Camera Upgrade: Which would you recommend?

[kmtoney09]

Hello!

I am a member of a Public Library's marketing team and an amateur photographer, and we have been allotted $2500 to purchase a new camera and/or lenses for the department. We take mostly photos of people and events, and currently have a Rebel T3i as our main, and a Rebel T7i as our backup (it's backup due to some shutter issues it has). We also have multiple EF lenses that we don't want to go to waste. 

That being said, I recognize that mirrorless would be future-proofing our department's photography needs, and I would love to select mirrorless. However, as I said, we have multiple Canon—and one Tameron—EF lenses that we don't want to make useless. I've accepted that I'll also have to budget for an EF-EOS R adapter. 

What would the community recommend as our best bet? I was looking into a EOS R6 Mark II and adapter, and hoping to get a lens budget accepted for next year. However, If we do have to stick with a DSLR, I was considering the EOS 90D.

As a note, the lenses we currently have include:

- Tamron AF 18-200mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II VC (this one is our workhorse, surprisingly)

- Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

- Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM

- Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM

- Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

- Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III

Thank you for your help!

[p4pictures]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

Looking at the current line up of lenses you have, most are only suitable for using on a camera with a crop sensor, the Tamron and all the Canon EF-S models. Leaving only the EF 50mm and EF 75-300mm as capable of being used with the full-frame EOS R6 Mark II in full-frame mode. Any of the other lenses fitted to the EOS R6 Mark II will switch it to crop mode and that means only 9.3MP resolution images. 

I think mirrorless is the way forward, and have an alternative suggestion. 

Go for the EOS R10 camera with the RF-S 18-150mm kit lens. This will give you almost the same range as your current Tamron lens and is super sharp, compact and lightweight, it's currently $1279 on the Canon USA store for lens and camera. Given this is well within your budget, I'd also add the RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM lens for $599, and you still have space for the EF to EOS R mount adapter to use any of the older lenses. With this combination of two RF lenses you have a setup that covers from 18 to 400mm. 

At that point you can retire the back up Rebel T7i and move the T3i to back up duties. 

[Tronhard]

It seems we share much the same logic, although I went for the R7 and tried to find an all RF solution.  Like you, I see a benefit in that would leave the T3i as a backup system.

[Tronhard]

Hi and welcome to the forum:
Given your kit is predominantly designed for APS-C it makes sense to stay in that format.  Right now, the following models are available in the configuration:

EOS R7 is the current flagship camera.  It has features that may of benefit: particularly face and eye tracking, In-Body-Image Stabilization (IBIS) that will work with.  You will find that the sensor is better than you T3i for sensitivity.  You can get this camera via Canon's Refurbished camera program to save some money - you may have to wait a wee while when they are available.  These are a good deal which should be in excellent conditions and come with a warranty.
Shop Canon Refurbished EOS R7 RF-S18-150mm F3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Kit |  This RF lens would be a good candidate to replace your current Tamron lens which is not supported by Canon as it is not designed for the R platform.  The current price for this is about $1500 which leaves some money for other RF optics.
In that area you can go long or wide.  TBH, if you use a telephoto lens, then the 75-300 is not up to the new platform , so I would suggest the RF100-400 in that context.
Shop Canon Refurbished RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM | Canon U.S.A., Inc.  $519
On the wide end, a good candidate is: RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM
This would give you an extremely wide focal range: Shop Canon RF-S10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM | Canon U.S.A., Inc.  $300
So, this to summarize:
R7 body with RF 18-150 lens -  $     1519
RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM     $  520
RF-S10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM       300
Total investment (no adapter reqd)  2339

[kmtoney09]

Thank you Brian and Trevor for your options! I'm reviewing them now.

We use the images we take quite a bit for social media, documentation, and promotional images, thus want to ensure we can get high-quality images in any situation.

I did see a few reviews on the R10 stating it wasn't as great in low light. We do have programs that take place in darker rooms or at dusk, so that is a concern for us. What are your thoughts on this?

[Tronhard]

The issue is one of sensor size to a fair degree.  Crop sensor bodies tend to have more noise than full-frame cameras.  This is to do with Pixel Density.  When considering that, densities are converted to equivalents as if they were full-frame sensors.  So, the R7, which has a 32MP sensor has the pixel density of an 83MP Full-frame camera, compared to the majority of Full frame sensors have a much less dense 24MP density.  Because there are fewer of them the photosites that actually capture the light are much larger and thus more efficient.
(to understand the issues of comparing the effect of sensor size on the performance of camera and lenses, see this article:)
Equivalence: sensor size, focal range, aperture and shutter speed 

On the down side, you cannot use any EF-S lenses without a huge penalty in sensor capacity thus, we should look to RF (not RF-S) lenses.

So, if you want to go full-frame there are some options: both are versions of the R6 series that again offer IBIS and face and eye tracking - I select these because your main concentration seems to be people - I again go to refurbished bodies as a way to save money: comparing the R6 and R6MkII
Products Comparison List - Magento B2B Edition (canon.com)

In either case, since you favour the Tamron 18-200 lens, I would look for the RF 24-240 lens, which will give you much the same performance and is an absolutely excellent lens.  It's own stabilization will be combined with that of the body for great hand-held performance.  I realize it's pushing your budget, but for Full Frame and the best stabilization with face tracking and focus that is a great all-in-one solution.  When funds allow, you can add more optics in the future.  You can still then keep the T3i and its lenses as your backup.

[deebatman316]

If you intend on going with the EOS R7 or a Full Frame EOS R series camera. These cameras lack a built-in flash. If flash is required for your work. You will need to look into an external speedlite for flash photography.

[stevet1]

kmtoney09,

As a former library director myself, let me just say, you are getting some good advice from my (as Trevor would say) esteemed colleagues.😀

If you do upgrade, remember to set aside money for new batteries and memory 

If you decide to stick with DSLR and go with the 90D, the Canon EF-S 18-135mm IS USM is an excellent lens.

Steve Thomas

[kmtoney09]

Thank you everyone! I'll be looking closely into Trevor's suggestion of the R7 and lenses. I think it makes the most sense for our needs and for future-proofing our photography.

[stevet1]

kmtoney09,

I have a T8i and like it very much.

If it were to ever get lost or stolen or broken, that's what I would replace it with : the R7 with an 18-150mm lens.

Steve Thomas