Need some Cannon help!

[Marty Joe]

Hiho from Indiana,
I “am” walking out of Best Buys tonight with a new camera. I have it narrowed down to two Cannons:

1) T3i 18.0-Mp, Bag, 8GB Memory Card, 18-55 & 55-250 Zoom Lens @ $1080.
2) 60D 18.0-Mp - with 18-135mm Lens @ $1200

I have been using a Cannon S3 IS and I have gotten a lot of miles out of it, but it’s time to put on my big boy pants and get a “real” camera. I have played with both of them and both feel fine (comfort wise). The T3i is smaller, the 60D a little heavier. Other than HD video, I don’t know much about the bells and whistles of either camera. My goal is to bump up my game on dark rides, fireworks, and parades (at WDW of course). I try to stay away from the Ford or Chevy, Fender or Gibson, Beatles or Stones, or the Ginger or Mary Ann style of questions, but I NEEEEED to get this Camera soon. We leave for WDW in 26 days and I need time for the learning curve. Any insight from a pro, semi-pro, advanced amateur, or a guy (or gal) who drinks wine out of a box would be greatly appreciated .
BTW – It Chevy-Fender-Beatles-Ginger!

Thanks for your help

 

[mom2rtk]

Given those 2 options, I'd go for number 2. I have the T2i and do wish I had scraped the additional funds together for the 60D. THe 60D has a higher burst rate at 5.3 fps and the T3i is 3.7. I have also heard the 60D autofocus system is better. In addition, I would prefer having one lens to cover most of the range without having to swap out lenses.

I'd look around and see if that's the best price you can get though. Many here order online from B & H and Adorama.

 

[photo_chick]

They're really spec'd so close together. I'd go with whicever feels the best in your hands. The burst rate is a consideration, but it only matters if you use it. I got my 50D over a Rebel T2i partially for the burst rate and really, I don't use it nearly as often as I thought I would. I would personally not want the 18-135 lens myself. I feel like it's a below entry level quality lens, it's not like they took the existing 28-135 (which is a really solid lens) and just added 10mm on the wide end, but I know a lot of people love it so it really comes down to what you want there.

You will have to add a fast lens for either of these setups to cover you on dark rides. The cheapest option is the 50mm f/1.8. And you will need a tripod for fireworks.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Take whichever one fits better in your hand.

I agree with photo_chick, you're going to need a faster lens for the dark ride pictures, the 50mm f/1.8 is ~$130. You'll need a tripod and preferabble a remote shutter release for firework shots. You can get a shutter release for <$20 on ebay. I think I got mine for $6.

If it was me, I would go with the 60D. I've played with the 60D and the T3i and the 60D feels better to me. It's a hair larger and touch heavier, but I'm a big guy and I am used to my 300D which is a tank by comparison so I want the bigger / heavier camera.

 

[bob100]

Hiho from Indiana,
I “am” walking out of Best Buys tonight with a new camera. I have it narrowed down to two Cannons:

1) T3i 18.0-Mp, Bag, 8GB Memory Card, 18-55 & 55-250 Zoom Lens @ $1080.
2) 60D 18.0-Mp - with 18-135mm Lens @ $1200

I have been using a Cannon S3 IS and I have gotten a lot of miles out of it, but it’s time to put on my big boy pants and get a “real” camera. I have played with both of them and both feel fine (comfort wise). The T3i is smaller, the 60D a little heavier. Other than HD video, I don’t know much about the bells and whistles of either camera. My goal is to bump up my game on dark rides, fireworks, and parades (at WDW of course). I try to stay away from the Ford or Chevy, Fender or Gibson, Beatles or Stones, or the Ginger or Mary Ann style of questions, but I NEEEEED to get this Camera soon. We leave for WDW in 26 days and I need time for the learning curve. Any insight from a pro, semi-pro, advanced amateur, or a guy (or gal) who drinks wine out of a box would be greatly appreciated .
BTW – It Chevy-Fender-Beatles-Ginger!

Thanks for your help

If you shoot a lot of sports the 60D will be better but otherwise the T3i (600D) or even the older 550D (T2i) would be good. Be sure to leave room in the budget for additional lens and accessories like a flash
http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2011/01/lab-test-canon-60d

 

[Frantasmic]

I believe the 60D has a $100 rebate on it, so that should factor into the package deal.

I just moved from the XSi (a good starter dslr in itself) to the 60D and I love the upgrade. The two cameras have the same processor, but for the extra price (especially if you can get your $1200 package down to $1100) it would be a better camera.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Don't forget to let us know what you got.

 

[snowangel72]

If either of them are full frame I would choose that one! If neither are full frame then I am not sure what I would pick.

 

[ukcatfan]

If either of them are full frame I would choose that one! If neither are full frame then I am not sure what I would pick.

The T3i is entry level and the 60D is like an entry level plus, so neither are full frame.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

If the $200 isn't a hardship, 60D hands-down. I own both. You won't go wrong with either one.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

If either of them are full frame I would choose that one! If neither are full frame then I am not sure what I would pick.

FYI, there's nothing full frame even remotely in this price range from anybody.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Take whichever one fits better in your hand.

I agree with photo_chick, you're going to need a faster lens for the dark ride pictures, the 50mm f/1.8 is ~$130. You'll need a tripod and preferabble a remote shutter release for firework shots. You can get a shutter release for <$20 on ebay. I think I got mine for $6.

If it was me, I would go with the 60D. I've played with the 60D and the T3i and the 60D feels better to me. It's a hair larger and touch heavier, but I'm a big guy and I am used to my 300D which is a tank by comparison so I want the bigger / heavier camera.

 

[Marty Joe]

Got a new camera! I went to Best Buys to pick up the Canon T3i but they were out of the lens I wanted. The salesman got on the computer to see if there were any other bundles that would work and he ran across a 60D W/18-135 IS, 55-250 IS, SD card, Lowe-Pro pack (sling), battery, charger, and a nice Canon strap (not the one that comes with the camera) for …wait for it…. wait for it… $1050.xx ! The salesman read through this several times, called the manager and he read it several time. He then made a phone call and I walked out of Best Buy with a great bundle for the cost of (around) the price of the body - while they fixed a typo! There is also a free Shutterfly online photo book. I have not had time to look into that yet.

I know that the two lenses are not the best in terms of speed and they are plastic – but they are a HUGE step up for me. I’m learning my way around the 60D and enjoying every minute of it. I love this camera!

I would like to round out this kit with a Nifty 50, and a circular polarizer for each lens – then it’s off WDW (July 21st)! See you at the Poly…I will be the one who’s snapping pictures behind his PO'ed commando DW, DD15, and her BFF15.

Thanks for all your help!!

Marty

 

[ukcatfan]

I suggest getting one CP filter that fits your largest diameter lens and then step up rings for the smaller diameter lenses to be able to use it. They are not cheap, so you can save some money this way. They are also not used all that often so it should not be an inconvenience.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Nice job!!!!

....heading over to bestbuy.com to see if the typo is still there.......

 

[snowangel72]

That's a sweet deal. Congrats!

 

[Frantasmic]

Congrats! Looks like you got a $300 investment in their typo.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Yeah, they've corrected the typo! Dag nab it. A $300 discount is one heck of a deal.