Upgrade from 600D

[Annie75]

Good day

I am at best a hobbyist taking pictures when my schedule allows for it. Mostly this might be some portraits of my daughter, sport photography of high school field hockey and the every now and then occasional picture of whatever is popping up in our lives...but currently my main thing at this point will be sport.

I've been using a Canon 600D paired with the 55-250mm IS lens that was part of the kit set-up when I bought it new back in 2013 (I think) for this. I also have the 18-55mm kit lens, as well as a 50mm 1.8 lens. As I got better with the trait, I moved from Auto to Sport to AV to Manual mode (currently using shutter anywhere from 1250 upwards to 2000/sec, aperture normally as low as possible, auto ISO, (AI Servo with single point focus) and is able to get some decent shots every now and then.

Field hockey is quote a fast paced sport on a large pitch, and my main obstacle is proper focusing and correct timing to get the shot. I recently hired a 100-400 mm lens (MK1) and tried it on my 600D. Reach was definitely better, but focusing on the long end was extremely difficult. I was shooting handheld, thus I can only assume that to keep the lens stable on the long end was my biggest drawback to get clearer pictures.

Seen that the 600D has a frame rate of 3.7 frames /sec, and definitely do not have the best auto focus system when things happens fast, I've been considering for a while now to upgrade to something more suited. Initially I was pondering between 2nd hand bodies advertised locally here in South Africa, seen a 1Dx little less than 800$, as well as a 90D in the same price range. Was also considering 7Dii, but could not yet find one advertised 2nd hand. However, I came across a 7D "in excellent condition" according to the seller at approximately 290$.

How much of an upgrade will the 7D be from a 600D, at this price? At almost a 3rd of the price this body is very tempting, as I also noticed a 100-400mm MK1 advertised for little less than 450$? Thus I will be able to get both items (7D with 100-400 Mk1) for less of the price of a 2nd hand body if looking at 7Dii, 90D or even higher end model like a 1Dx if available?

I know that nowadays everybody aims for mirrorless, as a occasional hobbyist I cannot spend that money on equipment. Would rather keep an eye out for a additional lens eg. 70-200 and spend money there.

Your opinion on my thoughts here? Would it be money well spend, or down the drain in your opinions?

Thanks.

 

[bridge77]

Good day

I am at best a hobbyist taking pictures when my schedule allows for it. Mostly this might be some portraits of my daughter, sport photography of high school field hockey and the every now and then occasional picture of whatever is popping up in our lives...but currently my main thing at this point will be sport.

I've been using a Canon 600D paired with the 55-250mm IS lens that was part of the kit set-up when I bought it new back in 2013 (I think) for this. I also have the 18-55mm kit lens, as well as a 50mm 1.8 lens. As I got better with the trait, I moved from Auto to Sport to AV to Manual mode (currently using shutter anywhere from 1250 upwards to 2000/sec, aperture normally as low as possible, auto ISO, (AI Servo with single point focus) and is able to get some decent shots every now and then.

Field hockey is quote a fast paced sport on a large pitch, and my main obstacle is proper focusing and correct timing to get the shot. I recently hired a 100-400 mm lens (MK1) and tried it on my 600D. Reach was definitely better, but focusing on the long end was extremely difficult. I was shooting handheld, thus I can only assume that to keep the lens stable on the long end was my biggest drawback to get clearer pictures.

Seen that the 600D has a frame rate of 3.7 frames /sec, and definitely do not have the best auto focus system when things happens fast, I've been considering for a while now to upgrade to something more suited. Initially I was pondering between 2nd hand bodies advertised locally here in South Africa, seen a 1Dx little less than 800$, as well as a 90D in the same price range. Was also considering 7Dii, but could not yet find one advertised 2nd hand. However, I came across a 7D "in excellent condition" according to the seller at approximately 290$.

How much of an upgrade will the 7D be from a 600D, at this price? At almost a 3rd of the price this body is very tempting, as I also noticed a 100-400mm MK1 advertised for little less than 450$? Thus I will be able to get both items (7D with 100-400 Mk1) for less of the price of a 2nd hand body if looking at 7Dii, 90D or even higher end model like a 1Dx if available?

I know that nowadays everybody aims for mirrorless, as a occasional hobbyist I cannot spend that money on equipment. Would rather keep an eye out for a additional lens eg. 70-200 and spend money there.

Your opinion on my thoughts here? Would it be money well spend, or down the drain in your opinions?

Thanks.

wish you the best.

in the states we call your camera the T3i, same thing if mem serves.

my MO is to upgrade a little at a time, instead of a camera it will prolly be a walk around Zoom lens this time.

recently i solved my camera upgrade by upgrading my Bridge cameras instead; now shooting with FZ200 and SX40 bridge cameras. both do fine but the nod goes to the FZ200 with its F2.8 lens.

if i had to get an upgrade for the T3i today, it prolly would be the Canon 70D with it's higher ISO and better video focusing. other choices are the SL1, T5i, 7D2 which can be traded for and a few dollars.

my current lens are the 50mm 1.8, 55-250, and the kit lens 18-55; missing would be a longer zoom walk around. probably an 18-135 or 28-135mm; many advise upgrading glass over the camera. the kit lens doesn't have the reach i want or the IQ of a better non kit lens.

the SL1 is a Doll House, but my Bridge Cameras are the same size and do it all out of the box. it is hard to choose because Canon makes so many good choices, that there really is no bad upgrade.

it prolly be best to stick with Aps-c because all my lens fit that and keeps the upgrade price really low; i like the budget used camera world.

let us know your decision, many of us have these old DSLR's and want a small upgrade before our cameras have no upgrade value. my Canon XS is like that, there is no use trading it in and makes a nice backup.

blessings.

 

[Andy01]

Good day

I am at best a hobbyist taking pictures when my schedule allows for it. Mostly this might be some portraits of my daughter, sport photography of high school field hockey and the every now and then occasional picture of whatever is popping up in our lives...but currently my main thing at this point will be sport.

I've been using a Canon 600D paired with the 55-250mm IS lens that was part of the kit set-up when I bought it new back in 2013 (I think) for this. I also have the 18-55mm kit lens, as well as a 50mm 1.8 lens. As I got better with the trait, I moved from Auto to Sport to AV to Manual mode (currently using shutter anywhere from 1250 upwards to 2000/sec, aperture normally as low as possible, auto ISO, (AI Servo with single point focus) and is able to get some decent shots every now and then.

Field hockey is quote a fast paced sport on a large pitch, and my main obstacle is proper focusing and correct timing to get the shot. I recently hired a 100-400 mm lens (MK1) and tried it on my 600D. Reach was definitely better, but focusing on the long end was extremely difficult. I was shooting handheld, thus I can only assume that to keep the lens stable on the long end was my biggest drawback to get clearer pictures.

I got my EF 100-400L (original version) when I had a 450D, then upgraded to a 600D. I don't remember struggling with focus with it, but it was a long time ago.

In 2014 I upgraded my 600D to a new 70D and it was a significant improvement in every way. One of the nice things was having AFMA, so the ability to fine tune the AF at both ends of the zoom - which may have been an issue with your rented 100-400L.

Seen that the 600D has a frame rate of 3.7 frames /sec, and definitely do not have the best auto focus system when things happens fast, I've been considering for a while now to upgrade to something more suited. Initially I was pondering between 2nd hand bodies advertised locally here in South Africa, seen a 1Dx little less than 800$,

The problem with a 1DX is that it will not work with your EF-S lenses, so you will need to replace them as well. Also you will lose the crop factor which might be an issue for your hockey shooting because everything will be 1.6 times closer.

as well as a 90D in the same price range.

I would suggest a 80D or 90D - depending on budget. I used to live in South Africa 23 years ago and still have some ties there so I know how many Rands that is .

Was also considering 7Dii, but could not yet find one advertised 2nd hand. However, I came across a 7D "in excellent condition" according to the seller at approximately 290$.

I have never owned a 7D but I really wouldn't be getting one now - it is just too old. Even your 600D probably has a comparable sensor.

How much of an upgrade will the 7D be from a 600D, at this price? At almost a 3rd of the price this body is very tempting, as I also noticed a 100-400mm MK1 advertised for little less than 450$?

I had my 100-400L i for almost 10 years and found it was great. There does seem to be some copy variation with them though, especially the earlier (pre-2004) copies.

This was taken with my 70D + 100-400L i on my last visit to Kruger in 2016. If you open Original and zoom in you will find it is quite sharp.

I did get the opportunity to replace my 100-400L i with a 100-400L ii in 2017 at a very modest change-over cost, so I did so, and the Mk ii is definitely better, but also more costly (and a bit heavier).

Things to watch with the original Mk i lenses is the tension ring for the zoom lock tends to wear out the felt and zoom creep can become quite bad. Some of them seemed to have a dust problem (allegedly due to the push-pull zoom action), and some earlier copies were not as sharp - you can look for the manufacture code and cross reference a table (see The Digital Picture) to see the year it was made.

Thus I will be able to get both items (7D with 100-400 Mk1) for less of the price of a 2nd hand body if looking at 7Dii, 90D or even higher end model like a 1Dx if available?

I might suggest a 80D and 100-400L i as it may be a better fit for the budget.

You will find that a 80D has twice the frame rate of your 600D, better AF, better tracking (for moving subjects), better viewfinder and screen, AFMA etc etc - better everything except size & weight really.

I know that nowadays everybody aims for mirrorless, as a occasional hobbyist I cannot spend that money on equipment. Would rather keep an eye out for a additional lens eg. 70-200 and spend money there.

I have never found the need for a 70-200mm (because I have owned 100-400mm since 2008).

Your opinion on my thoughts here? Would it be money well spend, or down the drain in your opinions?

Thanks.

I think that even a 80D + 100-400L i would be a VERY significant upgrade from 600D + 55-250mm. Your image quality and shot success rate should improve quite noticeably.

 

[Klaus dk]

I upgraded from the 550D to the 7D to get better and faster AF and a deeper buffer for bursts. I can only say I got both. The 7D II has even better AF and faster burst shooting.

What you'll miss on the 7D II is the articulating screen, but as it only makes sense when using live view, it may not be a big deal.

I was very happy with my 7D.

Good luck and good light.

 

[Annie75]

Ok, an update on my "upgrade journey", with another question of course...:-D

My Canon 100-400L IS USM MK1 has been paid and is on its way. I looked at the 600D's shutter count tonight, more than 96,000. The expected life is 100,000 shutters. Hopefully, I will exceed this, but it might also die on me at any moment, right?

I guess the "upgrade body is a given then soon. I've been shopping online locally, and 90D seems a little out of reach at the moment, I relook at the 7D and noticed the specs might be very similar to the 600D in terms of megapixels, sensor, etc. Thus, I went back to look at the availability of the 80D and there are some within reach at a decent price and fairly low shutter count. (Of course, I would have liked a "more decent price", but it seems market-related with other offers and looking at condition and shutter count).

But then I noticed the 77D, a newer body with a newer processor, although at 1 frame per second less. Also slightly cheaper than the 80D for similar condition body.

Any thoughts between these two bodies, perhaps some 1st hand experience?

Thanks in advance.

 

[bridge77]

Ok, an update on my "upgrade journey", with another question of course...:-D

My Canon 100-400L IS USM MK1 has been paid and is on its way. I looked at the 600D's shutter count tonight, more than 96,000. The expected life is 100,000 shutters. Hopefully, I will exceed this, but it might also die on me at any moment, right?

100k shutters is kinda like suggested retail price, you may be in for a Boat Load more on that camera. with that kind of count, you may not get much trade in price; i keep my old Canon XS on the shelf for that reason. works fine.

I guess the "upgrade body is a given then soon. I've been shopping online locally, and 90D seems a little out of reach at the moment, I relook at the 7D and noticed the specs might be very similar to the 600D in terms of megapixels, sensor, etc.

i have looked at the 7D, but it has similar specs to my T3i, it doesn't seem that big of an upgrade. the 7D2 would be a Real Upgrade and probably will be a good move for me; the shutter counts seem to go very high on some of those used. good indicator of a camera that is going to be around for awhile

Thus, I went back to look at the availability of the 80D and there are some within reach at a decent price and fairly low shutter count. (Of course, I would have liked a "more decent price", but it seems market-related with other offers and looking at condition and shutter count).

good choice, but the 70D would also be good if saving money is Paramount in your decision.

But then I noticed the 77D, a newer body with a newer processor, although at 1 frame per second less. Also slightly cheaper than the 80D for similar condition body.

the 7D2 would still be a better choice for auto focus.

Any thoughts between these two bodies, perhaps some 1st hand experience?

Thanks in advance.

keep us updated on what you choose, it will be interesting. getting some better glass may serve you more, your 600D may still work in a few more years with better glass.

 

[Andy01]

Ok, an update on my "upgrade journey", with another question of course...:-D

My Canon 100-400L IS USM MK1 has been paid and is on its way.

I hope you get a good one - did you check on the build date before buying ?

I looked at the 600D's shutter count tonight, more than 96,000. The expected life is 100,000 shutters. Hopefully, I will exceed this, but it might also die on me at any moment, right?

The shutter life is an "average" expected life, so some will die earlier and some later. It is definitely not a definitive life.

I guess the "upgrade body is a given then soon. I've been shopping online locally, and 90D seems a little out of reach at the moment, I relook at the 7D and noticed the specs might be very similar to the 600D in terms of megapixels, sensor, etc. Thus, I went back to look at the availability of the 80D and there are some within reach at a decent price and fairly low shutter count. (Of course, I would have liked a "more decent price", but it seems market-related with other offers and looking at condition and shutter count).

But then I noticed the 77D, a newer body with a newer processor, although at 1 frame per second less. Also slightly cheaper than the 80D for similar condition body.

IMO avoid the 77D. It was, I think, some kind of weird in-betweener for Canon. It is NOT a typical xxD body. It is more like a Rebel (xxxD) body with a couple of 80D features. It doesn't have AFMA (which is very useful), it has a cheaper/dimmer OVF, slightly slower frame rate, no weatherproofing and from memory a significantly smaller battery (M/Rebel series LP-E17 battery), not the "classic" LP-E6 battery (and a few other omissions). I would expect the 80D to be more durable than 77D.

IMO the only advantage the 77D has is that is a bit lighter and cheaper (and Digic 7 vs 6).

Canon EOS 77D Compared to the Canon EOS 80D

Compare the detailed specifications of the Canon EOS 77D to the Canon EOS 80D

www.the-digital-picture.com

Any thoughts between these two bodies, perhaps some 1st hand experience?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Digirame]

Annie,

Have you considered the Canon 800D? The Canon 90D would be better but there's a big jump in improvement from the Canon 600D to the Canon 800D and I would guess the price would be better (than the Canon 90D). I've since jumped to mirrorless M and R series Canon cameras, but I still enjoy using my three Canon T7i (800D) cameras too.

Oh, I should mention.... How do I know there's a big improvement from the Canon 600D to the Canon 800D? I have both. The Canon T3i (600D) is in retirement but the Canon T7i (800D) cameras are still being used. One thing I noticed is a great improvement using the higher ISO levels. Commonly I can use up to ISO10000, depending on the lighting (SOOC JPEGs). It seems to me that the high ISO levels work the same as on my Canon M50 Mark II mirrorless cameras too (that is, really good). I only did better with high ISO's when I bought a mirrorless full frame Canon RP.

 

[Mintychocs]

As a 77D user, here’s my two cents. I upgraded from a 450D in 2018. Here’s the good stuff, touchscreen, first decent aps-c sensor from Canon imho. The dual pixel autofocus in liveview is very usable. I use the 77D mainly for birding with a Sigma 100-400mm C. It has a dedicated back button AF which I personally find very useful. The 80D has the same AF but has the added advantage of being able to further customise the AF with things like controlling the sensitivity of tracking etc but as a hobbyist I don’t really need it. As for battery life I find one battery plenty though I don’t do much video or liveview shooting but an extra battery maybe enough for you. I keep a spare on me though I rarely use it. The 80D is a better camera for build quality, weather sealing, customisation etc but unless you really want that the 77D is a very good option depending on the price difference between it and the 80D. If you want any more information on my experience with it please don’t hesitate to ask. Cheers.