Debating whether to sell my T3i

So I got into photography with my first DSLR last June by picking up a T3i. While I think its a great camera, I instantly started to take a liking to bird photography and became aware very quickly of the lacking AF on my T3i. I think a 7D is really the body for me, and with the recent price decreases it has caught my eye. I guess I'm wondering if the upgrade is worth it at this time, or if I should just keep rolling with what I have and wait to see if they replace the 7D later this year with something nicer. I'm not a busy shooter as I've only put about 5k clicks on this camera. Do I sell now when I might still be able to get a decent return on my camera?

If you have the money for it, I think you will like the 7D. There is always going to be a better camera coming around the bend, so I suggest just going ahead and getting the 7D if you feel it would improve your photography.

Of course the 7D is going to be better with true action shots, but when specifically have you found the AF system of the T3i to be lacking? And in addition to better AI servo focus mode, what else are you hoping to gain by purchasing the 7D?

mannetti21 wrote in post #13715670
Of course the 7D is going to be better with true action shots, but when specifically have you found the AF system of the T3i to be lacking? And in addition to better AI servo focus mode, what else are you hoping to gain by purchasing the 7D?

Thats kind of why I'm asking here. I don't know how much I really do stand to gain by this. One part of me has said just keep buying glass and maybe address this later on this year when the 7d replacement comes out. But if I did that I would proabably just keep my T3i body since by then it will have alot more on the shutter and probably won't be worth enough to justify selling it. What do you guys think I could get for a T3i in mint condition with 5k on shutter. 5-600?

I never shoot birds, but I think the spot AF (the very small, precise AF point) on the 7D would be great for nailing birds in the coverage of trees and branches.

You t3i will only go down in what you can get for it used, so sell it now if you want a 7D.

What lenses do you currently own?

You are going to gain 8FPS vs 3.7FPS, a pentaprism vs your pentamirror, faster max shutter speed 1/8000 vs 1/4000, and slightly faster X-sync speed of 1/250 vs 1/200. I honestly don't think you will feel that the price difference is justified unless you are shooting a lot of sports.

Your T3i is a very good camera. I upgraded from a 450D(XSi), and I noticed an immediate difference obviously in AF, but also in image quality and light metering. Personally, Iif I were you I would wait for an upgrade to the current 7D with hopefully better ISO performance and AF point linked light metering. If the current 7D had these options, or even just improved ISO, I'd say go for it.

I have the 18-55 IS kit lens, the ****ty 70-300, a Sigma 30mm 1.4, and a 100-400L. The first two will likely go with the camera if I sell it or will be sold separately to fund something like a 24-105L.

Thats what I'm stuck on is whether or not I'm gaining enough to justify a move. I figure if I could get like 8-850 for the camera and those 2 lenses I can pick up a 7D for only about 400 out of pocket.

I had a T1i for the last few years.... upgrading to a 7D a few months ago was more than worth my purchase at $1400. If your taking food off your table to feed your hobby....your doing it wrong. If you have the extra cash for a new body, buy it.

timberlandlh wrote in post #13716381
I had a T1i for the last few years.... upgrading to a 7D a few months ago was more than worth my purchase at $1400. If your taking food off your table to feed your hobby....your doing it wrong. If you have the extra cash for a new body, buy it.

T1i to 7D would be well worth it in my opinion, T3i to 7D not so much.

mileslong24 wrote in post #13716298
I have the 18-55 IS kit lens, the ****ty 70-300, a Sigma 30mm 1.4, and a 100-400L. The first two will likely go with the camera if I sell it or will be sold separately to fund something like a 24-105L.

I'd get rid of the 18-55 and 70-300 right now. I'm estimating you could probably get at least $400 for those two, probably more.

I don't think you would be happy with the 24-105mm on the crop sensor of the T3i (or eventually the 7D). Something wider will be much more useful for indoor family gatherings/parties, group shots, and for landscape. Might be a better bet to go for the 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 if you want a versatile all-purpose lens with great range, or put the money towards the 17-55 f/2.8. The 17-55mm is essentially L lens image quality. Build quality isn't as good, but certainly no slouch either. The constant f/2.8 aperture is nice to have for indoor lighting where you want to keep ISO low. There is much talk about dust getting inside this lens...I've had mine for over a year and have no such issues.

I've owned the 15-85 and I unfortunately had a defective copy and got rid of it, but I deeply miss the range of that lens. It was perfect for those many times I was going to a party, amusement park, or night out on the town when I wanted to travel as light as possible and not have to worry about multiple lenses. That thing always seemed to have enough long reach with the crop sensor and the difference from a wide focal length of 24mm to this 15mm is huge.

http://snapsort.com …Canon-T3i-vs-Canon_EOS_7D

Check that link out

I was debating on going from the t1i to the 7d, but going to the t3i just makes more sense financially for me.

I am just going to wait until canon rolls out the next revision of the rebel and see what is in store

DarkPhantom wrote in post #13717635
http://snapsort.com …Canon-T3i-vs-Canon_EOS_7D

Check that link out

I was debating on going from the t1i to the 7d, but going to the t3i just makes more sense financially for me.

I am just going to wait until canon rolls out the next revision of the rebel and see what is in store

I was kind of puzzled how the T3i could score better. Then I noticed that one of their score criteria is popularity. I didn't know that made something better.

ljason8eg wrote in post #13717677
I was kind of puzzled how the T3i could score better. Then I noticed that one of their score criteria is popularity. I didn't know that made something better.

Guess it depends on one's definition of "better"... Is a Ferrari "better" than a Honda Civic?