Looking for an upgrade

[benji777]

I need an upgrade, probably a lens and a new body. Currently do it as a hobby but may go to school for it in the next year



Budget: Around $1,000 total for the body and a lens, only buying used/refurbished as well



A little background: I purchased my first camera 6 years ago, the rebel t6 with only the kit lens. I was in photography class in high school at the time so I kept it in manual out of the box. Since then I’ve taken thousands of photos of almost ever genre. I’ve loved the t6 as a beginner camera but it’s lacking many features I now want. Still only using the kit lens and my dads old ef 100-300mm usm. For macro I’ve only used a raynox filter.



What I shoot: macro, birds, astrophotography, family vacations/events, portraits, possibly real estate soon

in that order for most to least often



What I want in the body: more low light flexibility, faster burst rate, better AF, detachable LCD, touch screen, image stabilization, leaning towards full frame but open to suggestions, not sure if I need mirrorless or if it would even fit in the budget, dont need everything but thats most of the list,



What I want in the lens: I guess if I stick with canon I’ll still have acess to the kit lens and the old telephoto so I may want a budget prime or two that would cover astrophotography and macro

 

[davev]

I think you'll want to look at KEH for used stuff with a 6 month warranty.

If you stick with a Canon crop sensor camera, the two that come to my mind are the 80D, 24mp sensor, or the 7D mark 2, a 20mp sensor.
The 80D is slower, I think it does 6 frames/second, but it has a few more megapixels.
The 7D mark 2 shoots 10 frames/second, has more focusing points, but if I remember right, isn't the greatest in low light.
Either of these will be between $550-600.

A long lenses is out of your price range, so a portrait lens might help you out.
The nifty 50 (50mm f1.8) can be had for under $100. The 50 f1.4 looks to be around $150-200.

Now you need something wide angle, 10-18, 10-20 something like that.
I didn't check any pricing for those, I have to let you do something.

I used to shoot Canon, in fact, I have an 80D. In 2018 I switched to mirrorless Sony cameras.
At $1000, I'm not sure you can get into a mirrorless kit that would be worth buying

 

[Thiophilos]

Mirrorless is the future (and the present). If you buy the old DSLR gear, it will be cheaper, but you are digging a hole for yourself that will be hard to climb out of in the future if you are serious about photography.

Full frame is great, but VERRRY expensive especially when you start to look at those big heavy L lenses (expensive as L).

So best to stick with a crop frame sensor. A mirrorless R7, body only, is over your budget, though.

Maybe stick with the t6 for a while and the lenses you have until things become clearer.

 

[Woolsocks]

Ha ha ha ha. I've been in this very spot myself. I recommend you not getting a 50 prime for astrophotography. On a crop sensor it's too much. And wide open say 2.6 or 1.8 or even 1.4 the images will look soft, almost out of focus since the stars are so far away. A wide angle or adjustable zoom wide angle lens is your best bet.

As for a lens upgrade or a camera upgrade. That will have to be it. One lens or one camera. Unless a local shop can give you a deal.

$1000.00 isn't enough to seriously explore photography.

 

[VidThreeNorth]

Ha ha ha ha. I've been in this very spot myself. I recommend you not getting a 50 prime for astrophotography. On a crop sensor it's too much. And wide open say 2.6 or 1.8 or even 1.4 the images will look soft, almost out of focus since the stars are so far away. A wide angle or adjustable zoom wide angle lens is your best bet.

As for a lens upgrade or a camera upgrade. That will have to be it. One lens or one camera. Unless a local shop can give you a deal.

$1000.00 isn't enough to seriously explore photography.

Astro doesn't really define what someone is trying to do. If you are trying for detail, then you go long. If you are looking for patterns, then you generally go wide. Either way, long exposures help. In that case, a good tripod is a better start point than a lens. Well, you do need some kind of lens to start.

 

[Woolsocks]

Astro doesn't really define what someone is trying to do. If you are trying for detail, then you go long. If you are looking for patterns, then you generally go wide. Either way, long exposures help. In that case, a good tripod is a better start point than a lens. Well, you do need some kind of lens to start.

These forums aren't what they used to be lol........

A tripod that has a motor to keep up with the movement of the earth. Is that what you mean?

 

[Thiophilos]

These forums aren't what they used to be lol........

A tripod that has a motor to keep up with the movement of the earth. Is that what you mean?

Tripod and tracker....

There goes the budget.

 

[Woolsocks]

Tripod and tracker....

There goes the budget.

Some photographers told me they have manually swiveled their tripods with the motion of the earth if they time it right. I have not accomplished this myself.

Budget: Around $1,000 total for the body and a lens






What I shoot: macro, birds, astrophotography, family vacations/events, portraits, possibly real estate soon





What I want in the body: more low light flexibility, faster burst rate, better AF, detachable LCD, touch screen, image stabilization, leaning towards full frame but open to suggestions, not sure if I need mirrorless or if it would even fit in the budget, ,



I may want a budget prime or two that would cover astrophotography and macro

What you really asking is for users here to send you links to deals or sell their own equipment to you. No way are you going to get that under $1k lol. Unless some very kind users says: Yes way! Here I'll sell you a new camera with a macro prime under $1k with an alias.

Every subject you listed, except real estate photography covers a macro prime. When you get into houses sometimes you will run out of room and the 100 to 300mm kit lens or the macro prime you want to buy will have to much focal length.

Politely thank Thiophilos, but say no that's not what I want. And spend that $1k (1,000) on a used macro prime lens. Forget about a new camera.


OR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just do what you were thinking of before posting here and just buy that new camera in the Canon lineup and use the old lenses like you said you would. They might even need an adapter. So budget for that too.

 

[Thiophilos]

Some photographers told me they have manually swiveled their tripods with the motion of the earth if they time it right. I have not accomplished this myself.

For low res subjects like comets, you can rig what is called a barn door tracker. You adjust them manually. They work in a pinch but they are really awful things.

 

[Ronaldalli]

I need an upgrade, probably a lens and a new body. Currently do it as a hobby but may go to school for it in the next year



Budget: Around $1,000 total for the body and a lens, only buying used/refurbished as well



A little background: I purchased my first camera 6 years ago, the rebel t6 with only the kit lens. I was in photography class in high school at the time so I kept it in manual out of the box. Since then I’ve taken thousands of photos of almost ever genre. I’ve loved the t6 as a beginner camera but it’s lacking many features I now want. Still only using the kit lens and my dads old ef 100-300mm usm. For macro I’ve only used a raynox filter.



What I shoot: macro, birds, astrophotography, family vacations/events, portraits, possibly real estate soon

in that order for most to least often



What I want in the body: more low light flexibility, faster burst rate, better AF, detachable LCD, touch screen, image stabilization, leaning towards full frame but open to suggestions, not sure if I need mirrorless or if it would even fit in the budget, dont need everything but thats most of the list,



What I want in the lens: I guess if I stick with canon I’ll still have acess to the kit lens and the old telephoto so I may want a budget prime or two that would cover astrophotography and macro

It sounds like you’ve had a solid journey with the Rebel T6, and it’s great to see your passion for photography evolving! With your diverse shooting interests, it makes sense that you’re looking for something that can handle low light better and provide faster autofocus and burst rates.

For your budget of around $1,000, you have some solid options. If you’re considering staying with Canon, the Canon EOS 90D could be a great choice. It offers excellent low-light performance, faster burst rates, and a good autofocus system. You can often find it refurbished within your budget, especially if you shop around.

Since you’re also exploring full-frame options, the Canon EOS RP could be a fantastic fit. It’s compact, has great low-light capabilities, and is designed for those transitioning to full-frame without breaking the bank.

As for lenses, a prime lens like the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 is affordable and perfect for portraits and low-light photography. You might also consider a macro lens like the Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L if you want to enhance your macro photography.

Good luck with your search, and if you have any questions about specific models or lenses, feel free to ask!

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