Best place to buy Canon DSLR

[rnorwo1]

I am hoping to take advantage of post-Christmas sales and upgrade my camera. I think I want either a Canon T3, T2i or T3i, and I have a couple of questions:

I am not that experienced but I am sure I can learn how to use a "fancier" camera, but would the T3 (which is significantly cheaper) do just as well for me? I'll mostly be shooting kids and their activities. My gripe with my canon sx10is is that I often get blurred images in low light.

Any recommendations on where I may get the best deal? I've compared walmart, amazon, target, and best buy and target is slightly cheaper than Amazon if I use the red card. I see many camera sites online but am not familiar with any of them, definitely want to use a reputable site.

I will post on the photo board also, but thought I may get more budget-oriented responses here.
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

 

[ckmommy]

I got a t2i under the tree today!! No help as to where to get one for cheaper--try Amazon--they had the best prices when I was looking.
I think I will have to take some classes to learn how to use the camera!!

 

[rnorwo1]

I got a t2i under the tree today!! No help as to where to get one for cheaper--try Amazon--they had the best prices when I was looking.
I think I will have to take some classes to learn how to use the camera!!

Congratulations!! Start snapping away and let me know how you like it, ha ha!

 

[IDoDis]

I bought a Canon Rebel XS DSLR from the Canon refurbished web page in October. I was able to snag one for $275 which included a free camera bag and memory card. The regular price on the refurbished model I bought is normally $399. DD got it for Christmas this morning and loves it! It only had 54 shutter clicks on it, so even though it's refurbished, it's pretty much brand new.

I don't see any great deals on that page right now, but they do have sales so I'd keep checking back because Christmas returns will be sold as refurbished models. When they get a whole bunch of them, they have good sales. Also, refurbs are always thoroughly checked out and most appear to be brand new.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

Check with your local (non chain) camera store. When I bought my Rebel XT, the price was less than Best Buy and only a few dollars more than Walmart. I was also able to get it without the kit lens (which is mediocre). Instead, I got a Tamron 28-75mm lens. Much better, particularly in low light.

And- buying from someone who (gasp) actually knows about photography is priceless! Our store is happy to help you learn how to use your new toy as well.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

I am not that experienced but I am sure I can learn how to use a "fancier" camera, but would the T3 (which is significantly cheaper) do just as well for me? I'll mostly be shooting kids and their activities. My gripe with my canon sx10is is that I often get blurred images in low light.

I have a Canon T1i (I bought it last January) and if the T3 had been out when I bought mine, I would have bought it instead of the T1i. I do know how to use a DSLR in manual mode, but I don't really make use of the more "complex" features on the T1i to justify the extra cost between the two. If you are just learning to use a DSLR and are mainly using it to take pictures of your kids, then the features of the T3 should be more than enough for you.

One piece of advice that I have, though, is to buy a 50 mm f/1.8 lens (you can get a low end one with excellent reviews for about $100 on Amazon) for you Canon DSLR - particularly if you do a lot of shooting in low light. The lens allows you to take nice crisp fast pictures in low light, without a flash. The difference in maximum aperture between the kit lens that comes with the T2i or the T3 and the 50 mm lens (3.5 vs 1.8 - the smaller the number, the wider the aperature, and the more light the camera will let in) makes a big difference for low light shooting - particularly with close up portrait shots. Here is a picture taken with the T1i with the 50 mm f/1.8 lens of my toddler son on the carousel at Disneyland a couple weeks ago - no flash, moving carousel (and moving toddler) and it's taken at night with only the carousel lights for lighting.

You can see how it has a really narrow focus (I was focusing on his hands gripping the handles) and the blurred background. I think the effect is really lovely for portraits and you get such crisp photos in low light.

Anyway, I bought my camera from Amazon. I did the same searches from the major retailers that you did, and I found that Amazon was the cheapest (or the same price) as long as you're looking for a new camera and not a refurb.

 

[Sarah_Rose]

Check with your local (non chain) camera store. When I bought my Rebel XT, the price was less than Best Buy and only a few dollars more than Walmart. I was also able to get it without the kit lens (which is mediocre). Instead, I got a Tamron 28-75mm lens. Much better, particularly in low light.

And- buying from someone who (gasp) actually knows about photography is priceless! Our store is happy to help you learn how to use your new toy as well.

Definitely! The Canon kit lenses are ok to start with, but you'll definitely find yourself wanting more versatility very quickly. Starting with a better lens, like Michelle did, will definitely buy you more time before you'll feel the need to start buying more and more lenses. The difference in price between a T1i with and without a lens, when I bought my camera, was only about $70. Definitely not enough to buy any lens at all - so I chose to go with the mediocre lens to start, knowing that I would probably upgrade at some point.

The 50 mm f/1.8 lens that I recommended is definitely "in addition" to the Canon kit lens. I started with the Canon kit lens (18-55 mm) and you quickly learn that you you'll want something faster in low light. The 50 mm lens gives you more versatility for not a lot more money. So basically, if you do buy the kit with the lens, this is a nice place to start, if you do a lot of low light shooting (as you mention in your OP).

 

[MichelleinMaine]

The Tamron lens I mentioned is f/2.8, so the aperature is not quite as good as the 50mm f/1.8. I have one of those too and it will let you get good pics in a little lower light. The traded off though it's a fixed lens (can't zoom in/out). I use the Tamron more often as it has more versitility. It will still do pretty low light. (In Disney terms- I can take nice pics of Pirates of the Caribbean with no flash

Buying just the camera body, without the kit lens, saved me a little over a hundred dollars if I remember right. I used that money towards the much better lens.

 

[rnorwo1]

Thanks for the responses. I will check out refurbs and do a bit more research on the lenses. I better take my time, I regret the $500 I spent on the previous one, do not want to make another mistake.

sarah_rose, that is such a precious pic! If the T3 is able to do that, then I'm sold. I would never get a pic like that with my current camera. I think we have a Ritz camera store not too far from us, I'll go there and see if I can understand all of this a bit more!

 

[Sarah_Rose]

The Tamron lens I mentioned is f/2.8, so the aperature is not quite as good as the 50mm f/1.8. I have one of those too and it will let you get good pics in a little lower light. The traded off though it's a fixed lens (can't zoom in/out). I use the Tamron more often as it has more versitility. It will still do pretty low light. (In Disney terms- I can take nice pics of Pirates of the Caribbean with no flash

I definitely agree with you, entirely. The 50 mm is awesome.... but it's definitely not the only lens you need. I would love a f/2.8 with a decent zoom... but it just isn't in the budget right now. Maybe next Christmas.

 

[tikilyn]

I received the Canon T3 as a Christmas gift too! Also got the kits lens, a 55-250 lens and the 50mm 1.8 lens! I'm ready to start learning!!!

 

[Dizneyholic]

We just got the T3i for our Christmas present to each other and we got a really good deal off the Tech Bargins website. We set a deal alert a few weeks back and ended up getting the camera and a 55-250 lens for $869 with free overnight shipping and no tax. The deal was from the Adorama website. We already got the camera and I LOVE it!!

 

[minnie1928]

We bought the T3 for our son for xmas. I got it from B&H for about $450 for the body plus the basic lens. B&H has a great reputation, plus I didn't have to pay tax (since I live in WA, where Amazon is based they assess tax on my purchases).

We discovered that the lens from my SLR Canon Rebel will fit this camera, so decided to just buy the basic body and forgo the kit. That saved us a few hundred by using things we already had (camera bag, lenses, etc) and we bought a lightly used tripod from a coworker for $20. So, this gets him everything that he wanted for much less than he was originally planning to spend.

He's been analyzing/studying the various camera models for about 2 months and this is the model that he felt was the best deal for the money.

 

[nordkin]

If you are a member of Costco they have a T2i kit with two kit lenses, SD card and bag for $749. I have the T2i and love the camera. When I went camera shopping I hated the way the T3 felt in my hands. You really need to go to a camera store and hold all the cameras you are considering. They feel different in your hands and can affect your experience with the camera. A lot of people suggest different lenses, but you have to figure out what type of photography you are going to do and then that will dictact what lenses you buy.

I would suggest you post on the photography forum. The folks on that forum are very friendly and a wealth of knowledge.

 

[labdogs42]

www.beachcamera.com has great prices and bundles

 

[ccgirl]

I am hoping to take advantage of post-Christmas sales and upgrade my camera. I think I want either a Canon T3, T2i or T3i, and I have a couple of questions:

I am not that experienced but I am sure I can learn how to use a "fancier" camera, but would the T3 (which is significantly cheaper) do just as well for me? I'll mostly be shooting kids and their activities. My gripe with my canon sx10is is that I often get blurred images in low light.

Any recommendations on where I may get the best deal? I've compared walmart, amazon, target, and best buy and target is slightly cheaper than Amazon if I use the red card. I see many camera sites online but am not familiar with any of them, definitely want to use a reputable site.

I will post on the photo board also, but thought I may get more budget-oriented responses here.
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!

Check out Best Buy. I was able to get the Canon T3 with the kit lense for $450 and that included the free bag,memory card and UV filter. It is now $430 without the bag/memory card but I think it's still a great price.

 

[WeLuvDCL]

I agree to keep an eye on Best Buy. I just bought the Canon Rebel T3 a week before Christmas. Then, the special was $450 and included a 4GB card plus triple Rewards points. I bought it through ShopDiscover and will be getting an additional 10% CashBack on my Discover card thanks to holiday bonus. So I'll be getting a $25 rewards certificate for Best Buy and $45 in Discover CashBack.

I really didn't want the combo with the bag as I'm very picky about camera bags, I do not like bulky ones that stick out too far. I found a great one at Target for $25 that's slim and very comfortable. They don't sell it on-line or I would post a link. It's water resistant and very well padded. The camera sits lens down in the bag so I do put a folded washcloth in the bottom for extra protection incase I drop the bag.

 

[ccgirl]

I agree to keep an eye on Best Buy. I just bought the Canon Rebel T3 a week before Christmas. Then, the special was $450 and included a 4GB card plus triple Rewards points. I bought it through ShopDiscover and will be getting an additional 10% CashBack on my Discover card thanks to holiday bonus. So I'll be getting a $25 rewards certificate for Best Buy and $45 in Discover CashBack.

I really didn't want the combo with the bag as I'm very picky about camera bags, I do not like bulky ones that stick out too far. I found a great one at Target for $25 that's slim and very comfortable. They don't sell it on-line or I would post a link. It's water resistant and very well padded. The camera sits lens down in the bag so I do put a folded washcloth in the bottom for extra protection incase I drop the bag.

Oh man!!! Missed that Discover thing! I ended up doing the 18month free financing thru Best Buy so I guess I'll take it.

 

[rnorwo1]

Thanks again everyone... I'll head to the camera store this week and can hopefully feel confident in whatever I get. Sounds like I probably won't go wrong with either of them, so that's good to know!

 

[rcraw45425]

Canon T2i with the stock, the 75-300 f4-5.6 and just got the 50 f1.8 right before we went to WDW earlier this month. Still playing with the new lens but love the 75-300 with a monopod to offset the unweildiness of the long lens. Also recommend replacing the neck strap with a better one as well. Now I just need some time to play.......