DanH Loc: Erie, PA

I currently shoot with a Canon T3i and have 3 lenses; 75-300 f/4-5.6, 18-55 and 50 1.8 I have been looking at the 7D Mk II. There are also a few lenses that I have been looking at, all of which are Canon; 200mm f/2.8L II USM, 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and the 70-200mm f/4 USM. Decisions, decisions. Which would you upgrade first? I feel like I am outgrowing the camera but at the same time, I want new glass lol. Getting both is currently not in my budget.
Thanks in advance, Dan

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Ask yourself what problem am I trying to solve or how will a new purchase heklp expand my photography?

Do you want a high performance body (like for sports or birds in flight)?

Do you want to improve your hand held low light shooting?

Do you want better IQ, especially ahen shooting wide open?
---------
What is the major use for your camera?

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

My situation is similar in someways to yours although I have a little more glass than you do. I still find the T3i good enough for my current needs although the 7Dmk II is my current upgrade plan.

I would definitely upgrade your glass first. With better glass you might find you can do more with the T3i, it is a very capable camera. It really depends on your goals.

Without wishing to sound overly critical, the EF 75 - 300mm is not one of Canon's better lenses. The EF 70 - 300 IS USM would be a big step up, and not too expensive used. For any longish lens, I would definitely go for IS, whether an L lens or otherwise. The EF-S 18-135mm STM is very good and very versatile. A wide angle would also expand your range substantially, either the EF-S 10 - 18mm or 10 -22mm.

Putting a 7DmkII on your current lenses may not do anywhere near as much for your results as upgrading your glass will in my personal opinion.

Another possibility might be a T6s and some improved lenses.

What are your preferred subjects? The answer to that may influence the advice you get substantially, and do consider either used or refurbished.

mcveed Loc: Kelowna, British Columbia (between trips)

Get over the GAS. What is wrong with your present gear? What is holding you back?What is your present gear preventing you from doing with your photography? Do you have the misguided notion that new gear will improve your photographs? Think hard. Maybe you would be better off taking a photo course or a workshop on the subject you feel your gear is holding you back . New gear can open new horizons but it seldom improves your photographs.

orrie smith Loc: Kansas

check used at places like b&h photo and adorama, you may be able to afford both. nothing wrong with used or refurbished as long as you buy from a reputable dealer.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Are you talking brand new glass or new to you glass? Most quality lenses last a really long time and as long as they are clean and in good shape, a good used lens will allow you to get more glass for your money and more bang for your bucks. I'd nix the EF 200 f/2.8L, Get a Tamron SP 70-200 f/2.8, new $1400, used $700-$900, also instead of the 24-70 f/4, look for a good used 28-70 f/2.8L, they haven't been made in a few years but they have excellent optics and can be had for under $700. I have one, use it all the time, great lens. I also have the Tamron, not as good as the Canon 70-200 f/2.8 but it's pretty darn close. Also, if you're looking for a little more reach, the EF 70-300 f/4-5.6L IS USM is an excellent compact telephoto for around $1300 new, $700 used.
Body wise, if the 7DII is not in the budget, the 70D is an excellent alternative for half the money.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Common wisdom usually says to go with improved glass first. Here's my bet: While the lenses you list do offer some improvements over what you currently have it is not a quantum leap. You will rather quickly realize that you haven't gained as much as you would have with the 7DII, which, in many ways, is a quantum leap above the T3i. I had a T3i and currently have a 7DII. The T3i is a good camera but the only thing I miss from it is the articulating screen. Once you see what the 7DII can do you won't look back. Besides, going with the 7DII first will give you a better idea of what lenses will work best for you. You might decide that none of the ones you listed will be what you want. As others have stated, don't be afraid of factory refurbs. They're good as new. Others have also mentioned that you should just ignore your GAS attack and do this, that, or something else. My take on it is that I don't know your financial situation and it's none of my business anyway. It's your money. Your photography. Do what you think is best.

davidrb Loc: Half way there on the 45th Parallel

I admire your taste in gear. I hope you have the patience needed to acquire that kind of quality. If you do not already have KEH.com on your favorites list, add it now. Add the used departments for Adorama and B&H also. The only Canon site you need is the refurb shop, they are a great source of quality. Unless the checkbook is bottomless buying the gear you describe can be done in the after-markets far more economically than buying new. This is where the ruggedness of "L" lens' builds comes into play. "L" lenses last because of the care in build and use. Study the used gear sites and you can learn when certain lenses are available at the best price. Good luck to you and your search.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Glass first. The 200 f/2.8L and the 24-70 f/4L IS are both wonderful lenses. And so is the 70-200L, any version. As mentioned by others, unless you're shooting fast action or will benefit from indoor light flicker control, you're paying for cutting-edge premium features that won't impact your results anywhere as much as these lenses.

And regarding sources, look at KEH.com for EX or EX+ rated used lenses before paying full price on any of these lenses.

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

If this advice is appealing to the OP, rumor has it that we may have an 80D in the near future, that could further reduce the costs of the 70D.

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

As usual, good advice. I think budget is the key here, and budget over the next few years. As said, it's all down to the OP's means and desires. I definitely want a 7DmkII, but I don't actually need it right now. My T3i will suffice, I already have filled out a lot of what I need, not top notch lenses yet, but a significant stop beyond the OP's collection, which has been a huge advantage. Add in things like some lighting and a decent tripod that eats up a bunch of cash. My current system does most of what I need, so for myself it comes down to my next step which is either a 7DmkII or maybe the 100-400mm L IS II USM, and the lens would probably come first. Then I would get the body (plus battery grip, new batteries and so on) and then go back to the rest of the lens arsenal. What to do literally comes down to budget and when.

As for quantum leaps, I agree about the 7DmkII compared to the T3i, but not necessarily when mated to the OP's existing lenses. If the lenses can't be addressed as well, I'd still go with better glass and go get a part time job for a few months!

Had I won that pesky lottery, I would of course be planning a full-frame armory!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

When in doubt...get glass.

Haydon

Have to agree with the last two posts....glass is paramount!

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

Dan, WoW, good luck with this one.
My advice...., here goes: The glass will get you almost nothing over what you already have. Maybe a few percent improvement over what you already have. With any lens, the camera doesn't do anything more or less than it currently does. Lens tech moves very slowly.
Now the camera: the bodies improve by leaps and bounds every year. It doesn't matter what you currently shoot, the 7ll will handle everything you will be capable of ever throwing at it with almost no limits. Even the ISO improvement will mitigate the fasted glass that money can buy.
You will be able to move more genres up more levels with the 7ll than with the best glass on the planet.
The glass is the passive part of the equation not the aggressive part. The camera does all the focusing computations, not the lens!
But, if all you shoot are landscapes, get the glass.
Just my two cents! ;-)
SS

heyjoe Loc: cincinnati ohio

the L lens will hold its value,sell the three lens and buy a good used L lens,you will never go back once you have used the L,the camera is fine
but i would look at the 70d,best camera for the price,next step up
is full frame,6d is a good value,check out Canon web site,they had
refurb,70d at 599 and 6d at 829 not sure if they still have any