Suggestions on new Canon DSLR -- thinking 60D

[briansquibb]

Personally I would go for the 24-105

 

[danski0224]

As for lenses, I've been looking at the EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS & the 55-250mm f/4-5.6. My reasoning is that at this point, I want to limit the number of lenses to choose from while out but still have flexibility for multiple shots. I know that there are better options, particularly when looking at fixed focal length lenses, but I don't think that I want to go down that route just yet.

I don't think you have mentioned a budget and there is a whole lot of overlap in those lens choices.

I also don't know what you are getting in a 60D that is better or more useful for your uses than the T3i.

A EF-S 17-55 f 2.8 is about the same money as the two lenses listed plus a bit (or, sub the T3i).

There really is a big difference between f4 and f2.8. It could mean the difference between using flash or not.

The 24-105 f4 also gets good comments.

I suggest having something lower than 24mm on a crop body. I happen to like the 16-35 II, but if you have no plans or need to go to a FF camera, then I'd suggest the 17-55 f 2.8.

You should also budget for a separate flash.

 

[Marsu42]

For your price range, I'd suggest the Nikon d7000 over the 60d

Choosing Nikon or Canon is a tough decision, and the d7000 has the better specs. But it is more expensive, too, I like Canon usability better and Nikon doesn't run magic lantern - that's why I got Canon when I had to decide 1.5 years ago.

The 60D is a great camera coming from P&S cameras, but the T4i is going to be a super shooter if they put DigicV in it.

Omg - an upgraded cpu won't fix your sensor but maybe noise-reduction in jpeg, and the t4i most probably won't have a new one. I have a 60d and wouldn't want to get a xxxd because the ergonomics of the 60d are much better (back dial, top lcd display, buttons). When you're advancing in photography, better usability becomes more and more important.

I would seriously consider the 15-85 over the 18-135 for IQ reasons. Also the 15-85 is a bit wider making it 24mm (FF equivalent) which is great for landscapes and the build quality is better. Both have the same variable apertures so that is a wash.

+1 ... cropping from a shorter good lens is better than having blurred pictures at longer range.

Second, hold off on the 55-250 until you have had time to learn your camera and body. Chances are very likely that you will want a higher IQ lens than the 55-250 and you may discover that you might want a different focal length.

+1 ... face it, a usable tele lens will cost you, or you'd better crop from a shorter one (see above).

There really is a big difference between f4 and f2.8. It could mean the difference between using flash or not.

Imho f2.8 is overrated, it's not that large a difference, for "shoot in the dark" look at f1.4 and the like. The good thing about f2.8 is that the af works better in low light, but a larger aperture is meant for shallower depth of field (and even f4 is quite shallow) and cannot fix up a sensor's noise problems nor replace flash.

You should also budget for a separate flash.

Yep, but for starting off the built-in flash is surprisingly ok because the 60d has x-sync up to 1/250s.

 

[Pix8ion]

Hi all! I've been quiet on the forum for a while and took the recommendations to wait it out and see what new options Canon would put out. To be honest, I'm impressed by both the new T4i and EOS-M cameras (but disappointed in some missing features as well).

As a result, I decided to pull the trigger and picked up a T4i (verified that it was not part of the recall) with the 18-135mm STM and a 40mm STM lens. I haven't been able to take any significant number of pictures and/or put the camera through it's paces yet as work has been taking up way too much time, but I've been happy with the camera and lenses thus far.

Now, here's my dilemma....as is usually the case....I'm on the brink of buyer's remorse as I read about the Nikon D3200 camera (yet again) -- mainly due to the 24MP sensor. I've begun to appreciate the articulating screen and "pinch to zoom" feature (which really is helpful for quick reviews of pics) on the T4i, but just wondering if the 18MP sensor on the T4i will give solid IQ compared to the D3200.

Can anyone help pull me away from the edge, so to speak, and alleviate my concerns?? I just don't want to be worrying that I should've gone over to Nikon.

Thanks all!

 

[Marsu42]

Can anyone help pull me away from the edge, so to speak, and alleviate my concerns?? I just don't want to be worrying that I should've gone over to Nikon.

That's what CR is for ... deep down inside, you know you don't want a Nikon, do you ?

No, really: 18mp is plenty as long as you don't want to crop heavily. The $7000 1dx "only" has 18mp, too, you know? You should worry more about the dynamic range and esp. iso (i.e. noise) limitations of Canon's aps-c sensor - imho iso800 is the max. really usable value. And what's 24mp good for if your lens' sharpness cannot keep up?

It is certainly correct that Nikon has the sensor edge right now, but 650d as well as d3200 will be outdated, too in no time . It doesn't really matter what your current dslr is, you will have a steep learning curve now and will think in a couple of years that the shots you're taking now are/were complete crap. So why spam your hd with 24mp ?

 

[Northstar]

Having used and still use both Nikon and canon, I say forget about the d3200 and don't look back. The difference in image quality between these cameras is so small, and probably not noticeable...really, just start focusing on your t4 and that fun to use shorty 40.

 

[elflord]

Now, here's my dilemma....as is usually the case....I'm on the brink of buyer's remorse as I read about the Nikon D3200 camera (yet again) -- mainly due to the 24MP sensor. I've begun to appreciate the articulating screen and "pinch to zoom" feature (which really is helpful for quick reviews of pics) on the T4i, but just wondering if the 18MP sensor on the T4i will give solid IQ compared to the D3200.

Can anyone help pull me away from the edge, so to speak, and alleviate my concerns?? I just don't want to be worrying that I should've gone over to Nikon.

Two things that should help

(1) megapixels don't matter that much.

The Nikon D700 is a 12 megapixel camera. Until recently (the release of the D800), it was a current model. By the way, it blows away any APS-C camera (despite the low megapixels)

(2) Sensors haven't improved substantially in the last 10 years or so (let alone in the few months since the T4i was available). Take a look at DxOMark measurements for different cameras and it quickly becomes apparent that sensor size more than anything else determines sensor performance. full frame > APS-C > micro 4/3 > 2/3 > 1/1.7" > 1/2.5". Sony might be able to produce a 24 megapixel 1/2.5" sensor but it's no match for a 12 megapixel Nikon D700 or even a 10 megapixel Canon 5DC.

That's why professional grade cameras are on 4 year release cycles. Until this year, Canon's 5DII and Nikon's D700, both 2008 cameras, were current models.