Camera suggestion 3000$ limit

[Azuremen]

I think we are going to try and take the 60D somewhere and get it looked at to see if something is wrong with it for sure. What would be a good option for a portrait lens for that camera that would work well with the MARK II or III if she decides to upgrade, or are those both bad picks for an upgrade.

As you all can tell I have very little knowledge of anything camera. I'm trying to put together a christmas present for her.

I own the 5D Mark II myself, and I love it. However, the AF system on it is lacking a bit, especially when compared to the Mark III or 7D, and the video capture options aren't the best.

They are both superb picks for an upgrade, but a bit over kill perhaps

I would recommend to splurge for a 70-200mm F2.8 IS lens. It's good for both the Mark II and the Mark III. As far as I can tell, it's a decent portrait/landscape lens but it's in the $2,000 range.

Overkill. The 85mm F/1.8 would work great, or with full frame in mind, the 135mm F/2L.

I'm sure it is.

But unless we see some example pictures we won't know for sure if it's the defectiveness of the actual camera, the lens, or maybe even if it's just the wrong lens at the wrong time in the wrong lighting with the wrong settings. Referring back to my other post about the blur regardless of a tripod, it's inevitable that even if your camera is strapped to a brick wall and completely unmoving, certain shutter speed/ISO combinations will never get good results.

I have a feeling if his wife is producing better photos on the XTi with the same glass, it is probably the camera.

I agree, seeing as I usually have my ISO at 800 and adjust the shutter speed and aperture accordingly.

Why so high? Is this for outdoors as well?

The T2i actually a very high-end camera. Yes, depending on the picture I'm sure the 60D could easily make the T2i look amateurish. But when it comes to taking pictures like wedding photos I don't think that someone would really be in need of having a wider range of settings.

The T2i is an entry level dSLR. The 5D Mark II is a very high end camera, the 60D is middle shelf, and Rebel series is purely entry level in this category.

It goes, for that rough time frame:

T2 < T2i < 60D < 7D < 5D Mark II < 1D Mark IV

I don't know why you keep mentioning settings, as if you are talking about presets or something.

Yeah, a camera with good quality layout is always handy but it doesn't seem like a totally pro camera is what she's looking for. An easy to get-around camera with great quality paired with some awesome lens seems like it could work just fine, and the T2i is in a low enough price range that you could get at least one really good lens

The 60D isn't pro-level at all. It is advanced hobbyist, especially when you consider the amount of plastic used in it's construction. Again, I must ask, have you used any of the higher end Canon bodies much?

 

[CoolStory]

Overkill. The 85mm F/1.8 would work great, or with full frame in mind, the 135mm F/2L.

I'm sure those would work fine

My mindset was that if or when she ever wants to branch out why not just start with a reliable camera and an awesome lens, overkill or not, instead of buying a whole new camera/lens set?

Why so high? Is this for outdoors as well?

In my first post, I mentioned that mostly I use it for outdoors shots

I don't know why you keep mentioning settings, as if you are talking about presets or something.

Maybe for the sake of conversation? Forget I even mentioned them, I was probably still stuck on my example settings 👍

The 60D isn't pro-level at all. It is advanced hobbyist, especially when you consider the amount of plastic used in it's construction. Again, I must ask, have you used any of the higher end Canon bodies much?

Trust me, I meant to edit that out about the T2i being high-end. My bad. What I meant was it's good quality for what it is, you won't have much trouble with it, and it's reliable.

And no. I haven't had much experience with the higher-end models. I have experience with the T2i which is the camera I'm trying to pitch, considering it seems that it might meet all of her needs

Also, was unaware she was using the same lens for the XTi. Must have missed that, my bad