HELP Having such a difficult time making a decision with camera and lenses.

[pongo1]

I currently have a Canon XTI and want to upgrade.  I am debating between the 3Ti and the 4TI.  I have read numerous conflicting information regarding the 4Ti.  I realize the 4Ti  is much better for video but that doesn't concern me.  My  primary use wil be photos.  I take lots of family photos indoor in low light settings.  What is important to me is there a difference with the 4TI in the low light settings?  Also I think the touch screen sounds very appealing and easier for the beginner photographer like myself.  Some reviews indicate there is no difference between the 3t and the 4t in lower light and others indicate the 4T is better.  I live ina rural area, no camera stores in the area so its not possible to go to a local store and check out the cameras and lenses so all my research is done online.

As far as a lens, I am looking for a walk around lens that is also good in low light.  I currently have the 50mm 1.4 and the 18-135 is.   I am not crazy about the 18-135 and will probably be selling it soon.  The 50 mm is a great lens but sometimes

it  is not wide enough for photos.  So I have it down to the  Canon 17-55, 15-85 or 24-105L.  Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

Sheila

[ScottyP]

You mention indoor shooting and dim light.  I would reccomend the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8.  It is not cheap, but it should tick all your boxes.  It would be your primary "walk-around" lens, so it is worth it to spend a few hundred extra for that.  You really do need the constant f/2.8 aperature (at least!) for your low-light work.  Also, on a crop body, that 17mm width is very very nice compared to something like the 24-105.

Unless you think you might go full frame ($$$$$) in the next few years, I would go with the 17-55.  Mine is very sharp on my T3i, and very convenient.  I seldom go over to the prime lens unless I am really wanting to do a portrait with heavily-blurred bokeh background.

[Azathoth]

You could also just use a tripod for your dimlight photos, if the people you are taking photos could stand still for 2 seconds. It's much cheaper than buying a 17-55 or a good prime lens.

Or you can buy the 50 mm 1.8 but will only be good at portraits. Full body shots and group photos with that forget it, unless you stand (very) far away. But is the cheapest (good) lens you can buy.

[Azathoth]

Or just use a high ISO and deal with the noise.

[Scrapy1]

I think your Idea of a 17-105 is great.  Do you know if it comes in a 1.8.  That would be perfect for the kind of travel experience I have in mind.

[Samsen]

Did you Know if you have had a difficult time to make a decision between 2 or 3 things, worst thing is to ask it in a forum so you will be now having as many cause for confusion as the posts out there 🙂

Having said that, with the price of T3i and T4i so close now a days specially very many excellent deals out there for Xmas, its is a simple mistake to settle for T3i.

Having solved that, yes you can get the best video quality possible today on T4i like no other camera and you though you are buying still camera. So specially if you have a plan to video tap anything with it seriously, you need to know Canon's older lens though appear very silent to human ears, are quit noisy to microphone of camera that is in vicinity so to have good audio you need Canon's newer specially made STM lenses that are perfect companion for T4i. Due to specially design of motor, they move smoothly and without noise. So you have 2 true choices only  right now:

1- Canon EFs STM 18-135mm (Don't get confused with older Non STM 18-135mm)

2- Canon PanCake 40mm STM F2.8 that is a gem to keep even if your body.

Of course the first one is a better in terms of zoom, second one better for lower light and sharper image.

Then you need a wider angel lens for landscape, general picture taking and nothing is better than EFs 10-22mm.

You may feel its expensive at first but will be in love with it for ever.

In short my suggestion: Ti4, EFs STM 18-135 and EFs 10-22mm.

Rest; time will tell you (Specially a potential 70-200mmL F4) to cover tele as need may be.

Then consider buying 3 extra battery (Third party cheaper ones are just fine).

Consider a third party Power grip (Don't go for over priced OEM Canon that wont add much - And for record you didn't heard this from me:))  that though cheap, serve the purpose at best. This will give you a better grip and handling feel of camera also ability to shoot in vertical position with added second shutter release bottom also not to forget added extra second battery in pack that is priceless.

SD card is you next concern. If you need video shooting, card should not only be a Class 10 but you should pay attention to the number that follows and you probably need a 35Mb/s or better (There are many 45 or 95Mb/s now a days for right price) to allow flow of video smoothly. Lower rated cards will fail due to buffering and you can't record anything pass a few seconds. But these lower rated cards are OK for still picture taking.

Again I suggest Sandisk Extreme / ExtremePro to make your job easier.

I hope this was help and I haven't added to the confusion any further.