Need some DLSR advice - currently have Nikon D60 - Canon T2i a reasonable upgrade?

[egglite]

Hi everyone!

I've been in the market for a new DSLR for a bit -

for a little background, I purchased a Nikon D60 last year as a sort of starter camera and have gotten quite comfy with using it.

I recently read this review however, of the Canon T2i (Canon Rebel T2i Review: This Should Be Your First DSLR) and it sounds like a reasonable upgrade for me.

I guess my question is to you all, is it more worth it to purchase better lenses for my current Nikon, or does the camera body on the T2i make it worth it to switch over and just buy lenses for the Canon?

[OsmosisStudios]

Instead ot swtiching systems and having to start from scratch, wait a bit and upgrade to the D90 replacement (that we'll likely see in September), or get better glass. Camera bodies do give you a change, but the biggest change you can make is good glass. If you get good lenses you'll also be more prepared for better bodies.

I've been using my D80 since I bought it 3 years ago, and am only this summer upgrading to a new body, though I have gotten several lenses in between. The reason: I've simply outgrown the D80.

[jdepould]

What do you have for the D60? Kit lens? What kind of photography do you like?

[TFord.LTTP]

Unless you're really planning to use the video feature I honestly doubt you'll see much immediate difference to justify it. Is there a specific reason when you read about it that makes it seem like the logical upgrade? The T2i is a good camera but there is nothing it will do that your D60 can't do that will make you a better photographer.

I agree that without more info your best bet is better glass or going to the D90 or whatever replaces it. The glass because it will give you a bigger quality jump than a body or the D90/successor because it makes your control over the camera more flexible AND will work with non AF-S lenses of which you can get some beauties fairly cheap.

[inkista]

I'm with everybody else. That's a lot of money for a marginal upgrade: the T2i is still an entry-level dSLR, after all, and unless there's a burning reason to system-switch (say, you have to have that 17mm tilt-shift or MP-E 5x macro lens, or you must must must have TTL PocketWizards right now, or you want to adapt some old Leica R-, C/Y-, or OM-mount lenses), that money is probably better spent on good glass or amid-tier body than yet another entry-level digital body that's going to cease being the hottest newest toy in about three months.

Camera bodies depreciate rapidly. Most lose $100-300 off their MSRP within the first year (e.g., my old Canon XT/350D, when it was first announced, went for $899 kitted with the 18-55. The prices began drifting downwards about six months after the release. I got the kit for $799 about then. When the XTi/400D was announced 18 months after release, the kit was MSRPing in the $500-$600 range). The T2i is at its absolutely most expensive right now.

A good lens can last you a decade and sell, when you don't need it any more for about 10-20% off what you paid for it, if you kept it in good condition. In some cases, it may even sell for more than you paid for it.

Are you sure you actually need a new body, vs. simple upgrade fever? Because every six months, there's more shiny new stuff to go "oooo" over. This is the nature of digital electronics.

[heatherwb]

If you don't have a lot invested in Nikon lenses, then jump right in--the Canon water is fine! :lol:

Seriously, the one thing that the Rebel bodies have going for them that entry-level Nikon bodies don't is that the focusing motor is in the camera, so you can use any Canon EF mount lens on your Rebel--even the big white ones. :lol: With the D60, you're limited to the lenses that have the focusing motors in them, which isn't a whole lot to choose from.

If you're really interested in going Canon, then definitely take a look at the 50D or a used 40D (assuming that you don't really care about the video), which can be had for about the same price as a T2i or less, especially if you go with a 40D. The x0D series are definitely more solidly built cameras and have better ergonomics than the Rebels do.

HTH,
Heather

[jdepould]

Originally Posted by heatherwb

Seriously, the one thing that the Rebel bodies have going for them that entry-level Nikon bodies don't is that the focusing motor is in the camera, so you can use any Canon EF mount lens on your Rebel--even the big white ones. :lol: With the D60, you're limited to the lenses that have the focusing motors in them, which isn't a whole lot to choose from.

Actually, I think it's the other way around. When Canon went to AF, they put focus motors in all the lenses. A bit pedantic, since the result is the same, but there it is.

[egglite]

thank you everyone for the informed responses - truly appreciated.

I think this is partially upgrade fever as someone pointed out

I haven't bought any glass for my D60 - I only have the kit lens and a zoom - so I am not too heavily invested in this camera yet.

Since the body does not seem to make that much of a difference - is opting to go for a mid-range DSLR a better choice? What will say a Canon 50D bring to the table that my Nikon D60 can't?

[inkista]

Originally Posted by jdepould

Actually, I think it's the other way around. When Canon went to AF, they put focus motors in all the lenses. A bit pedantic, since the result is the same, but there it is.

Exactly right. And useful information, as it makes very clear why non-USM lenses still autofocus on Canons, and why we still care if a lens has a USM ring-type motor or not.

Originally Posted by egglite

Since the body does not seem to make that much of a difference - is opting to go for a mid-range DSLR a better choice? What will say a Canon 50D bring to the table that my Nikon D60 can't?

Same kind of stuff a D90 would, plus one or two features that you'd only get at the D300s level (e.g., magnesium body, autofocus microadjust). Going from an entry-level camera to a mid-tier camera isn't about image quality--it's about usability features: hardier bodies, faster frame rates, PC sync ports, etc. Just more features overall. But the big image quality boost happens when you go from crop to full frame.