New to UHH and looking for input on how to spend $2k: Hi all, I'm new to UHH and I have a question. I have an older Canon 7D (circa 2010), a nifty fifty, Sigma 17-70, Canon 70-200 L...

trekker21012

Hi all,

I'm new to UHH and I have a question. I have an older Canon 7D (circa 2010), a nifty fifty, Sigma 17-70, Canon 70-200 L f.4, and Canon L 100 macro. My 7D is on its last legs. I like to travel, and my equipment often feels too heavy to lug. I've got $2000 to spend on gear, and I'm mulling over my options:

1. new camera body - the newest 7D, or a full-frame
2. canon 24-70 L lens
3. mirrorless system

What would you do if you were me?

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

Another option, if you don't know what you want, just send the $2k to me :)

mackphotos Loc: Washington, DC

Welcome it's such a personal decision but IMHO if the old 7D is too heavy consider going mirrorless

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

I'm new to UHH too. Your options don't make much sense. Stay bulky or go light for travel. Yup, I got a canon with 3 lenses, but it's basically hang around the house /local. I'm 70 and still working and I need a camera and lens for project shots (canon 10 to18mm). For travel I am very seriously looking at a bridge camera, specifically a Sony RX10 III. A 24 to 600 mm lens will cover anything I want to shoot. If you are serious about cutting down bulk mirrorless is the way to go and I'll probably get a some push back on that statement. Best of both worlds: come down a bit and replace your tired 7d body with say a 80D for $1000 and then get a bridge camera for travel.
A shout out to all the hogs that post - It is why I'm here. Your knowledge and posted links are very helpful in educating me in the digital photography world.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

Ok, seriously, I'd like to recommend mirrorless. Specifically, I have an Olympus, many folks recommend Sony. In either case,
travel, or project work, the image quality is excellent, they have great lenses, lighter weight to travel or work all day. It's
really not so much a case of larger being better anymore, the difference is quite insignificant or evidence lacking.. That said,
someone will surely claim otherwise and tell you that you might see a difference if you enlarge to great murals, and maybe
they are right, but then, do you really need to enlarge that big?

cthahn

Spending more money does not help your photography skills. Everyone thinks more equipment makes you a better photographer. Most photographers now know little about the basics of photography, lighting, or even what makes a good photograph, just new equipment. The photographer takes the picture, not the camera.

Grnway Loc: Manchester, NH

Have you considered the Canon M5? I don't own it, but you can get body only for under $1k, and with a kit lens for a few hundred more. Besides, it should work with your current lenses.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

trekker21012 wrote:

Hi all,

I'm new to UHH and I have a question. I have an older Canon 7D (circa 2010), a nifty fifty, Sigma 17-70, Canon 70-200 L f.4, and Canon L 100 macro. My 7D is on its last legs. I like to travel, and my equipment often feels too heavy to lug. I've got $2000 to spend on gear, and I'm mulling over my options:

1. new camera body - the newest 7D, or a full-frame
2. canon 24-70 L lens
3. mirrorless system

What would you do if you were me?

Welcome to our forum!

I like full frame, but do some comparisons. The 24-70 lens is a winner! Mirrorless is another ballgame.

Comparisons
(Reviews) https://www.youtube.com/user/TheCameraStoreTV/videos
http://www.cameradecision.com/
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

Mirrorless vs DSLR
http://www.diyphotography.net/love-breaks-sold-mirrorless-camera/
http://digital-photography-school.com/how-the-switch-from-dslr-to-mirrorless-changed-how-i-edit-photos/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

--Bob

jenny wrote:

Another option, if you don't know what you want, just send the $2k to me :)

jmizera Loc: Austin Texas

jenny wrote:

Ok, seriously, I'd like to recommend mirrorless. S... (show quote)

I agree completely. My Panasonic G85 fits in a tiny sling bag with roughly the same equivalent set of lenses, flash, and other accessories as my 5D setup, and is half the weight and size. The Canon is still strong in a couple of areas, but is no comparison in terms of focus speed, and a few other key areas. For your budget, you can get a G85 and a Leica 12-60mm lens. Really solid combo.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

trekker21012 wrote:

Hi all,

I'm new to UHH and I have a question. I have an older Canon 7D (circa 2010), a nifty fifty, Sigma 17-70, Canon 70-200 L f.4, and Canon L 100 macro. My 7D is on its last legs. I like to travel, and my equipment often feels too heavy to lug. I've got $2000 to spend on gear, and I'm mulling over my options:

1. new camera body - the newest 7D, or a full-frame
2. canon 24-70 L lens
3. mirrorless system

What would you do if you were me?

If I were you I would go for the best and leave the rest in the dust with the following. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1214162-REG/nikon_1560_d500_dslr_camera_with.html?sts=pi

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

cthahn wrote:

Spending more money does not help your photography skills. Everyone thinks more equipment makes you a better photographer. Most photographers now know little about the basics of photography, lighting, or even what makes a good photograph, just new equipment. The photographer takes the picture, not the camera.

What does that have to do with the topic? Read much?

berchman Loc: South Central PA

trekker21012 wrote:

Hi all,

I'm new to UHH and I have a question. I have an older Canon 7D (circa 2010), a nifty fifty, Sigma 17-70, Canon 70-200 L f.4, and Canon L 100 macro. My 7D is on its last legs. I like to travel, and my equipment often feels too heavy to lug. I've got $2000 to spend on gear, and I'm mulling over my options:

1. new camera body - the newest 7D, or a full-frame
2. canon 24-70 L lens
3. mirrorless system

What would you do if you were me?

I was in your situation but with full frame Nikons. For travel I got a Fuji X-T2 with its excellent versatile 18-135 zoom and I see no deterioration in my image quality plus besides the reduction in weight and bulk the electronic viewfinder lets me see exactly how the shot will look. Another benefit is that both the camera body and the lens are water resistant.

AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire

berchman wrote:

I was in your situation but with full frame Nikons. For travel I got a Fuji X-T2 with its excellent versatile 18-135 zoom and I see no deterioration in my image quality plus besides the reduction in weight and bulk the electronic viewfinder lets me see exactly how the shot will look. Another benefit is that both the camera body and the lens are water resistant.

Also have Fuji X-T2 and the 18-135 and agree completely. Lighter, as sharp and nice to see little e view through the viewfinder before you shoot.

AndyT Loc: Hampstead, New Hampshire

AndyT wrote:

Also have Fuji X-T2 and the 18-135 and agree completely. Lighter, as sharp and nice to see little e view through the viewfinder before you shoot.

Sorry, that's "live view".