I am a total newbie that just found an older camera

Processed · Mar 24, 2012

Hello everyone! While cleaning out my parent's house, I found a Canon Rebel 2000 that my parents had bought but never used. It came with a lens, but I do not know how to identify what type it is. Considering that my parents probably spent at least a couple of hundred dollars to have it collect dust, I decided to make use of it and try my hand in photography. I don't have any experience outside of taking a few pictures during special occasions, and I do not have any basic knowledge in photography. However, I have always been interested in learning. I was wondering if the Rebel 2000 is a decent entry level camera for a novice such as myself. More importantly, will it suffice functionally when everything is digital now? Also, regarding the lens, how can I determine what I have, and what lens should I get if I need to improve on what I have? Lastly, I am aware that photography is a lot more than knowing how to point and click. However, I honestly do not know where to start in self educating myself. If you were to begin teaching someone like me how to become a photographer, where would you start or have me start?

Thank you!

AgentDrex · Mar 24, 2012

Write here everything you see marked. I'll tell you what it is. I'm an amateur photographer (obviously) and an old glass enthusiast. Ron Evers and I know quite a bit about older lenses. He knows more but I still know quite a bit. Take a look at my flickr account for examples of my work. The link is in my sig below.

Welcome to TPF! You'll enjoy your time here...if you can handle some pretty honest responses.

Processed · Mar 24, 2012

Hello and thank you! You have amazing pictures. I really like the silhouette album, especially "Last Breath". I hope I will capture pictures Iike yours once I learn how to use this camera :/
The lens has the Canon signature logo and the numbers numbers 28 35 50 80 .It also has a line in between the 28 and 35 that is labeled 28-80mm, .38/1.3ft and a switch that can be toggled AF and MF. Hope I gave you enough info to identify it.

Thank you.

greybeard · Mar 24, 2012

Looks to me like you have a 35mm film camera with a 28-80 kit lens. These are still being sold and run around $300 bucks on Amazon......Amazon.com: Canon EOS Rebel 2000 35mm Film SLR Camera Kit with 28-80mm Lens: Camera & Photo. Here is a link to more information from Canon................Canon U.S.A. : Support & Drivers : EOS Rebel 2000

AgentDrex · Mar 24, 2012

that is definately a kit lens. But I bet its a decent one. An old Canon FD, sweet. You'll have fun with it. Though digital is a lot cheaper and easier to see progress, if you have the money for all the film and processing, start using it. Or, sell it and put that towards an entry-level DSLR such as a Canon 1000D (or Nikon, whichever).

Thank you for looking at my photos. "Last Breath" brings me right back to reading "Tommyknockers".

You'll definitely be able to shoot photos like mine once you get into practicing. Mine are about as amateur as they get (not beginner-ish mind you).

If you feel like it, here are a couple links to get you started:

http://photography.about.com/od/partsofacamera/p/CameraBody.htm

[URL="http://photography.about.com/od/partsofacamera/p/Lens.htm"]http://photography.about.com/od/partsofacamera/p/Lens.htm

[URL="http://www.basiccameraphotography.com/camera_setting/camera_setting.php"]http://www.basiccameraphotography.com/camera_setting/camera_setting.php

[URL]http://www.photoxels.com/tutorial_focal_length.html[/URL][/URL][/URL]

Railphotog · Mar 24, 2012

The Rebel 2000 is an EOS camera, and not an FD one. Almost all current Canon EOS autofocus lenses will work on it. I picked up one for my collection with a 35-80mm lens and nice bag recently for $15.00 - couldn't resist the price!

From the Canon Museum website ( Canon Camera Museum ):

"Camera released in 1999.

Ultra-Compact, lightweight and high-quality SLR camera. Successor to New EOS Kiss/REBEL G/500N. Based on the concept of "easier to use and more comfortable" than the former model, it is smaller and lighter weight. It also has a higher performance AF system, exposure control and other basic features. A seven focusing-point wide-view AF system is used instead of the conventional three focusing-point AF. The focusing speed is equivalent to that of the EOS 55/ELAN II E/50E. This camera has 35-zone evaluative metering instead of the conventional 6-zone metering, E-TTL flash exposure control linked to an active focusing point, and other basic features, such as easy depth of field preview , higher speed of 1.5 fps film advance, shorter viewfinder black-out time, mid-roll film rewind button and a wireless remote control (Japanese model only). The camera is compact, but the command dial, the main dial, an external LCD display, and a small, yet comfortable grip ensure a good handling of the camera. The camera body is two-tone silver and black. The Battery Pack PB-200 for size-AA batteries with a vertical-grip shutter button is separately available (4,500 yen). New lenses marketed at the same time are: EF28-80mm f/3.5- 5.6 V USM, EF28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 II (export only), EF75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM and EF75-300mm f/4-5.6 III (export only)."