Rebel or 60D

My girlfriend is using my old 30D -- but I believe the sensor might be beginning to degrade. It's getting dark spots in the images, and cleaning sensor does not help.

We're thinking upgrade to a 60D or Rebel ... she shoots mostly outdoors, wildlife, flowers, plants, still life, scenes - and only for reference to do her art -- she's a painter -- oil, WC, and pastel ...

So, image quality is less important - she just needs broad details for realism in the art. Does not enlarge much - she works from 8x10 - with enough detail to paint larger than the images ...

So, can any one 'rate' the Rebel vs the 60D for this type shooting ... we're thinking the 18-135 is enough lens. She shoots now with the 28-135 and the 30D and it does everything - she needs nothing longer than 135mm as she shoots mostly close-up, but occasionally needs a little reach, nothing beyond the 18-135 -- and she will never use video ...

The 30D will probably fail soon -- and Xmas is coming

Probably look at refurbished camera, with the kit lens ... I know the 60D will outperform the Rebel series (I think so anyway?) and I'm not technical enough to base an opinion on only the specs ... so anyone have an opinion on which to go with here. We're more interested in actual experience shooting with it, not just regurgitating the specs -- we can read those, but we need someone with experience to talk about that from the standpoint of the images, not the specs -- if that makes sense?

60D is more money, but that doesn't necessarily mean she needs it for what she does.

One other comment -- she does not "like" the articulating screen -- so, can that simply be left in place as if it was fixed?

You'll get the same IQ from both cameras since they use the same sensor. While the 60D is more durable and has a better battery, I bet the rebel will be just fine.

Yes you can leave the articulating screen open all the time. I think it's handy to close it while traveling to protect the screen.

HaroldC3 wrote in post #17220677
You'll get the same IQ from both cameras since they use the same sensor. While the 60D is more durable and has a better battery, I bet the rebel will be just fine.

Yes you can leave the articulating screen open all the time. I think it's handy to close it while traveling to protect the screen.

OK, but can you leave the screen open, like a standard camera, leave it flat - like against the body but still operating like a non-articulating screen. She wants to use it like a regular screen, not spinning in the wind.

I have a 60d and virtually never turn the screen around to "protect" it. Never had a problem. I treat the same as my other DSLRs and it is fine.

monkey44 wrote in post #17220708
OK, but can you leave the screen open, like a standard camera, leave it flat - like against the body but still operating like a non-articulating screen. She wants to use it like a regular screen, not spinning in the wind.

Yes, you can leave the screen open and flat against the body like a non-rotating LCD.

What mode does she shoot in? If she'd in Auto mode most of the time, I'd go Rebel line hands down. Nearly all the upgrades in the 60D are much more useful if she's going to be changing settings a lot.

And as Harold says, they're the same sensor.

She shouldn't pass judgement on the articulating screen until she has tried it. I will venture to say she may find it, coupled with Live View to be useful, especially on the flowers and plants you say she shoots. I've taken many an image from a vantage point 4 inches off the ground that would be difficult without that screen, or as a minimum guarantee a trip to the laundry at the end of the day!

By the way, if you live in the States let us know - there are significant savings available through the Canon Loyalty Program.

John from PA wrote in post #17221266
She shouldn't pass judgement on the articulating screen until she has tried it. I will venture to say she may find it, coupled with Live View to be useful, especially on the flowers and plants you say she shoots. I've taken many an image from a vantage point 4 inches off the ground that would be difficult without that screen, or as a minimum guarantee a trip to the laundry at the end of the day!

By the way, if you live in the States let us know - there are significant savings available through the Canon Loyalty Program.

Yes Thanks ... USA, and we know the Canon Loyalty program ... sometimes, the savings worth it, sometimes shipping and handling and tax makes it more than others with no tax and no shipping -- but we always look there, see what Canon has to offer.

We use Adorama for most purchases --- used B&H or awhile too. We have NO local camera stores here anymore ... they all closed when the Big Box stores opened.

Best Buy sometimes has camera gear, but I hate that store, it's screwed up my warranty issues too often on computers -- so I ignore them even if they have it.

Two Q's -- I see some Rebels with a small (i) after the T ... what does that 'i' mean?

Which Rebel would be the best - but as a refurbished -- and best for this kind of shooting. She wants to save a few bucks, but not at the cost of camera quality ...

I started years ago with the film, and then went to the 30D, and skipped over the Rebel series, so have no clue about that specific series. She's looking for self-cleaning sensor too, not the "air blower" cleaner like the 30D ....

If you had a Rebel in one hand and 60D in the other, and both were close in price, which one would you choose??

She shoots usually with auto-settings, and her camera skills are minimal. The camera is a tool for her paintings, not for her to sell images if that helps, she works from the images then posts photos of her paintings on a website to sell the paintings, not the images --

Not sure how the letter 'i" came about but generally it means the more fully featured camera. See http://www.imaging-resource.com …as/canon/t5i/vs​/canon/t5/ for the T5i vs. T5 comparison. This also means of course that the "i" carries a higher price tag.

Having held the T5i and owning the 60D hands down my preference is the 60D. It just feels better in my hands, due in large part to the additional weight. I like the feel of a camera with some "heft" which in my opinion can help in holding the camera steady.

John from PA wrote in post #17221375
Not sure how the letter 'i" came about but generally it means the more fully featured camera. See http://www.imaging-resource.com …as/canon/t5i/vs​/canon/t5/ for the T5i vs. T5 comparison. This also means of course that the "i" carries a higher price tag.

Having held the T5i and owning the 60D hands down my preference is the 60D. It just feels better in my hands, due in large part to the additional weight. I like the feel of a camera with some "heft" which in my opinion can help in holding the camera steady.

Yeah - based on all the info, the difference is not enough to worry about at the refurb level ... so, will more than likely go with 60D -- thanks for all the info guys !!