Is the Canon Rebel t3 ok to start woth?

[luv2sleep]

I will be new to DSLR cameras and this is priced under $400 on amazon. The newer models look great but they cost a few hundred more. I'd rather not spend more for what I will be doing. The t3 I'm looking at comes with an 18-35 mm lens. I plan on taking outside soccer photos, some indoor swim photos, and inside/outside photos. I'd like to add on the 55-250 mm lens later if necessary.

[Gianna'sPapa]

The T3 (without the "i") is Canon's basic bottom line entry level camera. It has a mix of old and new technology including a non-rubberized plastic body to keep the price down. It will work, however remember there is a reason the T3i/T4i and up are more expensive.

[luv2sleep]

Originally Posted by Gianna'sPapa

The T3 (without the "i") is Canon's basic bottom line entry level camera. It has a mix of old and new technology including a non-rubberized plastic body to keep the price down. It will work, however remember there is a reason the T3i/T4i and up are more expensive.

Thank you for replying. This is my first time on the photography board. The T4i looks wonderful. Just a little more than I want to spend right now. I will hold off and wait a bit though to see if I'm ready to spend the money. Thx!

[Pea-n-Me]

It's generally an expensive endeavor one way or another.

[luv2sleep]

Originally Posted by Pea-n-Me

It's generally an expensive endeavor one way or another.

Definitely true.

[rachel09985]

That is the camera I started with and still have. It is a perfect camera to start off with. I have had it over a year and still don't know exactly what I am doing.

[luv2sleep]

Originally Posted by rachel09985

That is the camera I started with and still have. It is a perfect camera to start off with. I have had it over a year and still don't know exactly what I am doing.

Did you buy an extra lens or has the one it came with been good for everyday use?

[photo_chick]

Originally Posted by luv2sleep

I will be new to DSLR cameras and this is priced under $400 on amazon. The newer models look great but they cost a few hundred more. I'd rather not spend more for what I will be doing. The t3 I'm looking at comes with an 18-35 mm lens. I plan on taking outside soccer photos, some indoor swim photos, and inside/outside photos. I'd like to add on the 55-250 mm lens later if necessary.

The T3 is very capable camera but as already said it's bare bones so don't expect a lot of bells and whistles. As far as lenses, the 18-55 kit will cover you for most general situations. Shooting soccer you will probably want a longer lens like the 55-250. Indoor swim meet though.... depending on how you plan to shoot the meets you may find that neither of those lenses will do well and at some point you will likely find yourself adding some faster lenses to your bag.

[boBQuincy]

I recently photographed an indoor swim meet (at Triangle Aquatic Center) and found the exposure to be 1/100 at ISO 3200 (with a telephoto lens at f/5.6 as the Canon 55-250 would be). 1/100 is not fast enough to stop action so you would probably be using ISO 6400 which may be a bit noisy. If indoor swim meets are really a big part of your photography a faster lens would be helpful.
Or find an aquatic center with better lighting.

[rachel09985]

Originally Posted by luv2sleep

Did you buy an extra lens or has the one it came with been good for everyday use?

I got the 55-250mm lens and the 50mm ( the one thats around 100).

[luv2sleep]

I held the T3 and T3i today. The T3i had a much better grip. More natural.

[luv2sleep]

Originally Posted by rachel09985

I got the 55-250mm lens and the 50mm ( the one thats around 100).

Which lens did it come with?

Trying to decide on which combo for the T4i (went to another store, talked to a sakes associate and checked all 3 [t3, t3i, and t4i...decided on the t4i]):

18-55 alone?
18-135 alone?
50 mm lens + one of the above?
18-55 + a 55-250?

Any thoughts? I'd like to take outdoor and indoor pics. Would like the ability to take indoor swim, gymnastics, and soccer pics for now. My son will pick up other interests I'm sure along the way also. We also vacation so I'd like to take outdoor and indoor pics on vacation too. I'd also like a good walk around lens. I'm thinking the 18-135 is too long for that but I don't know.

[wbeem]

The important thing about a camera is if it lets you control the aperture, shutter speed and ISO. As you gain more experience, you'll want more features. However, you can make excellent quality photos with some very inexpensive cameras.

My own thoughts about where to invest your photo dollars are:

1: Lenses
2: Camera Body
3: Lighting

[luv2sleep]

Originally Posted by wbeem

The important thing about a camera is if it lets you control the aperture, shutter speed and ISO. As you gain more experience, you'll want more features. However, you can make excellent quality photos with some very inexpensive cameras.

My own thoughts about where to invest your photo dollars are:

1: Lenses
2: Camera Body
3: Lighting

Hi. Thank you for responding. I'm not sure what this means exactly. So by a relatively cheaper camera body and get a more expensive lens to start out with?

[wbeem]

Originally Posted by luv2sleep

Hi. Thank you for responding. I'm not sure what this means exactly. So by a relatively cheaper camera body and get a more expensive lens to start out with?

Here's what I mean. The quality of your image has more to do with the quality of your lens than the quality of your camera. Most cameras can record great images, but the lens is what transforms the scene onto your sensor.

When you spend money on camera bodies, the more expensive models typically enhance features, but really doesn't enhance the image quality - except for things like lower noise on high ISO photos, etc. You end up paying for things like a faster frame rate, more controls or menu options - things that make it more convenient to take a better picture. The lens will actually make a difference on the quality of your photo.

Buy based upon your needs, though. Photography isn't magic. It just requires knowledge and experience. We're all learning at every level.