About 8 months ago my Canon EOS 300D bit the dust. A cheap arsed plastic pin broke off which meant the autofocus went, the internal shutter screen no longer returned to where it should be and errors messages abounded. I had a go at fixing things myself and after several electrocutions (man the flash capacitor has quite a kick), the camera was working pretty much until I powered it up. The display was a bit iffy so I pulled it apart again, reseated some ribbon cables, put it all together and it was DOA.
So, since then I have been waiting to get a job so I could afford a new camera. In the meantime I’ve been trying to figure out what Canon EOS I want and getting closer to taking on more debt, albeit interest free).
I was thinking I would go body only, as I already have two lenses in my kit – 18-55mm and 55-300mm. These are EF lenses, not the EFS “consumer grade) lenses bundled with the cameras I am looking at. If I went body only, I’d save about $200.
My choices are (in order of fancypanciness according to a comparison site):
- -1100D
- -700D
- -600D
- -100D
- -70D
All of these are far superior to my little old 300D. Looking at comparison sites, the 600D ties with the 100D and the newer 700D is not quite as good as the 600D (but I’d give points for the 700D having a higher fps).
I’ve been wondering if I really need the latest camera given any of the above are a good move up from my old one. If I went for the 1100D, I could also get a macro lens and wind up about $500 better off than if I went for the best camera. Touchscreen would be nice. I do not need wi-fi as I have a card reader. Hmmm. Time for a wants vs needs list:
Needs:
- -SLR
- -Canon EF lens supported camera (sort of moot if I get new lenses)
- -decent fps as I take action photos
- -decent frame buffer
Wants:
- -biggest sensor can afford
- -decent light sensitivity (I would like to try astro photography at some stage)
- -CF slot so can use existing card-
- mirror lock up
Based on all a spreadsheet of features I whipped up, I am thinking the 700D will future proof me for a few years, though the body of the 1100D is soooo cheap…..
The good thing is, if I wind up getting a design job before a science job, whatever I get will be tax-deductible. Bwa a ha ha har.
Update:
Apparently my current 28-80mm lens is a piece of crap and the new bog standard 18-55mm IS lens is much better. New lenses or not???