Which T should I get?

[Davy123]

Hello, I started out with the canon rebel 35mm years ago. Great camera, couldn't take a bad picture with it. Still keep it in my bag ready to go.  I moved up to the digital rebel T1i years ago.  Also great camera.  Lens that I use are 18-55, 55-250, an 75-300 mm.  I shoot indoors, (make shift home studio), outdoors, plants and wildlife, also sports (two kids) probable grandchildren in a couple of years.

I am 47 years old and I want to upgrade one more time.  Probable be the last camera I buy. SO, What do you'll recommend.  The T2i, T3i, T4i, T5i, ?????

Thanks, DAVY

[TCampbell]

Everything sounded good until you got to the price tag on the 5D III.  The 5D III (body only) is $3500 list.  You can often find it *slightly* cheaper... but not much.  There was a time when they were just barely under $3k  (e.g. $2900) as there was a mass of 5D II owners upgrading and I think a lot of shops were competing to win those customers.  But those days seem to be over.  

There are some scam shots that will advertise the body for less... and there are plenty of threads about these places on the net.  The saying holds "if it sounds too good to be true... it probably is."

You would definitely want to make sure you're buying a body imported for sale in North America (because if you buy a gray-market body it not only has no warranty... it's not even serviceable if you're willing to pay for the service.  Last I heard, Canon North America wont touch it (unless they've changed that policy.))  Canon does post a list of their authorized dealers at their website if you want to make sure you're not being scammed.

The 5D III body is probably over-kill for most people.  It has some amazing capability but it is more of a pro body.  The 6D, on the other hand, has *fractionally* better sensor performance and nearly the same sensor resolution.  It's a fantastic full-frame body and it has some capabilities (WiFi & GPS) that the 5D III doesn't have.  The 5D III has a phenominal focusing system, better perofrmance, a more durable body, a better video system, and can auto-focus down to f/8... but these are things most non-pro shooters probably don't "need" (but gosh they sure are nice!)

[Skirball]

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@Davy123 wrote:

1 Stick with my T1i and up grade to the L series lenses. Now that I know that lens quality will boast my performance.  And see how long the T1i last before I go to a better body.

2 Up grade to the T3i $499.00 or T5i $749.00 and see where that gets me with the sub-par lens I have. Let her use the T1i as my side kick. (good selling point)

3 Dive into the 70d $1,199.00 or 6d $1,620.00 or 5d lll $1,800.00  but will be a while before I can get a good lens for it.  But I can still use the, good selling point card.

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No contest, choice 1.  An upgraded lens can provided performance enhancements orders of magnitude more than option 2.  And option 3 is just silly, though par for course for around here.  Come in looking at the possibility of upgrading to a new Rebel and leave convinced you need a 5d3 and 24-70 II.

It sounds like you've been shooting for a bit now, but since you came looking for an upgrade with no specific issues with your current setup, it says to me that it's more likely a case of upgrade-itis.  Nothing wrong with that, but with a bit of practice and maybe a lens upgrade, I think you'll find that you can make significant upgrades in the output of your current camera.   

I’m not sure what kind of studio work you’re doing, but if you’re using lighting then you can get the same results out of your T1i as someone with a 5D Mark III. When you’re controlling the light, and you don’t need big enlargements (and I mean big, not 8 x 10), there’s very little difference in the final output unless you’re pixel peeping.  Considering that 99.999999% of photos are just shared online and viewed on a computer monitor it’s amazing the amount of hype that surrounds the higher end cameras.

[Davy123]

Your right Tim, I was looking at a used 5D iii.  on Amazon.  That's why I usually buy from Amazon, it's fairly safe, and have reviews on the sellers.  But, like everything, probable not 100% full proof. Thanks for the heads up on the scammers.

I am impressed and a little jealous on all of ya'lls knowledge of all these cameras and lenses and photography in general. But it's probable your passion or  trade and livelihood.  I'm heating and air by trade and I probable could dazzle you with big words and formulas. LOL  Anyway thanks for sharing.

Thanks DAVY

[Davy123]

Wow. Skirball You hit the nail on the head with all three points.  That's funny, I did come here looking to upgrade possibly to the T2i just to get the swivel screen LOL.  and now I'm looking at the 5D.  Wow all this info and knowledge has made me a professional in just a couple of days. LOL 

My wife thanks you for bringing my feet back to planet earth.

Just because there is a T2i 3i 4i 5i  I felt a little inferior, but now I fell better about my T1i.  I think I will pull back on the reins, and rent some different L series lenses and go from there.

If I have any problems our question I will defiantly come here for the answers.

Thanks DAVY