DebDKusz Loc: PA

Hi all! I’m looking at upgrading my camera (Canon T3i Rebel) to another Canon. I’m stuck though and could use any opinion and help.

I am considering the 80D, however the 5D Mark III has also caught my attention. I’ve used cameradecisions.com for comparisons on many cameras. It comes down to FF vs APS-C, (and price)..what is the difference? I was told by a local camera shop not to use ISO higher than 1600 but these cameras offer up to 25600! I’m slightly confused! Is there a particular website that anyone uses to compare images, quality, for specific cameras?

I’m using this for sports photography for my 3 active boys, however, I also enjoy landscape and wildlife photography and of course portraits of my kids. I’m not a professional by any means, I’m still learning the ropes on the tricks of ISO, aperture, etc. I experiment with trial and error.

Any input is greatly appreciated! I want to make an investment on this camera and not have to upgrade in the future. Thanks all!!

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

If you are OK with bulkier and heavier, and if "top of the line" is important to you, go for it! Just know that the camera will not make a difference in your results until you learn more about exposure. "Trial and error" is not necessary when you understand the basics, and is rarely desirable (if you stumble onto a happy result, how do you know how to repeat it?).

There are a great many resources (books, online videos, written articles) to help you. If you need structure in learning, try lynda.com (it may even be free through your local library's e-resources; it is with mine). Or look into local clubs or college classes.

If this sounds like I'm being a bit preachy, it's only because we see daily topics from folks who own the biggest and best, and are frustrated because they never learned how to use them. "Is it me or is it the camera?" ...is usually operator error

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Only you can decide how to use your camera.

ISO to ISO, a full-frame camera will tend to perform better at higher ISOs when compared to an image at the same ISO from an APS-C body for cameras of the same generation (i.e., age). Anyone suggesting to limit a 5DIII or 80D to ISO-1600 has demonstrated their limited experience with this model and / or the limitations of their ability to process images at higher ISO.

Would this ISO-5000 image processed from a 5DIII be unacceptable?

Green tree python

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

When you decide on your camera, don't rely on anyone else to tell you what ISO is acceptable. Do your own ISO tests with the camera, and see for yourself how high you can go and feel the noise is acceptable.

Naptown Gaijin

Linda gives some good advice, as usual.

FIRST: Find a new camera store, as anybody who days never go over 1600 ISO is NOT giving good advice, especially for a sports photographer.

SECOND: Stay with APS-C Canon system and buy one really fast ltelephoto zoom lens (f4.0, or even f2.8) and learn how to use it with your Canon body. You don"t need the weight, bulk, and expense of a full frame for non-pro photos of your grandkids playing sports, and a FF has been proven conclusively to get heavier as you get older.

THIRD: Go to Cambridgeincolour.com and educate yourself to death with their FREE tutorials, then go to dpreview.com and photographylife.com and do the same with reviews and educational articles, all free.

Good luck.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

The 80D may be a crop frame but it has newer technology than the 5D III and unlike the 5D III the 80D is still in production.
The image sensor in the 80D is newer and more advanced than the other body and the 80D is smaller and lighter than the other body. Another body you may want to consider is the EOS M50. It is kind of like a mini 80D on steroids. You will need an adapter to use your EF or EF-S lenses but that's not a big deal. The M50 has more features than the other cameras, can shoot 4K video, is faster than the other two and costs much less.
I don't own a 5D III but I do own a 5D IV, 80D and M50 and of the 3, I can honestly say the M50 is the best value for the money.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Something tells me Naptown may have been napping when they read the original post.

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

I understand that detours into how to learn how to take pictures isn't usually uppermost in the minds of those asking about gear, but I also know that there are many folks "lurking" who may be on the fence about whether to upgrade, and for whom Naptown's and my own suggestions may be worthwhile.

For the OP's stated interests, the suggestion for a fast zoom lens for an APS-C is excellent IMO. Also, I chuckled over NG's mention of conclusive evidence that FF cameras get heavier as we get older, because the reason I sold my beloved Canon T3i a year and a half ago was that the EF 70-300 mm lens was getting uncomfortable. But, of course the OP of this topic is probably both younger and healthier than I

With Canon T3i:

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DebDKusz Loc: PA

Thank you so much !

DebDKusz Loc: PA

Beautiful pictures! So now, I’m back to square one...
is it really necessary to upgrade from my T3i then?

I do own a 50mm, the basic kit lens 18-55, and recently the Tamron 18-400 (without the tap in console).

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

My subtle point is, Naptown referred to her grandchildren and getting older. The OP never mentioned grandchildren, only her own children and I got the feeling none of them are marrying any time soon.

As for the effect getting older has on cameras, or should I say, the effect cameras have on getting older; at this year's Philadelphia flower show I was taking photos with my 5DIV with EF 28-300L mounted. Someone asked me if there was an advantage to the big white lens. My response was something like, as cool as it may look, it really just makes a heavy camera heavier.

Maybe not a totally accurate response but they got the point.

By the way, really nice wax wing, too bad it was looking away.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The answer could be "no". You'll have to decide whether the frames per second is sufficient to capture the "moment" in series of images captured a limited-duration burst. You'll have to decide how high you can take the ISO on your camera and determine if you have fast enough lenses and an ISO-capable camera for the lighting situations you plan to shoot. The 18-400 is showing very nicely in example images. But, will it be useful in evening, night, and / or indoor sporting events, where maybe you need a faster shutterspeed and higher ISO to capture the action?

Looking online, the best I could find for 'action' photos from 18-400 customers were a few birds in flight. A third party lens may / may not be as responsive in autofocus as a Canon lens. In my quick search for examples, I found only a few low-light images from the variable aperture Tamron that runs f/3.5 - f/6.3. Zoomed to 400mm and wideopen at f/6.3 may be too slow an aperture for your sport needs except in daytime activities. You'll have to experiment and confirm as well as consider whether another faster and longer (in the 100 - 200mm range) is what you need rather than a new body.

dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

It may not be necessary. Is there something about the pictures you are producing that is making you unhappy? If you talk about that, we might be able to give you better advice on any educational or purchase options that might lead to satisfying your issues.

DebDKusz Loc: PA

Hahaha! Not my grandchildren, my kids! And yes, grandkids are a future thing, Way future like 20 years or so! I appreciate all the guidance here and I don’t want this to be a heated topic. It’s that there are so many options out there and and yes, user error is very common with me as I’m still learning.

As far as pictures goes, I do feel that when I capture my boys in action on the soccer field, I use the continuous mode and a few of the images come out blurry/the focus doesn’t hold through. That is my main concern, FPS. Please forgive me if I’m using the wrong term. That’s where I have compared several cameras and really liked the output of the 80D above any other.

Much appreciated for the guidance to websites, tips, etc.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

Please use 'quote reply' when replying to a specific response so everyone knows who the response is directed at.