Canon 70D

[Bulb]

There are three cameras that I would be looking at:

Canon 6D - $2250 (After rebate, with EF 24-105 f/4L and Pixma Pro-100 printer)
Canon 7D - $1000 (Used, with EF 28-135mm)
Canon 70D - $1450 (After rebate, with EF-S 18-135mm)

The 6D is Canon's newest full frame DSLR. It has the same image quality and nearly every feature that the 5D3 has.
The 7D is an older DSLR. It is arguably the best crop sensor DSLR available.
The 70D is Canon's newest crop sensor DSLR. The main improvement is its ability to quickly autofocus while recording video.

I chose the 6D because of its low-light performance, image quality, and ergonomics. If I were to choose any other Canon DSLR then it would have been the 7D. DigitalRev's video where they basically tortured a 7D (dropping down stairs, freezing in ice, setting on fire, etc.) really impressed me. The 70D was a camera that came out not long after I made my decision. It seems very well received, but I didn't see enough of an improvement over the 7D to make me want it. If you plan on doing video regularly, though, it would probably be the best option.

 

[kparker8812]

I guess the first question I would ask would be, what exactly is it about the XSi that isn't currently doing the job for you? It's kind of an important question to answer really, before you go to upgrade. What is it about the XSI that you feel isn't doing the job? Image quality, low light ability, FPS shooting speed, etc?

All of the above. Very much under performs for what I want to do. Horrible noise in low light situations. It's slow. Loud.

 

[robbins.photo]

I guess the first question I would ask would be, what exactly is it about the XSi that isn't currently doing the job for you? It's kind of an important question to answer really, before you go to upgrade. What is it about the XSI that you feel isn't doing the job? Image quality, low light ability, FPS shooting speed, etc?

All of the above. Very much under performs for what I want to do. Horrible noise in low light situations. It's slow. Loud.

Ok, so the camera's you've chosen would all be good choices since each one of them does much better in each category you've mentioned. Do you already own a lot of lenses for Canon?

 

[kparker8812]

Ok, so the camera's you've chosen would all be good choices since each one of them does much better in each category you've mentioned. Do you already own a lot of lenses for Canon?

I only own 3. Only one can be used on a Full Frame body, which is my 50mm 1.8. I use this lens 90% of the time anyways. The other two are my kit lenses 18-55 and 55-250. Is the new AF system any better for just standard photography? I'm not interested in it at all for the video. So if the AF system is only beneficial for video, then I may fork out the extra $$$ and get a 6D.

Next question. Anyone heard of overstockdigital.com and is it reputable? Good pricing but almost too good to be true pricing. Haven't done my research on it yet.

Thanks!

 

[kparker8812]

NVM. Just looked more into that site. Looks super fishy to me.

 

[robbins.photo]

Ok, so the camera's you've chosen would all be good choices since each one of them does much better in each category you've mentioned. Do you already own a lot of lenses for Canon?

I only own 3. Only one can be used on a Full Frame body, which is my 50mm 1.8. I use this lens 90% of the time anyways. The other two are my kit lenses 18-55 and 55-250. Is the new AF system any better for just standard photography? I'm not interested in it at all for the video. So if the AF system is only beneficial for video, then I may fork out the extra $$$ and get a 6D.

Next question. Anyone heard of overstockdigital.com and is it reputable? Good pricing but almost too good to be true pricing. Haven't done my research on it yet.

Thanks!

Yes, I've heard of overstock digital.. and no, I highly recommend you don't do business with them under any circumstances. Ok, so next question.. to full frame or not full frame - Do you see yourself really needing the wider angle and better low light performance a FF camera offers? It's something to really think over, the FF body is going to be a lot more expensive than something with a crop sensor - and that additional money in your budget could be used for some really nice glass - lighting/reflectors, other accessories like tripods, etc - things that could really come in handy if your eventually thinking of taking pictures professionally.

So I recommend you give a lot of thought to what sort of pictures you'll be taking most, and decide if the FF is really worth the additional initial investment especially when you already own some lenses that you will have to replace. It may very well be that you decide that it is, in which case great - but it might be that the FF slightly better low light performance or wider angle might not be as useful to you as all the additional stuff you can buy in addition to the crop sensor. That's really something you'll have to think about, based on what you already have and what you are going to need to get to where you want to be.

 

[kparker8812]

Yes, I've heard of overstock digital.. and no, I highly recommend you don't do business with them under any circumstances. Ok, so next question.. to full frame or not full frame - Do you see yourself really needing the wider angle and better low light performance a FF camera offers? It's something to really think over, the FF body is going to be a lot more expensive than something with a crop sensor - and that additional money in your budget could be used for some really nice glass - lighting/reflectors, other accessories like tripods, etc - things that could really come in handy if your eventually thinking of taking pictures professionally. So I recommend you give a lot of thought to what sort of pictures you'll be taking most, and decide if the FF is really worth the additional initial investment especially when you already own some lenses that you will have to replace. It may very well be that you decide that it is, in which case great - but it might be that the FF slightly better low light performance or wider angle might not be as useful to you as all the additional stuff you can buy in addition to the crop sensor. That's really something you'll have to think about, based on what you already have and what you are going to need to get to where you want to be.

Well what do you think? I just can't figure out the importance of each alternative. I mean I know they are important, but at the same time I don't know which is MORE important.

I am a wedding photographer and lifestyle. So I do a lot of portraiture as well (family, maternity, engagement, senior etc). But my main goal is to succeed in wedding photography. That is where my biggest passion lies. Having said that, I know that almost all wedding photographers use a 5D. It's almost like an industry standard. And I know they primarily use it for the FF capabilities. There is no way I can afford a 5D right now. I would like to go with the 70D, but do you think it would be sufficient for what I am using it for? I mean up until this point I have used my Rebel XSi and it got the job done. It was hard, but it got it done. So anything would be an improvement. But since I plan on renting my glass until I can save up for it and purchase it outright, does it make more sense to invest in the FF frame now since I ultimately want the 5D? I know it's my decision, but I need opinions. As far as my two EF-S lenses, I know I won't be able to use them with a 6D, but I hardly use them anyways. I just don't like them.

Also, please don't make fun, but can someone explain to me exactly what cross type AF system means? I know the 70D has this feature where all of the points are cross type and the 6D only has the center one cross type. Is this something for video only? If so, I don't think I will let that be a deciding factor since I'm not using it for video.

 

[robbins.photo]

Yes, I've heard of overstock digital.. and no, I highly recommend you don't do business with them under any circumstances. Ok, so next question.. to full frame or not full frame - Do you see yourself really needing the wider angle and better low light performance a FF camera offers? It's something to really think over, the FF body is going to be a lot more expensive than something with a crop sensor - and that additional money in your budget could be used for some really nice glass - lighting/reflectors, other accessories like tripods, etc - things that could really come in handy if your eventually thinking of taking pictures professionally. So I recommend you give a lot of thought to what sort of pictures you'll be taking most, and decide if the FF is really worth the additional initial investment especially when you already own some lenses that you will have to replace. It may very well be that you decide that it is, in which case great - but it might be that the FF slightly better low light performance or wider angle might not be as useful to you as all the additional stuff you can buy in addition to the crop sensor. That's really something you'll have to think about, based on what you already have and what you are going to need to get to where you want to be.

Well what do you think? I just can't figure out the importance of each alternative. I mean I know they are important, but at the same time I don't know which is MORE important.

I am a wedding photographer and lifestyle. So I do a lot of portraiture as well (family, maternity, engagement, senior etc). But my main goal is to succeed in wedding photography. That is where my biggest passion lies. Having said that, I know that almost all wedding photographers use a 5D. It's almost like an industry standard. And I know they primarily use it for the FF capabilities. There is no way I can afford a 5D right now. I would like to go with the 70D, but do you think it would be sufficient for what I am using it for? I mean up until this point I have used my Rebel XSi and it got the job done. It was hard, but it got it done. So anything would be an improvement. But since I plan on renting my glass until I can save up for it and purchase it outright, does it make more sense to invest in the FF frame now since I ultimately want the 5D? I know it's my decision, but I need opinions. As far as my two EF-S lenses, I know I won't be able to use them with a 6D, but I hardly use them anyways. I just don't like them.

Also, please don't make fun, but can someone explain to me exactly what cross type AF system means? I know the 70D has this feature where all of the points are cross type and the 6D only has the center one cross type. Is this something for video only? If so, I don't think I will let that be a deciding factor since I'm not using it for video.

Ok, well I'm not a wedding photographer so please keep in mind I'm no bona fide expert on the subject, but I am a bit of a camera geek so here goes.

First, the cross focus sensor. In most DSLR's light coming into the lens is split into two different paths and then directed at an Autofocus sensor. The original sensor is really just a photosensitive strip that is just a few pixels wide and maybe a couple of dozen pixels high. The difference in intensity between these two signals is then analyzed by the camera and used to determine how best to adjust the focus. A cross type sensor uses another set of photosensitive strips at a 90 degree angle to the first set, it allows for a second dimension of these signals to be analyzed and compared which makes the focusing more accurate.

Now, as to the gear - if you really don't think you'll be using your original lenses much and your convinced you'll be purchasing a full frame camera at some point then it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and purchase one now. From what you listed above I'd probably give the 6D with the F4 lens some serious consideration. The 6D won't shoot as fast as the 7D will but I would imagine that 4-5 frames per second would be enough for most wedding situations. I shoot mostly wildlife photography and I've found that 4 FPS is generally fast enough to keep up with my needs. The lens included would probably be a very good one for wedding/event photography, F4 is a reasonably fast lens and 24-105 would give you enough zoom to capture most of what your looking to capture.

That having been said, I would urge you to sit down and consider a few other things before actually buying the camera. I don't wish to be discouraging but running your own business is a ton of work, and very few new businesses actually succeed. More so than normal when your talking about a photography business - it is super competitive and very difficult to earn a decent wage. It's a whole lot more about running a business than it is about photography, I've known a couple of guys who were top notch photographers who tried to run their own business and failed. So I'd give a lot of thought to a business plan, marketing strategies, etc before buying the camera.

 

[kparker8812]

Ok, well I'm not a wedding photographer so please keep in mind I'm no bona fide expert on the subject, but I am a bit of a camera geek so here goes. First, the cross focus sensor. In most DSLR's light coming into the lens is split into two different paths and then directed at an Autofocus sensor. The original sensor is really just a photosensitive strip that is just a few pixels wide and maybe a couple of dozen pixels high. The difference in intensity between these two signals is then analyzed by the camera and used to determine how best to adjust the focus. A cross type sensor uses another set of photosensitive strips at a 90 degree angle to the first set, it allows for a second dimension of these signals to be analyzed and compared which makes the focusing more accurate. Now, as to the gear - if you really don't think you'll be using your original lenses much and your convinced you'll be purchasing a full frame camera at some point then it might not be a bad idea to go ahead and purchase one now. From what you listed above I'd probably give the 6D with the F4 lens some serious consideration. The 6D won't shoot as fast as the 7D will but I would imagine that 4-5 frames per second would be enough for most wedding situations. I shoot mostly wildlife photography and I've found that 4 FPS is generally fast enough to keep up with my needs. The lens included would probably be a very good one for wedding/event photography, F4 is a reasonably fast lens and 24-105 would give you enough zoom to capture most of what your looking to capture. That having been said, I would urge you to sit down and consider a few other things before actually buying the camera. I don't wish to be discouraging but running your own business is a ton of work, and very few new businesses actually succeed. More so than normal when your talking about a photography business - it is super competitive and very difficult to earn a decent wage. It's a whole lot more about running a business than it is about photography, I've known a couple of guys who were top notch photographers who tried to run their own business and failed. So I'd give a lot of thought to a business plan, marketing strategies, etc before buying the camera.

Best advice I have gotten. Thank you so much! I will try and figure out what to do. I currently have enough saved for the 70D which I was going to get as my Christmas gift. I work in sales so I guess I might just have to hustle some more to make enough to get the 6D. Luckily for me I work at TigerDirect and I can buy things at cost. And we sell cameras and lenses. It's not much of a savings, but it's some. I will look and see what a 6D will cost me today. I will also go play with them at best buy and try and make a decision. Thanks again!

 

[centauro74]

I'd check on canon refurbished. They have great deals, I saw a 6D for less than $1500 about 3 weeks ago.

 

[jsecordphoto]

When shopping for used stuff I've had really good experiences with keh.com too. just another thing to consider

 

[kparker8812]

I'd check on canon refurbished. They have great deals, I saw a 6D for less than $1500 about 3 weeks ago.

I see it but it's out of stock! I'm trying to find a good deal on the kit so I can start out with two lenses.

 

[kparker8812]

When shopping for used stuff I've had really good experiences with keh.com too. just another thing to consider

I don't see a used one on there unless I am looking in the wrong spot.

 

[TCampbell]

You can buy a refurbished body direct from Canon. They come with a 1 year warranty.

While refurbished can be used and reconditioned... it can also mean an overstock return or someone bought a camera, had second thoughts and returned it, etc. Some "refurbished" cameras have technically never even been used but cannot be sold as "new" since they were technically sold to someone.

See: Canon EOS 6D Body Refurbished | Canon Online Store

I show this as currently in-stock (they do go in and out of stock so keep checking if it goes out of stock on you). The price is $1519. The price on a new body is $1899. That's a $380 savings vs. a "new" body. (I'm looking at the body only configuration -- I did not see a configuration with the kit lens included.)

 

[jsecordphoto]

my 60D was a refurb and everything about it appeared brand new, I got it through adorama but it still came with a warranty. I'd for sure recommend refurbished if you decide to go that route