T3i owner Next step??

I am a relatively new hobbyist and am really enjoying myself!! I always had enjoyed taking photographs and finally stepped into the DSLR with the T3i over the summer. I took the official Canon Photography courses given through my local store and have learned tons, mostly by taking loads of pictures and applying what I learned. I told myself from the beginning that the best way to learn was to stay off P and Automatic as much as possible and use lots of Trial and error.

I started with the 18-135 kit lens but the real learning and creative fun started when I purchased the 50mm 1.4. I loved the lens but I found myself in a lot of situations where I really wished I had a shorter lens, so I purchased the 28mm 1.8, which I am getting used to now.

Now I am thinking about the next step in my hobby..... I have been saving some money for a little while and starting thinking about upgrading the body. I don't think I would get a lot selling the t3i so I would probably gift it to my sister. I love the way the 7D feels in my hands but not sure I need it, or when the replacement for the 7D is coming. I mostly shoot family pics with kids (portrait and action) landscape and a little bit of sporting events ( I really don't have the proper lens for this yet).

The kit lens has been my walk around lens for the most part when on vacation etc, but wouldn't mind upgrading this at some point either. So where do I spend the money....

Choices:
Upgrade Body to 7D or...... (no additional lenses for now) OR
Stay with t3i for now and wait for the next update on the 7D AND
Upgrade Kit Lens from 18-135 to 24-105L and maybe get the ultra wide for the landscapes..

BTW: These boards have been a tremendous amount of help, I enjoy looking at everyones pics and learning from the pros!!

Based on your self analysis I don't know if getting a different body would be the "next step" for you. I would think building upon your experience and becoming proficient with lighting & composition is more important as that T3i is a very capable body. So since you are asking I would put any extra $$ into glass first. Then after that I would think the "next step" is probably making the move to FF over crop.

I hear what you are saying, Part of it is that I like the way it fits in my hands. Will there be any improvement in IQ with everything being equal with the 2 different bodies?

You don't upgrade a body, just to upgrade. You upgrade a body when your current body is holding you back. For instance, you need faster af, more af points, better ISO, faster processor, burst rates, easier control, weather sealing, you get the point. You'd be much better suited with new glass.

Learn off camera flash, that will keep you busy for a while. You'll see improvements to your IQ without upgrading any of your gear.

You will have to acquire some bits and pieces to get you started though.

Thank you everyone!!

jasperk99 wrote in post #13960747
I hear what you are saying, Part of it is that I like the way it fits in my hands. Will there be any improvement in IQ with everything being equal with the 2 different bodies?

They have similar processors so IQ may not differ. What will differ will be camera options which can give better performance in certain circumstances, like with sprots the 7D has a much higher frame rate, and the focus system is much more complex as well.

If you like the larger body feel, put a battery grip on it, that is what I did and love it. Since I hike I also like being able to remove the grip to make the body lighter and more compact, best of both worlds.

Don't really see the need to upgrade the body. Its a perfectly capable body and getting a 7D isn't going to magically improve the photos in the slightest unless you have a specific need such as fast action photography.

You need to ask *why* you want to upgrade or what it is you think the current body is doing to limit you. Most likely the money is much better spent on some good quality lenses, filters, flash,tripods and so on.

Simply changing the camera to a very similarly specification body is going to achieve nothing unless you're being limited by the feature set of the existing one - its an excellent camera so that's highly unlikely.

T2i4me wrote in post #13960545
Based on your self analysis I don't know if getting a different body would be the "next step" for you. I would think building upon your experience and becoming proficient with lighting & composition is more important as that T3i is a very capable body. So since you are asking I would put any extra $$ into glass first.

^This

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/martymeow/ pretty much nearly all my photos are done with a t3i, the best thing I've bought for it is a canon speed light, umbrella stand, tamron 17-50 2.8 and Lightroom , 7d isn't worth upgrading to IMO t3i takes great photos only thing I'd upgrade to is a 5d but I don't need it any time soon

Though I'd suggest getting a speed light and learning bout strobist work !

Just wondering why the 24-105 and not the EF-S 17-55 IS USM? The f/2.8 constant will give you more low light performance since you seem to be committed to crop bodies right now.

Keyan wrote in post #13961977
Just wondering why the 24-105 and not the EF-S 17-55 IS USM? The f/2.8 constant will give you more low light performance since you seem to be committed to crop bodies right now.

I have a 28 1.8 prime and a 50 1.4 prime, I like those as my low light lenses, I think the 17-55 would be redundant and not as good...

whereas the 24-105 is a nice step up from my kit lens and will serve as a nice walk around lens.

I know there are a lot of used 24-105 lens floating around; where is the best place to purchase? Ebay? the marketplace here?

Thanks for everyone's input!!

jasperk99 wrote in post #13963928
I have a 28 1.8 prime and a 50 1.4 prime, I like those as my low light lenses, I think the 17-55 would be redundant and not as good...

whereas the 24-105 is a nice step up from my kit lens and will serve as a nice walk around lens.

I know there are a lot of used 24-105 lens floating around; where is the best place to purchase? Ebay? the marketplace here?

Thanks for everyone's input!!

Do you think you'll be happy with 24mm as your widest? Because I know for a fact I would never be able to live with that. But thats just me. Forget the red ring and "L" designation for now. Why would you be upgrading to the 24-105 over for example, the 15-85?

Sirrith wrote in post #13963947
Do you think you'll be happy with 24mm as your widest? Because I know for a fact I would never be able to live with that. But thats just me. Forget the red ring and "L" designation for now. Why would you be upgrading to the 24-105 over for example, the 15-85?

I agree. I could not be satisfied with a 24 mm minimum FL after using the EF-S 17-55 f/2.8. The EF-S 15-85 or the EF-S 17-55 would be better choices than the EF 24-105 L, unless there is a specific need for the 85-105 mm range.

I would focus on some lighting. I switch from a 7D to 5Dm2 and would suggest if I were in a similar position today I would have held on to the 7D and focused on lighting. To buy the 5D I sold my good lenses and a fine camera in the 7D. Big mistake but at this point I figure I will slowly claw back some lenses. Every time you upgrade bodies I think we loose an opportunity to buy something that will actually improve photography. With the exception of speed cameras of course.

It seems like there are less expensive " better " options in EF-S Compatible lenses that simply dont fly on FF Bodies. That being said if you got money to burn and move out of Extreme Hobbiest position then the make the more obvious decision. I often run into many Photographers with T2i and the likes that will blow away anything I can currently do.