Upgrade from Canon Rebel Xt?

[cmort666]

I'm looking to upgrade from my Canon Digital Rebel Xt/EOS350D digital camera. It's so old it doesn't have live view and the max ISO is pretty low.

I mostly shoot macro indoors, with some nature and casual architectural photography.

Here are my base criteria:

1. MUST be Canon - non-negotiable
2. MUST be APS-C - non-negotiable
3. good live view for manual focusing
4. body only, in the $400-$600 range
5. used or refurbed is acceptable

I was thinking about a T6i, but I've seen what like good deals on used 7Ds from reputable sources.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[5-Shot]

I assume it "must be a Canon" so you can use your old lenses. If that is the case, I strongly suggest you take a look at a Sony 6000. I did and am delighted with the results. Using very inexpensive adapters I have fitted three of my ancient Pentax lenses, two from an old Mamiya 645 and even an old set of extension tubes. Manual focus naturally. All work better here than in their original setting. There's a wonderful video by a professional photographer named Fong that hits the high points. I bet you would like it.

 

[cmort666]

I assume it "must be a Canon" so you can use your old lenses. If that is the case, I strongly suggest you take a look at a Sony 6000. I did and am delighted with the results. Using very inexpensive adapters I have fitted three of my ancient Pentax lenses, two from an old Mamiya 645 and even an old set of extension tubes. Manual focus naturally. All work better here than in their original setting. There's a wonderful video by a professional photographer named Fong that hits the high points. I bet you would like it.

Are you saying that EVERYTHING is manual, or just the extension tubes?

I'm not interested in anything that would prevent control of the aperture (or auto-focus for non-macro use) from the camera.

I don't have anything against Sony. They took over the Minolta technology, and my last film camera was a Minolta.

I really do like Canon and intend to stick with them.

 

[5-Shot]

All the old lenses are manual. If your lenses are auto's, they will not be with the 6000.

 

[cmort666]

All the old lenses are manual. If your lenses are auto's, they will not be with the 6000.

Unfortunately, that wouldn't work out for me. Modern Canon lenses get their aperture setting from the body. Without electronics, they're wide open all the time.

 

[cmort666]

Does anybody have any opinions on the Canon 60D? The reviews are good and used ones go for pretty good prices.

 

[Fishinfool]

I attached a link to a great photography site that leans heavy twords Canon. You will find more info than you could want on Canon's DSLR's.
Canon Forum - FM Forums

I was a Canon user during my early film days, but now Nikon, so I cant be of much help in your choice.

Larry

 

[cmort666]

I attached a link to a great photography site that leans heavy twords Canon. You will find more info than you could want on Canon's DSLR's.
Canon Forum - FM Forums

I was a Canon user during my early film days, but now Nikon, so I cant be of much help in your choice.

Larry

I've already posed the question on DPReview and Photography on the Net. I'll join this one too.

Thanks.

I was hoping for more answers here, since they're less likely to devolve into fanboi arguments than in photography specific forums. Fortunately, there hasn't really been any of that in the other forums so far.

 

[Cyrano]

Does anybody have any opinions on the Canon 60D? The reviews are good and used ones go for pretty good prices.

Don't know about the 60D but I have a 70D. It's now for sale. It's the most complex camera I've ever encountered. Difficult and not intuitive to use: to get something done you usually have to go through at least three or four steps. The instruction book is 126 pages,and that's just the 'basic' instructions. The complete instructions are on a CD that runs about 400 pages, but some of that is how to work the software in the computer. Much too complex for this simple minded boy: I had a Canon A1 before I went digital, but now I have a Sony DSLR that's much more user friendly.

 

[dswancutt]

go to kenrockwell.com and find the Canon section under reviews. Though not as in depth as the Nikon section, it should answer a lot of your questions.

 

[cmort666]

I had a Canon A1 before I went digital, but now I have a Sony DSLR that's much more user friendly.

I've got a Minolta XG1, which I really liked.

When I decided to switch to digital, I looked and looked for Minoltas and didn't find ANY. It took me a while to discover that Sony had bought Minolta's technology.

 

[cmort666]

go to kenrockwell.com and find the Canon section under reviews. Though not as in depth as the Nikon section, it should answer a lot of your questions.

I've been reading reviews, and the 60D seems to be well liked.

 

[cmort666]

I bought a used Canon T4i from B&H Photo for well under $400. It and the memory cards and extra batteries I bought arrived today.

It looks like a very nice camera in wonderful condition.

Now I just need to learn the controls (no manual). After receiving it, I bought a third party manual from Amazon, which doesn't arrive until next week. In the meantime, I downloaded the OEM manual in pdf form.

It's clearly going to be well worth the money for the live view alone, when doing macro.

 

[LouisianaJoe]

Look at Digital Camera Reviews, Canon Cameras, Nikon Cameras, DSLR and SLR Cameras - Steves Digicams You can see a lot of info on each camera. They also take the same photo with each camera and you can compare the results.

I have had a 70D since it came out and I like what I can do with it. There is a learning curve.

 

[cmort666]

Some images from the new camera:

 

[Bill Bates]

You might want to look for a used 7D. In many ways it is step up from the 60D all be it the 60D is nice camera.

 

[cmort666]

You might want to look for a used 7D. In many ways it is step up from the 60D all be it the 60D is nice camera.

I've already bought a T4i. See the pictures above.