About to purchase my very first DSLR..some questions.

adewitt · Jan 17, 2011

Hi! I just joined here, my name is Aime, and I am about to make the big move from good old point and shoot to my very first DSLR camera. I am not COMPLETELY camera dumb, I think I have learned enough to make the switch, but I am definitely not a genius. I am a fast learner so I'm not worried about the camera being too much for me, I am aware it will be more difficult to learn than my point and shoot was. So I am definitely ready for the DSLR. I've asked around a bit about preferences of brand of camera, and I have decided I will be going with a Canon Rebel.

And that starts my first dilemma. T1i or T2i? Now I am not real worried about the price difference, unless the difference in camera isn't much. I've read the specifications, but I am wondering if there are any Rebel users who can shed some light as to whether it's worth it to go with the T2i? I don't care about taking video, as I have a camcorder I love. I am concerned with the photography aspect. I have 2 small children, and I am looking for a camera that will get me great pictures of them. I do plan to take indoor photos, formal photos of them. This is something I've done with my point and shoot, but can never seem to get the softness I like, and I can NOT take a photo without flash. Needless to say the flash on my point and shoot has a tendency to white their faces, and I hate that.

Which brings me to dilemma number 2. Lenses and other accessories. In my earlier shopping around I saw a package deal that I liked at best buy, had a couple lenses, a bag, the camera, and so on. That package deal is now gone. What types of lenses/filters/flashes are best for taking nice formal pictures, such as those you get when you bring your child in to have their pictures taken? I don't plan to spend over $2000, but would like to have at least one lens that will get me nice professional looking pictures of my kids. At some point I plan to add to my purchase, and would like to try my hand at making some extra money taking pictures for other people, but that obviously is for much later when I get comfortable with my camera. I also LOVE taking pictures of nature. Mostly flowers, nice and close, and landscapes. They also make for great wall decor, so are there any special lenses recommended for these types of photos as well? Thanks in advance for the help!! Sorry this was so long.....

Biggs88 · Jan 17, 2011

1) welcome to the forum!
2) read up on the forum as everything has been discussed.
3) that "white face" you get on a point and shoot will happen with a dslr unless you know what your doing.

I shoot Nikon, so as for your Canon choices, I can't comment.

Get a DSLR kit that comes with an 18-55mm lens. Now use that, learn with it, and shoot as much as you can.

Once you start getting good, you will find the weak points of your gear. Then you will know what accessories you may need/want.

sobolik · Jan 17, 2011

" I don't plan to spend over $2000,"

Don't start out spending on the high side rather start out spending on the low side. Countless people in the human race are convinced that this is for me only to discover that it is not. That is the problem. Inexperience has no knowledge base to work from.

It is like a modern phenomenon. Mountain climbers "buy their way" to the top of Kilimanjaro only to die because they have no knowledge and experience to go along with their purchasing power.

Start out spending on the low side. As your knowledge develops add to the mix as needed.

On the other hand if you don't mind taking a certain loss expensive stuff can be sold if you find that you never really use it. If you don't mind the wheeling and dealing scene.

adewitt · Jan 17, 2011

I didn't mean to imply that I was going to spend that, just that if what I want to do required going over that, I was not willing to. I just want to be able to take great pictures of my kids, and I would like to have the ability to do so indoors. I have a couple friends who use DSLRs and they have said they can't take pictures indoors(They are fairly newbies to photography as well), so they avoid having to do so. I know that I need some lighting eventually to do the very formal photos, but I probably will be waiting for further down the road for that. And I would like someday to make it more than just a hobby. So no suggestions on lenses?

TylerTarris · Jan 17, 2011

Well, I am fairly new myself, I plan to be working professionally in the next month or so, and I myself wont even spend that much at first. My brand preference is Nikon for a few reasons,
1. My whole family has shot Nikon since the company formed
2. Their lens mount hasn't changed, so I have plenty of spare lenses to choose from

3. For years many photographers have viewed Nikon as the best up until recently when the playing field has been level, so it has a certain Brand too it.
Based on this, I think that you would be just fine with something like this ] with a memory card and a spare battery. If you really have to spend the most amount of money possible, Nikon sells a camera called the D90, its a pretty advanced camera that is very high rated, of course its no 8000$ D3X, but its more camera then your going to need. If you have to spend the absolute most amount of money for the best set up, go for this,
Nikon D90 Kit (This includes Case, Kit lens usually 18-55 area, lens cap, body cap, battery, etc.
Spare batteries, etc. (look on accessories tab on linked page above, it'll give you a rough idea.)
Nikon offers three different flashes ranging from 100 to 500 dollars, i recommend the two after the 100$ one because the cheapest one does not swivel, eliminating the ability to easily work the flash to your advantage (ex. Bouncing off ceiling)
Now in regards to lenses, your going to want what I heard referred to as a prime focus lens because it has a very low f stop, in the range of 1-2 usually, and it doesn't have a zoom. It allows you to take pictures in doors without a flash (usually) and will also help teach you to manuever for a better shot. It will also allow you to select a focus very close and blur the background, as well as many other effects, I am not getting into the whole f stop, iso, shutter speed, thing, look here for more info, you do need to know this,
Here is a great lens for you,

Now next you may want a telephoto lens, it will let you zoom in much further, and create once again different effects on shots, look here

Of course you may want to upgrade the lenses you choose because if your upgrading your camera you might as well buy better lenses, but I was keeping the cost down. 35mm photography can also be fun, and I suggest looking into that as well as there is a ton you can learn about photography by shooting an old camera like a Nikon EM or FM, it'll teach you about manual focus, aspects of film, etc. and 35mm cameras can be as cheap as 20-40$ on eBay anyways. Some good websites to help you are,

And a blog that did something very useful involving a month with a DSLR (help you learn to use it)

It also has much more on there in regards to buying a lens, etc. he is also a Nikon nut based on what Ive read, so hes probably got good input on about what to buy. This forum is a great place, Ive learned so much from reading here over the past month, and I am sure you can to, so have fun and I hope I helped.

Edit: once again I cant post any links, so ill PM you the original message with all the links and additional articles, It would be easier but the anti spam crap is killing me.

Edit2: well I cant pm you or email you once again due to this post count crap, and it wont count posts in the welcomes forum, so email me at TylerTarris at gmail (guess I cant post emails either) and Ill send you the links and the original post, sorry

Zrock · Jan 17, 2011

I have the canon T1i and live it. I could not see spending the extra on the T2i for a few extra features that i would probebly never use. You would be happy with the T1i and the extra money you save by a diecent flash like teh 430 or next step up. Once you stop using the built in flash you will enjoy your pic's much more . As far as extra gear goes play with the camera for a while and then see where your lacking at and buy according to that

blazerj · Jan 17, 2011

I bought the T2i and found a great deal. (It was like $580, right before Christmas). I also paired it with an 18-200mm Sigma lens, because I didn't want to worry too much about changing lenses and I wanted to see what ranges I tended to shoot in before buying a better, more concentrated lens.

I like the setup, and am also learning how to use Photoshop.

The video is kind of a PITA, because you have to basically manually focus/ hear the lens move if you autofocus. It's not as handy as you would think, because it's basically for pros.

I would start out cheaper with the camera and get a nice lens.

Basically, Canon or Nikon is like Honda or Toyota. People may have reasons for one or the other, but at the end of the day, it's just user preference.

Also, external flashes that are made for your camera are awesome.

sobolik · Jan 17, 2011

adewitt said:
I didn't mean to imply that I was going to spend that, just that if what I want to do required going over that, I was not willing to. I just want to be able to take great pictures of my kids, and I would like to have the ability to do so indoors. I have a couple friends who use DSLRs and they have said they can't take pictures indoors(They are fairly newbies to photography as well), so they avoid having to do so. I know that I need some lighting eventually to do the very formal photos, but I probably will be waiting for further down the road for that. And I would like someday to make it more than just a hobby. So no suggestions on lenses?

"So no suggestions on lenses? "

Portrait Lenses
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=+4]Portrait Lenses

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adewitt · Jan 17, 2011

I saw the T2i as a very nice package around the same time, but wasn't ready to make the purchase yet as Christmas was coming. Thanks for all the info guys!

TylerTarris · Jan 17, 2011

Email sent adewitt, hope it helped ;D

adewitt · Jan 17, 2011

TylerTarris said:
Email sent adewitt, hope it helped ;D

It did thank you! The Nikon suggestion was carefully considered, but I think I still want to go Canon. I have the other sites you gave me bookmarked, and will be reading them as often as possible!

I am planning to make my purchase within the week, so I am doing a lot of browsing and comparing. I really want to get the most for my money, obviously, who wouldn't? Hubby suggested ebay, so I went and checked it out. I read a couple threads about buying from ebay, and I know just like everything else you have to beware you aren't getting scammed. I found one that for me feels like a really great deal! BUT because I am so new to this DSLR stuff, I would just like a second opinion if anyone has time to check it out for me!

adewitt · Jan 17, 2011

Ah..need 5 posts to post links. Please do not get angry with me for my attempt to get from 3 to 5...apologies

adewitt · Jan 17, 2011

Canon EOS T2i Camera Kit +18-55mm IS +75-300mm +16GB - eBay (item 280614312677 end time Jan-19-11 12:10:53 PST)

There. Thanks for the patience...

enzodm · Jan 17, 2011

In such a package you buy a lot of things in addition to the camera. My suggestion is to start with what you really need, and then add what you discover to need after some experience. For example, in the package you buy a Tamron 75-300 lens that is not stabilized. Of course it can be used as is and as in the past we all did with non stabilized lenses, but in this specific case, instead of paying for bags, tripods, card wallets, unuseful flash and so on with things you do not choose personally, I would better invest in the Canon 55-250IS. You might end spending less than this (e.g., first link found, ICADRT2IK55 Canon EOS Rebel T2i EF-S Digital SLR Camera, 18 MegaPixel, with 18-55MM Lens, Black & EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer Telephoto Zoom Lens ).

adewitt · Jan 17, 2011

Thanks for the opinion! You have a great point. I found the T2i exact package and for the same price as the one you linked to me at Costco. The great thing about Costco, if I'm unhappy I can bring it back within the first 90 days opened or not. But I wanted to continue looking around just in case I missed a great deal, and when I found the one on ebay I linked up to you I thought well if I am going to pay that anyway....maybe I will find a use for the other items, and maybe I could sell them. But I did not notice there's no image stabilizer in the second lens..and that's one quality I know I like, don't have to be a DSLR pro to know that! This is why it's always good to ask second opinions! Thanks. I am quite positive I'll be buying the Costco package. Hope I haven't been too much of a bother guys!