rfoelber

From what I've read, it seems that upgrading lenses is more important than upgrading the camera and the only reason to get a new camera is to get more functions. I am still using the digital camera that I got after switching from film, a Canon EOS Rebel T1i. I've been really happy with it, have never needed any repairs, and use only about 75% of the functions available. I've probably had the camera about 10 years. To describe my photography "needs" - I am a hobbyist. But I do belong to a club that has competitions. We have critique nights when our prints are judged by professionals and so far I have had about 50% of my prints given the thumbs up. Thoughts? Oh, and perhaps I should say what lenses I have: Canon EFS 10-18, Canon 50 mm prime, and Tamron 18-270 F/3.5-6.3.

oldgeezer3 Loc: SoCal

Most of the time, the camera is better than the picture taker. If the camera has manual function, the only difference will be resolution and sensor size, and maybe recording speed. I keep looking at the capabilities of the processor, too. Processors have gotten better and faster over the last decade.

SS319

Put a lens cap on and take a long exposure (30 seconds to 3-4 minutes). Evaluate the resulting photo and see how many pixels are leaking (white spots). If the energy leaks are low enough for you, and the resolution (15MP) is high enough, why spend money? (it does help the economy to buy, buy, buy...)

photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA

What will new gear (camera or lenses) let you do that you can't do now? It's the question I always ask myself when thinking about buying new gear.

Donhisself

For me faster processing times and maybe FPS
Was shooting 12 pelicans flying by and in frame 3 it stopped shooting till the processor caught up. The 5D is so slow compared to today's, even the Rebels are a huge improvement also the megapixels. My iPhone takes as good a resolution

CO

The dynamic range of sensors has improved. Newer cameras are able to record more detail in shadow areas and very bright areas. I remember shooting with a Nikon D300s. It was an outstanding camera but shadow areas would often block up. There was little detail recorded. I got a D90 and then a D7000 after that. They had improved dynamic range.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I'm on my 2rd DSLR. I started with the XT, then moved up to a T2i. I'm sure I had a good reason, but I can't remember it. I recently upgraded to an 80D and I definitely know the reasons. I had had a situation where I couldn't get a shot I wanted. It was in a dimly lit theater of a musician with a friend of mine. It was too dark for the T2i to focus automatically and rough to get it right manually. The 80D is good to -3ev at f8. The 80D has an articulated screen which I use for an overhead held shot. In live view the Dual Pixel CMOS AF system is much much faster than the old focusing system. After upgrading, I found the touch screen to be very useful. Then there are the almost intangibles, like the improved dynamic range, more megapixels and I forget what else.

Of course I'm not trying to sell you on an upgrade, just to let you know my story.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

Make that 3rd

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

I'm still using my first ever digital too, it is a 5D M II, but that is my back-up now for almost 6 years, but like I said, I still shoot with it on a regular basis and it performs just as it did about 9 years ago! I upgraded to a newer camera, because of improvements that occurred in all this time, but it is like you said, the lenses are the most important part and are in the end what makes the picture (besides your input)!!

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

There have been a lot of improvements in sensors, memory density and processors in 10 years. You could expect better resolution, improved dynamic range and noise, higher usable ISO, faster and longer bursts, and dramatically improved autofocus, just to name a few upgrades.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I doubt that most people use more than 75% of the capability of their electronics. Still, it's better to have something you can learn to use in the future. Since your camera is ten years old, and you are an active shooter, you deserve a new camera. Go for it.

Read comparisons and specs, and decide what features are important to you.
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://cameras.reviewed.com/
http://camerasize.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM
http://snapsort.com/compare
http://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Bob Boner

I use the 7D mark ii for wildlife. The focus is quick and the frames per second is very good. I highly recommend it for your use.

BebuLamar

Some of the features on the camera that I buy I know I never use them. I prefer not to have them on my camera but accepted them because it would cost more not to have them. So upgrading or not is not depending on whether you have used all of the features on your present camera.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

Odds are that the quality of your images are more up to you than the camera. A "good" photographer can make great shots with relatively simple, inexpensive gear. That said...

Upgrading your lenses would most likely give you more bang for your buck, than changing your camera will. Especially the 18-270mm. It's probably slow focusing and that type lens usually compromises in other ways: close focus ability, image quality, ability to shoot in tricky lighting conditions, etc. Not sure about your 50mm lens... Canon has made and still makes several different ones, some of which are pretty darned good... others, not so much. If it's the old 50mm f/1.8 II, might pay to upgrade it, for example. The 10-18mm STM lens is pretty darned capable and good.

You might benefit from expanding your lens kit. Depending upon what you like to shoot: a faster wide angle (20mm f/2.8 or 28mm f/1.8) or a macro lens (compact 60mm or 100mm), or higher performance and longer telephoto (lots to choose among), or something else entirely.

You also might look to your editing, workflow and post-processing. Maybe you can make improvements there.

When it's all said and done, I think a camera upgrade might be the least helpful thing you could do. Sure, a nice new T6i or T6s or T7i or 77D ir 80D or 7D Mark II would give you some new capabilities, too... would make for a very nice, fun upgrade. But I'd prioritize that just about last, after expanding your own skills, practicing more, editing your images more carefully, learning more about post-processing, calibrating your computer monitor, and upgrading your lens kit. If you can do the camera in addition to those other things... great. But I think a lot of people just get a "G.A.S." attack and run out, buy a new camera and think that's going to magically "make their images better". It's rarely that simple. In fact, a new camera with a bunch of new features and added complexity that you have to learn to use well might do just the opposite... at least initially you might end up with worse results.

IF you get a camera, I'd recommend sticking with a Canon APS-C model (such as the ones I mentioned above), so you can continue to use some of your better lenses and possibly some other accessories you've already got (It's almost always a lot more expensive to change brands or formats, such as "upgrading" to full frame, which most people don't really get much benefit from anyway.)

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Thoughts?

Shoot more, be happy and content knowing you aren't buying just for the sake of buying.


The end.