Newbie-T3i vs 7D question

[Shazzman]

Am amateur photographer. Have simple point and shoot for land use. I use a cheap 100 buck Intova for U/W use. Credit card company is soon canceling it's points reward system so have to use up the points. I love underwater photography and want to now have a real camera and housing for UW shots and videos. For basically the same points, I can get:
CHOICE 1 - T3i body that comes with 18-55 lens, plus Ef-s 55-250 mm, and Speedlite 430 EX II. This will use up all my points.
CHOICE 2 - 7d body only. No other lenses, no lights. Just the 7d body.

I need advice as newbie as to which camera would be best for land and UW use recognizing that the UW housings and light purchases in the future will add lots of money. I don't mind spending about 3-4 grand more to get to ensure that I get the UW shots I will want.

So to me, I am inclined for T3i as it comes Witt the lenses and lights, and then the future cost is for housing, lights, and strobes. The 7d though has lots more features that I may or may not use. I am intending to take a photography course to learn how to,use the features of any camera I get. So with the 7d using up all points for the body only, I would have to spend for land lenses, flashes, and then UW stuff.

 

[SnorkelLA]

As an amateur photographer, the T3i will satisfy all your needs. Plus you get the extra lens. But as soon as you can, invest in a better lens. The kit lenses are OK, but the depth of field and sharpness can get a little frustrating when you want to get those REALLY nice macro shots, especially when you need to use autofocus for UW photography


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[00wabbit]

I know this isn't your question, but you should seriously look at the 4/3rds cameras.
I have a 60d and a host of lenses. Some L lenses. It takes nice photos but it's too damn heavy to carry all the gear all the time. Add underwater housing and lights, scuba gear etc and you are going to need roadies when you go on vacation.

The 4/3rds take excellent photos, have a wide range of lenses for creative use and are lighter and smaller to pack and carry. I will soon be selling my dslr to move to 4/3rds.

But if you are dead set on dslr then get the t3i. Especially if you don't know much about how to use one yet. It will be years before you outgrow it.
Seriously though consider a smaller package. They will take excellent photos. If the photos are for you to post on the internet and print 11-17 or so it will be just fine.

 

[Scubanomad]

I think you answered your own question.
"So to me, I am inclined for T3i as it comes Witt the lenses and lights, and then the future cost is for housing, lights, and strobes. The 7d though has lots more features that I may or may not use. I am intending to take a photography course to learn how to,use the features of any camera I get. So with the 7d using up all points for the body only, I would have to spend for land lenses, flashes, and then UW stuff."

I can tell you your UW housing, port and stobes will min cost you $2K if not 3K for your T3i and thats using the Sea and Sea RDX housing.

---------- Post Merged at 02:54 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 02:49 PM ----------

+1 on this one! Best "Beginner" Underwater Camera options

I know this isn't your question, but you should seriously look at the 4/3rds cameras.
I have a 60d and a host of lenses. Some L lenses. It takes nice photos but it's too damn heavy to carry all the gear all the time. Add underwater housing and lights, scuba gear etc and you are going to need roadies when you go on vacation.

The 4/3rds take excellent photos, have a wide range of lenses for creative use and are lighter and smaller to pack and carry. I will soon be selling my dslr to move to 4/3rds.

But if you are dead set on dslr then get the t3i. Especially if you don't know much about how to use one yet. It will be years before you outgrow it.
Seriously though consider a smaller package. They will take excellent photos. If the photos are for you to post on the internet and print 11-17 or so it will be just fine.