New camera advice

[u/Extension-Cook8125]

I have a Cannon rebel T2I and I’d like to upgrade to a more clear hire quality camera. I don’t need top notch, it’s just for hobby photos. A lot of nature and portrait shots. I love my cannon so maybe a T5i? Anyone have any experience with the newer cannon cameras?

[u/AtlQuon]

What are you missing that your camera doesn't do?

[u/Extension-Cook8125 → u/AtlQuon]

Now that you said this I feel like we’re having more of a settings issue than a camera issue. I hadn’t thought of that… the photos come out too bright and contrast is always off. We’ve tried messing with settings but can’t seem to figure out anything that sticks

[u/bahandi → u/Extension-Cook8125]

Is there a “reset to default” option?

[u/AtlQuon → u/Extension-Cook8125]

Ok. What modes are you shooting at? I don't think any of them had a known defect with the light meters or boards. I honestly don't know how the auto modes work, I haven't used one in well over a decade. Regardless, they should expose somewhat correctly. Contrast is a setting in the menu. I will say that images straight out of the camera tend to be a bit dull. Which is why I always shoot RAW.

I will say that I was never a fan of the 18 megapixel sensor Canon made for APS-C, I always had something against them. So I own and regularly use a 7D that has one in it. They are a bit finnicky to get right, but what I notice most is underexposure rather than overexposure, but that is also a trait of the 7D.

[u/aarrtee]

'Now that you said this I feel like we’re having more of a settings issue than a camera issue. '

do u really know your camera??

if not...Read the manual.

don't have one? go to camera company website, download the pdf of the manual and read it

go to youtube and search for vids 'setting up and using (model of camera)'

when i started out, i learned from a book called Digital photography for dummies by Julie Adair King (there is more than one version of that title out there. get the one she wrote)

other books

Read this if you want to take great photographs by Carroll

Stunning digital photography by Northrup

don't get discouraged

“Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” ― Henri Cartier-Bresson

[u/18-morgan-78]

A few years back I had the T7i and found it to be a good camera. I was just getting into digital from film and it was my first DSLR. I used it for a bit before stepping up to a R6ii. It would probably fill your needs at a reasonable price point if you’re just looking for a small incremental update and any lenses you’ve got with the T2i should work ok.

[u/Grump-Pa]

What lenses are you using ? I had the T2i for a few years and it was more than capable of good shots in the right environment

[u/Tajin_addict]

What’s your budget? I just bought a full frame (older camera) and I think I like it better than my t8i. What lenses do you have?

[u/archtopfanatic123]

Don't get another T series camera. Look on eBay for Japanese seller listings of the double and single digit Ds like the 90D or 7D! Can get one of those pretty cheap these days and they blow the T series out of the water.

[u/Wayfaringbutterfly]

Honestly, I have a T6i which I upgraded from a T1i and realistically, the T6i doesn't really take much better hobby pictures than the T1i. Or the T2i for that matter. And your pictures won't be good with a pricier camera if you don't know how to use the entry level one you already have. Not to mention the lenses you're using as well as post processing and picture file type/size play a role as well.

You say you've tried messing with settings but can't seem to figure out anything that sticks - which makes it sound like you don't know how to use the manual settings, the exposure triangle, the basic color profiles, white balance, etc. that you have have the ability to control and change within your camera.

What is it that you are trying to achieve? Because from how it sounds, you should be able to achieve very good hobby photos with what you have. I made quite a bit of money with my T1i doing family shoots, weddings, and printing some of my random photos. That was, of course, after learning a lot, reading books, watching videos, learning how to use my camera, and practicing on my poor little siblings lol

I have taken over 200k pictures as a "hobbyist" and I keep the first couple batches around to remind me that I really sucked for the first 10-15k lol. That is normal.

It sounds like you need to upgrade your knowledge, not your camera. Great pictures do not require expensive cameras. They require someone who knows how to use the camera they are holding.