Upgrading to Canon 70d from 1100d
Discussion
Afternoon,
Had my 1100d about a year, love using it. Got a couple half decent lenses (Canon 18-135, 50-250)....I try to shoot as manual as I can and have had some fairly good shots (I avoid the Auto setting as I am trying to learn!) Most of my shots are of Sport, Children indoors and open countryside...
Anyway the boy in me really wants to upgrade to the 70d. It doesn't help that a friend and my BIL just bought them too...
So...for a beginner is it overkill? Or will I instantly take better shots with the better equipment? One thing I have been struggling with is indoors with bright artificial light, I understand this isnt the best conditions - but I wonder whether the better camera would help me out?
Basically just looking to justification to pull the trigger as the Mrs keeps telling me I just like spending money and my current camera is plenty good enough...
Thanks.
Had my 1100d about a year, love using it. Got a couple half decent lenses (Canon 18-135, 50-250)....I try to shoot as manual as I can and have had some fairly good shots (I avoid the Auto setting as I am trying to learn!) Most of my shots are of Sport, Children indoors and open countryside...
Anyway the boy in me really wants to upgrade to the 70d. It doesn't help that a friend and my BIL just bought them too...
So...for a beginner is it overkill? Or will I instantly take better shots with the better equipment? One thing I have been struggling with is indoors with bright artificial light, I understand this isnt the best conditions - but I wonder whether the better camera would help me out?
Basically just looking to justification to pull the trigger as the Mrs keeps telling me I just like spending money and my current camera is plenty good enough...
Thanks.
God dammit, just tell me I need to upgrade! I can then use the thread as proof to the Mrs that an upgrade was required...
Indoors I have been struggling with both bright light and low light - specifically keeping shots in focus when shooting people by hand. If I use Auto mode in low light it just wants to use the flash and the shots look awful...but then if I try playing about with the shutter speed/exposure the shots are either dark and focused - or if I slow it to let some light in it just ends up out of focus. I cant find a happy medium - maybe I need a better softer flash and to try bouncing it off the ceiling to try and illuminate the room a bit. (Doesnt help that the downstairs living room is open plan and 60ft long.)
Another issue is taking shots of the baba in another room when dark outside. The room is obvs only lit artificially, but baba just comes out very yellowy from the lights.
Now I dont expect magic, as light is obviously key to a good shot - however I cant help but think that somebody who knows what they were doing would take infinitely better shots.
Indoors I have been struggling with both bright light and low light - specifically keeping shots in focus when shooting people by hand. If I use Auto mode in low light it just wants to use the flash and the shots look awful...but then if I try playing about with the shutter speed/exposure the shots are either dark and focused - or if I slow it to let some light in it just ends up out of focus. I cant find a happy medium - maybe I need a better softer flash and to try bouncing it off the ceiling to try and illuminate the room a bit. (Doesnt help that the downstairs living room is open plan and 60ft long.)
Another issue is taking shots of the baba in another room when dark outside. The room is obvs only lit artificially, but baba just comes out very yellowy from the lights.
Now I dont expect magic, as light is obviously key to a good shot - however I cant help but think that somebody who knows what they were doing would take infinitely better shots.
Ok chaps, to resurrect my own thread.
So....I took your advice and asked Father Christmas for a 50mm F1.8 lens. So I had a go yesterday, uploaded a load of my pics to my mac this afternoon and the vast majority are out of focus.
All of my shots have been portraits indoors - during the day. What do I need to do - how should I be using this lens? Av mode? What Aperture? I am half happy using Av mode as it keeps ISO and Shutter on auto.
Any advice gratefully received.
So....I took your advice and asked Father Christmas for a 50mm F1.8 lens. So I had a go yesterday, uploaded a load of my pics to my mac this afternoon and the vast majority are out of focus.
All of my shots have been portraits indoors - during the day. What do I need to do - how should I be using this lens? Av mode? What Aperture? I am half happy using Av mode as it keeps ISO and Shutter on auto.
Any advice gratefully received.
Ok, see two images on the links....
Not doing anything different to what I would have been doing with the 18-135mm lens.
http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/73000354/imag...
http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/73000354/imag...
Not doing anything different to what I would have been doing with the 18-135mm lens.
http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/73000354/imag...
http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/73000354/imag...
I tried a couple test shots the other night (Christrmas tree decs) supporting the camera on the coffee table and edge of the sofa and my results were all the same - I couldnt get anything sharp at all. I took lots of shots at various apertures all manually focusing on a certain point and they were all fuzzy! If even one image was sharp Id be happy and assume it was my own inexperience cocking it all up...
Thanks for the advice thus far chaps. I plan to put some time into experimenting later on. I'll let you know how I get on...
Thanks for the advice thus far chaps. I plan to put some time into experimenting later on. I'll let you know how I get on...
Edited by russy01 on Tuesday 29th December 14:08
Erm ok, so I didnt want to admit this, but I have been a donut! On the inside side of the lens there is a very small contact lens like plastic cover! It took me a few seconds to see it, but a small air bubble gave it away - after 5mins of trying to get it off I won!
So yes, I have taken a few shots now and they have come out nice and sharp!
Thanks for all your advice up until this point, and yes I can be nominated for the PH annual plonker!
So yes, I have taken a few shots now and they have come out nice and sharp!
Thanks for all your advice up until this point, and yes I can be nominated for the PH annual plonker!
RobDickinson said:
On the mount end? dont worry too much that is quite unusual with canon lenses they usually just have a big mount cap on
Yes oh well! At least I can go and play now!Not a very exciting picture, but just playing about with the tree and at least I can get things in focus now! Look forward to having some more exciting subjects at the weekend!
http://d3d71ba2asa5oz.cloudfront.net/73000354/imag...
Edited by russy01 on Tuesday 29th December 21:40
In fairness I had checked (albeit in a rush as I wanted to use my new toy!) But on my second inspection a small air bubble gave away what was a very well applied protector!
But either way I am glad its all sorted and I am now starting to learn a lot more about Aperture with this lens. Its easy on a F3/4 lens to open it right up and get a blurred background whilst maintaining good focus on a decent sized object - however going down to F1.8 is a whole different story. i.e I can get an eye in focus but as the DoF is so small other parts of the face are soft.
So whilst my shots aren't all coming out great for now, its good as I am improving my skills daily.
Also, whilst several of you will think its a waste of £££ at my level I couldn't help myself and I have pulled the trigger on a 70d over the weekend - I am a complete sucker for a new Toy! Having played with my Bro' In Laws 70d there are a few things I liked which aren't present on the 1100d. Half these things are possible on the 1100d, but with the purchase of additional 3rd party bits (Wifi, remote shutter, etc.) So instead of spending £££ on these bits I have put the cash towards a new body which has all my requirements out of the box.
So I am not expecting any appreciable difference in my shots with the new body, but at least I have some decent gear and there is no risk of the 1100d limiting me over the next couple years as I learn.
But either way I am glad its all sorted and I am now starting to learn a lot more about Aperture with this lens. Its easy on a F3/4 lens to open it right up and get a blurred background whilst maintaining good focus on a decent sized object - however going down to F1.8 is a whole different story. i.e I can get an eye in focus but as the DoF is so small other parts of the face are soft.
So whilst my shots aren't all coming out great for now, its good as I am improving my skills daily.
Also, whilst several of you will think its a waste of £££ at my level I couldn't help myself and I have pulled the trigger on a 70d over the weekend - I am a complete sucker for a new Toy! Having played with my Bro' In Laws 70d there are a few things I liked which aren't present on the 1100d. Half these things are possible on the 1100d, but with the purchase of additional 3rd party bits (Wifi, remote shutter, etc.) So instead of spending £££ on these bits I have put the cash towards a new body which has all my requirements out of the box.
So I am not expecting any appreciable difference in my shots with the new body, but at least I have some decent gear and there is no risk of the 1100d limiting me over the next couple years as I learn.
Question for you here....
So the 70d is somewhat quicker than the 1100d and can shoot at 7fps (1100d was 3fps.)
Anyway my question is: Is there any disadvantage to keeping the camera in continuous shoot mode? i.e In continuous I can react. Press once for one shot or hold for more.... If I am in single shot mode, if I want to change I have to fart about changing the mode and potentially missing some action along the way.
Whilst its unlikely this will happen, I just wondered whether continuous shoot mode changes any other parameters and whether my single shots in continuous mode would be any different to a single shot in single shot mode?
Also I have set up back button focus as I think it will be fun to play with. I have set the focus type to Servo (or continuous for Nikon) - is this sensible? Considering the focus is now on the button, when the button is not depressed the focus remains and should act like the "One shot" focus.
So the 70d is somewhat quicker than the 1100d and can shoot at 7fps (1100d was 3fps.)
Anyway my question is: Is there any disadvantage to keeping the camera in continuous shoot mode? i.e In continuous I can react. Press once for one shot or hold for more.... If I am in single shot mode, if I want to change I have to fart about changing the mode and potentially missing some action along the way.
Whilst its unlikely this will happen, I just wondered whether continuous shoot mode changes any other parameters and whether my single shots in continuous mode would be any different to a single shot in single shot mode?
Also I have set up back button focus as I think it will be fun to play with. I have set the focus type to Servo (or continuous for Nikon) - is this sensible? Considering the focus is now on the button, when the button is not depressed the focus remains and should act like the "One shot" focus.
Edited by russy01 on Tuesday 5th January 21:43
Question for you here....
So the 70d is somewhat quicker than the 1100d and can shoot at 7fps (1100d was 3fps.)
Anyway my question is: Is there any disadvantage to keeping the camera in continuous shoot mode? i.e In continuous I can react. Press once for one shot or hold for more.... If I am in single shot mode, if I want to change I have to fart about changing the mode and potentially missing some action along the way.
Whilst its unlikely this will happen, I just wondered whether continuous shoot mode changes any other parameters and whether my single shots in continuous mode would be any different to a single shot in single shot mode?
Also I have set up back button focus as I think it will be fun to play with. I have set the focus type to Servo (or continuous for Nikon) - is this sensible? Considering the focus is now on the button, when the button is not depressed the focus remains and should act like the "One shot" focus.
So the 70d is somewhat quicker than the 1100d and can shoot at 7fps (1100d was 3fps.)
Anyway my question is: Is there any disadvantage to keeping the camera in continuous shoot mode? i.e In continuous I can react. Press once for one shot or hold for more.... If I am in single shot mode, if I want to change I have to fart about changing the mode and potentially missing some action along the way.
Whilst its unlikely this will happen, I just wondered whether continuous shoot mode changes any other parameters and whether my single shots in continuous mode would be any different to a single shot in single shot mode?
Also I have set up back button focus as I think it will be fun to play with. I have set the focus type to Servo (or continuous for Nikon) - is this sensible? Considering the focus is now on the button, when the button is not depressed the focus remains and should act like the "One shot" focus.
Edited by russy01 on Tuesday 5th January 21:50
Tony Starks said:
I sold a Nikon D40x to buy an 1100d purely for the video (and money was slim at the time) and from a photographic point of view it was a big step back. No remote, limited adjustability compared to the Nikon.
so at Christmas I upgraded to a 700d and its so much better, whilst not quite a 70d. But for me its great.
One thing worth trying with your focus problem is to put it in liveview mode and enlarge the view and manually focus from there. Not great if you're trying to photo anything moving but for everything else its worth a try.
My dad has a d40x and swears by it! I nearly bought the 700d as it would have been plenty good enough for what I require, but everytime I went to buy it the 70d just get coming up!so at Christmas I upgraded to a 700d and its so much better, whilst not quite a 70d. But for me its great.
One thing worth trying with your focus problem is to put it in liveview mode and enlarge the view and manually focus from there. Not great if you're trying to photo anything moving but for everything else its worth a try.
RobDickinson said:
BBF is great, but make sure you remove it from the shutter button ( AE only not AE+AF) , AI Servo is OK I just dab the focus button when I want 'single'
The only downsides of multiple shots is that you will take more duplicate images. its hard to take just one frame if you are trying to be careful about camera shake etc.
Cheers, I have removed from the shutter button and it seems to work ok. I will have a play about and see how I get on!The only downsides of multiple shots is that you will take more duplicate images. its hard to take just one frame if you are trying to be careful about camera shake etc.
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