Recommendations for XTi replacement

[Satya]

Ladies and gentlemen, I have found lot of useful information on this forum and have resisted asking the same old basic question (my favorite topic is 70D rumors!) I am trying to provide the background and make this short but that is proving difficult.

I have used an XTi for 6+ years. It is still going but has some wear and is showing its age, has less usability and I leave it behind on short trips in situations I would have taken it in the past.

I shoot family/social/cultural events where I live for hobby. I shoot landscapes/cityscapes on travel. I have not printed more than a dozen photos in 6 years. XTi resolution has been sufficient so far. If I look at my past pictures, I like 35mm FF equivalent the most.

After doing much homework I came up with attached comparison (please see JPG attachment).

- Features highlithed in light green are important for my use.

- I tried 60D and 7D at local Costco. Their top display and buttons improve usability many times over my XTi.

- 6D scores most on the features important to me, but it is way too expensive. After 6D and 24-105 bundle, prime lenses will have to wait a while. When I do, I can get the most important prime lens, the 35mm. There is nothing comparable for 1.6x.

- I did not consider 7D because whatever it offers over 60D is not relevant to me.

- D60 will allow me to buy all three lenses I want, but I don't like to buy a camera that is overdue for replacement and use it for another ten years. I am OK spending $400 more if a 70D was announced today (moot but just shows my preference).

- If T5i improves usability, compensating for lack of buttons with touch-screen, that allows me to get the three prime lenses I want. I have not tried this hands-on. Actually, the 18-135 IS may meet 60% of my needs but I know the exact situations when I needed a prime. I will miss C1/C2 though (even one on my G12 is a big help).

- If buying a camera today, I think STM support is important though I don't shoot video (because my XTi doesn't have it). Same goes for articulated screen; I use it a lot on my G12. 6D doesn't have one but supports smartphone via Wi-Fi.

Please share your thoughts on any relevant factors I am missing. And if you have an opinion on which camera will serve better based on my evaluations, please share.

Thanks a lot.

 

[RLPhoto]

To be honest, if I had a tight budget and had to start over again, I'd buy a 5Dc and a set of primes. You can find them for around 500$ now and all ISO ranges are useable. It's a fantastic deal.

 

[CROSSfirePhoto]

i miss my xti... great camera...

have a 40D and a 7D in my bag now... i shoot mainly sports, action stuff...

lenses are a tamron 2.8 28-75, canon 50mm 1.8, canon 70-200 2.8 L, and the kit 18-55 from my xti days...

i would suggest the t4i, and get some good glass with remainder of $$$...

 

[meli]

You havent posted your lenses but here it goes:

As CROSSfirePhoto said skip the t5i since its an overpriced, rebranded t4i and look at t4i directly, that should save some more $$$, or have a look at the previous Nikon generation such as the 5100 or 7000; reason for it is the excellent sensor and the cheap primes lineup.

 

[mrsfotografie]

You can extend the possibilities of your XTi for free, using this firmware add-on:

http://code.google.com/p/400plus/

I'm using this on my 400D and it works great. Give your camera an extended lease of life (and use it as a back-up)

 

[meli]

You can extend the possibilities of your XTi for free, using this firmware add-on:

http://code.google.com/p/400plus/

I'm using this on my 400D and it works great. Give your camera an extended lease of life (and use it as a back-up)

Hah, i remember that! I 've installed it in my bro's 400 ages ago, cant believe its still being developed! Fine piece of software, and a glimpse of how much can be done in software if only companies would allow it. (also how they cripple their products, hint: 400d has spot meter!)

 

[PKinDenmark]

Satya.
I went through most of the considerations that you describe. I have had the 450D for almost 5 years. It served me well, and I have built a decent collection of optics.
I was so much ready for an upgrade of the body.
Decided for 6D - and it is GREAT. The improvements in handling and body-quality are very large.
Biggest changes are the improvements inherent to Full Frame, the high ISO capability, and the overall Image Quality. Blows me away again and again - and still does after 3-4 weeks of ownership.
In addition I like the compact (for a FF) body compared to 5D III, and sofar I am fine with the AF-system, though it is the one rather weak spot of the 6D.
Hope that is of use to you.

 

[tntwit]

Sorta sounds like the 6D is what you really want.

However, I would suggest buying your primes now and wait to see what the bodies do.

Adding 3 primes to your collection will be like a new camera anyways. It will open up a new world (assuming you are not shooting with a fast prime now).

You'll have plenty to keep busy learning the new lenses to be bothered worrying about the body.

That body is more than capable. I was using a 300D up until last year.

 

[Satya]

Thanks for all good suggestions and sharing your experiences.

I do like the 6D most but the fact that it doesn't leave anything in my budget for primes is what bothers me.

It is a good suggestion to just get the primes now and wait to see what the bodies do. I am trying to assure myself that I'll stick with Canon before I invest in primes. Hence my research into all bodies.

I currently use Sigma 17-70mm (very good outdoors, not so in low light, no IS); 50mm f/1.8 and 70-200mm f/4L (heavy and no IS). I use tripod less than 25%. I use a 430EX flash.

If I get 6d, What I need for my type of use are 35mm prime, keep the 50mm, an 85mm and 70-300mm IS. I can replace the 50mm with an F/1.4 when it breaks.

On 1.6x body 50mm works like 80mm-FF; 28mm works like 45mm-FF; nothing like the 35mm-FF, which focal length I use most. I would have liked the EF-M 22mm STM in EF-S mount!

Thanks again for the useful suggestions.
Satya

 

[pdirestajr]

I picked up and played with the new SL1 today, that camera is super sweet- no joke! I'm waiting for it to drop in price a bit, then I think I may grab it as my "small" camera.