Stupid, stupid question for a beginner: Last March I purchased a Canon Rebel T6s, which I really like. I am basically a true beginner hobbyist. I wished I had done more research on the...

stenojj

Last March I purchased a Canon Rebel T6s, which I really like. I am basically a true beginner hobbyist. I wished I had done more research on the camera before I purchased (I had no idea there were so many options) and am now wondering if I should update to the 80D? I'm not interested in a full frame camera. I have 5 lenses for the crop sensor. Would it be worth upgrading for the few differences like more burst photos, better video, longer battery life, and more AF points? I was going to go try one out tomorrow at a local camera shop and also see if he will give me some money off for a trade-in. Or should I just keep my T6s. Any tips or comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance!

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

I would say keep the T6 as an backup camera the 80D is a wonderful camera a little more learning curve but we'll worth it. Yes do try it first before purchasing.

stenojj wrote:

Last March I purchased a Canon Rebel T6s, which I ... (show quote)

marki3rd Loc: Columbus, Indiana

stenojj wrote:

Last March I purchased a Canon Rebel T6s, which I ... (show quote)

Since you clearly state that you are a beginner hobbyist I would recommend that you do not let GAS cause you to spend more money at this stage of your experience. The Canon T6s is a very capable intermediate camera and it has many capabilities that you might want to spend the time learning to use before you jump to buying new equipment.

Leo Perez

This is the way I look at it. The camera you bought is a nice camera for the price and the options it has. If you were to learn how to use it first with all it's capabilities it has and study here at the Uglyhedgehog University with all its students and professor in a few years you will be ready to upgrade to the camera you want. You didn't make a mistake you were just not inform about photography and all it's gear. Believe me there is so much to learn and this a good place to start.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Please accept that for most of us there are no stupid questions. There are some stupid people (aka trolls) that might make stupid statements on sites like this where they don't have to expose themselves. You can safely ignore them.

The points you raise would not justify a new camera to me. But having some compelling reason; e.g. a more compact system for travel or a substantial sensor upgrade might. Perhaps more burst photos would justify for you if you freqently fill the buffer...but not for me. For battery life I'd check the options you are using to optimize and buy extra batteries...or in worst case a battery grip. But my batteries last for up to a month. And so on. It is all about personal preferences.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

stenojj wrote:

Last March I purchased a Canon Rebel T6s, which I ... (show quote)

It appears, first of all, that the two cameras have the same sensor so there's no upgrade there. The options? Well just don't use most of them if you don't understand or want to use them. Focus points? Why? You're best bet, in my opinion, is to use a single point - dead center. Otherwise you're allowing the camera to decide where to focus in the frame. With single point you decide.

Personally I see no reason to upgrade unless you're going to go to a FF camera. Good luck.

stenojj

MtnMan wrote:

The points you raise would not justify a new camera to me. But having some compelling reason; e.g. a more compact system for travel or a substantial sensor upgrade might. Perhaps more burst photos would justify for you if you freqently fill the buffer...but not for me. For battery life I'd check the options you are using to optimize and buy extra batteries...or in worst case a battery grip. But my batteries last for up to a month. And so on. It is all about personal preferences.

Thank you so much. I do have a battery grip and bought an extra battery already. Again as a hobbyist, I don't take tons of pictures so my 2 batteries in the grip can last for a couple months. I don't travel either so that's not an issue. Again, I don't do "many" burst shots - only if a squirrel or deer come right up to our window. I always use single point focus also.

I really would hate to put out another $1200. I guess it's more of a "want" than a "need." Thanks for your input.

stenojj

jimmya wrote:

It appears, first of all, that the two cameras have the same sensor so there's no upgrade there. The options? Well just don't use most of them if you don't understand or want to use them. Focus points? Why? You're best bet, in my opinion, is to use a single point - dead center. Otherwise you're allowing the camera to decide where to focus in the frame. With single point you decide.

Personally I see no reason to upgrade unless you're going to go to a FF camera. Good luck.

Thanks for your input. I didn't think it was "really" an upgrade, just a few added features that probably wouldn't justify the extra cost for a beginner. I use single focus all the time unless I'm in a situation where I'm not sure and at that time I "might" switch it into auto mode just so I don't miss the shot. I have a lot of money tied up in lenses "just because" I wanted them.

RAK Loc: Concord Ca

I started with a T2i and some of my best shots came from that body. Although the best of the best where with Canon 70-200 rented L lenses. I personally did not change bodies until I had exhausted all aspects of learning that body and knew with absolute certainty that I had mastered all that it had to offer. Glass is enduring, If you really need to spend some money, try assortment of lenses from an outfit like Barrow and find the glass that suites your interest and style. Then invest in quality glass, it won't go out of style and getting glass in EF will extend your range on C sensors, it's a no lose proposition. When you are truly ready to move up to a more technologically advanced body, study study study. No stupid questions here, to expose ones lack of knowledge is much more refreshing than an ego driven move that exposes a wild quest for tech to make up for skill and knowledge in our love of Photography. Good Luck and Merry Christmas!

Airwatcher

As others have pointed out, the camera you own is more than capable, and at this point you have no real "need" for a different camera. However, there is something to be said for the fun-factor. Besides the thrill, or fun, of occasionally nailing a truly fine image, one aspect of photography is owning and using the gear. I'd encourage you (that is if money is no object) to get the 80D and simply enjoy it. Get yourself a swell new toy for Christmas. Even If your photos never improve as a result of the upgrade you'll still have more fun taking them. No price on that.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I recently upgraded from the T2i to the 80D. I am far from a beginner (I started with a match needle (manual) camera back in the 70s) and did so because I had encountered several situations where the camera limited my ability to get the shot I wanted. Until this becomes the reason to upgrade, I would resist. Note the T2i is much older than your T6i.

BebuLamar

stenojj wrote:

Last March I purchased a Canon Rebel T6s, which I ... (show quote)

I think you should do more research before buying another camera as you have a camera to use right now. Researching for camera to buy can be fun. Buying a camera based on someone else recommendation is bound to be disappointed.

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

One of the responders took that to mean the T6, which is a more basic camera. I assume you're talking about the T6s. The T6s is a nice camera. Since you're just getting started, I'd stick with the one you have, find out what it can do, and then, in a year or so, you'll know whether you really want to upgrade. The decision to upgrade should be determined by the kind of shooting you do, whether your current camera performs satisfactorily for those types of shooting, and whether an upgrade will actually improve your work. But, I think the most important camera feature is the photographer's brain.

stenojj

DWU2 wrote:

One of the responders took that to mean the T6, wh... (show quote)

I went with the T6s because of the extra features over the T6 and T6i. I am just getting started and still have lots to learn. I am getting some pretty decent shots with the lenses I own so not disappointed at all with this camera. Sometimes I get disappointed, but I realize it's "me" and not the camera. Guess everybody thinks it's the camera that makes a good photographer. Maybe down deep I think that sometimes too!

Thanks for your input.

fjrwillie Loc: MA

stenojj wrote:

Last March I purchased a Canon Rebel T6s, which I ... (show quote)

on AF points. Out of all 19 focus points your camera has, at the time of capturing the image the camera only uses 1 of them. So if you have 53 focus points only 1 is used at the point of capture. Some one made a comment about using the center focus point, which is what many of us are doing. Whether to use only center point focus or the 19 you have is dependent on what you are trying to capture.

On battery life ...buy extra batteries and make sure you take them with you.

Burst rate...if you have NOT exceeded the capacity of your camera I wouldn't upgrade for this reason. You will know when it is time to upgrade for this reason.

Hope this helps
Willie