Canon Upgrades

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Hi

I've been shooting with a Canon 100D and kit lense for a couple of years now, it was gifted to me and I decided to use it as my main camera over my Sony A5000. It's been fine and the results are ok. My next purchase is a zoom lense. My photography is mostly dark/night, long exposures with no flash.

Is it worth getting a new body and the lense I'd like, or put it all into a lense and stick with the 100D. I'm aware it's a bit "entry level" and I think I'm missing out on a few features. Any advice is appreciated.

[Resolutionary]

Jazzy Jefferson said:

Hi

I've been shooting with a Canon 100D and kit lense for a couple of years now, it was gifted to me and I decided to use it as my main camera over my Sony A5000. It's been fine and the results are ok. My next purchase is a zoom lense. My photography is mostly dark/night, long exposures with no flash.

Is it worth getting a new body and the lense I'd like, or put it all into a lense and stick with the 100D. I'm aware it's a bit "entry level" and I think I'm missing out on a few features. Any advice is appreciated.

I started off with a pretty basic 450D and kit lens, used that for around 4 years before I decided I wanted something a bit more hi-tech so picked up a 70D and that came with a 18-55 mkIII and a 100mm macro. This combo stayed in use for a while, until I went to Canada and managed to pick up a 24mm pancake and 70-300mm tele for relative peanuts, which I am so glad I did.

Honestly, camera gear or 'upgrades' are totally down to circumstance, situations, budget, etc etc. If your 100D isn't knackered, you could use that body with a host of Canon and third party lenses (some relatively inexpensive, some a small fortune). When you say night photography, are we talking stars and astro landscapes or what?

You could try second hand lenses for more bang vs buck. If you want to try a newer or more sophisticated camera body then you should get yourself to a physical retailer, and have a feel and play with the stuff in stock. You'll quickly figure out what you need and what is desirable but not essential for your shooting interests.

[toasty]

If you want more features, you'll want a new body.

If you want more zoom, you'll want a longer lens.

If you want to teach yourself more about photography, I'd recommend getting a 50mm f1.4 prime.

Second hand is a great option as so many photographers keep upgrading and chopping in their old kit. Buy wisely and you can sell it for not much less a couple of years later.

[threespires]

I use a 100D with 18/200 EFS Canon lens [used from Ebay £150] for everyday photos.
My 5D Mk3 rarely gets used because I like my 100D so much.

[spence1886]

Jazzy Jefferson said:

Hi

My photography is mostly dark/night, long exposures with no flash.

This statement might tend to indicate that going full frame might have some advantages (less noise) but also probably doesn't justify the newest shiniest in the range... the original 6D (still my main camera) is cracking, and except for no articulating screen (useful on a tripod), remains more than good enough for my needs.

And with all that said... I still find myself contemplating switching systems to the Fujifilm XT3 for portability....

[DailyHack]

Invest in lenses/fast primes, especially if low light is key. Only upgrade bodies if you feel features is what your after, but I find them more gimmicky and just marketing, especially more mega pixels (this is how they sell smart phones now, which annoys me somewhat), 18MP is more than enough for most things especially on a DSLR sensor imo

I have just used a Canon 5dSR for a shoot, 50 megapixel body, but is overkill completely, plus massive heavy files after the shoot to work with

Remember the body is just capturing what you see, your eyes (composition) and lenses (capturing the light) is what matters.

I usually shoot on a Canon 60d my main body for my professional work, very good body with great ergonomics (with vast collection of primes), and 5d mk1 for my personal projects (more to scratch my full frame itch) aswell as 35mm Practika from the '80's.

Edited by DailyHack on Wednesday 1st May 10:42

[Tony1963]

Looking at your photography, I’d recommend only changing the body if you feel that the dynamic range of the 100D and overall low light performance aren’t what you want.

The latest sensors, and full frame sensors especially, are much better than older sensors in low light.

See if you can try a used 5D3 with, say, a 50mm 1.4, and make your own decision based on what you see.

I won’t recommend a zoom lens for low light, but it’s up to you.

[jfire]

I've got their cheapest from a few years ago, the 1200D, and a Tamron tele lens, also the cheapest I could find with a decent zoom and reviews.

I'm quite happy with my results, just colours seem a bit dull.

Workman or tools?

[Craikeybaby]

I work on the basis that if you don't know what you want to upgrade, you are probably best waiting (saving more) until you can identify where your current kit is holding you back - e.g. lens isn't fast enough/long enough etc.

[ofcorsa]

Resolutionary said:

I started off with a pretty basic 450D and kit lens, used that for around 4 years before I decided I wanted something a bit more hi-tech so picked up a 70D and that came with a 18-55 mkIII and a 100mm macro. This combo stayed in use for a while, until I went to Canada and managed to pick up a 24mm pancake and 70-300mm tele for relative peanuts, which I am so glad I did.

Honestly, camera gear or 'upgrades' are totally down to circumstance, situations, budget, etc etc. If your 100D isn't knackered, you could use that body with a host of Canon and third party lenses (some relatively inexpensive, some a small fortune). When you say night photography, are we talking stars and astro landscapes or what?

You could try second hand lenses for more bang vs buck. If you want to try a newer or more sophisticated camera body then you should get yourself to a physical retailer, and have a feel and play with the stuff in stock. You'll quickly figure out what you need and what is desirable but not essential for your shooting interests.

I recently dug out my old Canon 450D for a holiday. I was really impressed by the quality of photo it could churn out given its age. It struggles when the light drops but still feel like I’m more the limiting factor.