T3i to 7dii or new lens
- Thread starter mattbpics
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First question is why are you upgrading?
What can't your current system do and what do you want your next system to do?
If it is the lens that is holding you back, then buy a new lens
If it is the camera that is holding you back, then buy a new camera
If it is YOU that is holding you back, buy some books and get more practice. ;D
We joke about G.A.S. here but it really can be a problem. New gear is not always the answer. Some may opine that it is rarely the answer.
I upgrade when it is the equipment that is holding me back.. and that just does not happen that much.
Good luck with it.
If I were spending your money, I would buy both a new camera and new lens. ;D ;D
What can't your current system do and what do you want your next system to do?
If it is the lens that is holding you back, then buy a new lens
If it is the camera that is holding you back, then buy a new camera
If it is YOU that is holding you back, buy some books and get more practice. ;D
We joke about G.A.S. here but it really can be a problem. New gear is not always the answer. Some may opine that it is rarely the answer.
I upgrade when it is the equipment that is holding me back.. and that just does not happen that much.
Good luck with it.
If I were spending your money, I would buy both a new camera and new lens. ;D ;D
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Ditto what AcutancePhotography said. Unless you need the 7DMkII's superior autofocus tracking abilities and better high ISO performance, I would go with the better glass.
It also depends on the frequency of your need. If you need better low light performance and only need the real long lens a few times, then buy the new body and rent the lens when you need to.
It also depends on the frequency of your need. If you need better low light performance and only need the real long lens a few times, then buy the new body and rent the lens when you need to.
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+1 - Because I don't want to go against the flow here...
The advice above is great. I would also prefer to upgrade the body and get a new lens. More fun! More toys!
However, what about the 70D? That is a GREAT mid range body and a good upgrade to the T3i too.
I just purchased a Canon Refurb 70D a few days ago during the Black Friday sales. I'm selling it for $829 if you're interested. Feel free to PM me if you like. http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/pho/4786864945.html
The advice above is great. I would also prefer to upgrade the body and get a new lens. More fun! More toys!
However, what about the 70D? That is a GREAT mid range body and a good upgrade to the T3i too.
I just purchased a Canon Refurb 70D a few days ago during the Black Friday sales. I'm selling it for $829 if you're interested. Feel free to PM me if you like. http://dallas.craigslist.org/mdf/pho/4786864945.html
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Its very easy to get caught up in the quest for better gear, and a very good idea to first identify exactly what you need.
If you want better IQ, a 6D would cost less. If you need the advanced AF, you have the choice of one of the used 1 series cameras, or the 7D MK II.
Users who come from a Rebel tend to be put off by the weight of a prosumer or pro model camera, so don't overlook a 70D, which costs a lot less than a 7D MK II.
I would not recommend buying a wide aperture lens like the 85mm f/1.8 to use with a rebel. The reason is that you will probably want to adjust the autofocus due to the shallow depth of field, but the T3i can't do that. That's where a 70D with that lens would work out better.
If you want better IQ, a 6D would cost less. If you need the advanced AF, you have the choice of one of the used 1 series cameras, or the 7D MK II.
Users who come from a Rebel tend to be put off by the weight of a prosumer or pro model camera, so don't overlook a 70D, which costs a lot less than a 7D MK II.
I would not recommend buying a wide aperture lens like the 85mm f/1.8 to use with a rebel. The reason is that you will probably want to adjust the autofocus due to the shallow depth of field, but the T3i can't do that. That's where a 70D with that lens would work out better.
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I am mostly a macro photographer but will become an occasional sports photographer for my son. I really overlooked the 70D as an option. Would this be enough since I am not spending all my time with action photography? Also, the 70D lets me set some money aside for a possible future lens. Thanks for all the advice so far.
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I don't doubt that a 7D2 would be a fun upgrade from the T3i. But, given the lens choices that you offer, consider the 70-200 f2.8L II. There will likely be rebates and below $2,000 pricing in the next few weeks. This will give your T3i some new life.
See where your photography goes with this lens. You may still find a need for the 7D2 down the road if action is your main interest. Or, you may want to drastically up the low light and IQ performance by pairing this lens with a 6D.
See where your photography goes with this lens. You may still find a need for the 7D2 down the road if action is your main interest. Or, you may want to drastically up the low light and IQ performance by pairing this lens with a 6D.
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The 70D would be a nice body for occasional sports. I used the 60D for this purpose until action photography became a very serious interest. Then I upgraded to the 7D, then the 5D3.mattbpics said:
However, I still think you see a bigger bang for your buck with the 70-200 f2.8L II.
Hey, Marsu42, +1 this and you'll get closer to another yellow box
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FTb-n said:Hey, Marsu42, +! this and you'll get closer to another yellow box
+1 - if I wouldn't amalgamate my answers for different posts (see my post history) I'd have at least 2 times the current cound
. But actually I find the number a bit embarrassing, it shows how often I read CR.I'm just wondering when I'll get the 8th box, people with 1000 posts have 7, so do I with 5000+
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Another important question is how worn is your T3i? Are you getting close to the limit on shutter clicks? Has it been dropped a few times. My T2i is starting to show quite a bit of wear, so my next upgrade is probably going to be a body instead of a lens.
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Sounds like you need the 100 2.8 L and a focusing rail/Macro speedlite setup more than a new body or longer glass. You did say Macro.
edit: Ok, you didn't list your current gear besides the body so I could be and am usually wrong on a daily basis, just ask my kids.
But if not you should consider a dedicated Macro kit. Plus the lens will double as a sweet, super sharp medium tele/portrait-headshot lens.
You can do it 'On the cheap' with a refurb non L 100 2.8 and a ring lite flash for ~$500 or an awesome setup with the L version and a twin flash and a macro tripod with rail for about $1750.
edit: Ok, you didn't list your current gear besides the body so I could be and am usually wrong on a daily basis, just ask my kids.
But if not you should consider a dedicated Macro kit. Plus the lens will double as a sweet, super sharp medium tele/portrait-headshot lens.
You can do it 'On the cheap' with a refurb non L 100 2.8 and a ring lite flash for ~$500 or an awesome setup with the L version and a twin flash and a macro tripod with rail for about $1750.
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dolina said:
I agree. Don't think you'll see much (if any) difference in IQ between the older and newer crop cameras. If you don't have a macro lens, the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 Macro (non-L) is an excellent lens, and about $350 less than the similar L lens. I used to have one and loved it!
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mattbpics said:
I used the 70D for sports myself. It has decent AF and 7 fps. Not to mention the extra reach of a crop sensor. So yes, it is a great mid range sports camera. But it also has advanced features like AFMA, superior Video AF, handy articulating screen and WiFi for remote control, etc. Very versatile! Eventually I will probably buy another one.
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FTb-n said:
Call me a contrarian, but it is not THAT much life. Sure the 70-200 f/2.8 IS II will work fine on a t3i, but not exactly the best focusing. Better off going F/4 at that point and saving cash. 70-200 f/2.8 IS II on a t3i is like Snow Tires on a Ferrari... Sure it works, may be better than nothing, but sort of missing the point.
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Maui5150 said:
I'm relating to personal experience. I got hooked on the 70-200 f2.8 by using a Mark I verson on my XT and on a friend's T2i during a figure skating ice show lit only by spot lights. I had been using a non-L 70-300 f4-5.6. The f2.8 was critical to getting reasonable shots and a huge improvement over the 70-300. It also improved the focusing performance of my XT. In my case, I upgraded my XT to a 60D then added the 70-200 f2.8 II. Had I owned the T2i, I would have done the lens upgrade first. The T2i/T3i shares the same sensor with the 60D and 7D. This offered the low light performance that I was lacking with the XT. Center-point focusing on the T3i should benefit from the 70-200 f2.8L lens. No question that tracking and buffer won't be as good as the 70D, but for casual sports, it's still workable.
Since the OP referenced sports shooting with his son, this likely means indoor sports. I would rather shoot with a T3i/70-200 f2.8L II than a 70D/70-200 f4. Of course, I'd rather have both the 70D and the 70-200 f2.8 II.
The OP referenced a need for a 70-200 lens, a fast 85, and some sports with his son. The 70-200 f2.8 II will satisfy these needs. In my opinion, if the OP goes for the body upgrade now and a 4.0 zoom, he will regret the zoom purchase and eventually seek to replace it with the 2.8 Mark II version. If he can't afford both a body upgrade and the 70-200 f2.8L II now, start with the lens and do the body upgrade later. The 70-200 f2.8L II is one of those lenses that can bring out the best of any body.
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