In need of advice

[BigB_Man]

Hi guys! I am new to this forums and wanted some advice and help on getting started. I am a looking to be getting a camera in the next month but I wanted to see if it is a good camera. The camera I am looking to get is the Canon 70D. I have used one in the past and really like it. I have been wanting to get into photography for the last year but have never gotten the chance or insperation to finally get one. Although I have taken many photos on my iphone that aren't that bad, the quality and photography on an SLR is much, much better. Here are some of my more recent photos:

Thanks for reading and I look forward to getting to know all of you guys better! I will add more photos later!

 

[jaomul]

70d is great camera. I suggest you buy it with 18-135 stm lens and use for a while. Others may suggest different and maybe more specialized lenses, but in my opinion the kit lens is great to have and gives you a very good learning point. Enjoy, welcome to forum

 

[BigB_Man]

70d is great camera. I suggest you buy it with 18-135 stm lens and use for a while. Others may suggest different and maybe more specialized lenses, but in my opinion the kit lens is great to have and gives you a very good learning point. Enjoy, welcome to forum

Thank you so much for the advice! Ill put that into my notes!

 

[BigB_Man]

Jaomul's suggestion is excellent. I used to have an 18-135, it's a great lens. Only change I might make would be to get the 18-200 if you can instead. Little more versatility.

Welcome.

Thank you so much for your advice. The lens I used on the 70D was 75-180 I believe. I do like to get very close up shots though. I also like to get focus on one thing and blur on the other. Thanks for the advice though!

 

[Ido]

May I suggest another option to consider? Mirrorless cameras offer a lot of what DSLRs do, and for beginners they can be a lot easier to use. The camera is always in Live View mode, even when using an eye-level viewfinder, and it shows the effects of different settings before pressing the shutter button. That functionality is even helpful for more experienced photographers — I use it to make sure I get as much information in the image as possible, that I can then work with in processing. Mirrorless cameras can also be smaller and lighter, but many models are only slightly smaller than comparable DSLRs because you can only go so small without making buttons too small and tightly crammed.

For roughly the same price as a Canon EOS 70D with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 STM lens, you could get a Fujifilm X-T10 with 18-55mm f/2.8-4, for example. One isn't better than the other, necessarily. If you're interested, read the full reviews on DPReview.com, and try to get a hold of one (either in a local camera store or by rentals through services like LensRentals or BorrowLenses) to see if you like the handling.

Other options for around $1,000–$1,500: Sony α6000 (actually costs $700 with lens), Sony α7 (original; I think it's around $1,500 with the kit lens), Fujifilm X-E2 (I prefer the X-T10), Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 (best option for video), Olympus OM-D E-M10 (just $600 with lens) or E-M5 Mark II ($1,100 without lens).

I also like to get focus on one thing and blur on the other.

That is called shallow depth of field. You can read about depth of field here: Understanding Depth of Field in Photography
You may need to read a couple of their other tutorials first, if you don't understand the terminology.

 

[goodguy]

70D is not a bad camera but here are few things you should consider
Not very impressive dynamic range
Not very impressive low light performance
On the plus side it does offer a good AF system, good burst rate of 7FPS and a rather large buffer if sports shooting is importnt for you.
I saw debates about the T6S vs the 70D, personally I would go for the T6s over the 70D, the T6S has a better and more advanced sensor.
Only reason I would go for the 70D is if I would do a lot of video where the capabilities of its sensor is really shinning.

May I offer another option ?
Nikon D7200, it pretty much is better in every way over the 70D and is close in asking price.
Just for the sensor alone its already better, the sensor on the D7200 is considered by many to be currently the best in its class, dynamic range and low light performance is better then the 70D.

 

[astroNikon]

All cameras are pretty good.
If you are using Canon and you like it and maybe have a few lenses, then stick with them.
Or if you want to jump ship you could go to Nikon dslr, Sony or mirrorless etc. If you are looking for specific qualities then that helps us direct you to a particular camera, BUT have a total encompassing budget in mind for what you want to do otherwise you get recommendations for $6,000 camera bodies (plus another $8,000 for a nice wildlife lens).

But most people rely upon the camera itself to take great photos. It's still up to the person behind the shutter to do that and it's not as easy as most newer photographers think.
But always have fun

 

[BigB_Man]

May I suggest another option to consider? Mirrorless cameras offer a lot of what DSLRs do, and for beginners they can be a lot easier to use. The camera is always in Live View mode, even when using an eye-level viewfinder, and it shows the effects of different settings before pressing the shutter button. That functionality is even helpful for more experienced photographers — I use it to make sure I get as much information in the image as possible, that I can then work with in processing. Mirrorless cameras can also be smaller and lighter, but many models are only slightly smaller than comparable DSLRs because you can only go so small without making buttons too small and tightly crammed.

For roughly the same price as a Canon EOS 70D with 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 STM lens, you could get a Fujifilm X-T10 with 18-55mm f/2.8-4, for example. One isn't better than the other, necessarily. If you're interested, read the full reviews on DPReview.com, and try to get a hold of one (either in a local camera store or by rentals through services like LensRentals or BorrowLenses) to see if you like the handling.

Other options for around $1,000–$1,500: Sony α6000 (actually costs $700 with lens), Sony α7 (original; I think it's around $1,500 with the kit lens), Fujifilm X-E2 (I prefer the X-T10), Panasonic Lumix DMC-G7 (best option for video), Olympus OM-D E-M10 (just $600 with lens) or E-M5 Mark II ($1,100 without lens).

I also like to get focus on one thing and blur on the other.

That is called shallow depth of field. You can read about depth of field here: Understanding Depth of Field in Photography
You may need to read a couple of their other tutorials first, if you don't understand the terminology.

70D is not a bad camera but here are few things you should consider
Not very impressive dynamic range
Not very impressive low light performance
On the plus side it does offer a good AF system, good burst rate of 7FPS and a rather large buffer if sports shooting is importnt for you.
I saw debates about the T6S vs the 70D, personally I would go for the T6s over the 70D, the T6S has a better and more advanced sensor.
Only reason I would go for the 70D is if I would do a lot of video where the capabilities of its sensor is really shinning.

May I offer another option ?
Nikon D7200, it pretty much is better in every way over the 70D and is close in asking price.
Just for the sensor alone its already better, the sensor on the D7200 is considered by many to be currently the best in its class, dynamic range and low light performance is better then the 70D.

All cameras are pretty good.
If you are using Canon and you like it and maybe have a few lenses, then stick with them.
Or if you want to jump ship you could go to Nikon dslr, Sony or mirrorless etc. If you are looking for specific qualities then that helps us direct you to a particular camera, BUT have a total encompassing budget in mind for what you want to do otherwise you get recommendations for $6,000 camera bodies (plus another $8,000 for a nice wildlife lens).

But most people rely upon the camera itself to take great photos. It's still up to the person behind the shutter to do that and it's not as easy as most newer photographers think.
But always have fun

Thanks guys! I will put those in to mind!

 

[astroNikon]

I don't know anything about Canon, but on the Nikon side of things once you get to the level of wanting to focus on a particular spot, the bigger Nikons are better and more flexible. ie d7x00 versus the smaller d5x00 and d3x00 especially. I don't know if that holds true for the Canons. But different Focus Modes, versus just being more Point & Shoot, can be a factor in the lower models versus higher models.

 

[Bryston3bsst]

I don't know anything about Canon, but on the Nikon side of things once you get to the level of wanting to focus on a particular spot, the bigger Nikons are better and more flexible. ie d7x00 versus the smaller d5x00 and d3x00 especially. I don't know if that holds true for the Canons. But different Focus Modes, versus just being more Point & Shoot, can be a factor in the lower models versus higher models.

Another ambiguous statement.

Could you elaborate please? How are they better and more flexible?

 

[astroNikon]

I don't know anything about Canon, but on the Nikon side of things once you get to the level of wanting to focus on a particular spot, the bigger Nikons are better and more flexible. ie d7x00 versus the smaller d5x00 and d3x00 especially. I don't know if that holds true for the Canons. But different Focus Modes, versus just being more Point & Shoot, can be a factor in the lower models versus higher models.

Another ambiguous statement.

Could you elaborate please? How are they better and more flexible?

as you get more into the lower in cameras you start losing specific features.
The d3x00 and d5x00 cameras you have to do more menu diving for adjustments.

THe d7x00 and higher cameras for instance have dual control wheels which allow you to instantaneously change your aperture and shutter. Or push a butter and dial to change ISO. without taking your face off of the viewfinder.

The Focusing options are more "flexible" too in that the d7x00 and higher have more options for focusing which is easy to set and change. and you can, with a button and wheel, change your focusing mode very quickly, instead of I think menu diving in the lower end models.

Viewfinder is bigger but also brighter (easier to see) and the d7x00 and larger models.

Thus more "flexible" features and design.

Plus the in-body focus motor which is useful if you buy lenses that do not have a built-in focus motor aka AF-S lenses. AF-D lenses relie upon the body to have a focus motor. essentially you can buy some older professional glass for alot less money.

I've tried to help some friends with d3100 and d5100 in focusing issues and it was quite a pain, and for the d3x00 that one seems more stripped down.

But this is after you advance some in the cameras abilities. It all depends upon your future objective of photography.

It is also wholly dependent upon your budget and if you like the size/weight of the larger cameras. Also when you add more features the price goes up.

There's alot more too, but that's in brief

 

[beagle100]

Jaomul's suggestion is excellent. I used to have an 18-135, it's a great lens. Only change I might make would be to get the 18-200 if you can instead. Little more versatility.

Welcome.

Thank you so much for your advice. The lens I used on the 70D was 75-180 I believe. I do like to get very close up shots though. I also like to get focus on one thing and blur on the other. Thanks for the advice though!

I'm not sure about a "75-180" lens but the 70D is good, even the old 60D at $400 (refurb) is pretty good

Canon 60D

 

[philsphoto]

The canon EOS 70D is an amazing camera for beginners to serious armatures, to entry professionals. I have one and I love it! Get this camera with it's kit lenses, especially the ones with the Silent Stepping Motor (STM) for silent focus on video. Learn the camera and work towards getting faster lenses. "Faster" lenses have wider apertures and can gather more light. An F2.8 aperture lens is "fast" because at F2.8 it gathers more light, allowing for faster shutter speeds. There are other advantages to these "faster" and more professional lenses. But for now, get that camera and have some fun!


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[philsphoto]

Jaomul's suggestion is excellent. I used to have an 18-135, it's a great lens. Only change I might make would be to get the 18-200 if you can instead. Little more versatility.

Welcome.

Thank you so much for your advice. The lens I used on the 70D was 75-180 I believe. I do like to get very close up shots though. I also like to get focus on one thing and blur on the other. Thanks for the advice though!

I'm not sure about a "75-180" lens but the 70D is good, even the old 60D at $400 (refurb) is pretty good

Canon 60D

The "75-180" lens is a moderate zoom lens. The higher the number, the longer the zoom. The number indicates the focal length. Generally, 17mm is wide-angle, 50mm is normal, and 75 and up are the telephoto "zoom" lens.

Wide angle lenses are good for many things to include indoor photography and landscapes, where you want to photograph the expanse of a scene. 50mm is roughly what the human eye sees, thus being "normal".

It is good to have a lens, or a pair of lenses that cover a range of at least 28-300mm. These are common focal lengths you'll want to shoot with. Something around 28-300 is a great all-purpose lens.

Have fun!


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[BigB_Man]

Thanks guys!