I don't know whether you use it, but the Rebels do not have focus micro-adjustment, which I would think would be important to a birder.

Hi Bob,

So now I have 5d III and 100-400 ii.... I gave up my Tamron 150-600 as it was too heavy.

The question is what to do about shooting birds. Would you suggest an extender over a second APC body and if not, then which body to get?

I looked at the Rebels and liked their weight. The 70d seems much better, but then again, it is heavier and costly. In fact it is not much less than a 7d ii in price.

Glad you are back in the saddle...

Thanks,

Barry

I think the T6s is probably the best buy for you then. I really like (and frequently use) the rear QCD on my DSLRs and I find a top LCD to be very useful. I've missed both of those features when testing examples of the Rebel series.

I think the best deal is the 70D + 18-135 + pro-100 printer + 32GB card + 50 shoots of 13x18 paper + camera bag for $1049 (after rebates). The printer should sell for $100 if you don't want it. I've actually done this type of deal 3 times and had no trouble selling the printers. Canon really want you to get the printer so they can sell you ink! They more or less give the printer away.

However if you prefer the smaller size of the T6s, the it's a very good camera, and except for the smaller raw buffer, 1/4000s shutter and smaller battery it's almost as good as the 70D and its capable of doing pretty much everything the 70D can.

Thanks Bob:
I like the smaller size of the Rebel over the 70D. Thanks for the info. Others have said that it was worth $100 just for the QCD. Never having one, I couldn't say.

I tried to borrow a T6S at the Canon booth at the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta, but they only had T6i's, you would think they would have more of the up-market camera. I really wanted to try out the movie AF, so I passed on borrowing the T6i.

Well, right now there's a pretty good deal on the T6i + 18-135 IS HTM lens at Adorama. There's a $150 instant rebate, plus Adorama throw in a bunck of extras like, filters, a useful camera bag, a bunch of software and on to pof that you get $18.98 back in store credits - http://www.adorama.com/ICAT6IK2A.html?kbid=12417

There's pretty much the same deal on a T6s package - http://www.adorama.com/ICAT6SKA.html?kbid=12417

The price difference is $100, so what do you get with the T6s that makes it worth an extfa $100? Well you get a top deck LCD and a rear QCD (quick control dial). It can shoot HDR movies in real time, gives you a manual exposure option and digital zoom in movie mode plus the ability to connect an external microphone. The T6s allso gives you Servo AF in live view mode so you get continuous AF when shorting burst of images. The T6s also has a single axis horizontal electronic level and has an eye sensor to switch of the rear LCD when you use the viewfinder.

Otherwise the cameras are identical, so if the extras of the "S" model over the "I" don't give you anything you want, then get the "I". Personally I think it's worth the extra just for the top deck LCD and rear QCD, which makes it hadle much more like a 70D series body than a Rebel.

HOWEVER - If you're thinking of spending the extra $100 on the T6s, Adorama have an "open box" deal on the EOS 70D with the 18-135 lens for the same price ($1089) - http://www.adorama.com/ICA70DK1OB.html?kbid=12417 Open box items carry the full Canon warranty and some with all the accessories. manuals, software etc., but may have been store display items or may have been returned (unused) for some reason. Except for the box (which may or may not be perfect) they should be otherwise perfect. The 70D has fewer pixles, but a faster shutter (1/8000 vs 1/4000), a larger (and brighter) viewfinder, a pentaprism rather than a pentamirror and a battery that lasts twice as long. It also has a faster flash sync speed and a faster continuous frame rate. The 70D also has slightly better AF when using Live view.

If you don't like the idea of "open box", the 70D + 18-135 you can get it for the same price, with a Canon PIXMA PRO-100 printer included, but you have to send in a mail-in rebate for $350. If you don't want the printer you can sell it! Your final lost is the $1049, less whatever you get for the printer (at least $100). http://www.adorama.com/ICA70DK1Z.html?kbid=12417

Something to think about?
 

My T3i got splashed with salt water and died, so I am in the market for a new Canon - Too much glass to jump ship!

I am leaning toward the T6s for the better video focusing. But thought I would throw out a question for discussion.

My 15-85 got splashed too, but it seems to be working OK. However, I think I will go ahead and get the 18-135 STM so I can get a good video lens.

Dear Bob,

I’m glad you are on the road to recovery.  Your voice, insight and perspective are sorely missed!

I looked at the blog/link and will hopefully get to view the film.

Best wishes for a speedy return.

Marc

Hi Marv, thanks for asking. I've been intending to make a "state of the site" post but haven't quite got to it yet. Perhaps that should be my next article here!

I've had some medical issues and was in hospital for a week last month. I'm recovering OK and intend to get back to posting new articles soon. I have a number of reviews pending including the three Tamron and Sigma 150-600 lenses, The Nikon P900 (2000mm zoon), the Tamron SP 35mm and 45mm f/1.8 lenses (and a few more items). I've done the testing so I have all the data but I've not yet written the reviews.

I am posting occasional blog updates (they're a lot less work than writing a review!). Here's the latest one http://www.bobatkins.com/blog/everybodystreet/  It's a film well worth watching if you have Netflix or some other means of getting to see it.

So the review etc. will be back fairly soon I hope!

Bob

Hi Bob,

What is the status of the website?  It has been awfully quiet.

Best regards,

Marc

I a reply to my message LensRentals tells me that turning of the IS before turning off the camera may prevent this potential problem. I think it could be serious if the loose IS parts get banged around when they should be "parked".