Upgrade Suggestions from EOS Rebel

[Jriffle3]

I started out with a Rebel camera, I am now looking to get a better camera and lens.  I mostly take photos of sporting events and my family. Looking for recommendations. I am wanting to get into photography more so its needs to be user friendly.

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

You know before you buy a new camera get a post editor. Learn it. Use it.  See what you may need in a new rig.

Canon offers DPP4 and it is free. Perhaps not the equal to Photoshop but it is a capable editor and as I mentioned it is free. I guess you have the Rebel with the kit lens? This ia a good beginning outfit and can teach you a lot. Great photos are made in post, not in the camera. All the great photos you see and love have gone through post editing usually Photoshop.

At any rate if you are in the new camera mood go with something in the R series and get RF lenses. Don't adapt older EF or EF-S lenses. The EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera with 18-45mm Lens could be a good choice. But DPP4 will only make it better, too.

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Hi and welcome to the forum:
It's hard to give advice when we don't know what Rebel and lens you actually have.  However, Rebel cameras are made to be great learning tools, so the question I have for you is what is it about your current gear that is holding you back from learning?
Perhaps take a look at the following and consider it: Considerations in choosing camera gear 

[ebiggs1 · Accepted solution]

You know before you buy a new camera get a post editor. Learn it. Use it.  See what you may need in a new rig.

Canon offers DPP4 and it is free. Perhaps not the equal to Photoshop but it is a capable editor and as I mentioned it is free. I guess you have the Rebel with the kit lens? This ia a good beginning outfit and can teach you a lot. Great photos are made in post, not in the camera. All the great photos you see and love have gone through post editing usually Photoshop.

At any rate if you are in the new camera mood go with something in the R series and get RF lenses. Don't adapt older EF or EF-S lenses. The EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera with 18-45mm Lens could be a good choice. But DPP4 will only make it better, too.

[justadude]

I'm curious as to why you suggest not adapting older EF lenses.  I have had excellent results using older lenses on both of my R series cameras.  When it comes to large prints that I sell, the print shop that I use produces nice sharp prints, even at 30" x 40".  In addition to fine art, I do a fair amount of finish line photography for marathons and triathlons, and my EF 70-200mm F/2.8 keeps up with rapid fire shots that are very sharp.  I even use adapters to mount old film lenses (old M42 screw mount lenses) and while these are manual at this point, I love the results on fine art, or portrait work.

So what am I missing on why I should not be using these (other than not having the latest and greatest, which I feel is overrated)? 

[ebiggs1]

"I'm curious as to why you suggest not adapting older EF lenses."

I am not opposed to using L level EF lenses. However, if a guy has a Rebel with kit lenses I don't think its a good idea. Buying a new R series camera deserves new RF lenses. 

A lot of guys have thousands of dollars in EF lenses and for them it makes sense to adapt and move more slowly but even then the switch should favor RF lenses.

The bottom line here is not lenses or even a new camera it is trying to improve the OP's photos. That can be accomplished simply by learning and using a good editor. That is where I would start and advise the OP to start. That will reveal any shortcomings and suggest a way to proceed. Beside it can be done for free, can't beat that.

[justadude]

Gotcha!  I was a bit confused when you said "Don't adapt older EF or EF-S lenses", I took it as meaning "Don't", but I think you were saying "it's better if you don't have to".

I think other exceptions to this would be for the many of us that still use our DSLR as well as mirrorless.  While the RF lenses that I do own are nice, they are not backwards compatible with my 60D.  I love being able to toss lenses back and forth between the two cameras.

But yes, back to the OP's concern.  A newer mirrorless would benefit them a lot for sporting events, along with a nice RF lens.  You did mention a good editor (which is essential).  Did the OP mention if they currently use one?  It would be interesting to see what they currently are getting for output with the Rebel and kit (after any editing, if it applies).  I think it would be easier for any of us to make suggestions.  

[Jriffle3]

Yes, I have the Rebel T3 with the lens kit. I've had it since 2011. 

[Tronhard · Accepted solution]

Hi and welcome to the forum:
It's hard to give advice when we don't know what Rebel and lens you actually have.  However, Rebel cameras are made to be great learning tools, so the question I have for you is what is it about your current gear that is holding you back from learning?
Perhaps take a look at the following and consider it: Considerations in choosing camera gear 

[Stephen]

What an excellent tool, Trevor! I can't believe I haven't seen it before now! Thanks for sharing your insight!

[Tronhard]

Thanks Stephen, I wonder how many people actually bother to read it, but it's there if they make the effort!

I used to teach purchasing as part of my management courses for major companies - the principles and processes are essentially the same, whether on is buying a lens or an airliner.
I also used to teach people behind the counter at camera stores that sometimes not selling something that the customer does not need is better then doing so, it builds trust and long term relationships. 

In fora such as this, the tendency is to offer advice based on what the responders prefer, which may not be what is good for the person seeing advice.  I hope this tool helps to get past that.

[Jriffle3]

Hello, I have the Rebel T3 with the lens kit. I got it back in 2011 and I loved it and I am still using it, just wanted to upgrade.  I've looked at the site and talked to a few people about what camera to upgrade to! Thank you for the link! I really want to educate myself as much as I can before making such a big purchase!