Last week while browsing the web, I saw a deal on Canon EOS 60D, which looked so good that it was next to impossible for me to turn it down and thus I went ahead and ordered it, knowing fully well that Canon is planning to launch the 70D soon (more on that later).
Finally on Monday I got the big brown box containing my 60D, 4GB SanDisk Ultra SD Card (Class 6), 16GB Class 4 SanDisk SD Card, Nisi Lenspen and Simpex 333 tripod. Even though I haven’t been able to go out for a photo shoot yet (plan to do that in the weekend), I have been playing around with the 60D and so far, I am impressed.
Canon EOS 60D with Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-vc lens
From adjustable ISO range in Auto ISO to the relatively fast and accurate AF to the solid shutter sound and build quality and things like better high ISO performance, movie mode, bigger viewfinder, more buttons and swivel LCD screen; 60D just seems so much better and a real upgrade over my two and a half year old, Canon EOS 1000D.
Canon 60D and Tamron 17-50 2.8 vs. 1000D and Canon 18-55IS f3.5-5.6 lens
Of course I do plan to keep my trusty 1000D for the foreseeable future as my secondary/backup camera, especially since I have been quite satisfied with its performance.
Of course this means my Lowepro 400AW Camera Backpack is now almost packed to the brim with photography equipment.
In fact I was so short on space that I had to actually remove the battery grip of my 1000D (with battery grip it cannot be stored in the bottom of the bag) and keep the mounted lens limited to 18-55IS or 50 1.8, since with 55-250IS and 17-50 2.8 (with hood) mounted on my cameras, things were a bit too tight for easy accessibility.
Which I guess is fine, since due to AF speed and accuracy, 60D is going to be my weapon of choice, while birding or shooting sports/events.
Of course the real test of 60D would come on the weekend, when I finally take it out on a photo walk and try and shoot not only city and landscape, but also videos and do a bit of birding. However I have a feeling that I will return highly impressed by the 60D.
One thing I don’t like about the 60D so far is the rear control dial, which seems a bit rough on the thumb and I have a feeling, isn’t going to get any better with use and I will just have to get used to that scraping feeling on the thumb, while using it.
Of course I could have waited for the Canon EOS 70D to arrive, especially since the rumors are, that it is likely going to be announced next month i.e. it should be available in couple of months or so. And even though it is likely to be quite an improvement over the 60D, it would likely be at least 20-30k i.e. 50% more, considering even the Canon EOS 700D body only kit is retailing for around Rs. 51,000 these days, while I bought my Canon EOS 60D for around Rs. 42,000!
At that price, unless that 70D comes with a fantastic new sensor (slim chance of that) or features which exceed 7D, it just does not make economic sense. Hence I decided to pull the trigger and get the 60D for the time being and at least as of now, I am glad that I did that.
I will follow up this post with a more detailed user experience along with photographs and videos a couple of weeks down the line, when I have had the chance to fully learn and exploit the features present in the Canon 60D.
Till then, keep shooting :).
10 Comments
Congrats Yogesh on your new investment. 🙂
Thanks Ashish 🙂
Congrats YS….eagerly awaiting for review……
Thanks Rahi.
Congo Yogesh! Now, let’s go shooting some-time (perhaps, the weekend)! 🙂
Thanks Bobby. Heading to Lodhi Garden on Sunday morning with RK, Nitin, JJ and Solanki. Wanna join in? We sure can learn a thing or two about off camera flash from you (which we are thinking of practicing).
Congrats on the new 60D, Yogesh.
I’ve used this fantastic camera for almost the last 2 years, and I’m still in love with it, though I’ve just let go, to experiment with Nikon.
What I loved about it…
1. The lovely ergonomics and grip
2. Remarkable low light capabilities, and minimal noise even at ISO’s of around 2000-3200.
3. All the 9 AF points being cross-type…it focuses pretty well, even in very low light. Though I did feel that in AI Servo mode, it would miss the mark at times.
4. Exceptional battery.
5. That swivel LCD would make those high and low shots such a joy.
6. The LCD resolution and clarity is exceptional…mostly too good for my eyes. What I mean by that is, the photos would look way too good on the LCD, and would often disappoint me when I viewed them on the PC screen! 😉
The only gripe…
Despite it’s brilliant build quality…the rubber grip began to expand and come looses in a few areas over time. Later on I learnt that this was a common problem with the first lot of 60D’s. Have heard that this has now been fixed.
Look forward to further user experiences from you, Yogesh 🙂
Thanks Parikshit.
What was the stock lens that you got along with it? Was it 18-55mm II IS or you got a special deal with a Tamron lens as shown in the picture?
I bought Canon 60D body, since I already had Tamron 17-50 f2.8 lens.