Can you get me started on my equipment research?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM

08/12/2014 08:35:46 PM · #1

Hey all-
I used to hang out here quite a bit several years ago, before I became really burned out on photography! My interest has been coming back, and I am considering new equipment. I am so overwhelmed with all of the info out there, I thought you guys could help guide my research!

Primarily, I am looking to upgrade my camera body from a Canon 20D. It serves my purposes well, but there are a few things I do not like about it:
-The screen is tiny.
-I hate having to manually clean the sensor.
-I wish it had more AF points.
I am not looking to get back into any "semi-pro" work at this time, but I'd like it to be capable of such. Video and Wi-if capability would be a plus. Which Canon models should I take a look at, at which should I be careful of (or may not suit my needs)?

The other thing I am trying to decide on is a new desktop computer, and maybe a software update. I currently have Windows and Photoshop CS2. Yes, it has been a while. I have had FAR less problems with my MacBook Pro than any Windows laptop I have owned, so naturally I am considering an iMac. Of course, that would mean a big expense for new software, on top of an expensive computer. I have never played with Lightroom, so I have no idea if that would be enough.

Thanks in advance for any direction!

kawesttex

Apple iPhone 11 Pro

08/12/2014 08:44:27 PM · #2

I'm going to let all the tech gurus answer your questions.

I would like to say 'WELCOME BACK'!!!!

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

08/12/2014 09:21:32 PM · #3

A lot of people seem to do "most" of their basic editing in Lightroom, but having previously had/used Photoshop you will probably still want to have it. You can usually work with Adobe to transfer your PC software to Mac if you don't want to upgrade PS at the same time.

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

08/12/2014 09:43:42 PM · #4

light room and Photoshop are now $10 or $15 a month for both, (i forget, my employer pays my fee...)

you really only have two choices, I'd look at a 60D or 70D if you wish to stick with a crop sensor. i doubt you want to "downgrade" to a rebel series being used to the top lcd and button layout or the 20D. the 70D has some newer features but the 60D is still a very capable camera and cheaper.

Art Roflmao

Canon EOS-6D Mark II

08/12/2014 09:44:25 PM · #5

Hey welcome back, Jennifer! You didn't mention budget, but here would be my recommendations:

Canon 6D
Canon 7D
Canon 70D

Can't help you with the computer - I'm still running XP - but am interested in seeing the advice you get on that.

Cheers!

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/12/2014 09:52:00 PM · #6

for a computer, just buy the fastest processor, most memory and most hardrive space you can afford and get a nice monitor.

tanguera

Nikon D750

08/12/2014 09:57:42 PM · #7

Welcome back! Don't have an opinion on YOUR brand (ahem), but just know that Adobe photoshop is now only available in the cloud version. I really find LR very useful for certain stuff, but I feel it complements PS rather than replaces it.

LN13

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 15-85mm IS USM

08/12/2014 10:13:04 PM · #8

Be sure to check out Canon refurbished equipment for major discounts. They come with the same one year warranty.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/12/2014 11:06:46 PM · #9

Welcome back, Jennifer! Great to see you! But we really need an idea of budget if we're going to help you here.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G

08/12/2014 11:13:31 PM · #10

I knew I could count on you guys! :) Thanks for the welcome back. I see a few familiar "faces"!

My old computer is 10yrs old and also running XP. Time for an upgrade, especially since XP is no longer supported. Sounds like Photoshop is still a must. I have seen the "Creative Cloud" but did not realize it was the only option for Photoshop now! I suppose that may lessen the blow if I switch OS's, though it will cost more in the long run. I wonder if my old Wacom tablet is comparable with Mac...or my old Spyder...or if they are all way too outdated to continue using...

Yes, I would like a camera with similar controls as the 20D. I will look into the differences between the 60D & 70D. Any issues with the plastic body? I don't mind the crop sensor, except when I am using my 10-22mm, and I am not sure I want to go as high priced as the 6D & 7D if a cheaper one will suit my needs (especially if I am no longer doing photography to support my equipment purchases...LOL!)

Can anyone speak to how the 20D and 70D compare in low light, using a high ISO? Is it a night and day difference? I suppose that is another reason I'd like to upgrade.

Thanks again for letting me barge in here out of nowhere. Amazon reviews are great and all, but there has been a sharp increase in the amount of fauxtographers since I was last in the market for equipment! ;o)

Jenn

Nicht

Nikon D3100

08/13/2014 04:30:02 AM · #11

Hi,

I can't suggest anything on the camera upgrade - I think others here will know more about that. But the new sensors are far better ITO high ISO performance.

The PC - if your budget goes there (which it sounds like it does) get a mac. IMO they're better for photo and video editing. Just get an SSD - put photos you're editing on the SSD along with your OS and software, and once they're edited, move the photos to the HDD.

And from what I gather from serious photographer friends, use LR for the bulk of your editing. PS CS2 should be fine for touch up editing.

FromDaRock

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM Lens

08/13/2014 07:41:22 AM · #12

Originally posted by Nicht:

Funny, I would suggest the opposite, as a Mac is more expensive, and you already stated that you don't want to get a 7D or 6D due to price. I haven't looked at the numbers, but you can probably get the equivalent hardware in a PC and get the 6D with the money you will save. In either case, you will be running the same software.

BTW, the 7D and 70D are in the same price range, while the 60D is significantly less and the 6D (FF) is significantly more.

Note: Not trying to start a PC vs. Mac war, just looking at the economics. I think she would be better off putting the money into the camera.

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

08/13/2014 07:54:45 AM · #13

Originally posted by JRalston:

Yes, I would like a camera with similar controls as the 20D. I will look into the differences between the 60D & 70D. Any issues with the plastic body? I don't mind the crop sensor, except when I am using my 10-22mm, and I am not sure I want to go as high priced as the 6D & 7D if a cheaper one will suit my needs (especially if I am no longer doing photography to support my equipment purchases...LOL!)

Can anyone speak to how the 20D and 70D compare in low light, using a high ISO? Is it a night and day difference? I suppose that is another reason I'd like to upgrade.

i used to own a 60D its a great camera and the 70D is even better. I'm pretty sure low light will be night and day between the 20D and the 60 or 70D. no problems at all with the plastic body... its light. looking at your lens lineup i dont know why you would consider FF at this point, sell off the 10-22, make about an extra $500 and put that into a new body.

with your lens set I'd go 6D all the way.

snaffles

Nikon D7100

08/13/2014 08:42:03 AM · #14

Strictly fwiw, I'd stay with a crop sensor. Having upgraded bodies 4x in the last 6 years, I've learned a few things! Mostly, FFs - even refurbs - all have a steep price tag. And huge files, which is going to take a lot more computer to handle, and that usually will mean you have to have the latest versions of hardware....the headaches I had upgrading my entire OS system (Mac btw) just so I could handle NEFs from the D7100 was way more than I wanted.

Bear_Music

Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra

Sony 24-70mm F4 Vario-Tessar T* FE OSS

08/13/2014 12:25:23 PM · #15

Originally posted by Mike:

looking at your lens lineup i dont know why you would consider FF at this point, sell off the 10-22, make about an extra $500 and put that into a new body.

Good grief, NO! That lens is perfect for cropped sensor. I *think* what she was referring to is sometimes when she's using it she wishes she had FF so it would be even WIDER, but of course it won't even mount on a FF so it's a moot point...

08/13/2014 02:02:42 PM · #16

she has a 24-70/L, what is she losing, effectively 6 extra mm? eh, sell that puppy and get a fullframe. really make all that L glass shine.

:P

08/14/2014 07:50:52 AM · #17

Gahhh!!! So much to think about. It sounds like the 70D might be a good choice, especially if I want it to serve as my "camcorder", too. I like that it has more AF points. The 6D looks awesome, but the price is probably more than I am looking to spend, especially since I am no longer doing photography to rake in the cash. ;) It is so hard to stay reasonable. LOL

The 10-22mm...I don't use it very often. It and my 100mm macro are just toys. :) I do wish it could go a little wider, but since it is just a toy, it won't have a lot to do with my decision making. I do plan on hanging onto my 20D, so I could always use my EF-S lens with it.

I am still very torn on which way to go with the computer. I could buy two windows systems for the price of a Mac. :/ Plus, my husband is good with repairing & upgrading windows computers. Not sure if Macs work the same.

Question: Why would the 6D be so much greater with my lenses than the 70D? I am SO rusty on my camera knowledge. Better image quality with a FF?

Olympus 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro

08/14/2014 08:33:50 AM · #18

Originally posted by JRalston:

Question: Why would the 6D be so much greater with my lenses than the 70D? I am SO rusty on my camera knowledge. Better image quality with a FF?

for one, you get to use those lenses at their intended focal lengths. Your 24-70 actually behaves more like a 38-112 on the cropped sensor. Plus the big drawback to going ff is you dont get to use the less expensive EF-S glass, thus increasing your investment but you already have a nice set of L glass. Plus the FF noise control at higher ISO is just so much better than APC-C.

The 70D is a great camera but I'm just saying if you are setup for an easy transition to FF, why not consider it.

kirbic

Canon EOS R5

Canon RF 24-70 f2.8 L IS

08/14/2014 09:01:51 AM · #19

Whatever you decide, do look at Canon Refurbished. Canon now offers a 1-year warranty on refurbished cameras, which makes it a no-brainer, IMO. The 6D is currently $1519 and the 70D is $959. In addition, there is the Canon Loyalty Program, which is not really advertised. If you trade in any ol' non-working P&S, you can get a 10% discount off the above prices. I recently did this when I bought my 6D body.

As far as the advantages and disadvantages of FF, we could debate all day. I'm a FF kinda guy, but I do admit that the APS-C bodies are *very* good these days. FF will give you better control over DoF, and larger pixels will always equate to better acuity and lower noise. Lenses will "look shorter" on FF, which can be an advantage and a disadvantage. As far as file sizes, I don't see much difference in Mpx these days between FF and APS, so file size differences are not going to be huge, but *do* be prepared for much larger file sizes than you are used to. The 6D for instance gives RAW files in the range of 21MB.
I can attest that in low light the 6D is light-years ahead of my old 5D, and that old 5D will, in turn, run circles around the 20D in low light, so that should give you an idea how far things have come.

Ann

Olympus OM-D E-M1

08/14/2014 10:02:51 AM · #20

Usually I suggest people stick with crop sensor, because the lenses are cheaper. But...you already have a full set of FF lenses. So my suggestion would be to keep it simple.

6D
iMac
Lightroom

Sell the two EF-S lenses for the cash.

Shoot for awhile and see where you're going. Buy or sell as needed.

08/14/2014 10:47:05 AM · #21

Daaaang! Those are some huge files! I don't need that many MP's, as I generally don't do a lot of cropping. Do dSLR's these days have different size RAW file options, or just the one? At least the prices of cards have come way down. Do you know how much I paid for my first CF card back in 2004? $200 for a 1MB card! I just picked up a 8MB card for $20 the other day when I left ALL of my cards at home. :/

I cannot decide if the focal length on a FF is an advantage or disadvantage. I suppose it could be either, depending on the situation. I do have an L extender, but I have only used it a couple times.

That Canon Refurbished looks like a pretty good deal, too. I have a couple P&S's laying around here somewhere! I just need to decide which I will pass down to the kids. I am thinking my best bet would be to hand off my ol' 300D to them, which has been collecting dust for years, and trade in my S3.

Two other things concern me about the 6D, besides the increased cost and not knowing if I want FF or not: 1) No video autofocus, 2) only 11 AF points. I think the 300D and the 20D only have 9; I have always wished for more!

You guys are great. I really appreciate the advice. I was reading reviews on the Canon website last night. They should require an example of people's work when posting a review, so you know how seriously to take it. Just sayin'. LOL

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

08/14/2014 11:01:48 AM · #22

Mac Mini vs iMac? Can the mini be used with an HP monitor?

Edit: Yes, a mini can be used with my existing monitor via HDMI.

Message edited by author 2014-08-14 11:30:57.

tanguera

Nikon D750

08/14/2014 11:10:41 AM · #23

No one's asked yet, but what sort of stuff do you tend to shoot? Portraits? Landscapes? Macros? This would also help determine whether to go FF or not.

08/14/2014 11:15:04 AM · #24

Portraits and increasingly, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Of course, there is the occasional landscape photo, but more often than not, it is a moving subject.

Message edited by author 2014-08-14 11:15:28.