Not sure which Canon to buy?

[eUgalde13]

Wow I just find out that you could pay $105 for the 55-250 or $299 for the 70-300 lens if you combine with this camera.
I feel ripped off

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[w0M]

I'd disagree. I've gone through 4 used camera bodies in the last 4 years. You can get a used Nikon D90 with less than 15,000 clicks for under $500 now... It was selling for about a grand 3 years ago, and is rated to 100,000 photos. I'll buy used over new EVERY time.

4 bodies in 4 years... Unless you did incredibly well reselling and didn't break any, if you just bought the d90 I assume you're using now new full price, I think you would have spent less overall and had a better camera for longer

 

[jaomul]

To OP. T2i is a nice camera and will produce nice images. It's fairly well laid out and I am sure would give you many years use if taken care of properly. The next "line" up from the rebels are the 20,30,40,50 and 60D (with 60D sometimes seen as inferior to the others). Anyway for your money you can as suggested buy rebels with kit lenses. If video is not important and your happy to go second-hand I would recommend looking for a good 40D or 50D. These models have better layouts than rebels, are bigger and more solidly built and have a far better focus system. The 40D is a 10mp camera and the 50D is a 15mp camera (10mp is plenty for most uses with full-frame pro cameras less than 10 years ago having 4mp), many who are in the know recommend the 40D over the 50D, but the 50D has some newer tech. Either way if you go with one of these second-hand models you may have enough in your budget for a used and highly recommended tamron 17-50 f2.8 or sigma 18-50 f2.8 fast kit lens replacement.

 

[monty.craig]

Jaomul, I was going to suggest the same thing! I had my mind made up a year ago to finally buy a new DSLR, but it came down to that, or paying the mortgage! Ha! Anyway, I am back to the point of being ready to buy, and I can find no 50D's anywhere! I would gladly buy a Canon 50D over the Nikon D7000 that I am getting ready to buy, if I could only find one! They are both great cameras, but my point is, don't be afraid of a 50D if you can find one! Most people will never use all of the controls that their camera is capable of anyway, so get something you feel comfortable with. If you plan on living with it for a long time, put your money in good glass, and buy used good condition bodies! As a point of reference... my last good camera that I bought used BTW was a ZoneIV 4x5 field camera! Yep, I am coming into the new millennium!

 

[etnad0]

I just got my T2i on the 1st of this month and I love it. I have the 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses and they are great for learning. I know I'll have to upgrade in a few years even though this is just an expensive hobby at the moment. Keeps me out of the casinos here in Vegas. With that said, all this people talking about wasting money keep forgetting to tell you one thing: You can sell your camera and get most of your money back. I bought mine during the Black Friday sale so I got a good deal on an entire package of things. I got the following for $750

T2i
18-55mm lens
75-300mm lens
Lens Hood
Table top tripod
Lens Brush
Lens Blower
Cleaning Kit
18% Gray Card
Speed Carry Viewfinder Eyepiece
UV Filter
2x 4GB SD Cards
1x 16GB SD Cards
58-55mm step down ring
Cheapo Plastic Matte Box with French Flags
On camera flash diffuser
Remote Shutter Release
Eye-Fi wireless SD Card

I'm sure there is something missing from the list and some of it was bought separately, but when I'm ready to upgrade I can keep all of the above and sell the body for $500 - $600 on eBay. Unless you plan to keep the camera and not use it, all you're paying is $150 - $250 to use it for a few years. That's less than what it costs to rent one for 2 weeks. I wouldn't call that a waste at all. Keep in mind that I'm not a pro. I've been doing this for years, but I just got my first real DSLR because I wanted to take the next step. I don't regret the T2i at all. It's a great camera to learn with.

Also let me throw in that camera technology changes constantly. If you are the type to chase the newest upgrade, you'll always need to upgrade no matter what you buy. Buy a 7D or a 1D today and the 1DX will be out in a week or two after you get your camera. Next year the 1DX2 (hypothetical) will hit the market and so on. Just get a camera and have some fun with it. Nikon and Canon are good beginner cameras for your budget which is the same as my budget was.

 

[designerfoo]

I got the Canon EOS 1000d (Rebel Series in the US) I think. 18-55mm and a 50 block. Then I discovered film

 

[kamerageek]

I am currently shooting with a 40D and although I would love to run out and buy a shiny new 7D, I can't think of a solitary reason why that body would improve my photos at my current skill level. I have serious lens lust right now to the point that I've built a list of my must-have lenses that I'll pick off as my budget allows.

For now I'm shooting with the 17-85mm kit lens that came with my 40D, a 70-300 f3.5-5.6 and my prized 200mm f2.8L for shooting my kids' swim meets. My primary focus is on learning to take great photos with what I have now. The shiny new 7D (or XD if I wait long enough) will come, but for now producing great photos is on me and my lens choices.

My advice is to pick the gear that your budget allows and practice, practice, practice. Owning the best gear is not what makes great photographers.

 

[CanonEOS]

I've been saving up for a couple of years to get a good DSLR camera and I love and am already familiar with Canon. I took photography all four years of high school, the first two years learning about film and the last two years learning about digital work. During my film years, I learned how to work in the dark room as well as scan negatives and finish prints on the computer, and I used my mom's Canon Rebel xti. Then, during my digital years, I did not have a DSLR so I just used my standard Olympus point and shoot camera, which was fine for this class designed for beginners. However, this camera had low megapixels (I can't remember the exact number atm) so the resolution was not so great. I'm very skilled in photoshop as this was how we edited all of our photos for the class. I am now a sophomore in college and I miss photography so much. I want to get a good Canon DSLR that will allow me to grow with it and last me a long time. I have been researching a little and it seems that the Canon EOS Rebel T3i and the Canon EOS Rebel T2i are both pretty good cameras, and from what I heard they are good for both beginners and intermediate level photographers, which is what I want since I don't want to be limited by lack of features. Do you have any advice or thoughts on what might be a good camera for me? I don't mind spending the money if it will last me a while and allow me to make high resolution prints, however $800 is roughly my limit.

If this was my first time to buy a dslr i wouldn't waste my time on the forum i would be geting out to the shop and looking at what camera is for me i could make a suggestion like others have said but mine might be out of your budget range i was going to say a 60D but if you are on a budget choice a T3i if you like to do video and photos. Good luck

 

[ScubaDude]

I also don't mind buying a used one either...I'm not against it at all, but like another poster mentioned it is a little intimidating since I haven't taken pictures with my Rebel in almost a year (since film is a drag without access to a dark room) so I would be afraid of someone ripping me off because I wouldn't necessarily know what to look for in making sure the camera is in good and working condition.

Call Adorama (get their phone # at adorama.com). They carry used gear and have a great reputation. They're honest about the condition and their prices are fair. Get a used 40D and a lens to fit what you will be shooting.