is this a good camera?

[sleepwalker]

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens $127.90

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging (Body)
$378.00

this is at the limit of my budget

 

[Kerbouchard]

If that is the absolute limit of your budget and you plan on shooting mostly outdoors, I would say your first option would be better. For the rebel, you are spending 4 times as much for a much more limited focal length and a much larger camera that you will probably be less inclined to carry.

I would say walk before you run, just have realistic expectations. The P&S you linked earlier will not do well after dusk or indoors, but then again, neither will the Rebel.

To really surpass the quality of the P&S, you'll have to add better lenses and flash equipment(and possibly a tripod depending on what you shoot), which cost more than your total budget.

Go with the P&S. If you get the bug, start saving. Either way, even without a DSLR, there is no reason you can't post here for feedback and advice.

Good luck to you.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens $127.90

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR Camera and DIGIC 4 Imaging (Body)
$378.00

this is at the limit of my budget

 

[sleepwalker]

thank you for your imput
what you think get the T3 and a better lens?
thanks

i would have to save for anything better
dont know if i should wait or just go for it with the T3
decisions decisions (coffee)

 

[Kerbouchard]

thank you for your imput
what you think get the T3 and a better lens?
thanks

I thought you said the T3 and the 18-55 were at the top of your budget? If you are willing to sacrifice any sort of zoom range, you could pick up a 50mm 1.8 in your budget range, but it may be a bit too tight for indoor shooting and a bit too short for outdoor shooting.

Unfortunately, there isn't a silver bullet. That's why most pro's have several lenses that cover different focal lengths. Also unfortunately, those lenses cost a few thousand a piece.


Let's start over. What is your actual budget? What do you want to take photos of? What do you want to do with your photos?

For instance, outdoor, daytime, to post on facebook is a completely different scenario than indoor sports to be printed and framed.

Also, do you have any friends that are into photography who would let you borrow gear occasionally, because that should influence what brand you go with, especially when starting out.

 

[sleepwalker]

many years ago i had a 36mm with alot of bling i used it mainly to shoot B&W
i let life get in the way of my picture taking now i want to get back into it
the T3 and the lens is at my budgets end i dont know anything really about digital
with my 35mm i did weddings and general all round photos mainly outside
the more ive thought about the p&s it just doesnt "look" like a camera should
anyway i would like to have as much control of the picture taking process as possible

 

[Kerbouchard]

Any gear left from the 35mm stuff? What manufacturer were you shooting with?

many years ago i had a 36mm with alot of bling i used it mainly to shoot B&W
i let life get in the way of my picture taking now i want to get back into it
the T3 and the lens is at my budgets end i dont know anything really about digital
with my 35mm i did weddings and general all round photos mainly outside
the more ive thought about the p&s it just doesnt "look" like a camera should
anyway i would like to have as much control of the picture taking process as possible

 

[sleepwalker]

its a canon i still have all my stuff

 

[Kerbouchard]

its a canon i still have all my stuff

Ok, what do you still have? A lot of it may still be compatible. EF/EF-S lenses can still be used on the Rebels, so that should play into your considerations.

If you used to shoot weddings, you likely have better glass than the 18-55 you were thinking about if the lenses were after 1987.

 

[sleepwalker]

i have a telephoto 50 to 200, 50mm, fish eye, all the filters....its a beautiful camera it handles really well
it felt like a camera easy in the hands.... i may have the numbers mixed up on the lenses... its been close to 30 years ago

 

[vipgraphx]

ok the majority says no ...ok what camera is a good one to start with? the rebel? remember i dont really know anything about what a good digital camera is suppossed to be likeso any advice will be appreciated...it dosent have to be the latest and greatest eitherthanks everyone for your help

I suggest the camera that makes you not change your font face to comic sans and then also change the font size to something larger than default.

Why are you using Comic Sans INTENTIONALLY in your posts? You realize it's literally the worst font ever created, right? If you are using it sparingly for the lulz it's one thing, but if it's for serious then I am really confused. To answer your question as to if this is a 'good camera..." By my standards, no. By your standards, possibly.

Why do you have to act like such a jerk? What does it matter what font anyone uses? You find the dumbest things to whine about, seriously get over yourself.

 

[Kerbouchard]

Well, if it was after 1987, they are most likely EF lenses and will work with the new cameras. If not, well, they won't. It's something you should check before deciding.

If those lenses were FD mount, they are pretty much worthless and shouldn't play into your decision.

 

[sleepwalker]

its a canon i still have all my stuff

Ok, what do you still have? A lot of it may still be compatible. EF/EF-S lenses can still be used on the Rebels, so that should play into your considerations.

If you used to shoot weddings, you likely have better glass than the 18-55 you were thinking about if the lenses were after 1987.

well that did it theyre b4 1987.....

 

[sleepwalker]

ok the majority says no ...ok what camera is a good one to start with? the rebel? remember i dont really know anything about what a good digital camera is suppossed to be likeso any advice will be appreciated...it dosent have to be the latest and greatest eitherthanks everyone for your help

I suggest the camera that makes you not change your font face to comic sans and then also change the font size to something larger than default.

Why are you using Comic Sans INTENTIONALLY in your posts? You realize it's literally the worst font ever created, right? If you are using it sparingly for the lulz it's one thing, but if it's for serious then I am really confused. To answer your question as to if this is a 'good camera..." By my standards, no. By your standards, possibly.

Why do you have to act like such a jerk? What does it matter what font anyone uses? You find the dumbest things to whine about, seriously get over yourself.

thank you

 

[Kerbouchard]

its a canon i still have all my stuff

Ok, what do you still have? A lot of it may still be compatible. EF/EF-S lenses can still be used on the Rebels, so that should play into your considerations.

If you used to shoot weddings, you likely have better glass than the 18-55 you were thinking about if the lenses were after 1987.

well that did it theyre b4 1987.....

Well, if you really are interested in controlling everything, you can purchase an adapter...only thing is, everything is manual. How to Use FD Lenses With EOS Cameras | eHow.com

As far as the rebel, it was never a camera I was interested in, so I'll leave that to others. If you decide to come over to the dark side and consider Nikon, I would be more than happy to help.

Good luck to you.

 

[sleepwalker]

ive never considered a nikon ... im willing to look into that....
i just have to remember the budget ....