Upgrade lens (from kit lens) for 300D

+1

I agree with Jim that it's time to look at upgrading the camera.  Which lens to purchase can be a long subject to discuss, but I understand that the newer kit lenses are better (like the STM versions).  The overall cost can be low if a person shops around for a good price.

Let's say you're going to upgrade to a new lens. You can - and probably should - consider the newest kit lens from Canon; http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/lenses/18-55mm-stm.htm

By most accounts this is a very good lens and probably well suited to the average shooter for years of use.

Then look at Canon's direct sales/refurbished products; http://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/refurbished-eos-digital-slr-cameras?intv_id=0&cm_cr=No+Campaign-_-Web+Activity-_-No+Name-_-Widget_CanonCategoryRecommendationWidget_34303-_-Refurbished+EOS+Digital+SLR+Cameras-productImageLink&catalogId=10051&mpe_id=234265&evtype=CpgnClick&storeId=10051&ddkey=http:ClickInfo#facet:&productBeginIndex:0&orderBy:11&pageView:grid&minPrice:&maxPrice:&pageSize:&

Prices change weekly on the refurbished gear and often reflect the amount of product Canon has available.  However, you'll likely find a new camera with that kit lens on sale for not much more than you would spend on just the lens.  Canon will also give you a bit of a trade in for "loyalty".

Thank you 'all'. It's interesting, I no sooner ask the question and it occurs to me that perhaps an upgrade to the camera may be the way to go and sure enough that's the suggestion I get.

Jim and Digirame - When considering a camera upgrade can I assume the T5i is what would be referenced?

R2D2 - She likes to shoot whatever is in front of her - she spends a lot of time at the beach, as well she shoots outdoor shots from a flower bud to a moon rising, portraits, sunsets, wildlife, ...

R2D2 - The little bit of Googling around told me that in order to replace her current telephoto  my budget should be in the $700 range. It's more than I would like to spend, but I know it costs to get decent quality. I've never been satisfied when I tried to save money.

Soufiej - Regarding the 'loyalty' aspect, are you saying Canon gives a refund on a trade in of your old camera?

I like the idea of upgrading the camera especially if the newer camera kits come with better lens'.

Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts on this.

macbuz wrote:

Thank you 'all'. It's interesting, I no sooner ask the question and it occurs to me that perhaps an upgrade to the camera may be the way to go and sure enough that's the suggestion I get.

Jim and Digirame - When considering a camera upgrade can I assume the T5i is what would be referenced?

R2D2 - She likes to shoot whatever is in front of her - she spends a lot of time at the beach, as well she shoots outdoor shots from a flower bud to a moon rising, portraits, sunsets, wildlife, ...

R2D2 - The little bit of Googling around told me that in order to replace her current telephoto my budget should be in the $700 range. It's more than I would like to spend, but I know it costs to get decent quality. I've never been satisfied when I tried to save money.

Soufiej - Regarding the 'loyalty' aspect, are you saying Canon gives a refund on a trade in of your old camera?

I like the idea of upgrading the camera especially if the newer camera kits come with better lens'.

Thanks again to all of you for your thoughts on this.

Check the refurbished prices, when I made my purchase last week, the price difference between the SL1 and the T5i was $200. The SL1 is a very compact body which fits well in many "female" sized hands. There is very little functional difference between the SL1 and the T5i. Image quality is all but identical between the two cameras. There's more difference in image quality between you and your wife taking the same shot than there is between those two cameras. Ideally, your wife should handle both cameras to determine which best fits her hands.

I'm going to disagree regarding the kit lens. The kit 18-55 STM lens is fine for the average shooter. Buy a good camera with a good lens and then determine what other lenses are suitable for your photos as need arises. Two things to consider IMO; 1) you can crop a clean image to represent a longer focal length and, 2) unless you are physically handicapped, you can always take a few steps with any lens. Look at a focal range comparator and view the difference the longer lens would provide. How often can you not walk that same difference? Nothing against the bigger lens, but most (actually, all) zooms are a compromise and the more range a lens has, the less overall quality it will have at the extremes. Read up on the lens options and decide.

If she likes to shoot a wide variety of subjects from close up flowers to distant wildlife, maybe you should consider a super zoom such as the SX40-50-60; http://stokesbirdingblog.blogspot.com/2013/02/canon-sx-50-hs-for-bird-photography-i.html

The SX50 is available for about $200 refurbished and makes for a great companion to a quality DSLR; http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55500949

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/55501370

With the SL1 and a prime lens plus the SX50, I can remove most of the lenses and accessories from my DSLR bag, carry both in the same bag and still have room for the SL1's kit lens. Weight is minimal if you go out for a full day of shooting.

The Canon "loyalty" program gives you some money for your old camera. Not much but my ten year old XT isn't worth much and no local shop offered to take the XT in on trade. Canon intends to keep the camera from being trashed in a landfill. But don't expect a lot for an old camera. If you care to give your old camera to a young relative/friend, you'll probably feel better about the transaction. Check with the local schools, many have photography classes or groups who would love to have a donated camera.

MACBUZ, this is excellent advice.

The T5i is being discontinued within a few weeks, and prices will drop. It is an excellent camera, and the 18-135mm lens is excellent value.

The replacement camera for the T5i is not so much better than the T5i that you should wait for it, considering what your wife does.

BAK

Well gentlemen, thank you for the continued commentary. I feel like I am coming to a decision, but still going to research and read. Know that all you have said has been instrumental in guiding me.

For what it is worth, I think I'll wind up getting the T5i once it is discontinued and the prices settle down as a result. The rest of the decision will be to decide what lens(') to get with it. I need to understand which lens' come with the T5i and whether it may be better to buy the body only and equip it with lens' ala carte. This was all so much easier for me when I was more in the loop and 'up' on the latest, greatest.

She's going to be a happy camper!!

The SL1 (100D), T5i (700D), T6i (750D) or T6s (760D) are Canon DSLR Rebels to consider. There's also the Canon 60D or 70D and many others. The T6i (750D) and T6s (760D) will be available in a few weeks. It depends on what you can afford and prefer. For the T6i (750D) and T6s (760D), I think it's best to wait for all the professional reviews before purchasing.

The lens to buy with the t5i is the 18-135 STM.

Worth the extra $$$ compared to the 18-55

BAK

I'm wondering whether she will miss the 70 - 300 that came with the 300D and whether it would fit on the T5i. I know it's her primary lens. ???

Jim Cassatt wrote:

You might think of updating the camera. I too bought the 300D when it first cane out. The newer models have much better performance in low light and the auto white balance is better. With kit lens it is selling for $499 and comes with the latest version of the kit lens, a lens that is much better than the original kit lens. Add the highly regarded 55-250 STM and the whole thing is $648. Another possibility is the highly regarded 18-200 STM.

Just so you know, there is no such lens as the 18-200mm STM lens. I'm assuming Jim's talking about the 18-135mm STM lens and that is a highly regarded lens, although I've never used it. All the STM lenses have gotten very good reviews. My 55-250mm STM lens is much better than the previous version of the same lens - sharpness, color, and contrast. I also enjoy the 10-18mm STM lens, as well as the 24mm STM lens. I have the 18-55mm STM lens that I got with my SL1, but haven't used it much at all, so I can't comment on that.