My T3i and all my lenses were stolen - what to replace it with?

[Triumph]

Packed for a trip last Thursday night and threw my full camera bag in the car, including a T3i, an awesome Canon 70-300 IS USM f/4-5.6 zoom lens that I got for a song, my workhorse Tamron 17-50 f/2.8, filters, batteries, etc. I stupidly forgot to lock my car that night, and went out to my car at 6:30 in the morning to find the camera bag stolen (minus the charger, whatever). Filed a police report with the serial numbers, but my hopes of ever getting it back are zero.

Well then, since pretty much everything was stolen, I now have no particular affinity to Canon, so I am open to options from Nikon/Pentax/etc. I liked the T3i just fine in terms of features and performance, and I guess I could just buy another one of those. But I'd like to see what else is out there.

Things that I'm looking for are: similar performance to the T3i, but particularly interested in low light performance, high dynamic range (not HDR processing, but a camera with good dynamic range natively), and a pretty usable automatic mode, for those times I don't need full control. 1080P video would be nice, as well as autofocus in movie mode (is this possible nowadays?)

In terms of lenses, I would be looking for something similar to what I had before, a ~15-60mm and ~60-300mm range on a crop sensor. I've always been interested in Pentax because they can accomodate a long history of lenses. Which Pentax is comparable to the T3i?

I got my camera on an awesome hot deal with rebates and selling of items, which means I am particularly burned by this loss, as I'd have to pay much much more than I actually did to replace these. I guess what I'm saying is, I don't want to spend a lot!

 

[Spoooon]

People will have all kinds of opinions.

I'm all about my A7 and the huge range of old glass available for use.

I suppose you'd need to think about what you like taking pictures of, what frustrated you about your old setup, and then go from there.

 

[Triumph]

Way out of my price range.

 

[isekii]

T5i bundle was like 299.99 after rebate. Might be nice upgrade for you

 

[Imp]

Low light performance? Probably need to jump to full frame like a Canon 6D to get a big boost from a T3i -- I just shot with ISO 10000 yesterday on a full frame and was shocked at how usable the footage was.

A new range of Canon T6 models came out a few months ago. The T5i and T5, as well as the SL1, are probably on sale somewhere someplace. A semi-upgrade may be a Canon 70D. Do you need the rotating LCD screen?

Otherwise, I'm happy with my mirrorless. I've heard good things about the Sony A6000.

 

[CuriousMike]

The A6000 would be hard to argue against... I'm not a fan of the kit lens, but the body is solid.

I'll also nudge you to consider the Olympus OM-D EM5 or EM10, both at discounted prices. I've been nothing but pleased with my recent EM10 purchase.

 

[CuriousMike]

Quote: "similar performance to the T3i, but particularly interested in low light performance, high dynamic range (not HDR processing, but a camera with good dynamic range natively), and a pretty usable automatic mode, for those times I don't need full control. 1080P video would be nice, as well as autofocus in movie mode (is this possible nowadays?)"


What you describe is a Nikon D3300.

 

[Indus]

I have a D600 so I can honestly say full frame is out of this world especially when you shoot at ISO 6400 and it looks like ISO 400 on the crop sensor body (low light super awesome).

That said since you don't want to spend a lot, do some research on what is the best at low noise for DX and you can get a Nikon D5300 (older model by a year so you don't pay the full price) for like $350-400.

I personally always liked Nikon better than Canon because although Canon had specs/ megapixels/ tilted screens.. they always had more shots that were out of focus.. I'm not talking bokeh. Nikon cameras nailed focus for me everytime.

 

[Imp]

Quote: "similar performance to the T3i, but particularly interested in low light performance, high dynamic range (not HDR processing, but a camera with good dynamic range natively), and a pretty usable automatic mode, for those times I don't need full control. 1080P video would be nice, as well as autofocus in movie mode (is this possible nowadays?)"


What you describe is a Nikon D3300.

I remember looking up the D3300 when researching camera alternatives to the SL1 and T5i. It looked good, maybe better than similar Canons, but I walked away with the feeling that its high ISO performance was still limited just by virtue of its sensor size (i.e. maybe better than Canons with same sensor size but not that much).

 

[CuriousMike]

I remember looking up the D3300 when researching camera alternatives to the SL1 and T5i. It looked good, maybe better than similar Canons, but I walked away with the feeling that its high ISO performance was still limited just by virtue of its sensor size (i.e. maybe better than Canons with same sensor size but not that much).

The D3300 has arguably the best high ISO performance of any APS-C sized sensor.

 

[EOM]

The D3300 has arguably the best high ISO performance of any APS-C sized sensor.

If you trust DXO and how they rate "low light iso" the D3300 gets second place in APS-C sensors, only behind the D5500.

 

[Indus]

If you trust DXO and how they rate "low light iso" the D3300 gets second place in APS-C sensors, only behind the D5500.

I do trust it..

I've had a Canon T2i before I switched to a Nikon camera. I was little bit impressed that the D7000 was better in low light by dxo.

After I got it.. it was spot on in the noise department.. the D7000 was better.

Then I got the D600 and a D5300.

Funny thing is I would have never looked if I wasn't satisfied with Canon. Their auto focusing was terrible.. like I want to take a shot now, not 2 seconds later.

The Nikon AF-S system is truly awesome as is their micro adjustment. The T2i didn't have that.

 

[Pocatello]

Get another Canon T3i? Canon online store usually has some nice deal on refurbished cameras. Of course you could join the dark side and get a Nikon D3300 or D5300 or D5500. I got a Nikon D5100 refurbished, great little camera.

 

[Triumph]

How about the Pentax K50?

 

[Indus]

If you're going to invest in a new DSLR system, look at the lenses first. Are they super sharp? Do they create the dreamy bokeh or the pop in colors you are looking for?

By pop I mean: https://www.flickr.com/photos/arndsan/9773217826/in/album-72157605280893934/

The lenses tend to last longer than the camera especially if you get good lenses.

I've never heard someone say OMG they're in awe of a pentax lens. Usually that comes from Nikon/ Canon and lately Sigma lenses.

It's the lens that creates a photo, the camera just takes the picture for an sd card. Once you're settled on the lens, buy a camera within your budget of that brand.

 

[Triumph]

Three months later and still haven't bought a camera. But right now I am thinking that I like the weather sealing option that a lot of Pentax cameras come with. I'd like to be able to take a dslr skiing and not worry too much about it. Looking at the K-50 and the K-S2, but not sure yet as Pentax model designation is hard to understand, and I haven't read up on their lens selection yet. I thought, though, that you could basically use any Pentax lens ever because the KAF2 mount is backwards compatible. Supposedly.

 

[AnitaPeterson]

I understand the 70D has fixed the shutter/AF lag while using the flip screen.

For me, the flipscreen is crucial.

So, it's the Canon 70D or the Nikon D5500.

Pentax really doesn't do much, their top-line consumer DSLR is at the same price level as the two above.

You could also go micro four-thirds/whatever - have you seen the Olympus OM-D EM-10 II and the E-M5 II???

 

[AnitaPeterson]

This is a great review round-up:

http://www.dpreview.com/articles/4086489629/2015-roundup-interchangeable-lens-cameras-800-1200