CAM1017 Loc: Chiloquin, Oregon

What I have read on the 70D indicates to me that most of the major changes relate to its use as a video camera. Changes have been made to help with single image use. I have been using a 60D for over a year and find it to be an excellent camera. Don't do much video. With the new prices on the 60D body it would be an excellent upgrade if you were not in to video.

photo169 Loc: Chicago,ILL

B & H PHOTO ONLINE HAS GOOD EPSON SCANNERS AND NEW AND USED SLR FILM CAMERAS AT A GOOD PRICE AND NO SALES TAX. AS FAR AS DEVELOPING,BUY FUJI FILM MAILERS. THEY COST 8.55 AT UNIQUE PHOTO.COM.YOU ONLY PAY TO SHIP TO THEM. I HOPE THIS WAS HELPFUL,GOOD LUCK.

robilmc

Thanks for the thoughts. I agree with you completely on the ISO info. My instructor said a good rule of thumb is to take two steps back from the highest ISO rating and try to keep that setting. So in the case of the 60D (max ISO 6400) I could shoot comfortably at 800 regularly. Once I get proficient at shutter and aperture priorities and start making my way into full manual I think I'll be comfortable at 800 all the time.

Why I want to upgrade is complicated and multifactorial. I'm taking more and more photography classes and want to learn to shoot in natural light as much as possible. The newer cameras have much greater ISO range than my old XTi, which eliminates low light restrictions. I've also found over the years that the menus on the XTi are difficult to navigate, while it seems that the newer cameras I've had my hands on are easier to get around. I would also nearly double my megapixels, which would make the most out of the APS-C sensor. Plus my daughter has the potential to really take advantage (artistically) of the greater features on either the T5i or 60D.

After reading through all of the responses so far, I think I'm tilting heavily towards either the T5i or the 60D. Now I have to study the DP reviews and see which one makes the most sense. Somebody mentioned doing a side-by-side in DP Review, which I will do with the T5i and 60D. I also think I'm going to get into a couple of prime lenses to encourage my daughter to shoot more of the things she loves, starting with a good macro.

Thanks again!

robilmc

Thanks! I'll check it out. My brother is still using his film cameras and loves them.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Put one of these - http://www.ebay.com/itm/XPRO-F500-67mm-Close-Up-Lens-Macro-lens-Super-Macro-Conversion-Lens-/280874520769?pt=Camera_Filters&hash=item41656d10c1#ht_4547wt_1253 - on the front of your 28-135 till you can afford a "good macro" .....they work great !

Rbrylawski Loc: Tampa, FL

There are controls on the 60D, which are buried in menus on the T51. Whether that matters to you or not is personal preference, but having dedicated buttons for major controls, such as ISO and White Balance can be a great thing.........

lowkick Loc: Connecticut

I had an early Rebel model, moved up to a 40D, then a 60D and now a 6D. I love my 60D and still use it - it's a very good camera. I think a lot of the upgrades in the 70D are on the video side, so if you shoot mainly stills like me, you may find the differences between the 60D and the 70D are not worth the difference.

One suggestion for either of the DSLR's, - don't buy EF-S lenses. If/when you move to a full frame camera, they won't work. EF lenses will work with either camera, so I bought them exclusively after I bought my 60D. Now they fit both the AP-S sensor in the 60D and the full frame sensor in my 6D. Cost wise, there is not a huge difference in price between the EF-S and the EF lenses unless you go to the "L" glass. The "L" glass lenses are fantastic, but you will pay a high price for the difference. When I saw the difference in color and clarity with my first "L" lense, I vowed never to buy below that quality again. If I have to wait longer to buy a lens so I can save more money for it, that's what I do.

Good luck with making a choice that makes you happy next year when you look back on your dicision.

robilmc

Thanks, I'll look into that also! Never heard of that prior to now.

Salty Loc: Cornwall UK

Apologies no offense mean

Salty Loc: Cornwall UK

Apologies I meant no offense.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

^^^^ANOTHER great point!!!

I like buttons. It's much easier to adjust to a situation "on the fly" when you are pressing dedicated function buttons rather than having to go through a menu. ;)

I know this is off topic... but one of the reasons why I love my Sony A77 is because you have a FULL suite of buttons for all the major functions. But the REALLY sweet trick is they you can program all of them to perform whichever function you like. For instance; I have my AF/MF back button set to switch image quality so I don't have to go into the menu to flip from JPEG to RAW + JPEG. There is another AF/MF switch on the lens AND on the front of the camera, as well as a master switch in the menu, so I'm not losing anything.

Don't know if you have assignable functions on the 60D or T5i, but it sure does help when you are set up for one shot and something else suddenly comes along. ;)

n3eg Loc: West coast USA

Since DSLR and Bridge cameras have both been mentioned, that's my cue to throw in a suggestion to check out micro four thirds. Advanced cameras, smaller lenses, and in-body image stabilization.

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

With pretty good image quality and a decent array of quality lenses available. :thumbup:

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

In terms of the Canon choices I can't help you, I shoot Nikon, but perhaps I can offer a few philosophical thoughts that might help too.

You need to decide your future. Will you be happy with a camera that takes good pictures or will you eventually become more sophisticated and demand excellent pictures? Will you be forever happy with that lens you bought or might there be other lenses in your future as you again grow photographically?

Those are the questions. The bridge camera saves you money and its accessories are less expensive too but you will hit a wall eventually and find yourself looking for an SLR instead. And with the SLR there's an issue too. How long before the one you have doesn't meet your needs any more?

My first DSLR was a D70s, a surprisingly powerful little camera but compared to the others I own now it was more a toy. It lasted me a year before I upgraded. The second one was good for a couple of years and I upgraded again. Now I'm at the top of the range and happy. Similarly over the years I've also collected a lot of lenses too which today makes me happy as well.

You say you are an amateur but I get a feeling that you're going to advance and become ever more critical and creative. I would think under those circumstances that you'd want to buy into a platform that can grow with you. Since money is also tight, I think too it might be useful to spend a bit more on a body that is more than you need just now so that you can get a few years out of it before an upgrade instead of settling for a body that might just meet your present needs and that might force you into an upgrade a year from now.

As to the point and shoot, forget it. It's a convenient thing to own, I own three of them, but they represent less than one percent of all the pictures I do with my three SLRs. Later when you want something small and light that's the time to go for a P&S not to replace what you have but rather to augment it.

I think those are the kinds of things to think about when trying to come to a decision.

sirlensalot Loc: Arizona

Another point of view - starting off with a bridge camera like the SX50 or Panasonic FZ200 may be a great way to start.
If when you decide to upgrade, the bridge cameras remain as (in my opinion) the premier travel camera. It's cheap enough to keep with you on a daily basis and certainly has advantages over the DSLR and a bag full of lenses.
With the money saved, suggest investing in quality PP software like LR5 or you can pick up PSE12 today for $50 which is a bargain. Lots of options in that department. Just some thoughts. When /if you do decide to go for the DSLR, you will be better prepared. Each journey starts with the first step. For some reason, my first step usually leads me to the local camera store, craigslist, or ebay.LOL Good hunting.