Need a photographer's advice: Good camera for a beginner? vol. no instagram

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by lazybonejone

Look through slickdeals.net

If nothing works out I highly encourage going through the Canon Loyalty Program.

1. Buy a broken Canon off eBay - about $10
2. Call into the Loyalty Program and with that broken Canon they give you 20% off of their refurbished prices.
3. For the T2i Kit it will be just a little bit north of $500.

Somethings to remember:
Refurbished for Canon does not mean there was something wrong with it. It just means that it was returned. They are unable to sell it as new for legal reasons.
Most of accutations that are less than 10.
T2i is a nice little camera, and you can install MagicLantern to boost performance.

Her her stick with the kit lens until she can take a picture that can "wow" you.
Too many kids are buying L lenses and setting everything on manual.
If you can kick !$% with the kit lens think of what you can do with a nice sharp f stop at 2.8.

What is included with the T2i kit? Because if a refurbished one is north of $500, a new one with an 18-55 lens is $650 (at BestBuy that comes with a free bag and an 8gb Ultra SD card, but it'll likely be cheaper anywhere else) and body only is $550 new (again that's at BestBuy). I guess I'm just curious what the advantage of ~$600 for the refurbished T2i kit over the new?

 

[fraij da 5 11]

BTW i bought mine off beachcamera.com... $899 with no sales tax.

 

[rfx45]

Originally Posted by fraij da 5 11

Originally Posted by RFX45

Originally Posted by fraij da 5 11


I came from a G5... I loved that camera but I wanted an SLR.

I have the T3i now with the 18-135 IS lens... Working out amazing for me so far... I love that it has the swivel screen like my G5 did.

Sample shot from over the weekend at a wedding...

Looks good. Is that edited or enhanced by any chance? I'm really looking for a DSLR camera that shoots well w/o much enhancements or sharpening needed. I'm just no good with it. 
Also, since you mentioned you got a "18-35 IS lens" does that mean it is a different one from the one bundled with the T3i here: http://www.bestbuy.com/si...gapixel+DSLR+Camera+with�55mm+Lens+-+Black/1980124.p?id=1218304066943&skuId=1980124&st=t3i&cp=1&lp=1

its the 18-135... http://www.bestbuy.com/si...18-135&cp=1&lp=7

And no that picture is not processed at all... Taken in aperture control setting with manual focus... uploaded straight from the card.

Oh ok, so the lens is bigger (sorry, photo newb here) so it's more expensive. Is it overall a better lens, as in you get better quality pics or does it just increase the optical zoom? 

 

[fraij da 5 11]

Originally Posted by RFX45

Originally Posted by fraij da 5 11

Originally Posted by RFX45


Looks good. Is that edited or enhanced by any chance? I'm really looking for a DSLR camera that shoots well w/o much enhancements or sharpening needed. I'm just no good with it. 
Also, since you mentioned you got a "18-35 IS lens" does that mean it is a different one from the one bundled with the T3i here: http://www.bestbuy.com/si...gapixel+DSLR+Camera+with�55mm+Lens+-+Black/1980124.p?id=1218304066943&skuId=1980124&st=t3i&cp=1&lp=1

its the 18-135... http://www.bestbuy.com/si...18-135&cp=1&lp=7

And no that picture is not processed at all... Taken in aperture control setting with manual focus... uploaded straight from the card.

Oh ok, so the lens is bigger (sorry, photo newb here) so it's more expensive. Is it overall a better lens, as in you get better quality pics or does it just increase the optical zoom? 

Ill leave that to the lens experts... Not gonna pretend to know more than I do at your expense! I can tell you it increases the focal length available but as far as quality im not sure.

 

[rfx45]

That's cool, I appreciate the honesty. I'll do some googling on lenses and see which is best for beginners.

Appreciate the help.

 

[bayyrd]

Which brand is better: Cannon or Nikon?

 

[lazybonejone]

From my personal experience Canon refurbished products are as good as new.
So a 30% mark-up to get it from Best Buy is not worth it to me.
I believe the price has come down the last time I checked the Loyalty program, it may be under $500 now (that's with next day air, and tax in CA, obviously less depending where you are located).
The T3i is $544 plus tax. If you need a flip out screen then go for the T3i. If she plans to do video the flip out helps A LOT.

Kit Lens is the 18-55.
This is actually a decent lens. The Focal Length is near perfect for what you typically want to do. What is lacking is that the f stop is 3.5, at best.

Those looking for instructions on photography need to go here - http://goingmanual.com/
Going Manual is completely free, and downloadable as a PDF. It's a really good resource.

For more about Canon's Loyalty Program check this - http://slickdeals.net/f/3...trade-up-loyalty-program
First page for what people have been getting, and last page to give you an idea of what is in stock.
People have been getting the 5d MarkII for 1500.

Lastly, you may want to consider a S100, or S95.
Both are pocketable and can go completely manual.

I would not recommend the G Series. If you only have one camera you should elect a point-and-shoot, or a DSLR; there is no point in going in the middle.

 

[theabove]

I went with a hybrid and got the Panasonic GX-1. Released just at the beginning of this year. Plenty of interchangeable lenses.

Got it Henry's in Toronto.

 

[lazybonejone]

For under $300 I say the 28-135 from Canon is really good.  
It's better built than the 18-135 and has USM (super fast).  The problem is may be the fact that it is not wide enough.

For under $500 I highly recommend the Tamron 18-55 f/2.8 (non VC, the VC cost more and is not as sharp)

Over $500 I say you go straight for the GOAT - Canon 17-55 f/2.8

Build quality is on par with L lens, the lack of a completely metal body prevents it from being classified as L.

But, the glass is impeccable.