Suggestions for a new replacement camera

[UncleJoe]

 Hello and thank you in advance for your help with this matter. I've had a Canon Rebel XT for the last 12 years and I want to upgrade at this point. Over time I have accumulated some accessories for the XT that I obviously want to be able to roll over for usage with what ever I chose to replace the XT with. I am hopeful and assuming that the lens I have will be of some standard, I also have a remote for the shutter the additional battery pack that mounts to the bottom of the body a standard mount flash ect. I can provide specific model numbers if that would be more helpful. At a glance I was looking at the t7i model on the belief that being part of the rebel line it might be compatible, but I am open to any and all suggestions. I am old enough to know that one can reach a point where one is better off starting from scratch if that is the case than so be it. 

 My interest in photography is general but I have been thinking of doing some star field shots (astronomical), landscape some occasional portrait work and as a grandfather I would not mind having some basic video capabilities available. Thanks again for any assistance! 

[UncleJoe]

I have found a Rokinon 14mm T3.1 ED AS IF UMC, Canon Fit online used at a firm called MPB.Com for $250. The price seems good it is listed in like new condition does that seem to be a good deal? I am going to go ahead and place it, I can cancel it if it does not seem appropriate.

[Waddizzle]

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@UncleJoe wrote:
I have found a Rokinon 14mm T3.1 ED AS IF UMC, Canon Fit online used at a firm called MPB.Com for $250. The price seems good it is listed in like new condition does that seem to be a good deal? I am going to go ahead and place it, I can cancel it if it does not seem appropriate.

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That could be a pretty good deal.  Just remember, that it is a not new, it is like new.  

I have never heard of that company before.  Then again, I do not look for used gear. Exercise caution if you found it through eBay or Amazon.  Look for reviews of the vendor.  I think a great source for used gear is KEH.

[UncleJoe]

Thank you for the response! The company is out of the city and there inventory seems fairly vast from Canon to Nikon, Hasselblad and lenses of all make and model. While I understand that does not instantly qualify them for greatness they did come as a stand alone with a straight search on google. Not though ebay nor amazon of which I agree whole heartedly with you on their varsity. I prefer to purchase new as well but these are uncharted grounds for me and in those situations I thought it more prudent to test the waters or skies so to speak without a major investment. Thank you again!

[ebiggs1]

" I will take many photographs, shooting in the "P" setting,..."

You know the "P" stands for Professional ?

[ebiggs1]

"I have found a Rokinon 14mm T3.1 ED AS IF UMC, ..."

Just my .02 cents but I would never buy a used Rokinon unless I could put it on my camera and try it.  I mean really TRY it.

Rokinon's QC is so bad they produce some of the biggest pieces of crap you can imagine.  But, always a but, isn't there?  They can make some truly fantastic lenses.  You have to use them first to know.

You can easily see that a used Rokinon, that one, could just be one of those, let's say less desirable pieces of ----!

OK., maybe that was .03 cents worth.  

[ebiggs1]

Just to make the point, the reason I do not own a Rokinon lens, and I currently have some 40+ lenses, is that simple reason.  I do not want to deal with the hassle of getting that good one. You buy a Canon lens and you get a perfect one. Period, end of story.

In my circle of friends there are several Rokinon lens owners.  The Rokinon lenses they use and own are top notch.  Very good and extremely sharp.  I hate to say it but they are probably better than my Canon rival lens. However, none of them, not one, got that lens on the first try.  They all got returned and/or replaced.  Sometimes several times.

I will most likely buy a Rokinon lens, eventually, as the curiosity is just too much for me to handle.  It is a disease, I know.  I am addicted to lenses.    There, I admit it.

It will be from B&H as I know they will take it back and replace it without hassle.

[UncleJoe]

Well I guess I will keep my fingers crossed on this one with what I have read the return policy seems to be fairly liberal so if needed I will be able to do what is necessary. I saw this particular lens suggested several times on different posts and web sites so I felt as though it had been reasonably vetted. One article I read was a review of this very lens. The reviewer said that this lens sells around the world under about ten different names, so that kind of days it all. It is a real roll of the dice and I know that. I understand the basic rule that you get what you pay for, my reasoning for choosing this was to make an attempt at trying my hand in astrophotography. I guess that my hopes are to have this lens give me an idea of whether or not this is an investment of time and money that I wish to make or if this branch of photography is more than I want to take on at this time. If I went right out and bought the great lens I would never return it whether I liked it or not. In this way if it sits in the closet for the next year I will not feel guilty about it. I am grateful to you that you are willing to offer the counterpoint, that will help to keep me from making too many foolish errors! Unfortunately I have a closet full of those!
I am terribly sorry to hear of your addiction! I believe that I have a touch of that myself! I am quite sure that there is some type of 12 step program that can help you with this horrible disease! 🙂 Although my understanding is that admitting it is the first step so good for you!!
Thank you again for your help! At the very worst, I am not out a great deal!

[ebiggs1]

I think I am on step 13.

What you need to look for is the IQ completely around the sample or test photo.  Most of the ones I have been involved with were pretty good at certain places in the shot but not all the way around.  It is called de-centered.  Rokinon don't get all the elements in the exact correct place.

Get a good one and you get a good one.  The guys that have been successful at this are astro-photographers.  That is the main use for one of these lenses.