just perchased a rebel t3i

gphoto909 · Jun 30, 2011

Hello, I just purchased a new Canon Rebel T3i on Ebay. It will be a few days till Fed-Ex delivers it. Since I don't have any glass, I ordered it with the 17-55mm lens. Can I ask for recomendations on memory cards and future lense to purchase?
I have two film cameras, a Hasselblad and a Nikon 35Ti. This is my frist digital camera. Kind of exciting. I will outgrow the body, when I do, I will pass it down to my family.

Any help you can give is very kind.
Thank you

Derrel · Jun 30, 2011

Help: Skim through the entire manual two or three times. Then, over about a week's time, read the manual, completely, over several evenings, with the camera in your hands, and the going through the sections of the manual and really,really getting to KNOW how the camera actually works!!!! This is a step that many people simply fail to do, and it causes them to NOT understand how the camera can be set up, and keeps them from being able to tailor the camera's controls to challenging situations.

A modern multi-mode d-slr has a number of capabilities that no Hassy has. Focusing and flash control on d-slr cameras is sophisticated, as are the modes of operation. For example, many people woulkd like to use their hotshoe flash to help with autofocus assist in almost NO light, like at a school dance, or when a raccoon is out in the back yard at 3:00 AM, but they have not read the manual, and they cannot figure out that in order to get the flash's AF assist beam to fire, the autofocus mode needs to be set to SINGLE-mode AF or what some makers call FOCUS-PRIORITY focusing mode...

That is one example of a failure to RTFM that often costs casual users many, many totally blown shots at the dancing session of wedding receptions, school dances, around campfires,etc,etc.

subscuck · Jun 30, 2011

Memory Cards: Your manual should tell you the minimum requirements for SD cards (or google it). Purchase accordingly. SanDisk is hard to go wrong with.

Lenses down the road: You'll figure that one out on your own as you shoot. You'll realize what focal lengths/ranges you need to get the shots you can't get with your current lens. I'm assuming there's no typo and you ordered the EF-S 17-55 2.8 IS. If so, and you didn't mean 18-55, that's a very nice choice for a first lens.

gphoto909 · Jun 30, 2011

Thank you both for your time and exellent advise. I will read the manual as instructed. Sadly, I didn't get the 2.8 lens, just not enough money.

subscuck · Jun 30, 2011

The kit lens is more than enough to learn with and is capable of great pics when you know what to do with it. Not sure where your skill/knowledge level is at, but some good reading would be A) google "exposure triangle" and "depth of field". B) "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson. Widely available in book stores, libraries and on-line. If you're beyond the basics, disregard.

Sugarbug2 · Jun 30, 2011

You will LOVE your t3i

I love mine!!

BJF · Jun 30, 2011

Congrats for your new camera! The focal length range often used is from 18mm to 200mm. So you may consider to get the 55-250mm.

17-55mm + market price

55-250mm + market price

Ryan L · Jun 30, 2011

Mmmm fresh lake perch sounds so good for dinner tonight. lol, sorry but your title gave me my dinner idea!

johnh2005 · Jun 30, 2011

I love my T3i as well! The kit lens of course is not ideal, but it does work. Listen to Derrel and Subscuck. They both gave you great advice.

Vtec44 · Jun 30, 2011

Well hello neighbor, I'm over in Fontana.

Raian-san · Jun 30, 2011

Congrats!

gphoto909 · Jun 30, 2011

Thank you all, I am looking forward to getting into the digital age. I think the 55-250mm lens looks good.
I was considering getting a Voightlander. It was a very hard decision. I have always wanted a modern rangefinder. There's something special looking thru the rangefinder window. Seeing the composition come together within the frame lines and hearing that soft click, you just can't beat that.