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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Deb needs a new camera, or does she?
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02/04/2016 10:04:02 AM · #1
My trusty gear is getting a little ragged at the edges. The 7D has been around for so long the strap is disintegrating, badly and the body is looking a bit old, like it's owner. Both the 10-22 and the 24-105, the two lenses I use the most, have been to the Canon hospital in Irvine once. I've been dealing with an Err 80 issue for awhile. Normally I don't mind all that, but I'm supposed to shoot a wedding for a friend (I know, I know, I TOLD HIM to hire a professional, MANY times) in April and I'd rather not be popping the battery in and out all the time to clear the error, which doesn't always work...

Have not fully investigated mirrorless. Probably leaning toward keeping Canon just for familiarity.

That said, Canon 7D, newer version? 6D? 5D Mark III? Anything to be gained by me going full frame as just a hobbyist with a penchant for street shooting?

Appreciate thoughts and advice! Thanks!
02/04/2016 10:31:45 AM · #2
A used 6D.

You have to replace the 10-22 then, but I understand the 24-105 to be the best walkaround for full-frame.

You don't need 10 frames a second, and you don't want to hear the squealing of all Nikon and sundry users about the excessive grain from your 7Dmkii...

You'll get sharp images from the darkest of street corners with the 6D's focus ability when there's no light.

I have just purchased a used 7Dmkii... what an aperture mountain to climb!

Message edited by author 2016-02-04 10:32:16.
02/04/2016 11:28:49 AM · #3
They just announced the 1D X Mk II...

Looks nice. ;-)

Honestly, I can't say enough about how happy I am with the 1 series, and buying used is great, especially with these tanks.
02/04/2016 11:37:44 AM · #4
rent-to-own, i.e. try-then-buy
02/04/2016 11:39:17 AM · #5
Originally posted by Cory:

They just announced the 1D X Mk II...

Looks nice. ;-)

Honestly, I can't say enough about how happy I am with the 1 series, and buying used is great, especially with these tanks.

Deb's small (very small) and those cameras are HUGE :-)
02/04/2016 11:58:36 AM · #6
No advice from me, but just wanted to say that my strap disintegrated on my 40D recently. I bought a new strap. LOL!
02/04/2016 12:07:17 PM · #7
No, Deb's not that small, but you have to be really huge to carry a Canon 1D X Mk II ;) Personally I would go for the 7D II or a just a more compact one, Olympus PEN-F?
02/04/2016 12:35:22 PM · #8
Unless you're planning to shoot more weddings I'd rent a camera you're familiar with for this job. Then you'll have to decide if now is the time to go mirrorless. It's not if but when for going mirrorless.
02/04/2016 12:37:41 PM · #9
Two words: retail therapy :)
02/04/2016 02:17:58 PM · #10
Good advice, folks, thanks! I will have a second shooter (nephew, with his spiffy mirrorless Sony) and access to the groom's new Canon 70D, I think it is. But I have been thinking about going smaller. Biggest issue is speed, second is I really am a viewfinder person.

A rental body may be the solution for the wedding, even if just as a backup to my fussy 7D.

And yes, Kelli, a new strap is a good idea. :) Not as much fun, though!
02/04/2016 03:27:44 PM · #11
I vote for smaller. But don't let the smaller camera size fool you...look at the lenses as well.

I love my D600, but the lenses are much too big and heavy to lug around on vacations and such (which is when I take most of my landscape pics, aside from some dedicated shorter trips).

APS-C, whether DSLR or mirrorless, is a very good compromise in image quality and size.

To really be small and light, even mirrorless, you need to make a compromise beyond that, and go with a smaller sensor like Micro Four Thirds. You might look at the Panasonic GX8 or the OM-E5II. I'd stay away from any Panasonic body which doesn't have built in IS, since that limits you to Panasonic lenses, whereas otherwise, you could buy either Panasonic or Olympus lenses (which won't have IS),

I chose the Fuji X-T1, and it's a great camera (APS-C). There's also a new X-Pro2 which has just come out (for preorder). It has a hybrid viewfinder...either a digital image or optical. If you like to shoot JPEG (or RAW+JPEG), Fuji has some of the best out of camera JPEGs in the business. However, while the camera is smaller, the lenses are really not any smaller than an APS-C DLSR would afford. I still consider going even smaller to micro-four-thirds (which also has some of the best variety in pro and consumer lenses).

BTW - I personally like the electronic viewfinders more than an optical finder. If you are not shooting fast action at least. The Fuji viewfinder is very big--as I recall, it's actually bigger than most SLR viewfinders. Plus you can check focus (or manual focus) using focus peaking which is very nice.

There are lots of full-size samples on DP-Review and the Imaging Resource (IR) to help you choose. IR has a comparator which lets you look at the test shots side by side for any two cameras. DP-Review has something similar in it's review sections, though you are looking at a smaller window into the image (but you can download them too).

02/04/2016 07:09:35 PM · #12
Another vote for mirrorless. My micro 4/3, which I bought used, has better image quality than any of my APS-C canons.
02/04/2016 07:53:41 PM · #13
Inclined to the mirrorless. However, you have done such lovely work with your present kit. You might be happy with more of the same. I know that when I switch lenses it takes me awhile to adjust, or at least to realize that I am trying to adjust, if that makes any sense. And switching cameras is always a slight pain.
02/04/2016 09:34:10 PM · #14
Deb look at this nice small slr Canon - Sl1 - will allow you to use your current glass.
Unless you care for giant full frame monsters (body and or files) and want to change from the Canon - I'd vote Olympus for small....
02/04/2016 10:54:03 PM · #15
Again, thanks for all the considered comments - I do very much appreciate the shared knowledge and wisdom I find here. It's why I came here to ask!

Like Timothy says, it takes a while to adjust if you change.... I do have a lovely little Lumix point and shoot I've used on and off throughout the years, but I really like the ability to manipulate, I guess it would be, what I can do with the Canon, even though I don't manipulate all that much. And I really don't like "live view" or screen view or cell phone view - I NEEDS me a viewfinder! Since I rarely do anything pre-planned or posed (heaven help that poor guy who is having me shoot his wedding...) I tend to like something that can focus and shoot relatively quickly, as I'm more of a "catch the moment" kinda person, whatever that means. Well, it means I see, click, and I don't want to deal with the cell phone delay situation when I have a "real" camera out.

As I get older, I can definitely get on board with smaller. And lighter. :-)

And I know this is practically verboten here, but image quality isn't one of my deciding factors. After all, I've been shooting a 7D for YEARS. :-)

By the way, the poor fellow who's having me shoot his wedding has turned into a right decent photog himself, having taken the hobby up not all that long ago. But he's seen my pictures for years and he wants the more candid stuff. Other than the list of things he's going to give me, of course. But he's perfectly aware he's getting what he's paying for, as I'm shooting for free.

02/04/2016 11:38:51 PM · #16
Actually the electronic VFs can be pretty sweet. But it's great that you know that your priority is shoot and run, the pixels be damned.
02/07/2016 03:41:45 AM · #17
Hi Deb. I used to carry bags of gear around because the DSLR gave the best images for how I shot. I remember the huge zooms and primes 70-200, 300 f2.8 24-105 blah blah blah 2 bodies 6 batteries etc etc.

Not true these days. Have a look at the Fuji X-T1 or if you really want FF sensor then the Sony A7II is simply amazing with the ability to shoot all kinds of glass with them.

My whole kit bag with everything I own now is half the size and 1/4 the weight it used to be.

For street, and I am certainly not suggesting you re-mortgage your home, the best camera I have used has been a Leica (M8 is wonderful) you do sacrifice tele-zoom with a rangefinder.
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