Switching my setup to come lighter/less bulky. Suggestions?

I currently have the following, and would like to minimize bulk and weight.

Canon 50d
Sigma 30mm 1.4
Canon 18-135 (tend to really only use about half of that length)
Rokinon 8mm Fisheye

What I'm thinking would be a good option for me is below. (I have the 50d and 18-135 for sale now on this forum, so PM me if interested!)

New setup (planned):
Canon T3i
Canon 40mm pancake (on the fence, still may keep sigma 30 since its not too big and takes great images)
Tamron 17-50, Sigma 17-70, something of the sort (looking for advice on these lenses as well)

I feel like this would make lugging a camera around cities much less cumbersome and my g/f wont be so bad when I ask to stick it in her bag

Any advice would be great!

While the t3i and 40 pancake would be a nice setup, dare I suggest going to a different camera system altogether?

With an NEX rig, for example, you'll have an APS-C size sensor that is drastically smaller than a canon DSLR rig.

i really like the feel of a dslr, so i'd like to stick with what i'm familar with. i dont really want to have to get all news lenses, etc with a NEX.

i'm pretty much set on the t3i! great suggestion though

da9k1ne wrote in post #14640611
i really like the feel of a dslr, so i'd like to stick with what i'm familar with. i dont really want to have to get all news lenses, etc with a NEX.

i'm pretty much set on the t3i! great suggestion though

I hear you. I like the control of a two-wheel DSLR. Yeah the 40mm pancake is probably your way to go. Pancakes can be funn lenses.

The T3i is a nice, easy to manage body, with good AF, good color balance and exposure, and a handy swivel screen. If I were looking lightweight, I'd go to a M4/3 camera because of the superb lenses, compact size and weight, and comparable sensor quality, but I can appreciate being attached to your current lenses. I have a 70-200/2.8 IS and a 100/2 that are my main reasons for keeping a Canon body!

ya, i agree the t3i is a great little camera. i love my 50d but it gets too heavy and cumbersome at times so it has to go.

i just hope the thing sells on here so i can get the t3i!

da9k1ne wrote in post #14643559
ya, i agree the t3i is a great little camera. i love my 50d but it gets too heavy and cumbersome at times so it has to go.

i just hope the thing sells on here so i can get the t3i!

Me too...so you can buy my t3i and I can get a Nex-7!!!

that 40mm STM is making everything lighter. For some reason I don't like that swivel screen on the t3i. I'd get a t2i.

oh here's a NEX-5N with the Canon 40mm STM.
http://sonyalphanex.bl​ogspot.com …-canon-40mm-stm-lens.html

snowshark13 wrote in post #14648254
Me too...so you can buy my t3i and I can get a Nex-7!!!

find someone to buy my 50d, and we'll be set! haha i'm having a hard time selling it for some reason, it's mint and at 500 shipped its a steal!

You are not going to save a meaningful amount of weight or size by swapping one light lens for another. Or honestly, even those bodies are not that different in size. If you want noticeable and meaningful change in portability you should look at micro 4/3.

Just a comparison of size for you to ponder: http://camerasize.com …33.311,195.25,1​83.32,ha,t

the t3i in my opinion when held with the 50d is alot smaller and lighter. it's very noticeable. the 40mm pancake on the t3i is a very compact, highly capable combo.

da9k1ne wrote in post #14653614
the t3i in my opinion when held with the 50d is alot smaller and lighter. it's very noticeable. the 40mm pancake on the t3i is a very compact, highly capable combo.

It's not like it's going to fit in your pocket or a purse. It's still a camera bag camera. So why move to a less capable system just to have more empty space in your camera bag and save 1/2 a pound of weight?

If you've already made up your mind, cool. I just wouldn't bother. You are giving up two stops of aperture and a better AF system and you are still going to have a relatively large camera, just not as large. Plus, it is not like the pancake is an all around lens, so you'll still be lugging big lenses around.

tkbslc wrote in post #14653697
It's not like it's going to fit in your pocket or a purse. It's still a camera bag camera. So why move to a less capable system just to have more empty space in your camera bag and save 1/2 a pound of weight?

If you've already made up your mind, cool. I just wouldn't bother. You are giving up two stops of aperture and a better AF system and you are still going to have a relatively large camera, just not as large. Plus, it is not like the pancake is an all around lens, so you'll still be lugging big lenses around.

it fits easily in even a small purse, i've checked. i'm happy with the decision, it's alot lighter than my 50d/sigma 30 combo (which was my lightweight combo before). the AF system doesnt bother me since i rarely, if ever, shoot moving subjects. low light photography rarely presents itself either unless in doing long exposures. if in the long run i decide i miss the 50d, then i'll go back to it!

also, I am relocating to Chicago in working in the loop. the t3i with 40mm combo will easily allow me to throw the camera into my messenger bag so i can bring it to work daily (lots of interesting things in downtown chicago)

Sounds like my G11 could do all your asking of it. It's controls are very easy and familiar coming from a 7d.