Advice About Purchasing Replacement for Rebel XTi

[disneymath]

I'm new to this board, but hoping some of you will chime in with some advice.

I have a Canon Rebel XTi that I am looking to replace. (It's close to, if not more than, a decade old and uses compact flash cards. It's served me well.)

While Nikon DSLRs seem to be better rated than Canon ones (according to snapsort.com anyhow), if I switch to a Nikon I would need to get all new lenses. If I stick with Canon, my current lenses should be compatible.

I currently own three lenses:
Canon EFS 18-55mm
Canon EF 75-300mm
Canon EF-S 55-250mm

I'm debating between purchasing a Canon EOS 70D (body only), Canon Rebel T5i (body only) or looking more closely at the Nikon D ##00 bundles.

A lot of my photos are taken indoors (graduations/awards ceremonies, basketball games, hockey games), theatre performances (no flash). Outside photos include Disney stuff, cross country ski races, etc.

Any advice? (Pricewise, I don't want to stray too far over $1000.)

TIA!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

All the manufacturers make excellent cameras that will work very well for what you wish to shoot. There's nothing in what you wrote that sounds like any compelling reason to switch manufacturers when you already have a little invested in the canon line unless you looked at the Nikon and it was far more appealing to you personally.

 

[jrdgtr]

I would go with the 70d. While the new rebel has more updated features than the old one you currently have, it is still an entry level camera.

 

[SkaGoat]

I would go with the 70d. While the new rebel has more updated features than the old one you currently have, it is still an entry level camera.

The Rebel T5 is Canon's entry level, the T5i is next up the line, but functionally a lot better.

I would stick with Canon, the Nikon's aren't enough better that it warrants selling all your Canon gear, then buying new Nikon gear.

The T5i is a very capable camera, it has almost twice the burst rate, but the same amount of focusing points as your XTi. The T5i will be better in low-light, and offers almost double the pixel count on your photos.

The 70D is about 3 times faster than your XTi when it comes to burst rate, and it offers 10 more focus points. It's also even better in lower light situations than the T5i, and offers exactly double the Mega Pixels.

As far as features go, the 70D has more pro level features, faster max shutter speed, faster flash sync, LCD screen to show you your settings on top of the camera body, WiFi, more Auto Focus modes. It's also bigger and heavier than the T5i.

The 70D will be better for sports, but the T5i will not be terrible for sports either. It's AF will be good enough, and 5 FPS is nothing to sneeze at.

You may not need all the more advanced features on the 70D, and you want some of them. T5i is also near the end of it's life cycle, it's almost 3 years old now. 70D has been out about a year, and uses a brand new sensor tech.

Personally, if it were me, I'd go 70D, but I want a lot of the more pro level features, and the faster burst rate.

You didn't ask this, but you may want to look into getting a faster (constant aperture of f/4 or f/2.8) zoom lens, it will help your photography in indoor situations a lot more than a new body would. Look into one of either the Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8, or the Sigman 70-200mm f/2.8 new, or used. The bigger aperture will allow you to get faster shutter speeds, and let you freeze action with less noise.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

I just bought a 70D and have a 6D as well.

I would add this, for what it's worth. The bundle of the 70D and 18-135 STM is on sale right now (through July 6 or 7?) at all major retailers. BB has it for 1350. IMO, that lens is one of the best walk-around lenses for a crop camera that you can get with the range it has. That lens has stayed on my 60D a good 50% of the time I owned it. My 60D was sold body-only and before I sold it, it had the one before STM (It was USM), so I went ahead and got the STM bundle with my 70D if that tells you anything.

I don't mean any insult to your current glass but the 18-135 may very well be the only lens most people ever buy/own.

The new 18-135 STM is built for video with a quieter focusing motor. You really can hardly hear it, especially when recording video.

If video matters to you at all, there is nothing else out there from any manufacturer, again, in my opinion, that even touches the 70D at any price, and it's as good as any crop out there for still work too.

If it's in your budget, the 70D is the camera to buy.

 

[disneymath]

Thanks for the replies.

My inclination is to stick with Canon and after researching more this afternoon, the 70D is what I'm leaning towards.

One of the issues I've always had with my XTi is that I often get a "busy" message as it writes to the CF card. Frustrating to say the least.

Seems to happen more often when I'm using the flash. Purchasing a better CF card (faster write speed) did not help, which is why I'm looking to replace the body and not just get a better lens.

Wilsonflyer, thanks for the lens comment, definitely something to consider.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

NP.

Something to consider is that the best time to buy a lens, especially one that you need anyway, is when you buy it in a bundle. In all probability, you'll never buy that same lens for what you'd get it for in the bundle. Just something else to consider.

BTW, for all intents and purposes, the "busy" thing is gone with any modern DSLR. I owned an XTi a while back too so I know exactly what you're talking about. New cameras just simply don't do it anymore under any normal circumstances.

 

[jamez2014]

Don't discount the 60d that paired with a 17-55mm 2.8 IS should be achievable? It's combination I personally use 90% of the time. I'm in the uk so not sure what the prices are for you guys. My personal reasons was 70d mainly had advances in video something I didn't really need so saved a few £'s and got a 60d but you can't go wrong with any tbh things to also consider the xxD's are considerably heavier and larger than rebels.

 

[SkaGoat]

\ things to also consider the xxD's are considerably heavier and larger than rebels.

but they are lightweights compared to 5D, 6D, 7D.

 

[disneymath]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and insights ... I ended up purchasing a Canon 70D yesterday.

I ended up paying quite a bit more than I had originally intended (went from just the body to a kit that included the 18-135 mm STM lens, extra battery, and camera bag, plus I opted for the extended warranty) but based on the precedent set with my XTi, I figure I'll use the 70D for a VERY long time.

I've only had a bit of time to play with it, but so far am liking it a lot. With the 18-135 mm lens attached it seems lighter than my XTi with the 75-300mm lens, so I'm good to go in that regard for day to day situations!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Congratulations. My bet would be that you are only going to be even more pleased as time passes.

 

[Frantasmic]

I currently own three lenses:
Canon EFS 18-55mm
Canon EF 75-300mm
Canon EF-S 55-250mm

...sniped

A lot of my photos are taken indoors (graduations/awards ceremonies, basketball games, hockey games), theatre performances (no flash). Outside photos include Disney stuff, cross country ski races, etc.

Now that you've decided and purchased a new camera, may I ask, how did you do so well for so long with an older camera, those lenses, and the types of shots you did?

I take similar types of photos as you do; I had decent luck with a Canon Xsi and some primes, way better luck with a Canon 60D and more primes. I have praised the 55-250mm in the past, even posted some indoor shots. However, they weren't nearly as good as primes with the Canon 60D.

The 70D with its better ISO will help you a lot. If you can get the shots you want with the lenses you have-that is really great!

 

[disneymath]

Now that you've decided and purchased a new camera, may I ask, how did you do so well for so long with an older camera, those lenses, and the types of shots you did?

I take similar types of photos as you do; I had decent luck with a Canon Xsi and some primes, way better luck with a Canon 60D and more primes. I have praised the 55-250mm in the past, even posted some indoor shots. However, they weren't nearly as good as primes with the Canon 60D.

The 70D with its better ISO will help you a lot. If you can get the shots you want with the lenses you have-that is really great!

You can ask, but I'm afraid I don't really have a technical answer!

There's definitely a "faith, trust and pixie dust" element to it.

I try to get places before an event starts so I can take some test photos and stake out a spot that works for me, usually as close to the action as possible.

Many of the events I shoot are repetitive, so over time I just try to figure out what works best. For example, the theatre performances I shoot usually have multiple shows; I'll often attend more than one. After the first show, it's easier to anticipate and set up for the shots I want. Strangely enough, the best shots I get during these shows are from the back of the theatre using the 75-300mm lens.

Basketball and hockey are hit and miss at best. I tend to shoot a lot in the hopes of getting a few decent ones - usually I have a bit of luck. I tend to take some shots in sports mode bursts, some single shots with no flash. I definitely delete WAY more of these shots than I keep though.

 

[Frantasmic]

You will have better luck with the 70D. I really enjoyed my 60D. I broke down and went full-frame though with a 6D. Looking forward to the fall for more sports shots.

 

[bob100]

You will have better luck with the 70D. I really enjoyed my 60D. I broke down and went full-frame though with a 6D. Looking forward to the fall for more sports shots.

full frame is getting cheaper, someday it will get down to my price point

 

[disneymath]

I've added the Canon 50 mm f1.8 lens to my setup ... Based on the price and positive reviews here and elsewherw, it seemed like a smart addition. Think I'm good to go for a while now! i played with it some indoors today and am excited to see what I can do with it on our upcoming trip to DL and elsewhere.