topic Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i? in General Discussion

Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:10:23 GMT

I hve been taking pictures for about 30 years as a photo enthusiast. I currently own an EOS rebel 450 D, along with a 10-22 EF-S F 3.5/4.5 USM and a 70-200 EF Zoom. I am going to Hawaii next month and have to make a decision as to what camera I will purchase. as an upgrade. I looked at the rebel 4Ti but I am also thinking about the canon 6D. I have never used a full frame before but I want to get more serious and think this could be an interesting option. I was going to get the lens kit of 24-105 EF. I would appreciate suggestion from the other photographers out there. Thanks. Barb

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

cicopo — Fri, 24 May 2013 01:37:11 GMT

I've been to Kauai and toured the island both by car & took the heli tour back when the 20D was the new body to have. The majority of my shots were at the wide end using the then new Sigma 18-200 which met ALL of my needs lens wise. Depending on what you'll do on your trip you may only need to add a lens like the 24-105 to cover all of the situations you'll want to capture UNLESS Whale watching is one of them which might demand an even longer lens than you currently own.

Unless you are planning some low light photography that needs better AF performance or higher ISO I really can't see the need for a newer (& more expensive) body if you know the one you have well. I also don't understand the need to upgrade to FF from a crop body unless you are looking seriously at the shallow DOF side of photography.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

7D5D — Fri, 24 May 2013 03:28:58 GMT

Regardless of which body you choose and take you will definitely want wide for those landscape shots no matter which island your on. Your 10-22 will be fine for your crop body but even if you buy the 6D with 24-105, I'd rent a 16-35 or 17-40.

Enjoy!

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

7D5D — Fri, 24 May 2013 13:12:40 GMT

Since I did not really answer your question...

If you are planning (and wanting) to buy a new body, I would chose the 6D kit over the T4i. Although I have not owned either of these cameras, including your current body, you will see a greater IQ improvement with the 6D (better sensor, better ISO).

Sell off all your EF-S lens including your 10-22. Speaking of your 10-22, you are going to miss that focal length which is 16-35mm FF equivalent. So either rent that lens for your HI trip, or buy the cheaper 17-40 or more pricy 16-35. Personally I'd go with the 17-40 (even though I own the 16-35) because you are shooting landscapes stopped down and its just as sharp.

So for your trip take:
6D w/ 24-105 walk around
6D w/ 17-40 or 16-35 landscapes
450D w/ 70-200 extra reach shots

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

Skirball — Fri, 24 May 2013 15:06:57 GMT

Don't upgrade to the 6D because you're going to Hawaii and want the best possible pictures. In fact, I wouldn't even upgrade to a 650D just because I'm going to Hawaii. I own a 450D (and a 6D) and I know exactly what it can do. It's a capable camera with the right lenses (which both the 10-22 and 70-200 are).

We were just discussing this yesterday with my buddy eBiggs. There's an assumption among those who haven't shot full frame that they're 'the next level'. They're not. There are advantages to FF, sure, but there's advantages to crop as well. Only go full frame if low light performance is paramount to your photography and/or razor thin DoF is a big part of your creative style. Yes, everyone would take better low light performance if given the option, but I mean - low light photography is something you do often and the 450D isn't cutting it performance wise. Going full frame means investing in a lot of new, expensive glass. It's bigger, bulkier, worse performance on the corners, less reach, cost more. All these things are worth it if that's what you want, but make sure that's what you want.

The 650D is a significant upgrade from the 450D in my opinion. More so in features than image quality, but you do get quite a bit more resolution as well - and you have the lenses to use that resolving power. The cost of a 650D body isn't much relative to some of those lenses. Again, I wouldn't do it because of Hawaii, but because you feel you're ready to upgrade.

There's also the 60D, which is a fine camera and a notch up in features from the Rebel line.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Sat, 25 May 2013 02:18:05 GMT

Thanks for the 60D suggestion, what do you think of a 18-135 f3.5/5.6 IS STM lens? Is it worth it or would you have a better choice? Is the IS STM worth it?

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

7D5D — Sat, 25 May 2013 05:53:22 GMT

Skirball makes very valid points, and I do agree. If you are looking to REPLACE your 450D, I would hold off a little bit and see if this latest 70D rumour in July holds true. In other words I don't see any benefit of any other current crop body over your 450D for your HI trip. Just use what you have and enjoy your trip. You have a wide angle and telephoto zoom, do you have a mid range zoom? If not, I would look at the 15-85, super sharp, and well built. It does have a little distortion at the wide end.

If you are looking to ADD a second body then I would seriously look at a FF like the 6D kit.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Sat, 25 May 2013 22:48:54 GMT

Thanks for the advise. I looked into the EF-s 15-85, there is also a 17-85 f 2.8, which would you choose? Also you mentioned a new camera possibly coming out in July. Tell me what advanatages it would have over the 60D. I appreciate your input.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

cicopo — Sat, 25 May 2013 23:00:42 GMT

The 17-85 ISN'T an f2.8 lens and it's also not that good a lens based on owning 2 of them. The 15-85 however has an excellent reputation.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Sun, 26 May 2013 00:39:15 GMT

Thanks for setting me straight, I want to make sure I make the right decision.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Sun, 26 May 2013 00:56:53 GMT

One more thing, I meant to say I was looking at the 18-55 f/2.8. What is your opinion on that lens? Do you use one?

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

cicopo — Sun, 26 May 2013 01:32:45 GMT

I've never used one but it gets good reviews for it's IQ but not the build quality.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=303&sort=7&cat=27&page=4

I've had the 17-40L for years and it's a decent lens but in my opinion overpriced. Right now I don't own any crop style lenses.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

7D5D — Sun, 26 May 2013 02:16:43 GMT

@bjchitown wrote:
Tell me what advanatages it would have over the 60D. I appreciate your input.

All I'm saying if you got a little time and are not pressed to replace your 450D right away, you might as well wait and see what this new 70D offers. There are no firm specs published, everything is rumors and speculation at this point. If fact it is unknown when it will even be announced. Canon Rumours latest prediction for an announcement is July.

Two hopefuls for the 70D are a new processor and the return of AFMA to the xxD line. Another positive is it will likely push the price of the 60D even lower if you choose to go that route.

On the other hand, don't get caught up in the waiting-for-better-camera game too long. If you can hold off another 6-8 weeks, it might pay off.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

7D5D — Sun, 26 May 2013 02:28:49 GMT

@bjchitown wrote:
One more thing, I meant to say I was looking at the 18-55 f/2.8. What is your opinion on that lens? Do you use one?

You do mean 17-55 f/2.8 don't you?

Almost bought this lens when I was a crop only shooter. Understand the IQ is excellent and that of an L lens but the build quality is good but a bit lacking. Overall this lens and the15-85 are the two most recommended general purpose zooms for crop bodies.

15-85 f/3.5-5.6

- a little better range

- a little better build quality

- slower variable aperture

17-55 f/2.8

- a little better IQ

- constant 2.8 aperture

Can go wrong with either. Choose between range or constant wider aperture.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Sun, 26 May 2013 03:49:48 GMT

The more I think I know, the less I realize that I know. This forum is great in that other knowledgeable folks share information. After thinking about all the answers I have received I think I will wait for the 70D and then make a decision between that and the 60D.

Next, I think the 17-40 might be a good choice for this trip and I will also consider the 24-105. Although I will go with another crop camera, I think I should not purchase any more EF-S lenses, in the event that I might purchase a full frame camera, the lenses will still be useful.

Again thanks for your input.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Sun, 26 May 2013 03:54:06 GMT

I am considering the 17-40 L, thanks for sending me the link to the review I read it.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

bjchitown — Sun, 26 May 2013 04:06:55 GMT

Your reply has helped me not to purchase the 6D but consider the 60D and wait for the 70D to make a decision, I read some of your other advise and do have a question about refurbished camera's. A new camera comes with a one year warranty, usually extended to 2 years by most credit card companies. But it looks like you only get a 90 day warranty with a refurbished model and am unsure if that could be doubled. You do save money, however your warranty is not as good. Would you please give me your thoughts on this issue.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

hcbph — Sun, 26 May 2013 12:54:53 GMT

Not much digital experience yet, but alot of film and other areas. On the question of buying a body, vs lense vs wait for the trip: I've always believed that the best investment for most people is in the lens over the body. That's where you get the most bang for the buck, and the best performance. Especially if you might be moving to or adding a FF sensor body, I'd look into EF lenses vs EF-S because you can use that lense on either where EF-S does not work on FF cameras. IMO it's better to be able to swap them when desired otherwise you'll be buying lenses for both formats.

On refurbished bodys, that all depends on who did it and how good they were. I've bought a number of refurbished items in the past, usually when it's refurbished it's gone through by hand while the original build may have been done by machine. A human may detect something a machine wouldn't. Overall, I've had good lucks with refurbs and I can't say I've had a worse failure rate than non-refurbs.

My 2 cents.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

7D5D — Sun, 26 May 2013 14:08:52 GMT

@bjchitown wrote:
The more I think I know, the less I realize that I know. This forum is great in that other knowledgeable folks share information. After thinking about all the answers I have received I think I will wait for the 70D and then make a decision between that and the 60D.

Next, I think the 17-40 might be a good choice for this trip and I will also consider the 24-105. Although I will go with another crop camera, I think I should not purchase any more EF-S lenses, in the event that I might purchase a full frame camera, the lenses will still be useful.

Again thanks for your input.

One final comment, since you have the EF-S 10-22 and 70-200, the 24-105 would be a better fit than the 17-40. The 24-105 also has IS where the 17-40 does not. Both lens are f/4.

There are usually lots of used deals on 24-105s on ebay and CL if you want to go that route.

Re: Canon 6D OR Rebel T4i?

cicopo — Sun, 26 May 2013 14:54:17 GMT

Agree with 7D5D & was going to make the same comment. The 24-105 L is a great lens whether used on a crop or FF.

Also note that although lenses are a better value long term vs newer bodies it's the high end lenses such as L's that hold their value, not the standard consumer grade lenses.