A new lens or camera?

BobT wrote:

I've always been under the impression that replacing a lens is better than a camera body.

Hiya Bob.

Yes, in the olden days of film that was pretty sound advice. Most bodies had little more than a meter built into them back then. Maybe an auto mode or two in the really spiffed-up (transl: Advanced) ones.

Those days, consumer-grade lenses were pretty Iffy for the most part. The really good stuff with names like Zeiss or Leitz emblazoned on them cost about as much as the average household car. Ever wonder why there were so many ancient VW Bugs and AMC Gremlins on the road?

Fast-forward to this century, and Digital has completely altered that aged paradigm. Technology is moving so fast that a person really does stand to gain significant amounts of both Image Quality and Capability when upgrading their body even a single generation. Nowadays body and lens upgrades share about equal importance IMHO.

Fill in the gaps in your lens lineup, and stay (fairly) up-to-date with your bodies is what I'd recommend.

Well, in researching my interest in purchasing a Canon 70-300mm Nano lens

Your 55-250 STM is a pretty capable lens already. You'd gain a little reach, and a bit of AF speed. Not much else. Plus your 100-400 II is way better than either of those. Unless you're planning on selling both...

I've been told that replacing my camera body (a T2i) would be the wise thing to do.

With your lens lineup, that's what I'd do. Myself I usually skip a generation in between upgrades, but in all honesty I always regret not having upgrading Sooner each and every time. Upgrading not only improves capability, but also improves the enjoyment and overall experience. I'm sitting here happy as a clam with my M5 in hand.

I have never really felt that my T2i has fallen short for me. So this suggestion caught me a bit off guard.

Well that's in fact the million dollar question. If you find little desire/need of a body upgrade (with the types of shooting you like to do), then you've basically answered your own question.

"Know Thyself."

Good luck in your quest Bob!

R2