New Canon Upgrade. Need advice!

[Pnyeguy]

Hello everyone, this is my first time on this site but I have a big decision going on in my head. I going off to college next year as a Film major and my parents are looking at getting me a new camera for my graduation present. For months I have been researching and going back and forth on a couple different models, lenses, etc. I am not new to photography or cinematography and I have been working with a Canon SL1 with Tamron 18-270mm lens and GoPros for the past few years making videos for myself and several clients. I also have some first hand experience with the 70D so I just need advice on what you think might fit my needs and budget the best.

After comparing a number of sites, I just found a big sale on the electronics store Abes of Maine with cameras marked down several hundred dollars so I will most likely order there. Mainly just want some other opinions on what camera and lens combo would work best for me because I am having a tough time deciding. Links:
Abes of Maine Cameras
Abes of Maine Lenses

Goals:
I have been using Canon for several years and feel more comfortable with them so I would like to stay in the Canon family. I enjoy taking pictures as well as shooting videos on the same DSLR. I love taking landscape and night time pictures but I tend to shoot a variety of subjects as well as shoot action videos during the daytime. I realize that this is like 2 different extremes to a camera (between low light pictures and bright light video) but I haven't been able to decide on anything yet.

Budget:
$1,500 range but could go a bit higher if necessary

I already have both kit lenses (18-55mm and 75-300mm) as well as a Canon 24-85mm f/3.5 (that is hopefully getting fixed). I am considering Canon 70D, Canon 6D, and Canon 7D Mk II but I would love any advice on these cameras or other Canon models! As a videographer the 60FPS 1080p on the 7D Mk II is very nice, but the 6D is a full frame camera, and the 70D has better autofocus. So as you can see the decision is difficult. All questions and advice are welcome! Thank you for your help!

 

[Microbois]

Can't comment on Canon much as I'm a Nikon user, but I do know that you have to stay clear from Abes of Maine. Just look up Google with the following keywords "Abes of Maine Complaints", and you will come back to Earth... Typical bait and switch scam.

 

[tirediron]

If you're looking to upgrade Canon, then simply buy Nikon!





Sorry... can't offer any real help, but that was too good to pass up!

 

[beagle100]

Hello everyone, this is my first time on this site but I have a big decision going on in my head. I going off to college next year as a Film major and my parents are looking at getting me a new camera for my graduation present. For months I have been researching and going back and forth on a couple different models, lenses, etc. I am not new to photography or cinematography and I have been working with a Canon SL1 with Tamron 18-270mm lens and GoPros for the past few years making videos for myself and several clients. I also have some first hand experience with the 70D so I just need advice on what you think might fit my needs and budget the best.

After comparing a number of sites, I just found a big sale on the electronics store Abes of Maine with cameras marked down several hundred dollars so I will most likely order there. Mainly just want some other opinions on what camera and lens combo would work best for me because I am having a tough time deciding. Links:
Abes of Maine Cameras
Abes of Maine Lenses

Goals:
I have been using Canon for several years and feel more comfortable with them so I would like to stay in the Canon family. I enjoy taking pictures as well as shooting videos on the same DSLR. I love taking landscape and night time pictures but I tend to shoot a variety of subjects as well as shoot action videos during the daytime. I realize that this is like 2 different extremes to a camera (between low light pictures and bright light video) but I haven't been able to decide on anything yet.

Budget:
$1,500 range but could go a bit higher if necessary

I already have both kit lenses (18-55mm and 75-300mm) as well as a Canon 24-85mm f/3.5 (that is hopefully getting fixed). I am considering Canon 70D, Canon 6D, and Canon 7D Mk II but I would love any advice on these cameras or other Canon models! As a videographer the 60FPS 1080p on the 7D Mk II is very nice, but the 6D is a full frame camera, and the 70D has better autofocus. So as you can see the decision is difficult. All questions and advice are welcome! Thank you for your help!

look at Adorama or B&H refurbished - the full frame 6D is around $1,200

 

[Solarflare]

Budget:
$1,500 range but could go a bit higher if necessary

I already have both kit lenses (18-55mm and 75-300mm) as well as a Canon 24-85mm f/3.5 (that is hopefully getting fixed). I am considering Canon 70D, Canon 6D, and Canon 7D Mk II but I would love any advice on these cameras or other Canon models! As a videographer the 60FPS 1080p on the 7D Mk II is very nice, but the 6D is a full frame camera, and the 70D has better autofocus. So as you can see the decision is difficult. All questions and advice are welcome! Thank you for your help!

Well, be aware you wont be able to use the 18-55mm on a 6D AT ALL. Canon doesnt allow people to mount their APS-C (EF-S) lenses on full frame DSLRs. Third party APS-C lenses will work.

Fortunately you have a 24-85mm which can take over. I'm wary of the "needs to be fixed" part though.

And I would like to point out to you that 4K Video is the contemporary video format. No chance to get that in any DSLR any time soon, though.

Sorry... can't offer any real help, but that was too good to pass up!

Its just as "funny" as the people who tell you with utter conviction "BUT CANON MAKES THE GOOD LENSES" when they see you're using a Nikon.

Also, the OP is doing video ... Canon is traditionally good at video.

 

[DarkShadow]

IMO for general purpose especially Video 70D or 7DII hands down.Just keep in mind the crop factor if you do indoor video 1.6 X the glass used.Also Canon 6D only supports full fram glass and IMO not the best all around Camera,for stills its fantastic and the image quality is superb. If it was me looking for a general all around Camera and strong on the video side, I would go with the 70D for focus in live view and the flip/swivel screen especially for Video it's a huge benefit.

 

[Pnyeguy]

Can't comment on Canon much as I'm a Nikon user, but I do know that you have to stay clear from Abes of Maine. Just look up Google with the following keywords "Abes of Maine Complaints", and you will come back to Earth... Typical bait and switch scam.

Interesting. Thanks for the heads up! I will definitely just go through B&H as I have some experience with them.

If you're looking to upgrade Canon, then simply buy Nikon!





Sorry... can't offer any real help, but that was too good to pass up!

Yea I've heard that a lot but doesn't change my thoughts. Love Canon and their video capabilities.

look at Adorama or B&H refurbished - the full frame 6D is around $1,200

Yea thanks! B&H my next best option now but I'll check out Adorama now too.

Well, be aware you wont be able to use the 18-55mm on a 6D AT ALL. Canon doesnt allow people to mount their APS-C (EF-S) lenses on full frame DSLRs. Third party APS-C lenses will work.

Fortunately you have a 24-85mm which can take over. I'm wary of the "needs to be fixed" part though.

And I would like to point out to you that 4K Video is the contemporary video format. No chance to get that in any DSLR any time soon, though.

Sorry... can't offer any real help, but that was too good to pass up!

Its just as "funny" as the people who tell you with utter conviction "BUT CANON MAKES THE GOOD LENSES" when they see you're using a Nikon.

Also, the OP is doing video ... Canon is traditionally good at video.

Awesome thank you! This is what I was looking for. Yea my lens won't telescope out completely so it is getting fixed but it sounds like the 6D is kinda out of my budget by the time I get some good glass to go with it anyways. I wish DSLRs did 4K, and I know some of the Sony cameras do 4K with some add ons or whatever but I'm trying to stay Canon and I want to take nice pictures as well. Definitely prefer using Canon for video.

IMO for general purpose especially Video 70D or 7DII hands down.Just keep in mind the crop factor if you do indoor video 1.6 X the glass used.Also Canon 6D only supports full fram glass and IMO not the best all around Camera,for stills its fantastic and the image quality is superb. If it was me looking for a general all around Camera and strong on the video side, I would go with the 70D for focus in live view and the flip/swivel screen especially for Video it's a huge benefit.

Perfect that's pretty much what I was thinking, just wanted someone else to back me up. Thanks for your help!

 

[GlennT]

I'm with DarkShadow on this one; 70D or 7D Mark II. FWIW, also check out Canon direct refurbs. I bought my 7D from Canon direct as a refurb. It came with a 1 year warranty and was substantially cheaper than new. I couldn't tell a difference from new, other than it came in a plain white Canon box vs retail packaging. They don't have any 7D Mark II refurbs, but they do have the 70D refurb for $699 for body only.

 

[DarkShadow]

I agree that refurbished is a great option and surprisingly most are like brand new with no shutter count to speak of. And because the factory actually take them time to look them over and may have to fix something it is like a double quality control check IMO.

 

[Pnyeguy]

I'm with DarkShadow on this one; 70D or 7D Mark II. FWIW, also check out Canon direct refurbs. I bought my 7D from Canon direct as a refurb. It came with a 1 year warranty and was substantially cheaper than new. I couldn't tell a difference from new, other than it came in a plain white Canon box vs retail packaging. They don't have any 7D Mark II refurbs, but they do have the 70D refurb for $699 for body only.

Great thanks. I am a big supporter of refurbished but I kind of forgot about refurbished cameras directly through Canon... Duhhh

I agree that refurbished is a great option and surprisingly most are like brand new with no shutter count to speak of. And because the factory actually take them time to look them over and may have to fix something it is like a double quality control check IMO.

Yea that's a great point! Thanks for the help

 

[Pnyeguy]

Now its time to choose a lens! Probably going to go refurbished for that too. Really want a 16-35 f2.8 but I don't have that kind of money so I might just go for a 17-40 f4. Any thoughts on these lenses or others? Really want a wide angle and preferably a wider aperture (2.8) but not sure is I can afford a lens like this yet.