Help me decide on an upgrade

This is the typical do I upgrade the body or lens? I know the standard answer is normally get better glass but I thought I would check with others prior to me making a decision.

I am retired and shoot mostly wildlife, with a few airshows thrown in. I have not done any video to date.

I have a 60D + 100-400 dustpump + 150-600 Tamron that I use most often. I was thinking of upgrading to the 100-400 II and keeping everything else the same. Then the 80D came out and gave me pause.

As I understand it, the 80D has better focusing and more fps. My 60D is 4.5 years old and has about 65K clicks on it.

Is the 100-400 II that much better than the dustpump?

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Jim

From what I have seen the new 100-400 is far superior to the older 100-400 so it should out perform the 150-600 as well. Sounds like a good upgrade. But then the 80D looks like a real winner as well. Flip a coin.

According to Photozone.de, the 100-400 II is significantly better at 300mm and longer. I imagine you spend quite some time there. Get the II. Get the 80D. Get an EF 1.4X II. The 80D and the 100-400 II can handle it. Sell the 150-600 & the 100-400c.

Having just upgraded from the MkI to the MkII, I can say it's a massive step forward, overall. IQ I haven't seen a huge jump on, but I've only had the lens for 48 hours and have not had a chance to MFA it to my body the way I have with the ole' "pump". However, the usability, image stabilization, closer MFD and what not are amazing. The function of the tension ring on the new model is MUCH better than with the MkI; it has a much shorter throw on it and it doesn't spin freely with the focus ring like the MkI does. "OFF" for tension is marked with a very tactile 'click' and even at full "off" doesn't allow for the same sort of free-sliding that the original does; but it will allow you to use the front of the lens/filter threads or hood in classic "push/pull" fashion if desired.

I have the 80D and can attest to its focusing abilities. It's a large step ahead of the 70D, which I understand is a step ahead of the 60D. But the real question is if you'd benefit more from better autofocusing or better IQ.

I don't think there is a no-brainer answer to this one. Sure, the biggest IQ jump will likely come from the lens. However, if you can get 'better' shots with a better AF and fps, then I'd rather have the shots with slightly lower IQ. If you use higher ISO's, say 1600+, and find the 60D noisy, the 80D will be significantly better (assuming it is at least as good as the 7DII - I think it might be better again).

So depends on what is the biggest frustration.

You might also think about trying to pick up a used 7D instead of the 80D to go with the 100-400II. They are relatively cheap and will give you an idea of what better AF and speed will do for you (of course the 80D should be a step up again and will definitely be better low-light IQ).

Thans to all who replied, it was greatly appreciated.

I went through the Canon Price Watch and ordered the 100-400 II and it should arrive in 4 or 5 days. I am looking forward to trying out this new lens. After reading all the glowing reports on it, I decided to go with the glass upgrade first.

I can see the 80D will be in my future as well.

Now I am off to sell the dustpump, which I never thought I would part with...

Jim

jbrackjr wrote in post #18003949
Thans to all who replied, it was greatly appreciated.

I went through the Canon Price Watch and ordered the 100-400 II and it should arrive in 4 or 5 days. I am looking forward to trying out this new lens. After reading all the glowing reports on it, I decided to go with the glass upgrade first.

I can see the 80D will be in my future as well.

Now I am off to sell the dustpump, which I never thought I would part with...

Jim

I think you're gonna love it. I'm keeping my trusty, "pump" just in case anything should happen (repairs, service, etc) so I can continue shooting, as I know that one is still a performer; but I am loving using the MkII so far. I never quite registered just what a fickle, PITA the original tension setup is...but now that I have used the new one, it's a huge difference to me.