Keeping a APS-C body for the cheap lenses : penny wise pound foolish?

I had two Canon DSLR bodies (6D and SL1) until a couple of days ago when I lost my SL1 during a vacation.

I liked having an APS-C body primarily for the access to the (at times) much cheaper but still solid IQ lenses. For example, I don't shoot a lot nor need absolutely terrific IQ from a telephoto lens, but it's still nice to have. Hence my cheap 55-250 IS. The 24mm pancake is a nice small lens on a small body. And lately I've been contemplating getting something in the ultrawide department, and noticed the inexpensive EF-S 10-18 has good reviews and a relatively cheap price.

My favorite and most used focal lengths are covered with my 6D and 24-70ii.

So because of this, I'm thinking of picking up another SL1, or maybe even getting a 60D while they are fire selling them right now. But then again, bodies depreciate much faster than lenses. Like the title suggests, is this just being penny wise and pound foolish?

Does a crop + 55-250 keep you from buying a 70-300L/100-400L for your 6D? If so, probably worth it. If not... probably not worth it.

LonelyBoy wrote in post #17488975
Does a crop + 55-250 keep you from buying a 70-300L/100-400L for your 6D? If so, probably worth it. If not... probably not worth it.

Hopefully I'm understanding you correctly, but yea, I've been resisting the temptation to buy something like a 70-200 f/4 IS primarily because I know I won't use it that often and that range is covered by my 55-250 on the crop.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17489051
Hopefully I'm understanding you correctly, but yea, I've been resisting the temptation to buy something like a 70-200 f/4 IS primarily because I know I won't use it that often and that range is covered by my 55-250 on the crop.

You did understand. The thing is, a 70-200 f/4 IS isn't much more expensive than a crop body (well, it's more than an SL1, but about the same as the 60D). The 6D & 70-200 would give better IQ over the range they cover (which is less than the 55-250), but how much is it worth?

Obviously, I have a soft spot for the SL1, so with the price and the fact that you're familiar with it, that's the way I'd go (plus, it's nice and compact for when you want something smaller).

I like having both formats, but I'm not sure I'd replace my 60D if it were lost/stolen/broken. I could put that money toward some lighting or glass.

I actually upgraded my 7D to the 7D mk II so I could keep using my excellent 17-55 and make use of the crop factor "reach" with telephotos and my Meade telescope. After 2 weeks of ownership I'm sort of peeved that I didn't do this 6 months ago. As stated above, unless budget is forcing you into a choice between keeping a second body and buying better glass, I endorse having an APS-C body in the kit.

The market for digital cameras has always been extremely fickle. Somebody out there is probably already wondering when Canon will announce the 5DVI!

So the market value (resale) plummets far faster than the actual UTILITY of the camera. What is most important is if the camera has VALUE & PURPOSE FOR YOU. If you get lots of pleasure and satisfaction from using a camera, it does not matter what the market thinks of its resale value, unless you intend to sell it one day because it no longer satisfies YOU.

The Dark Knight wrote in post #17488857
I had two Canon DSLR bodies (6D and SL1) until a couple of days ago when I lost my SL1 during a vacation.

I liked having an APS-C body primarily for the access to the (at times) much cheaper but still solid IQ lenses. For example, I don't shoot a lot nor need absolutely terrific IQ from a telephoto lens, but it's still nice to have. Hence my cheap 55-250 IS. The 24mm pancake is a nice small lens on a small body. And lately I've been contemplating getting something in the ultrawide department, and noticed the inexpensive EF-S 10-18 has good reviews and a relatively cheap price.

My favorite and most used focal lengths are covered with my 6D and 24-70ii.

So because of this, I'm thinking of picking up another SL1, or maybe even getting a 60D while they are fire selling them right now. But then again, bodies depreciate much faster than lenses. Like the title suggests, is this just being penny wise and pound foolish?

Heya,

It comes down to the media result from your cameras.

If it's mostly web/social media/LCD, etc, then it really doesn't matter.
It really only kind of matters, at least again in my opinion, if you're printing really large. Or if you really are trying to get that last 5% of quality.

Today's APS-C's and EF-S glass is outstanding.
If you wait a bit longer, you can get an APS-C with the new 24MP sensor in it.
And the STM lenses are absolutely great and are really great despite not costing a mint.

Budget wise, it's easier on APS-C. You get more reach and more ultrawide, for less. And the quality? Well, put some images of from the 6D or an APS-C by an experienced photographer and have people guess which was made with which, and you'll find a low correlation I bet, unless it came down to extreme ISO ranges, or really hard low ISO shadow pushing.

Very best,

I went out in the neighborhood last afternoon to enjoy the sun and shoot a few photos. Not making any artistic breakthroughs. This was shot with the 60D and 8mm on the Sigma. (somewhere between 12 and 13 mm equivalent on a FF). You'd need $3k just for the lens (EF 11-24) to do it in FF.

The nice thing about the SL1 and 24mm pancake lens is you can easily take it anywhere. I was going to a wine party this past weekend, rather than take my 6D and worry about it all night, I took the SL1 combo. Took lots of great shots, could put the camera down wherever without worry and when the little ones picked it up, I could relax a little.

So yes, it is worth having the crop body and cheap lens when you want a worry-free time.

I say if you still have a few EF-S lenses then why not?

LonelyBoy wrote in post #17489093
You did understand. The thing is, a 70-200 f/4 IS isn't much more expensive than a crop body (well, it's more than an SL1, but about the same as the 60D). The 6D & 70-200 would give better IQ over the range they cover (which is less than the 55-250), but how much is it worth?

Obviously, I have a soft spot for the SL1, so with the price and the fact that you're familiar with it, that's the way I'd go (plus, it's nice and compact for when you want something smaller).

I bought two 60Ds on separate occasions for around $400 years ago.
There's a bunch of completed listings on eBay for 60Ds under $400.

70-200 F4 IS is at least 80% more on average.

If you have cash to spend, there's worse things to spend it on than a disposable crop body like a t3i.
Cheap, plentiful, and you will not worry about the camera / lenses like you will a 5D3 and 24-70L...

scotchtape wrote in post #17489795
I bought two 60Ds on separate occasions for around $400 years ago.
There's a bunch of completed listings on eBay for 60Ds under $400.

70-200 F4 IS is at least 80% more on average.

If you have cash to spend, there's worse things to spend it on than a disposable crop body like a t3i.
Cheap, plentiful, and you will not worry about the camera / lenses like you will a 5D3 and 24-70L...

He was talking about the firesale new ones, though - $470 I believe? Either way, I think he's getting another crop body of some sort.

michgirl wrote in post #17489735
The nice thing about the SL1 and 24mm pancake lens is you can easily take it anywhere. I was going to a wine party this past weekend, rather than take my 6D and worry about it all night, I took the SL1 combo. Took lots of great shots, could put the camera down wherever without worry and when the little ones picked it up, I could relax a little.

So yes, it is worth having the crop body and cheap lens when you want a worry-free time.

Thanks, yes this is another good point.

Wilt wrote in post #17489245
The market for digital cameras has always been extremely fickle. Somebody out there is probably already wondering when Canon will announce the 5DVI!

So the market value (resale) plummets far faster than the actual UTILITY of the camera. What is most important is if the camera has VALUE & PURPOSE FOR YOU. If you get lots of pleasure and satisfaction from using a camera, it does not matter what the market thinks of its resale value, unless you intend to sell it one day because it no longer satisfies YOU.

What is your prediction on the 5DVI price please?