Canon T2i owner looking to go full frame, looking for opinions

Seems like the time for the change came for all us T2i owners

Bill Emmett wrote in post #17325409
I decided last year to get a full frame. I looked around and found a good sale on the Canon EOS 6D, for about $1300.00. If you go to Canonpricewatch.com you'll see it as low as $1000. I wanted a full frame for some street work, and portraits. I was really pleased with the low light performance of this camera. The AF is good, for what the camera is, but not great as the 7D Mark II. The 6D is good for static subjects, no birds in flight, sports, (hockey) but can't be beat for still life in low light, food, portraits, and slow street photography. I paired the 6D to a Tamron SP 24-70mm f2.8 with VC, which is Tamron speach for IS. The 24mm end on the Tamron is great for low light scenery. The Canon 6D is also light weight vs the Canon 7D, which has a metal body. You can also transfer images to the computer wirelessly, even large RAW files. You will not be able to use your EF-S lenses on the 6D, but for bargains take a look at KEH.com. That company specializes in used equipment. You'll be able to find great deals on used lenses there. I've bought my 70-200mm f4L IS USM lens, and my EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM from them. Just buy a lens that is graded E, E+ and you'll think it has never been mounted on a camera, and each lens has a warranty, and trial period. I would look for a E+ EF 24-105mm f3.5-5.6 IS STM. That lens was made for video, with a quiet focus stepping motor. The 6D also has good video capability. I didn't mention any thing here about lenses which I don't consider for low light. I know f4 is just one stop, but the best is below f4, like 2.8.

For low light pictures the Sony A7S beats any fullframe camera on the market today (including the 6D).

Robinson Crusoe wrote in post #17343498
Seems like the time for the change came for all us T2i owners

Almost two years ago I for the first time thought about upgrading my T2i. Now I'm getting closer and closer to that step, but plans have changed and it won't be a Canon body anymore. It's gonna be the Sony A7II or the soon to be announced Sony A9.

jocau wrote in post #17343675
For low light pictures the Sony A7S beats any fullframe camera on the market today (including the 6D).

Almost two years ago I for the first time thought about upgrading my T2i. Now I'm getting closer and closer to that step, but plans have changed and it won't be a Canon body anymore. It's gonna be the Sony A7II or the soon to be announced Sony A9.

Why not Nikon? They are also reasonably prised? And obviously you haven't invested much on Canon lenses so no need for Sony's mount?

The advantage of the 6D is for low light without the use of a tripod. If you can keep ISO down with a tripod, you won't see that much of an advantage of full frame, unless you make very large prints. I would recommend investing in some good glass first.

You might get more out of your money if you picked up a 60D and the 35F2 IS before jumping into full frame and all new lenses. Frankly, if you haven't gotten a fast prime by now, I wonder how much you will immediately benefit from the 6D. I would pick up a fast prime, like the 35F2IS before jumping into full frame. The lens will be useful later, shouldmyoumdecide to pick up the 6D kit.

Robinson Crusoe wrote in post #17344005
Why not Nikon? They are also reasonably prised? And obviously you haven't invested much on Canon lenses so no need for Sony's mount?

I considered a switch to Nikon in the past, but holding any of the Nikon bodies made me feel like holding a cactus. A very uncomfortable feeling and I was quickly getting finger cramps. I also didn't like the idea of giving up my EF 70-200mm F/4L IS USM. But lately I've noticed that I really don't want a bigger body than my T2i anymore (preferably a bit smaller) since it's becoming a hassle to drag along large equipment. I'm also starting to like the idea of having the advantages of an EVF. And finally the Sony/Zeiss FE 55mm F/1.8 alone is worth buying a Sony E mount camera for. It is said to be the best AF lens on the market today (image quality wise that is) and they even call it a mini-Otus (Zeiss Otus lenses are simply the best you can get for anything up to fullframe cameras).

On top of that, last summer when I was considering a switch to the Fuji X-T1 and was looking for one in the local store, I briefly played a bit with the original A7 and it felt surprisingly nice in my hands even though I wasn't considering the Sony A7 series at that time. With the Sony A7II or A9, I would also be able to use my EF 70-200mm F/4L IS USM quite easily in manual focus mode thanks to focus peaking and zoomed view and all of this without taking my eye off the EVF.

Thanks for the info.

I guess i also need to find a way to hold other bodies in my hands as i never thought of the feeling when i decided to move to other brand. For the time being i'm quite happy with my T2i and the 15-85 combo's feel in my hands.

If you dont like the Nikon ergonomics, make sure you hold the Sony first. If Nikon is a cactus, the Sony A7/r/s is at the very least a thorny succulent. Reminds me of the very first Nintendo controller.

gnome chompski wrote in post #17346026
If you dont like the Nikon ergonomics, make sure you hold the Sony first. If Nikon is a cactus, the Sony A7/r/s is at the very least a thorny succulent. Reminds me of the very first Nintendo controller.

I whole heartedly disagree...

I adore the ergonomics of the a7 bodies. The fact that I can map virtually every button exactly how I want it is incredible.

Well, I've officially made the switch courtesy of the GF and the 6D/24-105 f4 she gave me last night as an early Xmas present.

Now I'm on to the filters, travel bag and extra batteries.

In regards to the filters, I'm looking at the Marumi (sp?) for UV and probably polarizing.

For the UV, would you guys say to go with a haze or no for landscape/walk-around shooting? I'm looking for it for the protection mostly, and am hearing from friends that its not as necessary as once needed before. Can anyone clarify or recommend any others specifically and whether I really need the haze or not?

Same thing with the polarizer, I'm really not looking to spend more than 100 right now on each one. Are the sub $100 ones from B+W/Marumi worth getting or should I expect some clarity degradation and not waste my $ until I can get the top one?

Also looking for recommendations on a small travel pouch/bag. I usually travel with a backpack so I'm looking for something tight that will hold the 6D/24-105 so it's not bouncing around naked in my bag.

Thanks again for the help guys it's definitely appreciated.

UV filters aren't necessary for digital cameras- the sensors aren't sensitive to UV light the way film was. I leave my hoods on my lenses, and see no need for protective filters. Everyone has their own opinion on this, but I'm sure mine is right

For CPL- the Marumi is rated just as good as the B+W, but typically much cheaper.

Here is a summary from a test from lenstip:

http://www.lenstip.com …_Results_and_su​mmary.html

gnome chompski wrote in post #17346026
If you dont like the Nikon ergonomics, make sure you hold the Sony first. If Nikon is a cactus, the Sony A7/r/s is at the very least a thorny succulent. Reminds me of the very first Nintendo controller.

Well, I disagree. I've already held the original A7 in my hands and despite its small size, I liked the feel of it. Something I definitely could not say about the Nikon D7000, D7100, D5200, D600 and D800 (and I have probably even forgotten some Nikon cameras that I've held in my hands). But again, how a camera feels in your hands is a rather personal thing.

Qlayer2 wrote in post #17346335
UV filters aren't necessary for digital cameras- the sensors aren't sensitive to UV light the way film was. I leave my hoods on my lenses, and see no need for protective filters. Everyone has their own opinion on this, but I'm sure mine is right

For CPL- the Marumi is rated just as good as the B+W, but typically much cheaper.

Here is a summary from a test from lenstip:

http://www.lenstip.com …_Results_and_su​mmary.html

Thanks. After shopping around I ended up getting a Hoya HD (http://www.amazon.com …1-1&keywords=hoya+77mm+h​d). After a couple uses I'm starting to get the hang of it again and seem to be having good luck.

Both of these were taken on a recent trip to Richmond, VA:

pelotudo wrote in post #17372726
Thanks. After shopping around I ended up getting a Hoya HD (http://www.amazon.com …1-1&keywords=hoya+77mm+h​d). After a couple uses I'm starting to get the hang of it again and seem to be having good luck.

Both of these were taken on a recent trip to Richmond, VA:

.

even the good UV filters like Hoya affect "IQ" and AF

You made the same jump I'm thinking about making. How do you like the 6D over the t2i? Anything features that stands out to you?

Some good insight! Thanks