I have decided to upgrade to a dslr. I have been shooting mostly with my CanonS100 on manual for the past 2ish years and now want something better. I do not intend on becoming a professional, but enjoy having the control of the camera.
I was eyeing either the Canon T5i or the Nikon D5300, when a local photographer suggested I buy a used Canon60D and then invest in lenses.
I am totally confused, from what i have read, the 60D has older technology and the t5i is actually a better camera. But the 60D has some more mid-level features... I would buy teh 70D, but its out of the budget.
I was also given the advice to buy a sony A6000... Ahhh so many choices, im so overwhelmed!!!
Any advice? Before I spoke to this photographer, the plan was to buy either the D5300 or T5i depending on which had a better deal on black friday.
I was really looking for a good entry level camera which will take good shots and help me improve my skills. But i also want something that i will not feel that I outgrew in 2 years..
I know the T5i can be found at a good deal with usually two lenses included. I have the T2i, and I love mine, but I'm going to upgrade in a year probably. Go try them out at the stores and even rent one before hand. How exciting for you--let us know what you decide! So many great ones out there.
I just bought a T5i last week and have taken only a few shots with it. I'm upgrading from a Canon PowerShot SX40 HS (a bridge camera) and feel like I've got a LOT to learn. Can't see myself growing out of the T5i anytime soon. It came with a bundle - lots of stuff and 3 lenses. So far, I'm loving it and can't wait for Thanksgiving break so I can spend more time outside during daylight hours and get some well-lighted shots. Just so you know, I waffled for about 6 months before making a decision. It's a big investment, but I feel like I made the right choice. P.S. I'm NOT a professional - just take pix for fun. ;)
I bought a Canon T5i about a year ago and I just love it. It came with two lenses, the 18-135mm and the 55-250mm. Don't get the 18-55mm, it won't give you a large enough range. I have mostly used the 18-135 lens. It goes everywhere with me and is a great walking around and vacation lens. After a year of taking shots I can say I am very happy with the quality of the photos and I still have plenty of things to learn about the camera. I certainly won't outgrow it any time soon. I really like the swivel LCD and the touchscreen. My co-worker just ordered the D5300 today. That is a great camera too, I just don't have any experience with Nikon. Good luck with your decision.
You can find a D5200 for US$150 less than a D5300 and have a fine camera, less $$$ reconditioned. I still shoot with my D5100 as backup and I still find it is a good performer. If you go for a body only, you might care to start with an all-purpose "super" zoom lens, the Tamron 18-270 (the second release with the piezo drive) or the Sigma 18-250 ( a deal lately at $300, say from Amazon).
I use the 60D and love it. My main complaint is its low-light performance is "meh." But up until recently that is pretty much the case with most Canon products.
The thing I'll say is that any SLR is going to give you great performance. If you can, save money on the body and spend extra on the glass. I don't mean more lenses, but higher quality ones. Eventually you'll want to upgrade the body, but there's a lot to learn before you'll need to. :)
I prob can't help you much except to say that the 60D, 70D etc are a tier above the T5i and its predecessors. You are right in that a newer model will have newer technology, but the 60D may still have some "better" features. I guess some things get added/upgraded across the board as technology improves, and some things are reserved for the different models. I recently convinced my mother-in-law, who I think got the "need a new camera" bug after seeing my 6D, to "upgrade" her 400D to a 700D ... in reality she didn't need any of the specs offered by the cameras up the tiers, but could totally use the extra ISO range, better LCD screen, more megapixels etc offered by the newer, but equivalent body.
I know that to an extent, you won't have a clear idea of what features you will and won't use until you've had your camera a little while. But it's also useful to look carefully at what aspects of your current camera you have grown out of, and which looks (on paper at least) like it will best fit those needs. The advice to rent them both and see is great ... I did the ask-around before I bought my most recent lens and got the same advice but when I researched the price of renting ... that was a fair chunk of buying so I didn't bother.
I know very little about Sony cameras but tend to think that Canon and Nikon both have plenty to offer and gazillions of satisfied customers and your idea of whichever is the better deal on the day is not a bad one!! :) Good luck :)
@aliha - This. You can't really go wrong with Canon or Nikon. I personally wouldn't go with any other brand because their glass just isn't up to par with them.
If you are looking at a 60D I'd look more at the 70D out of personal experience. I used the 60D when I was employed by a company but purchased the 70D this year. I love it, Yes lens are a big part and the better quality you have obviously does help. Saying that my earlier photos this year were taken with the kit standard lenses that I got with my canon 1000D many moons ago.
No matter what brand you buy, they all have their plus and minus things. At the end of the day its what feels right in your hands and what feels good to you
I use Tamron lenses and only have two that I use consistently
I have the T1i which I'm hoping to retire in a year or so and will replace it with full frame camera. It's been a great entry level SLR so I'll vouch for Canon. Make sure to use quality lenses and filters. That's very important for the quality of your final image.
I bought my Canon T2i around October of 2011 when I was starting this project (I had shot with a Canon p and s for a first few months of the project). I love my T2i. It is still (knock on wood) doing a great job....I have gotten some good glass....I had the 2 kit lens, but I also got the Canon 100mm f 2.8 macro and the Canon nifty fifty f 1.8. Those are wonderful lens. At least to me. I am just a hobby photog. I see these boxed kits of Canon T5i at Sams...they have 18-55 and the 55-300 I think it is...VERY reasonably priced...$800 something. But I am not going to buy one until I really FEEL THE NEED and by then, it may be another model. I love my Canon T2i.
@frankhymus indeed Frank, Canon and Nikon may have a glittering array of choice and quality but Sony, Pentax and Leica among others manage to hash together the odd decent bit of glass.?
Thanks so much for all your input. I think what i am taking out of this is there really isnt a wrong decision. Ill see what the sales are and go from there. Ill definitely try to get 1-2 extra lenses, maybe not all at once, but over the course of the year.
@lfrans Yes Liane. Nice lenses are great to have but don't feel you need to get them straight away. The kit lenses will do almost everything you want and keep you occupied for a long time. Again, it's about finding what you enjoy shooting and what aspects of your lenses you will outgrow over time - and it will probably be an aperture thing, because the kit lenses cover almost every focal length you could possibly need!
thanks again for your help, 1 more question- is it better to buy the camera with a 18-250 or get the camera with a kit lens (18-55) and an extra lens 55-250 or 75-300
and which is better of the above 2?
@lfrans The 18-250 Sigma would be my choice. You won't have to change lenses as you go from wide angle to standard to telephoto. I don't know that Nikon has either of the two ranges of zooms you mention. They do have a DX 55-300 and an FX 70-300 (the AF-S model, the AF model won't autofocus on the D5xxx series). The 55-300 is only average, no better than the Sigma and no wide angle. The 70-300 is a sharper lens, designed as it is for a full frame camera (but works on the D5xxx just fine), but heavier at about 28 ounces. Both have a minimum focusing distance of over 4 feet, so that pretty much rules out using either for a close up or "pseudo macro" shot. The Sigma will focus down to 18 inches.
Black Friday is approaching. Amazon has excellent deals, for instance. Good luck on what you decide on.
@lfrans I got my T2i in a kit with both of those lens you mention...the 18-55 and the 55-250 kit lenses. Until I bought my macro lens, I kept the 55-250 on my camera 95 % of the time. But I shoot alot of bugs, spiders, birds, and nature stuff. I have put on my 18-55 maybe 5 -10 times since I owned the camera. But that is probably also because I got a 50 mm lens ..and then the macro. I feel like you really need the 18-55 AND the 55-250 and T5i kits come with them both.
I agree with Frank. I have the Sigma 18-250 and it is my lens of choice for most things. Especially new places that I not been to before as this lens allows me the most flexibility of shooting options. Also this lens producess good quality images for this type of lens. I have several other lenses for specific purposes, but the 18-250 is my choice for an all-in-one lens.
Thanks for all your help, i relooked on amazon, it wasnt an 18-250, it was 18-125... Our budget is tight so i cant get everything, but there are tons of bundles on sale on amazon, so im trying to figure out what to get.
Im hoping to get something this week. yay!
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The thing I'll say is that any SLR is going to give you great performance. If you can, save money on the body and spend extra on the glass. I don't mean more lenses, but higher quality ones. Eventually you'll want to upgrade the body, but there's a lot to learn before you'll need to. :)
I know that to an extent, you won't have a clear idea of what features you will and won't use until you've had your camera a little while. But it's also useful to look carefully at what aspects of your current camera you have grown out of, and which looks (on paper at least) like it will best fit those needs. The advice to rent them both and see is great ... I did the ask-around before I bought my most recent lens and got the same advice but when I researched the price of renting ... that was a fair chunk of buying so I didn't bother.
I know very little about Sony cameras but tend to think that Canon and Nikon both have plenty to offer and gazillions of satisfied customers and your idea of whichever is the better deal on the day is not a bad one!! :) Good luck :)
No matter what brand you buy, they all have their plus and minus things. At the end of the day its what feels right in your hands and what feels good to you
I use Tamron lenses and only have two that I use consistently
thanks again for your help, 1 more question- is it better to buy the camera with a 18-250 or get the camera with a kit lens (18-55) and an extra lens 55-250 or 75-300
and which is better of the above 2?
thanks!!!
Black Friday is approaching. Amazon has excellent deals, for instance. Good luck on what you decide on.
Im hoping to get something this week. yay!