70D...To Do or Not To Do ?

DigiBill wrote in post #17409227
Thanks to all for your encouraging words about the 70D. My wife has been telling me, "order it". Well I waited too long because the 70D is once again "out of stock" on the Canon refurb website. I'm going to patiently wait once again.

What do they usually cost on the Canon Refurb website? As I write this reply, you can get a new one for $999 at Amazon.com.

The 70D body only refurb on the Canon site has been as low as $733 the end of December. The full price is usually shown as $959. Just last week on the Canon site the body only price was $767...but now out of stock and back to $959.

Amazon does have the price at $999 as does Adorama and B&H. The Adorama and B&H prices also include a bundle of items.

Having said all that I'm still going to wait for the Canon price to drop back to $767. I'm retired so that "small" savings feels "BIG".

Bill,

You might look around for a used one. I picked up a 7D2 a few months ago and still have my 70D. I'm still deciding what to do with it.... but many other people have already decided to sell theirs.

I figured out if I decided to sell mine, I'd probably price it around $900 and include the Canon battery grip and 4 batteries... extended eye piece and hand strap.

I hope you find a deal.... the 70D is an excellent camera. I love mine..... I just needed that little bit extra of the 7D2 for shooting birds.

longbeachgary wrote in post #17411715
I guess that I just don't get the prices that people put on used equipment. How is a camera that retails for $999 worth $900 used with no warranty or other Canon
support? I just don't get it but hey, if you can get it more power to you.

Well, let's total up the numbers: $999 for a new camera, $180 for the Kirk L bracket, $170 for a Canon battery grip, $42 for 3 extra batteries, $70 for a Markins hand strap and $15 for an extended eyepiece.

If my calculator is correct, that's a total of $1476.00, so 32% off the actual prices if purchased today.
I would also throw in David Busch's book on the 70D as I would have no further need for it.

That's what I was using to determine what I think would be a fair value for a lightly used camera...under 4k clicks.

You know, after I posted that I did some adding up of my own and agree with you 100% that not only is it a decent deal but it could even be considered a very good deal. I could do without the bracket and the hand strap but even so it's not bad.

When I heard the price it was a bit too much for me. I did seriously think about making an offer since I'm snowbirding at this time in Umatilla, Fl which is about 90 minutes south of Gainesville.

Hmmmmmm

DigiBill wrote in post #17412079
When I heard the price it was a bit too much for me. I did seriously think about making an offer since I'm snowbirding at this time in Umatilla, Fl which is about 90 minutes south of Gainesville.

Hmmmmmm

I haven't really decided to sell mine. My point was..... You should be able to find someone selling theirs as many 70D owners who concentrate on bird photography have upgraded to the 7D2.

DigiBill wrote in post #17412079
When I heard the price it was a bit too much for me. I did seriously think about making an offer since I'm snowbirding at this time in Umatilla, Fl which is about 90 minutes south of Gainesville.

Hmmmmmm

Heya,

I live near Gainesville. Good area if you're into wildlife. The cranes are in and the gators are sunning.

The big question is... what do you want in an upgrade that makes you want the 70D over the T3i? The IQ is not a significant step really. It's better, but we're talking minutia really. The ISO performance is better, but it's not even a full stop, which is good, but it's not a massive step really. There are features on the 70D that are very good to have (MFA for example), but if you're not having issues with a fast prime or a telephoto, then it's not really a useful feature to you. So beyond that, what do you think you need that is significantly upgradable from the T3i that you want for what you shoot? I ask because if you're on a budget, getting the latest affordable camera isn't always the answer. The answer is actually looking at cameras that have the features you want or need. Sometimes, going backwards is going forwards depending on the features you want when you're on a budget.

Very best,

MalVeauX wrote in post #17412297
Heya,

I live near Gainesville. Good area if you're into wildlife. The cranes are in and the gators are sunning.

The big question is... what do you want in an upgrade that makes you want the 70D over the T3i? The IQ is not a significant step really. It's better, but we're talking minutia really. The ISO performance is better, but it's not even a full stop, which is good, but it's not a massive step really. There are features on the 70D that are very good to have (MFA for example), but if you're not having issues with a fast prime or a telephoto, then it's not really a useful feature to you. So beyond that, what do you think you need that is significantly upgradable from the T3i that you want for what you shoot? I ask because if you're on a budget, getting the latest affordable camera isn't always the answer. The answer is actually looking at cameras that have the features you want or need. Sometimes, going backwards is going forwards depending on the features you want when you're on a budget.

Very best,

You make a very good point. The 70D has a few features that appeal to me such as the drastically better video capability. Also the faster and additional focus points is desirable. But other than that you might very well be convincing me to keep practicing and learning with my T3i. Thanks for asking the questions and you have made me stop and reevaluate my "wants vs needs".

MalVeauX wrote in post #17412297
Heya,

I live near Gainesville. Good area if you're into wildlife. The cranes are in and the gators are sunning.

The big question is... what do you want in an upgrade that makes you want the 70D over the T3i? The IQ is not a significant step really. It's better, but we're talking minutia really. The ISO performance is better, but it's not even a full stop, which is good, but it's not a massive step really. There are features on the 70D that are very good to have (MFA for example), but if you're not having issues with a fast prime or a telephoto, then it's not really a useful feature to you. So beyond that, what do you think you need that is significantly upgradable from the T3i that you want for what you shoot? I ask because if you're on a budget, getting the latest affordable camera isn't always the answer. The answer is actually looking at cameras that have the features you want or need. Sometimes, going backwards is going forwards depending on the features you want when you're on a budget.

Very best,

I agree with the above. I have a T3i and a 70D. I got the 70D for better video and faster frame rate primarily. Really like the touch screen after getting use to it. Image quality, I can't tell the difference between the two. Slightly better noise with the 70D, but not enough to fret over. My 400mm F5.6 Canon plays better with the T3i than with the 70D even with MFA. The 70D plays well with my other lenses. I use the 70D with the 70-200 F4L IS and it does a fantastic job. My T3i works well with all my lenses. I also have a 6D and it is head and shoulders above both the crop cameras but just doesn't have the reach.

DigiBill wrote in post #17409227
Thanks to all for your encouraging words about the 70D. My wife has been telling me, "order it". Well I waited too long because the 70D is once again "out of stock" on the Canon refurb website. I'm going to patiently wait once again.

I have a used 70D for sale right now in the price range of the referb you were looking at:
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17415037

It is a great camera, miss the video performance, but I'm happy I went to FF and the amazing low light/high iso performance of the 6D.

I did say pull the trigger quick. I like the better video performance as I use it at church a lot. Not only is picture quality much better, audio is too. Buy it ASAP! Why not ask if anyone can recommend a grey importer. In the UK, Canon authorised sellers sell for between £900-£950 (winter cashback has finished). I paid £659 with a 3 year warranty. for the 18-55 stm kit, saving £290. Try that route if other folk can recommend a grey supplier.

a heads up on pricing. maybe watch rebates and bundles as, fwiw, I purchased my 70D last September (end of) at Adorama - in a bundle that included the Pixma Pro-100 printer, camera bag, semi gloss 9x13 paper, and SDHC card for $799 (new) after $350 MIR.

If I had it to do over, I would have kept my 60D and puchased this 70D for my goddaughter - who's off to college w/a photography major.

The single point focus issues are a nightmare.

freestylee30 wrote in post #17415041
I have a used 70D for sale right now in the price range of the referb you were looking at:
https://photography-on-the.net …showthread.php?​p=17415037

It is a great camera, miss the video performance, but I'm happy I went to FF and the amazing low light/high iso performance of the 6D.

Brandon.....

If we could meet up I would consider your gear.....BUT, I suspect you are on the west coast and I'm on the east. I would want to have hands on inspection. Thanks for bring this to my attention.

By the way, I visited your photo gallery....very nice work.

Thanks Bill, appreciate you looking at my photo gallery and complimenting!

I completely understand about wanting to get your hands on it for an inspection, especially for me - while I have been on here a long time, I don't have a lot of posts and I haven't sold/bought a lot. Also, yes I am on the west coast (WA).

Good luck with your seach! The 70D is a good camera!