advice appreciated

[ATC]

Bruce101 reminded me that I do also have a new SL-1 that I bought for my wife to use. It's cute.

I do have access to it. Ha

 

[Bruce 101]

Bruce101 reminded me that I do also have a new SL-1 that I bought for my wife to use. It's cute.

Indeed it is, with IQ rivaling that of the 7D!

 

[bholliman]

STM isn't much of an advantage unless you have a camera body optimized for it. Just the T4i and T5i that I'm aware of, maybe the SL1.

I checked with B&H and the literature - the SL-1 is optimized for the STM lenses as well.

My 18-135 STM arrived today and it is actually quite impressive. Have not tried it for video (where, of course, the STM matters) but am looking forward to doing that.

Will compare the 18-135 STM to the 18-55 STM (both on the SL-1) and decide which one to keep.

Good to know on the SL1. I've been thinking about getting one for my wife to replace her aging P&S.

18-135mm is a nice focal range, almost an all-in-one zoom. I prefer 15mm (24mm full frame equivalent) to 18mm on the wide end, but 18 is wide enough for most uses. Thanks for raising the question on the 18-135 STM, I am better informed now than I was this morning.

 

[sdsr]

Regarding the lens choice:
Like others, I would not recommend the 18-135, however, I would also not recommend the 70-300. I know many have had great success with both, and though I can only speak for the 70-300 having owned it, the lens never performed for me regarding image quality, speed, accuracy, etc. I may have had a bad copy, but I didn't hesitate to sell it.

There does seem to be either inconsistent performance amongst copies of the Canon 70-300 non-L or different tolerances for its failings; either way, I thought the copy I had was good. The reason why I recommended it was largely because I was trying to come up with a couple of lenses that would provide a very inexpensive substitute for the OP's Tamron superzoom while also providing, on a 6D, superior image quality to what he was used to. I agree, of course, that if funds permit, a 6D kit is the safest recommendation, but 105 on FF isn't very long, especially for someone coming from 270mm on crop!

For instance, right now you can buy a 6D body for $1500, a 40mm for $200 (or $150 when it's on sale) or a 50mm 1.8 for $125 new full price, plus a refurbished 70-300 from Adorama for $375; i.e., body + 2 lenses for c. $2000. Whether the OP would find that useful would depend on what focal lengths he typically uses, of course..... Wasn't the 6D + 24-105 kit recently absurdly cheap from B&H? Chances are it will be again before long.

 

[ATC]

sdsr,

The 6D, 24-105, then 70-300 later is what I am thinking right now. Still have the 40D, Tamron if I need the reach. I really am thankful for all of the suggestions. This forum has been a terrific help to me.

 

[Pi]

The 7d (or non-existent 7D2) and the 18-135 is a rather extreme combo, IMO, a waste of a body, in a way. With that lens, you should get a Rebel.

BTW, good advice here about going with the 6D. The 6D and the 24-105 will beat just about everything you can get from a crop camera at this FL and speed, including expensive primes.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=355&Camera=453&Sample=0&FLI=3&API=0&LensComp=121&CameraComp=736&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=3

 

[Bruce 101]

The 7d (or non-existent 7D2) and the 18-135 is a rather extreme combo, IMO, a waste of a body, in a way. With that lens, you should get a Rebel.

Have you actually shot with the 18-135 STM?

Yes, I would much rather have the 24-105 (and I do) as a walk-around (though it really isn't wide enough on a crop like a 7D), due to its build and a number of other factors, but from a pure IQ, I don't see a huge difference from the 18-135 STM vs. the 24-105 on a crop such as the 60D.

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?Lens=355&Camera=736&Sample=0&FLI=2&API=2&LensComp=809&CameraComp=736&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=2

 

[Pi]

The 7d (or non-existent 7D2) and the 18-135 is a rather extreme combo, IMO, a waste of a body, in a way. With that lens, you should get a Rebel.

Have you actually shot with the 18-135 STM?

Yes, I would much rather have the 24-105 (and I do) as a walk-around (though it really isn't wide enough on a crop like a 7D), due to its build and a number of other factors, but from a pure IQ, I don't see a huge difference from the 18-135 STM vs. the 24-105 on a crop such as the 60D.

IMO, the 24-105 is the wrong lens on crop.

The advanced AF capabilities and the fast fps of the 7D are kinda wasted on a slow zoom like the 18-135. What would the 7D give you with that lens over a Rebel? Are you going to shoot sports at 80-135/5.6?

BTW, the recent Rebels would give you better IQ than the 7D from purely IQ standpoint.

 

[Bruce 101]

IMO, the 24-105 is the wrong lens on crop.

The advanced AF capabilities and the fast fps of the 7D are kinda wasted on a slow zoom like the 18-135. What would the 7D give you with that lens over a Rebel? Are you going to shoot sports at 80-135/5.6?

BTW, the recent Rebels would give you better IQ than the 7D from purely IQ standpoint.

Hard to argue with any of that.

 

[ATC]

After re-reading the advice here many times, I want to thank Tabor Warren also for the input. I think the direction he, and others, recommend is the way I will go. Great input by everyone.

Still not an easy choice between bodies and lenses. It's great that we have so many choices tho!

 

[ATC]

Thanks all, Some very interesting advice. I am in no hurry, so will mull this over awhile.

I do not want to start a FF vs Crop body issue, I like the advantages of both.I may just continue to use the 40D for what it is, and also get a 6D for what it is. Thanks again.

Exactly what I did. Pick up 6D, 24-105 & 70-300 in the morning. Thanks again!

 

[ATC]

Thanks very much to the folks that recommended the 6D/24-105 to me (sdslr, Tabor Warren amoug others).

After just a few days of owning the camera, I am amazed at the difference the full frame has made so far. I have only shot landscape and indoors (with no flash), but the low-light performance is a knockout.

Now, if I just had a little ability - - -

 

[Northstar]

Thanks very much to the folks that recommended the 6D/24-105 to me (sdslr, Tabor Warren amoug others).

After just a few days of owning the camera, I am amazed at the difference the full frame has made so far. I have only shot landscape and indoors (with no flash), but the low-light performance is a knockout.

Now, if I just had a little ability - - -

congrats....6d and 24-105, you're set...an awesome combo!