Camera upgrade? Hi, I am fairly new to this forum and enjoy the various topics and knowledgeable responses. I am now retired and enjoy taking photos while traveling. I currently have a...

drogers

Hi,
I am fairly new to this forum and enjoy the various topics and knowledgeable responses.
I am now retired and enjoy taking photos while traveling. I currently have a Canon T3i w/ 15-85mm lens. I am considering a 18-135mm lens for a little more far end on my "walk around" lens. We travel Europe and I just want to keep taking just one lens if possible. My question is, I am considering upgrading my camera body to a Canon D80 or D77. Are these bodies a big enough jump in performance over what I have to justify the purchase or am I just getting the same pizza in a newer box?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts,
Daryl

BebuLamar

I don't think it's the same pizza in a newer box. I don't think you should upgrade unless you find your camera is not doing what you want it to do. If that is the case then in the beginning look at the specs of the newer cameras to see if they offer the features you feel your camera is lacking. Don't upgrade just because your camera is old.

Gifted One Loc: S. E. Idaho

STAY WITH the 15-85 EFs. I have both lenses that you are talking of. Yes the reach is great but, then talk of 18-400 and ya-da-ya-da. I went from T2i to 60D and noticed a great difference. I was gift both. If I were paying I would not have jumped. Real money I went to FF 6D and new glass (24-105 f/4 L). I noticed the biggest difference there. I did keep my APF-C systems. You will never have as much reach as you want. Even with 600mm in the parks I could ask for more. My wife used the T2i/15-85 and did a wonderful job by skillful use.

By the way my 24-105 is equivalent to 15-85 EFS.

J. R.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I own a T2i and upgraded to an 80D not long ago. I did so for several reasons:
1) The articulated touch screen (I wanted articulated, I became a touch screen lover after I used it)
2) Better low light sensitivity (I had had problems focusing in the dark) or higher low noise ISO
3) DPAF for live view and video. An order of magnitude better than without.

If you have reasons like those, by all means update. If not, why bother?

As far as the lens, I upgraded FROM the Canon 18-135 because I needed more "reach". I now use a Sigma 18-300 and it is on the camera most of the time. It is lighter and less expensive than the Tamron 18-400.

Selene03

Hi, I think you will find the 80D to be a nice upgrade and worth the money. It has a newer sensor, better Af, all of the things mentioned above. I like the 18-135 as a walk around lens, but yea, there is the tendency to want wider and longer. You need to figure out what will work for you. I mostly use a full frame camera but I like the 18-135 on a Sl2 for times when I want a camera that can fit well in my medium sized purse. The 80D is a better version of the Sl2. I have gotten great photos from the latter and think you will like the former a lot. I bought a 6ti for work and I think the Sl2 is a much better camera in terms of image quality even if the t6i has more features. I have also heard good things about both the t7i and the 77, but I have no direct experience with either one.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

drogers wrote:

Hi, br I am fairly new to this forum and enjoy the... (show quote)

The T3i is a good camera given its age, I have one sitting on my desk right now with a modified FDn 135mm f/2.0 lens on it. The 80D is a significant upgrade, I have one, and I use an EF-S 18-135 STM as my 'walk around' default lens, although I seldom go anywhere without my EF-S 10-22 and EF 70-300 as well. I usually pack a few other lenses also.

My personal choice was the 80D over the 77D for a number of reasons. Check into the Canon web site for deals on a refurb camera body, whichever you decide to choose. You get 1 year warranty as new, and at the right time can save significant money. It pays to watch, since the deals come and go.

Good luck.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

drogers wrote:

Hi, br I am fairly new to this forum and enjoy the... (show quote)

I have the EFs 15-85 lens. The new ef-s 18-135mm USM lens is a nice choice for a general walk around lens. However although you'd gaining a bit of reach on the telephoto end, you will be losing three mm on the wide end. While that may not sound like much, the difference between 15 mm and 18 mm is actually quite large,. The addition of 50mm at the long end will probably not compensate for the loss of wide angle shots at the other end.. If possible, try to compare your current lens with the 18-135 mm side by side before purchasing. Depending on what you shoot, you might feel as I do, that what you would be gaining is not as much as what you would be giving up.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

mwsilvers wrote:

I have the EFs 15-85 lens. The new ef-s 18-135mm U... (show quote)

Agreed. Depending upon budget and willingness to carry additional glass, the 18-135 and the 10-18 might be an interesting combination. It really depends upon what you are willing or able to carry!

Photocraig

PHRubin wrote:

I own a T2i and upgraded to an 80D not long ago. I... (show quote)

I upgraded from a Canon EOS 50D, roughly equivalent to your T3i, and choose a 77D. for the same reasons PH stated.
My choice of the 77D was dictated by weight (11 oz) and a little on price (about $200). Same sensor, and articulating screen.

The 15-85 lens is reputed to be among Canon's best non "L" lenses. If you're happy, save the money and keep using it. I use a Sigma 17-70 f2.8 to f4.

I can see better image quality and enough pixels to stand up to a close crop if needed.
C

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Peterff wrote:

Agreed. Depending upon budget and willingness to carry additional glass, the 18-135 and the 10-18 might be an interesting combination. It really depends upon what you are willing or able to carry!

Absolutely agree. For some people the extra reach of the 18-135 may be more important then the wider angle of view of the 15mm vs 18mm. And carrying the very light weight 10-18 in a pocket is not really a burden. The 15-85mm focal range, with a 24-136 FF equivalent angle of view, works just fine for my general walk-around requirements. But it may not be the right choice for everyone.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

I am currently shooting a T6. I definitely wanted a larger sensor and a articulated touch screen. At only about $150 difference I was seriously looking at the 80D. The 77D has no weather sealing and is not as a robust build. It does have a newer processor the digic 7 vs 6 in the 80D. The 77D has a newer screen interface which appears more intuitive. It went on sale last weekend (still on sale) for $649. I went for it and arrives tomorrow. The difference in price sealed the deal for me!

rmacilroy Loc: pompano beach, fl

prefer prime manual leses all depends on what you use it for these you can adapt a any lens to any camera. even a 18 to 400 canon depends on the depth of your pocket

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

Dave327 wrote:

I am currently shooting a T6. I definitely wanted a larger sensor and a articulated touch screen. At only about $150 difference I was seriously looking at the 80D. The 77D has no weather sealing and is not as a robust build. It does have a newer processor the digic 7 vs 6 in the 80D. The 77D has a newer screen interface which appears more intuitive. It went on sale last weekend (still on sale) for $649. I went for it and arrives tomorrow. The difference in price sealed the deal for me!

The sensor of the 80D is exactly the same size as the one in your camera. The 80D has a 24mp sensor but the sensor size is the same. If you want a larger sensor you'll need to move up to a full frame camera.

drogers

Well, this group did not disappoint! Thank you very much for all the good food for thought, you guys are pros for sure.

drogers

Great points about lens choices. You and others have pointed out what a good lens the 15-85mm is in terms of versatility and quality. It has served me well while traveling the last few years. You indirectly asked me to think about how often I use the lens at minimum magnification. Quite often actually. Thank you!