topic Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i in EOS DSLR & Mirrorless Cameras

Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

JEDKM — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 21:15:03 GMT

Hi all,

I have waited nearly 10 years to upgrade my first real digital camera. I am coming from a film photography background. Currently, I have my t3i and 4 lenses:

kit 18-55mm efs, 75-300 ef zoom, a 50mm ef portrait, and a 60mm efs macro

I mostly shoot for fun (street, nature, candid) with a few jobs on the side (portraits, small events). I have definitely outgrown the t3i and am not loving the quality anymore.

Would love to upgrade the body for under a grand ideally but could go up to 1500. Really hoping to keep some lenses but am open to upgrading those for comparable, reasonably priced lenses.

Any thoughts on which direction to go in?

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 18:06:24 GMT

Hi, and welcome to the forum:

First it seems you do not upgrade gear often, may one assume that if you get a new camera, it will be expected to last for some time to come?

Looking at your current gear:
If the 18-55 is the same vintage as the camera, it is obsolete
The 75-300 is arguably one of Canon's worst lenses, and your images will definitely improve with a replacement.

What I would recommend is the following:
Upgrade to a Canon EOS RP with a RF24-105 lens - this gets you into the mirrorless world and full-frame photography in one shot. There is one available right now from the Canon Refurbished store - but be fast! These are essentially like new and come with a 1 year warranty. The RF24-105 is a good all-round lens.

HERE is a review of the RP from Cameralabs and HERE one on the 24-105 STM lens.

HERE is a link to that item on sale right now.

If you can afford to, get the RF 100-400mm lens it is available now on a deal from Canon HERE . It would push your budget to about $1600, but you would have a great kit. There is a review of this lens from Cameralabs HERE .

To offset the cost, you could sell your current camera and kit lenses as a bundle - hopefully you could get at least $100 for them, so you're back in budget again. The 50 and 60 lenses sell separately and invest in an EF-RF adapter and the EF 100mm f/2.8 macro lens (which is full frame) - with the adapter it will work well on the RP and you can use it for both portrait and macro work. They will give you the same Field of View as your 50 and 60mm lenses on the RP.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

ebiggs1 — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 15:21:21 GMT

Sometimes Trevor jumps way ahead on things but I basically agree with all he says. However as a nice upgrade I would wait a bit for the new R10. The R10 is the mirrorless equivalent to the Rebel DSLR series. There is already out the R7 which is an even better upgrade but at a higher cost. You can use your lenses on a new R10 but like Trevor says they really aren't the best choice. Lenses upgrade just like camera bodies do.

$1000 to $1500 isn't going to go far when you need to upgrade camera and lens. The Canon EOS RP with a RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM (<--Corrected) lens is not possible for $1000 or even $1500 actually closer to $2000. But the R10 and lens should be around the $1500 level. I don't know if a price has been set yet. Specs for the R10 are pretty amazing especially when compared to your T3i.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Thu, 23 Jun 2022 20:17:18 GMT

Ernie's statement "EOS RP with a RF24-105" lens is not possible for $1000" assumedly missed the link I provided when I found one of Canon's Refurb site for that price. In my recommendation I was particularly careful to look for a camera with a lens within budget. I also provided a link to the sale deal on the 100-400.

A lot depends on how fixed your budget is and how long you are prepared to wait. Finally, there is the availability of deals (such as on the Canon Refurb site) as some users trade up to other models.

As to the R7 or R10. As Ernie correctly pointed out, these will come at a higher cost and with serious back-orders at the moment, you may have to wait for a while to be able to get your hands on one. The benefit is that you can use your existing EF-S lenses without a cropping effect on the sensor capacity, although I would still get rid of the 75-300!!! If you are going to go for a new camera of this type then the R7 is the better choice in terms of performance and will likely be a better longer-term investment. Much depends on what you need the camera to do for your photography and how much you are prepared to invest in that.

You can tell only so much from specs, but for your convenience I have compared the three cameras mentioned HERE . I would also suggest looking at reviews on the cameras, but right now the R7 and R10 are so new that many reviewers don't have a production model available to do so. However, when they are available, I would recommend reviews by Cameralabs.com and DustinAbbott.net. Both of these provide comprehensive and, IMHO, unbiased reviews.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

ebiggs1 — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 15:19:22 GMT

Trevor I do not do links. It is just a rule I try to keep. I am sure yours are fine but its my habit to not click on links.

My reference was for the EOS RP and a Canon RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens. Personally I would not buy the RF24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens so I would not recommend it to anyone else. However, if the OP is good with it, I am all over it for him.

I will endeavor to be more clear in the future.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 17:17:43 GMT

Well, either way you look at it, no response from the OP... I think until we get some kind of feedback on this we're flogging a dead horse.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

JEDKM — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 17:46:46 GMT

Hi Trevor and EB,

Thanks for the information thus far and a warm welcome to the community.

After a trip over to my local shop today, I was able to look at both the RP and R7. The consultant informed me that the R7 would be better for movement (sports and animal photography) and does not perform as well in low light compared to the RP (preferred for portraits and landscape). Does this sound accurate? What are the most important differences to know? Also what is the R10 anticipated to offer that these two do not? I will check out some of the links above tonight.

Trevor, you are correct that I do not upgrade often and will aim to keep this camera for quite a while. It will be my only digital (after getting rid of the current one) in addition to 35mm and medium format film cameras I use more often.

I agree with everything regarding the two older lenses. They are awful and will be replaced with a new body. EB, what would you recommend instead of the 24-105?

I have a really busy schedule right now so sorry for the delayed reply.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 19:14:33 GMT

The R10 is an inferior model to the R7 in every respect: see a comparison HERE . HERE is a review of a pre-production R7 by Cameralabs. Since this video was published Canon have released a statement that the R7 is actually a replacement to the 90D, not the 7DII.

Because the RP has a full-frame sensor, it is more inclined to be a better performer in low light. The early reviews of the R7 indicate that it is quite noisy over 3200 ISO, which is considered a low value these days.

I think Ernie has reservations about the difference between the L and non-L versions of the RF 24-105 lens, not its focal range. However, a fairly deep comparison done by Cameralabs shows that it is, in fact, a good performer at a low price and in some respects actually superior to the f/4 version. What you lose is weather sealing and the constant aperture. For many photographers, depending on the kinds of conditions one shoots in, that would not be an issue.
Review of the RF 24-105 Non-L version: HERE but including a comparison with the f/4 version on a RP body.
The f/4 version of the 24-105 will cost significantly more, and while Ernie might choose the f/4 version for himself, I am specifically dealing with your needs and budget (not my own), which I have been at pains to respect. Remember we all have different needs and budgets and in this case yours is the priority.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

pxbradley1 — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 15:12:47 GMT

"The 75-300 is arguably one of Canon's worst lenses, and your images will definitely improve with a replacement."

What do you suggest without going to R lenses?

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

ebiggs1 — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 14:00:12 GMT

My preference for the RF 24-105mm f/4 L IS USM Lens besides it being L quality is it is a fixed aperture. The RF24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens is a variable aperture lens. No way I'm buying a 105 mm focal length that starts out at nearly f8! If you have low light concerns that ain't gonna help.

"L" means it is Canon best effort in both IQ and build which includes environment sealing. As to variable aperture, all of my main most used zoom lenses are fixed aperture f2.8 lenses. The lone exception is my Sigma 150-600mm f5-f6.3 Sport super zoom. So, personally I would opt for the RF 24-70mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens. Your budget limitation puts it way out of reach. And, perhaps at my stage in life out of reach for me as well.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

ebiggs1 — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 14:12:08 GMT

"The consultant informed me that the R7 would be better for movement (sports and animal photography) and does not perform as well in low light..."

You know I hear this type thing a lot. All the time. It's most just blatter. Oh, yeah, there is some grain of truth to it but in real world experience most of the reviews and reviewers aren't worth more that what you paid for them. Nothing!

If you spend most of your time shooting in very dark locations you do need to find a camera that has great low light specs. Same is true if most of your work is action sports. But for the majority of us we use our gear as general all around service. In that scenario almost any current DSLR or mirrorless camera is fantastic. Yet some feel obligated to put each model in a niche setting. I can almost 100% guarantee, whether you buy the RP or the R7, you will be thrilled and pleased with it vs your ten year old T3i.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

ebiggs1 — Sat, 25 Jun 2022 14:17:37 GMT

"Trevor I do not do links. It is just a rule I try to keep."

Also, Trevor, I rarely read reviews. I used to read everyone that came along. But if you do photography long enough and you have the experience I have form my own testing, the reviews are worth exactly what you paid for them. Nothing!

Too many agendas. Too many fanboys. Too many incompetents.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 00:11:00 GMT

Canon don't make an RF exact equivalent yet, so one could stay with an EF unit and get the excellent EF 70-300 IS USM MKII lens. It has great optics, has a nano-USM motor, which makes focusing blazingly fast, and I have used mine on the EOS 5DsR a totally unforgiving 52MP camera, and the R5 (a 45MP camera) via the EF-RF adapter with no issues. Alternatively, one could go for the RF 100-400, which has a bit more reach and works extremely well to extend from the RF 24-105 units.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 00:14:00 GMT

Ernie I have always respected your long experience in photography and I would hope you would respect my own of over 40 years.

We seem to approach these issues from two different philosophical bases, simply put: You state that you don't research via other sources, and you state that you base your advice to others on your personal experience or experimentation. Given your expressed determination not to buy into R-series MILC system, can say you have personally tested and experimented with R-series gear, and your opinion is thus based on such personal experience and testing?

On the other hand, I research extensively via multiple trustworthy and reputable sources, living with an acadmeic for over 20 years hammered home the importance of research from authoritative sources ,and I am very selective in choosing those. I have been using R-series bodies and lenses for about two years: so I have personal experience of both. Furthermore, because I have kept my legacy gear I can say that I do experiment with options for comparison for which I express an opinion. Moreover, I express that opinion from the perspective and situation of the person seeking advice: not my own, after looking at the parameters set by that person, including budget and features or benefits they establish.

In this case, the OP has established a limit of around $1500, the solutions I have offered respect that limit. They have the standard kit lenses and also a 50mm lens and a macro lens, for portraiture and close-up work and for small gatherings.

The 24-105 range would work for general purpose and small gatherings. Buying a 24-105 L unit will alone eat up a considerable amount of that budget. Given that the OP's current lenses are kit units, the two initial lenses I have suggested (and tried), will exceed that performance. Yes, the 24-105 STM lens is slower than the f/4 unit, but the new sensors in the latest MILCs will easily accommodate that with their improved ISO performance and dynamic range. The 100-400 lens is a good unit and should be optically far superior to their 75-300 kit equivalent. As to the macro/portrait units. My suggestion would be to sell all of the current gear and get the budget-friendly RF 85mm f/2 macro STM unit that is also a good portrait lens and, with a FF sensor, will the same FoV as their current 50 & 60mm units: see a review HERE .

The R7 is a very new kid on the block and has not had a lot of use in the field, but those who do this for a living, and who use good practise to test the camera, have frequently observed, and logic says, that it is not going to be a great low light performer as its sensor has a high pixel density in a small area, so it would likely need the fast aperture of the f/4 L version to compensate for that.

Absolutely, the OP could bust their budget now and put in a back-order for the R7and a 24-105 f/4, which may take months to fulfil - although that gives them time to save up for the significant difference in price. It is an indicator that the R7 is currently shipping as a kit with the RF-S 18-150 lens, which seems to be a rebirth of the optical configuration from the M-series bodies and it is not in the same league as the 24-105 of either version - that tells one something about the intended market for this body. Given all of this, if they wait, the community will have more opportunity to experience the performance of the sensor and they can buy with more confidence.

Alternatively, if they wish to change now they could go for the options I have suggested that will work within budget, still provide a good value for money. The FF sensor will be more light-efficient (logic, and several reviews that have tested the two, back this up) and will work well for portraiture (which is on their list). I don't own the 24-105 STM non-L version, but I have experience with it, and its behaviour is consistent with the reviews to which I have provided links.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

ebiggs1 — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 15:29:47 GMT

It makes little sense for a person at my age and my situation in life to spend $20,000++ dollars of fixed retirement money on new camera/lens gear that will not produce any better product than what I currently own. I still have 12 to 15 top level lenses and a half dozen top level camera bodies along with numerous supporting gear like flashes and strobes, tripods, etc. So much so I am not really certain how much photography stuff I have! I intend to do an inventory one day,... soon.

This is not to say I don't have exposure to the new stuff like the R series. I still have friends and colleges that are still in the business. And, as more and more R gets into the picture I will be responding less and less to the Canon forum.

I really try to not report or recommend gear that I don't actually own or have used myself. "Too many agendas. Too many fanboys. Too many incompetents." The best research in the world no matter how intense is not worth much if it is tainted or done with an agenda, or simply wrong.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

ebiggs1 — Sun, 26 Jun 2022 15:35:16 GMT

As a side bar,

"... living with an acadmeic for over 20 years hammered home the importance of research ..."

My father was a professor (American History) at the University of Alabama and Troy State. My step-mother was a professor (English) at Alabama State University. Both had a PhD.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

JEDKM — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:16:10 GMT

I know most recommend upgrading to mirrorless these days but do either of you think the 90D is still worth it? Seems to go around 900-1200 with a lens online but there are no stores carrying it near me (only new mirrorless).

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:25:04 GMT

The 90D will feel very much like your old T3i in terms of ergonomics, it has a much better and higher-resolution sensor and has some weather-sealing. It does not have the best in class tracking (that belongs to the older 7DMkII), but is certainly a cut above what you have had. I have one, and it is capable of taking great images - the rest is up to you!

I would suggest going to the Canon Refurbished site, there will be ones on there from people trading in on the new R7 body. These are like new and come with a one-year warranty.

Certainly, if you think you will not be needing to upgrade in the foreseeable future, you can get a 90D, I would reduce your current kit: sell of the T3i with the two kit lenses to then invest the saved funds in the EF 70-300 MkII IS USM lens to replace that awful 75-300 unit, and maybe even afford the excellent 18-135 IS STM walk-around lens.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

JEDKM — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:45:12 GMT

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-eos-90d-ef-s-18-135-ef-s-55-250-is-stm-bundle?utm_source=google&utm_medium=Product_Search&utm_campaign=Google_Product_Feed&cm_mmc=GA-_--_-G_Canon_Product+Listing+Ads-_-1106707&gclid=CjwKCAjwquWVBhBrEiwAt1KmwvDvuD6cQeXdHVLOJid23WtraQtvfxViol3hVDKpV5w2oct1P--bxhoCH7kQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This has two lenses! Not sure if the 55-250 is any good.

Re: Upgrading my almost 10 year old t3i

Tronhard — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 20:52:54 GMT

This is a very odd match and quite expensive because of it. Honestly, if you want to replace the range of focal lengths then you want an EF 70-300 lens. It is better built, optically superior and has a much more suitable focal range compared to the 18-135 and 55-250 combo that have a massive overlap and fall short on the long end.

You could get the 90D with 18-135 IS USM Kit , which is the best combination available and then purchase the 70-300 IS USM MkII unit and have a great kit within budget.