Need info/advice/ ur experience on 60D purchase

I am posting to find out info on the 60D in a sense vs the T3 Rebel.
I know that they have differences and I am sure there is a definitive reason in the price gap of-course. BUT what I am interested in is what are the major advantages and the major draw backs that many of you more experienced shooter have noticed. I have never been pro but I have shot a wedding or two on occasion as well as a few parties etc. So understand that I use my camera or cameras for a wide range of activities from outdoors to indoors.

I would like to know how long it took some of you to make the upgrade jump and when you did how you really felt about it and whether or not it was significant in your shots mainly. Clarity, focus, depth, your perspective of the 60D itself. My opportunity in the near future is to get a 60D paired with a Tamron 18-270 for a relatively good price just a tad bit above 1K. I have a few lenses that I purchased in the past from many of our forums experiences and advice, I turn to you all again before I make this jump or leap; I would rather not make it blindly but on my forum buds words of wisdom.

Thanks in advance, I am going to try and check the forum daily but just to know the purchase depending on advice may be in the next 6-8 wks.

If its a used 60d and a used 18-270 then you're overpaying if its a grand. Used 60d can be had for 500-550. The 18-270 is 450 NEW.

I love my 60D, which I have owned for not quite 19 months. I moved up from a Nikon D40, which was I think 6 MP and the most beginner of DSLR cameras. The leap in IQ and performance was unbelievably significant, especially when shooting sports.

In your case, your T3i will be very comparable to the 60D for the kind of shooting you do. If you were going to shoot sports, birds or other things where the faster FPS and upgraded handling of the 60D would come into play--different story.

Being able to use 1/3 stop of ISO adjustment is nice, but I only miss it sometimes when I use my father's T4i as a second camera. The bigger battery is really nice, too, but I see you have a grip on your T3I. Problem solved there.

Instead of upgrading bodies (but not sensors), why not add a fast prime like an sigma 30 1.4 or 85 1.4? Or even a Canon 85 1.8? Zooms are convenient, but a fast prime will really bring out the best in that 18P sensor IMO.

kcrunchone wrote in post #16023465
I am posting to find out info on the 60D in a sense vs the T3 Rebel.
I know that they have differences and I am sure there is a definitive reason in the price gap of-course. BUT what I am interested in is what are the major advantages and the major draw backs that many of you more experienced shooter have noticed. I have never been pro but I have shot a wedding or two on occasion as well as a few parties etc. So understand that I use my camera or cameras for a wide range of activities from outdoors to indoors.

I would like to know how long it took some of you to make the upgrade jump and when you did how you really felt about it and whether or not it was significant in your shots mainly. Clarity, focus, depth, your perspective of the 60D itself. My opportunity in the near future is to get a 60D paired with a Tamron 18-270 for a relatively good price just a tad bit above 1K. I have a few lenses that I purchased in the past from many of our forums experiences and advice, I turn to you all again before I make this jump or leap; I would rather not make it blindly but on my forum buds words of wisdom.

Thanks in advance, I am going to try and check the forum daily but just to know the purchase depending on advice may be in the next 6-8 wks.

There was no problem in creating these images and many others with a 60D.

Switched from a T3i to a 60D quite some time ago, i've read a lot of people saying that its a pointless "upgrade" because the cameras are the same and have the same sensor. Sensors the same yes, camera the same no.

First thing you'll notice is the size, the 60D is slightly bigger and has a larger battery grip ( which i personally find more comfortable). I prefer the button layout and the thumb wheel on the 60D vs the T3i and it's arrow pad (Though i feel the image delete button to be in a horrendous location on the 60D, turns image deletion into a 2 handed process).

Many will argue this but i find the AF system on the 60D to be slightly faster and a little more accurate. This becomes most noticeable when shooting birds and other fast moving objects. Plus the faster FPS doesn't hurt either.

Some may consider it a more lateral move, my switch was based a lot on comfort, design and faster FPS. The top LCD is a more familiar and welcomed sight for me since i had been shooting with film SLRs for so long.

But as DC Fan pointed out, It's all about the person pulling the trigger.

I've had my 60D for about 2 years. I am migrating to FF and keeping the 60D. IMHO, the 60D is a the best APSc camera Canon has ever made. The AF is outstanding compared to the two Rebels I had, XSi and T1i. It is no 7D, but for what I do, that is a plus. It is less noisy than the 7D at ISO 3200 and above. On top of that, it is significantly less expensive.

7D fans, please don't blow a gasket. Shooter who know they need, and use the capabilities of the 7D, are wielding a powerful tool. For the unwashed masses, the 60D is a better option. As I've said before, if you don't KNOW you need a 7D, you don't need a 7D. The 60D is a very nice body.

I think the OP has a T3, not a T3i. So his current camera has an older 12 MP sensor and the 60D would be a substantial upgrade.

the 60D is a great camera
i love the colors from the 60D
even with the kit lens 18-55
its still great
i cant forget this camera

I went from a T2i to a 60d after about 1 to 1.5 years.

Thanks for all the advice and yes I do have a T3 and not a T3i. I was considering just picking up another lens instead as someone pointed out but I kind of notice a difference in the shots that I am taking and the shots by another hobbyist that was in the same area as I was. I see that we snapped some shots and his photos were so much more life like if that is a correct analysis more crisp and depth of color so much more mature for a choice of words to properly describe it. It really seemed like I was missing something and we were nailing similar if not the same shots.

I was originally going to just pick up the Tamron 18-270 VC Piezo drive ultrasonic lens, but then I saw a deal for the camera I wanted as well as the lens and someone pointed out about used I dont want right now. SO they are both new, I want to be able to deal with my own headaches and not someone else's. Not that new assure me of that but I would feel more comfortable with a warranty and someone to deal with if and when a problem arises.

I believe I have 30 days to try the camera out with a no questions asked return as long as no damages, so that will give me the chance to feel the body out and see if the images that I saw compare or live up to what I am looking to do. Besides as someone pointed out I do shoot birds as well as sports so I might as well go for it as long as I have he extra funds. I will get it as soon as I can and let everyone know how it works out. It is at least 6 weeks until I seal the deal.

Thanks all and any other advice keep it coming I have no shame and am not afraid to say I dont know it all and never will.

Ok so here is the plan folks if for any reason anyone has any ideas please put your input in so I can use your more experienced judgment to kind of guide my purchase. This may be the last purchase for me for a little bit and I am sure to start shooting a lot more. Below is my idea help me out:

Tamron 18-270
not sure but a 50mm (suggest a brand please) I am open to suggestion
Canon 60D
grip for above( have to find a double cell charger as well)

kcrunchone wrote in post #16031016
Canon 60D
grip for above( have to find a double cell charger as well)

Available through Amazon.

kcrunchone wrote in post #16031016
Ok so here is the plan folks if for any reason anyone has any ideas please put your input in so I can use your more experienced judgment to kind of guide my purchase. This may be the last purchase for me for a little bit and I am sure to start shooting a lot more. Below is my idea help me out:

Tamron 18-270
not sure but a 50mm (suggest a brand please) I am open to suggestion
Canon 60D
grip for above( have to find a double cell charger as well)

looks good but I would say skip the grip and the Tamron lens (unless you travel and only want one lens)
you already own enough (and better) lens!

The 60D will be better than the T3 if you shoot sports and action pics

watt100 wrote in post #16031845
looks good but I would say skip the grip and the Tamron lens (unless you travel and only want one lens)
you already own enough (and better) lens!

The 60D will be better than the T3 if you shoot sports and action pics

These days I am shooting everything from birds to special events as well as sports even surfing. Wildlife,street shots. I am like a kid in a candy store now that I am back into it.

Well, I can't really compare the two that you've asked about, but I did upgrade from a Rebel XT to the 60D. You would probably not see as big a difference in IQ as I did between those two, but what I really noticed, and I think you would too is that the ergonomics of the 60D is much better than the rebel line. It's so much nicer to use the 60D with it's better viewfinder, dual wheels, etc.... I'm extremely happy that I upgraded just for those things. The better sensor is another. And I haven't even tried to shoot video yet.