planning upgrading from t3i

[iphonemaster93]

Hey guys!

So I've had my t3i for a while and I think I'm hitting the limitations in the t3i in terms of what I'm doing now. I've had the camera for about 1-2 years (was given to me as a xmas gift) and up until now, I've done automotive photography, nature photography, as well as portrait photography. I thought that the T3i was already a good enough camera for me to suit my needs but I realized I might need more now but I'm not sure. One night, I was doing rolling shots with a few buddies of mine and noticed in post processing, that there was a ton of grain in most of the pictures if I turned up the shadows (was shooting in betwen 1/10-1/20th of a second at F8.0 at 3200ISO. What are the benefits of upgrading from a T3i or do I just need a better lens? I was thinking of going to either a T4i or a T5i but at the same time, I want to go for a full frame sensored camera but I don't know if the types of photography I'm doing right now require such an advanced camera such as the 5D MkII  or if the t4i/t5i will be good enough. Also, do the lenses for the T3i work for the 5D MKII or do I have to purchase new lenses for it? I'm guessing the lenses for the T3i are compatible with the T4i and the T5i. Thanks!  

[ebiggs1]

Although the correct exposure is best, I don't agree 'totally' with Alan Myers about over-exposure.  A better key word and technique would be 'bracket'.  This is where you take several, 3 or more, shots.  Most cameras, certainly the 7D Mk II can do this seamlessly.  

I, as mostly a wedding and/or event photographer, avoid over-exposure like the plague.  Like Bob from Boston says, blown highlights or washed out areas area total loss.  There simply is no info there.  So, if you miss correct exposure, under is usually better.

Learn to use bracket exposure and post editing.  Good post editing is critical and can be a bigger part of the photo than either you or the camera.

Photography is always the total package.

[iphonemaster93]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I know he uses flash, I just don't know for what type of occasions. I do actually take photography really seriously as I'm going to be majoring in Film and I know photography and film help each other out as they share a lot of the same aspects. I just still have a lot more to learn as time goes by. 

[iphonemaster93]

could you do bracket exposure without a tripod? or it has to be on a tripod? I've tried it before in broad daylight with my car but it didn't work too well with the T3i doing it handheld. 

[ebiggs1]

You don't need a tripod.

It depends on the camera but some shoot 3 or 5 shots, whatever, when you press the shutter button. You really don't even know any difference.  Some make you press it three, or five, times and then they reset for more or normal.  I never had a T3i so I am not sure how it does this but it will do it.

If it is a stationery subject you can do the bracketing yourself, manually. <--- I know, out of the box thinking here.

[RobertTheFat]

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@iphonemaster93 wrote:

could you do bracket exposure without a tripod? or it has to be on a tripod? I've tried it before in broad daylight with my car but it didn't work too well with the T3i doing it handheld. 

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In the simple form of bracketing, you take several exposures at different settings and use the one that gave the most accurate results. You need a tripod only if some of the exposures used shutter speeds too slow to be hand-held (and then only for those exposures).

But there's a more complex type of bracketing, used in high-dynamic-range photography, in which you take several exposures at different settings and combine them in post-processing. (The theory is that each exposure will get some part of the image right, and the algorithm that combines them will sort it all out.) Since the post-processing software has to align the various images with each other, it's important that each cover exactly the same area and be shot from exactly the same position. For that you need a very stable tripod.

[iphonemaster93]

sorry guys, I've been incredibly busy these past few weeks ever since my last post but I've got a LOT of pictures with the 7DII. I will post them but I just haven't gotten a chance to. Also, what ND filter would you guys recommend? I've got one that requires a holder on the lens itself and it's a hassle to setup so I plan on switching to a screw on one. Recommendations? Thanks! 

[iphonemaster93]

Here are some images that I have taken over the past few weeks with the 7dmkii 🙂

[RobertTheFat]

Looks like you got a flare spot in the shot of the muffinn. And in each of the last two pictures the subject car blends too much into the dark background. I'd boost the shadows and possibly increase the overall brightness a tad.

[ebiggs1]

"...  the last two pictures the subject car blends too much into the dark background"

Possibly the look he was after! 

[RobertTheFat]

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@ebiggs1 wrote:

"...  the last two pictures the subject car blends too much into the dark background"

Possibly the looke he was after! 

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If so, it doesn't quite work. Your eye is directed to a particular point in the image, but there's no "there" there.