frame body for less than $2k for the body-only.) BTW, I omitted the 5Ds and 5DsR from the list because those are not high ISO sensor cameras.

When in doubt... rent the camera body for a weekend before you buy (although the T6i & s aren't shipping yet, so you can't rent one... it's "pre-orders" at this point.)

Re: Looking to upgrade.

RobertTheFat — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 02:47:58 GMT

@Photoluvr wrote:
Question...the lack of poor performance for the 7d in dark situations, a true concern or not? Btw...I am female. 😃

I try to notice that when I can. After all, my wife and daughter are photographers too.

No, the 7D doesn't perform poorly in dark situations. Some cameras are better, but in general they cost a lot more. If it's really a concern, you could consider a 7D Mark 2 instead. But at what I take to be your current level, I think you'd be happy with the 7D.

As for the T6s: I'd probably buy one for my wife tomorrow. (She has back problems and won't carry anything heavier than a Rebel.) But I'm put off by its lack of AFMA.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

ebiggs1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 01:43:25 GMT

" But sensor performance really wont be different than what you have today."

The fact two different bodies have the sane sensor and there won't be a difference is wrong. Cameras have other factors that determine the sensor output. The IQ is dependent on the entire camera sysyem not merely the sensor.

Re: Looking to upgrade.

Photoluvr — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 03:55:04 GMT

Thank you. Since I currently own a t3i I think I will go with the 7d. The price makes it too hard to pass up.