Is The Canon 600D The right camera for me?

MiiLovely · Jun 21, 2012

Is a Canon 600D the right camera for me?

Hello everyone, so after much debate (including budgeting, lens avalibility and prices) I had came down to two cameras a Nikon D5100 and a Canon 600D (or rebel T3) .
Now I am by no means an advanced photographer, I AM a begginer but I am afraid that if I get one of these two cameras (leaning more towards the 600D because it is cheaper and I have more lense selection in my price range) I am just worried. I know the camera is good for begginers but I dont want to get the camera and not get the quality of photos I am hoping for. (I might be a photography newb but I have been modeling unprofessionally for a few years and I know what a good quality photo looks like) I am just nervous that I will get this camera and be disapointed with the quality of photo that comes out of it.
Does anyone here have or have used a Canon 600D (rebel T3) would you recommend I put the extra money in to get a more professional camera body or even though the 600D is for beggingers will it still give me those nice professional looking photos? (Of course putting in the effort, right lens and lighting will matter too)
(ps I will be doing mostly Portraits and wildlife shots)

Hobbytog · Jun 21, 2012

The 600D is a good entry level camera with functionality that will take you through the learning curve nicely. The 18mp cropped sensor with enable you to produce good quality images. My advice would be once you've got the camera read the manual and play with all the settings to help you understand what they do. Put the camera in P mode for a couple of days to get used to it, then venture on to Av mode (apperture priority)

Paul

MiiLovely · Jun 21, 2012

Thank you for replying

I am quick at picking up things on cameras (I learned how to use my friends Nikon D90 in no time). I am just wondering how long this camera will keep me happy until I feel the need to move up to a more professional camera or will the 600D satisfy for a while? I just dont want to put the money into it to find out I want something more advanced in a matter of a few months. Would I benifit from putting a few hundred dollars extra in and getting the T3i?

EDL · Jun 21, 2012

Just to clarify, the 600D is the T3i. The T3 is the 1100D.

As for the need to move up that all depends on what you intend to do in photography. Do you intend to do it for money at some point? Are you a casual hobbiest, a hardcore hobbiest? Is the idea of a camera body in the $2,000+ range palatable? I've learned that the real money, and a lot of the quality of your shots comes from the lenses, so it pays to invest in the brand you intend to shoot long term because you'll upgrade the body, but keep your lenses.

Depends on how much you crave having the latest, greatest model. Some folks go for years and are happy to upgrade their camera bodies infrequently, some folks just have to have the latest greatest, no matter what.

What sort of photography are you interested in? Macro? Portraits? Landscapes? Flash? The major brands are all pretty similar in capabilities, but there are a few specific instances where one will have an advantage over the other.

"Upgrading" to a more expensive body doesn't always mean higher quality photos. It just means things like a weather sealed, metal body vs plastic, or more buttons and knobs to speed up setting changes instead of cumbersome menu diving.

MiiLovely · Jun 21, 2012

Oh! I thought the T3 was the 600D .

Also I am 100% seriouse about my photography and want to eventually be able to make it my profession.
ufortunetlly I dont have the budget right now to go out and get the top notch camera and all the gear that comes with it.
But I do want a good quality camera that will give me professional looking photos so I can be taken seriously even though
I dont have the most espensive camera I still want a decent one. You know?
(Ps I know that a good photo also includes the photographer, Lighting and the lenses. I just want to know that the T3i is a relible camera that will
be good to me, you know? I want to make sure Im making the right choice

puklo · Jun 21, 2012

Hi! I got the 600D (T3i) myself recently (Christmas gift to myself hehehe) and I'm pretty happy with it. I'm still a noob at photography also. Either brand is a good platform to start with. There are lots of "add-ons" for both brands to get the most out of your unit. Look through reviews of both then decide. Here in the Philippines both are equally priced. Get books on photography as well, you'll get info on how to get really good picture. Hell, I've seen really BEAUTIFUL/PROFESSIONAL looking picture taken with tiny digicams by some pro-photog friends ...

MiiLovely · Jun 21, 2012

Lol thank you! Glad to know the T3i Is treating you well

and well here the T3 and T3i are about 300$ different. (I can get the T3 for 466$ with the normal lens that comes with it and a T3i with the same lens for 699$) I mean apart of me really wants to get the T3 because it is cheaper and I can get it sooner but the other part REALLY wants to get the T3i because it does have more updated features that make me think in the long run it would be smart for me to spend the extra 300$.

unriven · Jun 22, 2012

MiiLovely said:
Oh! I thought the T3 was the 600D .

Also I am 100% seriouse about my photography and want to eventually be able to make it my profession.
ufortunetlly I dont have the budget right now to go out and get the top notch camera and all the gear that comes with it.
But I do want a good quality camera that will give me professional looking photos so I can be taken seriously even though
I dont have the most espensive camera I still want a decent one. You know?
(Ps I know that a good photo also includes the photographer, Lighting and the lenses. I just want to know that the T3i is a relible camera that will
be good to me, you know? I want to make sure Im making the right choice

Hey there.. i am also sailing in the same boat.. a serious hobbiest planning to take portrait & lifestyle photography as a profession. given all review and suggestion from professionals.. i felt 600d.. i will outgrow very fast.. also for portrais and low light photography 600d an average cam.. although good with for a begginer.. however as we dont change or upgrade body too often better to go for 60d as it one of the best in line for good indoor & outdoor shoots.. lowlight .. portraits.. yes with good lens ofcourse.. this will serve well atleast for 2-5 yrs depends.. an easy transformation from amature to pro too..

rgds.. there may be people who begg to differ.. i am reading.. open to new ideas.. coz i am yet to order 60d... waiting for July hols to get discounts.. in gabs city..

MiiLovely · Jun 22, 2012

Thank you for the reply! Ive talked to a few photographers and read alot of reviews / watched alot of youtube videos on the canon 600D and alot of them say (actually all of them say) that the quality of protriats and different lighting has mostly to do with the Lens you get for the camera?

jaomul · Jun 22, 2012

I recommend the t3i if you have the cash as it has spot metering and this may is useful when trying to get a good exposure for peoples faces especially if shooting in a non studio environment. I believe also but could be wrong that it has inbuilt off camera flash triggering but I could be wrong on this don't take it as fact.The T2i is the previous but specs wise similar camera to the t3i and is a great camera so I imagine it would serve you well. Having said this any of the cameras you mentioned are capable but will only perform as good as the lens you use. Remember to budget for a tripod and flash also but

EchoingWhisper · Jun 22, 2012

Hmmm, a D5100 is okay too. It depends. I've used a 550D, so it should be similar to 600D I think. In my humble opinion, the D5100 has better image quality, better metering (one big reason of its better image quality), better auto white balance, slightly more user friendly and better battery (which is only on specs - I tried in real life, the 550D seems to last longer). On the other hand, the 550D's grip is slightly better and less need to dive into menus (even though the buttons are quite complicating).

EchoingWhisper · Jun 22, 2012

Oh, and for your information, Nikon's kit lenses are better than average and better than Canon's. Also, Nikon has a really good lens called the 35mm 1.8 that is optimised for DX and really sharp.

Terenas1986 · Jun 22, 2012

You can't loose with the 600D!

EDL · Jun 22, 2012

But with a Canon you can get an adapter and use Nikon lenses, but you can't use Canon lenses on a Nikon.

AF won't work with Nikon lenses, but I understand metering still works.

For an entry level camera either Canon or Nikon will fill the bill. It really comes down to personal preference I think....just keep in mind what you really want to move up to later as it will be very pricey to switch brands.

I recently got the T3i (600D) because I like macro and I want to eventually add the MP-E65mm macro lens...and it is a Canon only lens. I originally was set on the T2i, but the T3i has an articulated LCD which will be helpful on odd angle shooting. It was worth the extra $100 to me.

With the T4i recently introduced there's speculation about price drops for the T2i and T3i, but the T4i is priced a fair bit above where the T3i sits, so it may or may not drop much.

Look for sales. I got my T3i with kit lens for $667 on sale from $749.

EchoingWhisper · Jun 22, 2012

EDL said:
But with a Canon you can get an adapter and use Nikon lenses, but you can't use Canon lenses on a Nikon.

AF won't work with Nikon lenses, but I understand metering still works.

For an entry level camera either Canon or Nikon will fill the bill. It really comes down to personal preference I think....just keep in mind what you really want to move up to later as it will be very pricey to switch brands.

I recently got the T3i (600D) because I like macro and I want to eventually add the MP-E65mm macro lens...and it is a Canon only lens. I originally was set on the T2i, but the T3i has an articulated LCD which will be helpful on odd angle shooting. It was worth the extra $100 to me.

With the T4i recently introduced there's speculation about price drops for the T2i and T3i, but the T4i is priced a fair bit above where the T3i sits, so it may or may not drop much.

Look for sales. I got my T3i with kit lens for $667 on sale from $749.

I wouldn't use an adapter though. If feel is most important for you, go for the Canon, if image quality and exposure/white balance consistency is most important, go for the Nikon.