Time for an upgrade but can't decide - New Canon!

[DisFam95]

I've had my Canon Rebel XT for about 6yrs. It has served me well but has been giving me troubles the last 6 mo. I've had the shutter seem to lock up at times and some other minor annoyances. When I 1st got it and knew better I would wipe the 'viewing screen' up inside (not sure if that's the term) and it's very fuzzy now. I have a hard time seeing clearly through the viewfinder. The camera guys said you're not supposed to touch that piece PLus I think it's just time. I've gotten out of the auto mode for the last year and have really enjoyed learning how to use the other modes. I'm doing a 365 project and really want to learn more.

The 7D is at the top of my price range but held it recently and it seemed so large! I have not been to see any of the others. I'm used to carrying my Rebel in my purse w/ my 50mm lens but the 7D I doubt I could do that! I'll just get a bigger bag right!

PLus I saw a youtube video on how to set an AF point It was like go to the 12th menu and rub your belly, pat your head, press the iso and the light bulb button - HUH?

Just makes me nervous on ease of use! Can anyone assure me I don;t need a master's in engineering to use it

Why am I not looking at the T series? I've tried experimenting w/ some action/motion stuff and was not happy w/ my speed (3fps) and thought I might like the faster fps. The T2 only has 3.7 so not much of an upgrade there.

50D might be something to think about but it does not have video - correct? Not sure I need that but might be nice to have all in one. But then again I use my Flip or husbad does) while I shoot still.

Anywho..very confused and indecisive on such a big purchase. Any advice appreciated.

 

[disneyboy2003]

There are several things that make the Canon 7D a worthwhile upgrade, if these features are important for you.

1. Size - you've already held the Canon 7D in your hands, so you know how much larger and heavier it is, compared to your Rebel XT. You probably also felt how much more "rugged" the Canon 7D appeared to feel, too, as if the 7D could take more of a "beating" than the plastic-feeling Rebel XT.

In terms of size & feel, the Canon 50D would be comparable to the 7D, and the Canon T2i would be comparable to your Rebel XT.


2. the Quick Dial Control - on the back of the Canon 7D (and the 50D), there's an large wheel that you don't have on your Rebel XT (nor on the Canon T2i). This extra wheel *really* helps when you're shooting in Tv (shutter priority), Av (aperture priority), or Manual modes. Now that you've ventured out of the Auto mode on your camera, you'll really appreciate having this extra wheel.

In Tv or Av, this wheel controls the Exposure Compensation. In Manual mode, this wheel controls the aperture, while dial on top of the camera controls the shutter speed. This wheel makes it LOTS faster for you to change your settings on the camera.

On your current Rebel XT (and on the Canon T2i), in order to change the Exposure Compensation (or, if you're shooting Manual, change the aperture), you've got to press a separate button, hold that button down, AND turn the dial. Lots of finger gymnastics to change these settings on the Rebel cameras.


3. better high-ISO performance - there's been huge improvements in the sensor and processor in the past six years since your Rebel XT. Actually, the Canon T2i shares the exact same senor as the 7D, and its image quality is sometimes rated on-par (or even slightly better!) than the 7D.


4. video - yes, both the Canon 7D and the Canon T2i have HD video. The Canon 50D does not have video. The Canon HD video capabilities are so good that they recently filmed an entire episode of "House" using the Canon 5D Mark II (which came out about 1 year before the Canon 7D).


5. advanced autofocusing features - while the 7D's autofocus system seems complicated at first, it's actually giving you LOTS more options than before. You can still change the autofocus points using the exact same button that you're already familiar with on your Rebel XT. But the 7D just offers lots of other autofocus options to help you. I've recently been spending time reading (and re-reading) about these new autofocus features, so don't worry if it seems too confusing at first.


6. 8 frames-per-second (fps) - on my Canon 40D, I find that 5 fps was plenty fast enough for my needs, even on the rare occasion that I shot sports. (actually, I'm finding out right now that the 40D shoots 6.5 fps...wow!) If you were to go with the 50D, you'd get 6.3 fps - a negligible difference compared to the 40D, but certainly faster than either the Rebel XT or the T2i.

The reason why the 7D can shoot at 8fps is because there are 2 processors inside the camera.


7. Live View - this was recently introduced on Canon dSLRs about 3 years ago, and both the Canon 7D and the T2i have this feature.


There are tons more features, but I think these are the major ones. While the 7D is certainly more advanced than your current Rebel XT, I think it's a camera that you'll have plenty of room to grow into. There are tons of 7D owners that are very happy with their new camera.

Of course, if the 7D is "too much" camera for you, then you really can't go wrong with the T2i, especially since it's got the exact same sensor as the 7D. I believe folks even refer to the T2i as a "baby 7D".

Hope I didn't complicate your decision-making any more than it already is.

 

[pjacobi]

I'm used to carrying my Rebel in my purse w/ my 50mm lens but the 7D I doubt I could do that!

Buy a G11 for your purse.

Use the 7D when you really need it and don't mind carrying it and a bag of lenses.


-Paul

 

[DisFam95]

Oh now you're on to something!

I do need to replace our old p&s. One of the kids had it and dropped it on vacation. I was so impressed he was showing an interest in photography as was his 7yr old brother (using my rebel and doing well w/ it around his neck). Little brother had the p&s and got mad and threw it down

I have not even seen these newer G series cameras. I knew a lot of p&s were even better quality than my old Rebel

I think I;m going for the 7D. This is not a casual interest thing - I've had a passion for photography for yrs and only plan to spend more time learning now the kids are getting into school. I've heard the D series were much better for having faster control over exposure and manual things etc. The Rebels were less so. It has the features to change but it's like they did not want to make it too easy for people to accidentally change things they had no clue what aperture etc meant !

So I signed to work every weekend this month to pay for it! Maybe I'll add another day so I can get the g11 too

 

[disneyboy2003]

While you're shopping for your camera, take a moment to add a photography book or 2 to your shopping cart, too. There are literally dozens of different Intro to Digital Photography books at your local bookstore, so see if you can browse through them and see which one fits your reading / learning style the best.

The one book that's very highly recommended on this message board is Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson (link to Amazon). This concise book will give you all the basic principles of photography, regardless of what brand camera you have. There's actually a new edition of this book coming out in August 2010.

If you like the "Dummies" series, you can try any of the Dummies books on digital photography, such as Digital SLR Cameras and Photography For Dummies (link to Amazon). It's written in an easy-to-understand language and it's in color.

 

[DawnM]

It does look like the 50d doesn't have video mode. Interesting. I have the 40d and have been very happy with it, but it is quite heavy to carry around.


Dawn

 

[boBQuincy]

I think I;m going for the 7D. This is not a casual interest thing - I've had a passion for photography for yrs and only plan to spend more time learning now the kids are getting into school. I've heard the D series were much better for having faster control over exposure and manual things etc. The Rebels were less so. It has the features to change but it's like they did not want to make it too easy for people to accidentally change things they had no clue what aperture etc meant !

Starting with the Xsi the Rebel's handling was dramatically changed (for the better). They are still not as easy to set for exposure as the D series but are not far behind and it is pretty simple after some practice.

The sensor on the T2i is similar, but not identical, to the one used on the 7D (according to DPReview). This has been a characteristic of sensors on Rebels and D series when they have the same number of pixels.

Canon's G11 is a very good camera but still does not hold up well when compared to almost any dSLR, the tiny sensor just can't compete when the lighting is anything less than optimum.

 

[photo_chick]

I just upgraded from a Rebel XT a few months ago so I can relate. I went with the 50D myself. It was the right combination of features and price for me. And that's really the key, finding what's right for you.

My advice... go hold that 7D before you buy it if you have not already. It is gigantic compared to the Rebel XT. Keep the wight in mind too because it's a big difference in your bag or around your neck. And factor in the cost for bigger, faster memory cards because shooting more frames per second does no good if you've got older cards that worked well on your XT but now are too slow and won't hold squat because all of the sudden your files are twice as large.

 

[pjacobi]

Canon's G11 is a very good camera but still does not hold up well when compared to almost any dSLR, the tiny sensor just can't compete when the lighting is anything less than optimum.

A G11 is not a replacement for a dSLR. The G11 is perfect for your pocket or purse to pull out for a quick snapshot. It will yield the best quality for a P/S camera. Sometimes that all you need!

A dSLR should be used when you are willing to invest effort into getting a better shot. The extra weight will not seem like a burden.

Use the right tools for the job!


-Paul

 

[boBQuincy]

A G11 is not a replacement for a dSLR. The G11 is perfect for your pocket or purse to pull out for a quick snapshot. It will yield the best quality for a P/S camera. Sometimes that all you need!

A dSLR should be used when you are willing to invest effort into getting a better shot. The extra weight will not seem like a burden.

Use the right tools for the job!

l

I have a G11, and a SD1100, and four Canon dSLRs. I know very well which tool to use for the job.

Often a dSLR requires less effort than the G11 to get a better photograph, the smaller sensor camera requires very careful settings in order to maximize it's potential while the dSLR can deliver very good results from ISO 100 to 400 (and beyond).

Sometimes the P&S is not the easiest to use!

 

[bob100]

I think I;m going for the 7D. This is not a casual interest thing - I've had a passion for photography for yrs and only plan to spend more time learning now the kids are getting into school.

the Canon 7D would be a nice upgrade but I've heard it has a steep learning curve with all the new features and options