ruthshroyer Loc: Missouri

I am going to replace my Canon 20D camera but was wandering if my lense have good glass or need replacing also. I know they are not USM and am hoping to get some but is my current Canon EFS 55-250 with image stabilizer and my EFS 18-55 a good quality or just some made to market at a cheap price? Thank You for your helpful comments.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

I've spent money on better glass well before I spent it on new(er) bodies. My 17-55 2.8 gave my D200 a new lease on life.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ruth, get the new camera and keep the old glass.
I started with the 20d. I had several L lenses when I moved to FF. Believe me, the camera made WAY more difference than the L lenses did. The 20 is from "04". It's more than 5 generations old and only 8mp. Ruth, it's time !
I would not even keep it as a second body, sell it for $175-$250 and use that for a new camera.
The kit lenses are very good lenses. Mainly the build and sealing is not as good as the better lenses. The lenses will be just fine. It's not about lenses once you move into 18+mp. It's all you.
You will see a huge jump in foto IQ once you get a new camera.
If you go FF, of course, the lenses will have to go as well.
Don't let anyone tell you, that you need EF or L glass since someday you may or may not go FF. Cross that bridge when it's in front of you.
I went from a 20d to the 5d mkll. I had 3, EFs lenses that I sold and made money on all of them.
Ruth, I currently own a Canon EF 35-80 mkl lens. Many say it's a horrible lens. I can't tell the difference between that and my 24-105L lens, unless I shoot straight into the sun!
Ruth, hope this helps.
SS

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

It sounds to me like you ought to shop for a whole new camera and lenses. The camera you have is half the megapixels of today's crop sensor camera bodies, and both of those lenses are considered "kit" lenses that are mostly packaged with Canon camera bodies to give the new photographer all the equipment they need to get started. If you've used this setup for some time now and are ready to step it up I'd suggest a new camera and lens. If you stick to one of the new APS-C sensor bodies, then your current lenses can still be used but if you choose to go with a full frame body you may as well choose some new good glass to go with it. If you choose one of the Rebels with the APS-C sensors, you can add to your glass collection any glass that Canon currently makes.

It all comes down to how much use you think you'll get out of a new camera and what your budget is.

Jay Pat Loc: Round Rock, Texas, USA

You are going to enjoy the larger screen on the back of the new camera!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pat

olcoach Loc: Oregon

Get your new camera and keep the lenses you have. As budget allows get the best glass you can afford. The lens will last forever while the bodies are outmoded quickly. That doesn't mean you need to update bodies all the time.I have used my 7D for about 3 years and see nothing out there that would make me want to update. Have fun and keep shootin'. Mike

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Normally, I would agree with you, but in this case, the 20D is so long in the tooth that a new body would make a big difference IMHO. Its an 8MP camera that's around 10 years old. Its five versions back from the current 70D. Good glass will only take you so far. The kit lenses he has, assuming they are in good shape, are generally quite competent and are a very good bang for the buck. They also cover from wide angle to telephoto.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

What camera body were you thinking of as a replacement?

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

Ruth - glad to see your question, as I am using my nice 30D and am considering upgrading. I plan on keeping my "kit" lens for general use. I have some good L lenses as well. I have no need to go full-frame, so I am considering going to the 70D. It has some pretty nice features I want to try out (like the low-noise low-light shooting and in-camera HDR) as well as video - not to mention more than double the megapixel image size. By not going to the full-frame I can also justify to myself (and hopefully my wife!) getting a new 10-20mm wide angle (Canon or Sigma).

Bill Cain Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

No need to change lenses until your film / sensor reveals that they need be.

oldtool2 Loc: South Jersey

What camera are you going to get? These lenses will not work on a full frame body.

Jim D

ruthshroyer Loc: Missouri

ok, I bought a Canon 60D with a efs 17-55mm ultrasonic,efs 18-135mm stablizer, 50mm with battery charger and battery for alittle over $1000. Need to buy a book, so how bad or good did I do.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Assuming all is is good shape, that seems like a great deal. The 60D new currently sells for around $700. The Canon efs 17-55 f/2.8 sells new for around $900, The older 18-135 sold new for around $400 of so. The 50mm f/1.8 sells for around $125. The battery is around $65 new. Altogether you have around $2200 worth of gear at individual new prices. If the gear is in good shape and problem free, I think you did quite well.

The best book to learn the ins and out of the 60D, IMHO is David Busch's Canon EOS 60D published by Course Technology. Its goes over ever feature of the camera in a user friendly format with lots of good quality color photo describing each feature and function. Additionally, many of us here have 60D's, so we can assist with questions you feel the book didn't answer. It is available on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. I've been shooting a 60D for 3 years and still really enjoy mine.

ruthshroyer Loc: Missouri

HELP, I cannot get my 60D to take a photo. When I press the shutter the green dot on right keeps blinking instead of steady, like not in focus. Am leaving on a cruise tomorrow and would love to take this camera

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Ruth make sure the auto-focus is turned on at the lens.
To test the camera and lens, put the lens on manual focus, and also put the camera on M. The camera will fire regardless of settings. Then work backwards. Manually focus the lens and shoot. Then put the camera on Av and try again, etc.
SS