Lens as a gift. Non Photographer buying... :)

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#62
seanter said:
Hi,

You're right - I meant Prime Tele. And I suppose I'm getting at a need for faster action at low light. Does that make sense?
I appreciate all the comments - and am leaning towards a new 70D at this point. I do understand that bodies are a personal choice, but knowing the wife as I do, she'll never buy one unless I force the issue. I'd rather do a return for something else than a gift cert. The real question then, at this point, is will a 70D be enough, or should I do the 70D and a lens.

Thanks
Sean
Click to expand...

I think I had the answer on my previous post, but of course you buy both. More is better.

100mm f/2.8L IS macro, best L lens to star with IMO

To other advice I have read, the bodies are a personal choice doesn't apply to the new crop bodies. Just like their price suggest each price level just has more features an a bit better IQ and AF system.
 
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#63
takesome1 said:
Seanter

I didn't read everyone's advice.
I didn't need to to throw my vote in.

I would upgrade the body before anymore lenses.
Just the t5i would be a good leap. The new 7D II would be an ever bigger leap.

Like the jeweler we husbands go visit this time of year, they indirectly ask you to put a value on your love. Maybe it's time she had a 5D III and a nice 24-70mm f/2.8 II. She will be set and so will you (for a while)
Click to expand...

takesome1, good point about the jeweler. If only wives visited the camera store the same way husbands visited the jeweler! ;D

As for the 7D2 or 5D3... while we all love those cameras, the Rebels and xxD bodies are designed for the entry-mid level consumer shooter. The (much) higher cost and feature sets of the D series bodies might be wasted if those superior features aren't needed, valued or even understood.
 
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#64
The new sd cards and batteries are a good call Rusty. I've never had any trouble with the wasbi batteries either. As for sd cards I would defiantly get a quality card/cards from San disk or Lexar. As for a tele prime I still think for her wanting to do indoor candid shots a 50mm or 85mm would be perfect.
 
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#65
seanter said:
Hi,

You're right - I meant Prime Tele. And I suppose I'm getting at a need for faster action at low light. Does that make sense?
I appreciate all the comments - and am leaning towards a new 70D at this point. I do understand that bodies are a personal choice, but knowing the wife as I do, she'll never buy one unless I force the issue. I'd rather do a return for something else than a gift cert. The real question then, at this point, is will a 70D be enough, or should I do the 70D and a lens.

Thanks
Sean
Click to expand...
Sean,

Faster action at low light does make sense.

The most versatile crop body/lens combo for action at low light is the 7D2 with the 70-200 f2.8L II. This will cost around $4,000. The second best option is the 70D with the same lens for around $3,000. Image quality between the two bodies is similar. The benefits of the 7D2 will be most noticeable if shooting a lot of sports or wildlife. If sports isn't a main subject matter, then the 70D would still be a great choice. With either combo, the 70-200 is the star. It will outlast either body and shine even brighter if there is a full-frame in your wife's future.

I assume that the 70-300 that your wife has is the non-L version. I have the same lens. It collects dust now. Cropping the 70-200 at 200 is sharper than the 70-300 at 300.

If the 70-200 is too much lens right now (it sells for around $2,000), consider planning for it to be a future purchase. An 85 1.8 or a 100 2.0 may be a good interim lens. But, I would advise against the 135 2.0. True, it's a great lens, but it's not as versatile as the 70-200.

I upgraded my XT to a 60D then went through a few months of debating over a second choice to the 70-200. I came real close to getting a 100 f2.0 when it was over $500. Then I took a cheap 18-135 to a local event and tried to use it only at 100 mm. It didn't take long to realize the benefit of the 70-200. So, I waited a couple more months and took the 70-200 Mk II plunge -- absolutely my best purchase.
 
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#66
seanter said:
Hi,

You're right - I meant Prime Tele. And I suppose I'm getting at a need for faster action at low light. Does that make sense?
I appreciate all the comments - and am leaning towards a new 70D at this point. I do understand that bodies are a personal choice, but knowing the wife as I do, she'll never buy one unless I force the issue. I'd rather do a return for something else than a gift cert. The real question then, at this point, is will a 70D be enough, or should I do the 70D and a lens.

Thanks
Sean
Click to expand...

As far as picture quality, there will be no discernible difference with the 70D. What you do get is the fast AF with liveview or when taking video, the ability to fine tune autofocus to a lens (great for wide aperture lenses), the touch screen, and Wi-Fi. If those things are of value to her, you will be able to get a deal this Christmas.

I'd signup with CPW for a target price of $800. Actually, I'd buy a refurb using the Canon Loyalty Program to get a additional percentage off the refurb price. You might also be able to add a lens for a big discount.
 
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#67
RustyTheGeek said:
takesome1 said:
Seanter

I didn't read everyone's advice.
I didn't need to to throw my vote in.

I would upgrade the body before anymore lenses.
Just the t5i would be a good leap. The new 7D II would be an ever bigger leap.

Like the jeweler we husbands go visit this time of year, they indirectly ask you to put a value on your love. Maybe it's time she had a 5D III and a nice 24-70mm f/2.8 II. She will be set and so will you (for a while)
Click to expand...

takesome1, good point about the jeweler. If only wives visited the camera store the same way husbands visited the jeweler! ;D

As for the 7D2 or 5D3... while we all love those cameras, the Rebels and xxD bodies are designed for the entry-mid level consumer shooter. The (much) higher cost and feature sets of the D series bodies might be wasted if those superior features aren't needed, valued or even understood.
Click to expand...

And how much better does a 1 ct perform than a 1/2 ct diamond?

But you speak the truth. The best thing the OP could do is casually drop a few questions. Ask if she thinks Full Frame cameras are better, what they do better and why people own them. If she is kind of clueless he could hang with the crop bodies. If it looks like she wouldn't benefit from Full Frame I would watch and see if she is still using the icon's for shooting like the running man, portrait head, mountain for landscape. If so the t5i is probably enough camera.
If she hasn't learned to shoot in manual mode I would probably stick with the t5i. She would probably be very happy with it and a new lens.

My wife has a t5i, I just bought a 7D II. I own a 1D IV and a 5D II. She kind of understands the running man, portrait and mountain icons. I wouldn't give her the 7D II, for what she does the 7D II without those icons and the flip screen it wouldn't be as useful to her. I let her use the others sometimes but the pictures are usually a mess.
 
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#68
takesome1 said:
If she hasn't learned to shoot in manual mode I would probably stick with the t5i. She would probably be very happy with it and a new lens.
Click to expand...

Good point. Does Sean know what setting the mode dial is at? If you aren't using the "creative modes" (specifically M, Av, or Tv) you may not fully appreciate the benefits of the higher-end lenses and bodies.
 
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#69
She is just learning, in the past year, manual work, ISO, F-Stop, etc. She's having a great time with it, which is why I want to get her into more camera.

Thanks again all... This has been a great education for me! I really appreciate all.

Sean
 
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#73
AcutancePhotography said:
RustyTheGeek said:
Get your wife on the forum and I assure you she will probably learn a few things.
Click to expand...

No! Why would you suggest that a new and impressionable photographer come to this forum??? You want her to become jaded and cynical about photography??? ;D
Click to expand...

LOL! Or most definitely she will become jaded and cynical about other photographers!! :o

(We can behave so bad here sometimes!) ::)
 
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#76
RustyTheGeek said:
Sean, we are really glad you are here and hope you keep us posted and share how this turns out. Get your wife on the forum and I assure you she will probably learn a few things. Of course, this forum is also to blame for many badly needed photography purchases as well! :D
Click to expand...
+1

We hope she's thrilled with your gift and the creative opportunities that it will unleash!
 
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#79
There is a good price on the Canon Refurbished 70D direct from the Canon store online for $649 + tax. (~$700) It shows $699 on the page but once it's in the cart, it will show $649 at checkout. Canon's online store is very weird in how it works and adds prices.

Just thought I'd let you know if this was something you were considering this week during all the sales.

http://www.canonpricewatch.com/blog/2014/11/hot-eos-70d-refurbished-for-649-at-canon-direct-store/

http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/478752?WT.mc_id=C126149#
 
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