Camera purchase help

[Jax1023]

Hi everyone-

New to this board and looking for some guidance in my desire to purchase a dslr.

I've been researching the Nikon D3000 and D5000 vs the Canon Rebel XSi and T1i.

I think I've decided on the Canon XSi, as it seems to be higher rated than the D3000 and I don't really need or want the video capability which seems to be the biggest change to the next level up.

I'm currently using a 7 year old canon powershot point and shoot which I love for its size, but I went to Germany this past year and was dissapointed in my photo results.

I took photo in high school, so I understand the basics of manual photography (I was using a pentax k100 then- still at my parents house).

I'm concerned about the photo editing part of dslr photography as I have zero photoshop experience.

Just looking for some input on the best camera choice and how hard it will be to teach myself to edit this photos.

Thanks!

 

[mom2rtk]

I would probably go with the T1i given the choice. It has higher ISO capabilities than the Xsi, which you might grow to want as you get to know your camera.

 

[boBQuincy]

If you took some photo classes then you should be about ready for digital editing. Little has actually changed, just the way we do it is different. Burning and dodging are still relevant, really more than ever because of the great ease with which we do them these days.

Along with exposure and contrast manipulation these tools still form the basis of image editing, whether digital or analog. In fact, the icons for burning and dodging in Photo shop even resemble a hand and a wand!

As for choice of cameras it is usually best to go with the most current offerings for the newer features, but if you really do not ever see a need for video there is reportedly negligible difference in image quality between Xsi and T1i.

 

[Jax1023]

Its good to hear the basics are the same. I was going to say the last time I used a real camera I was in a darkroom holding little pieces of paper above overexposed areas.

I don;t forsee the need for video because I have a Flip HD video camera which is small and portable, and an Iphone, which while the video quality isn't great, its always with me (the best quality).

I tend to be cheap,and I'm trying to keep the price under 1000 (ideally even lower). I'm looking at kits with a zoom lens and18-55 as we attend a fair amount of sporting events where I would like to take better pictures.

Would photoshop elements be enough for editing, or do I need the real version of photoshop?

 

[photo_chick]

IMO, the T1i and T2i are worth the step up for the increased ISO range. I'm not a fan of video on a DSLR myself, but it seems it's coming on all the new models. but that ISO range... it's totally worth it.

I think Photoshop Elements really does enough for most casual users when it comes to editing. If you don't have software it's a good place to start, and by the time you outgrow it there will likely be new versions of everything out. And if you know a student see if you can take advantage of that. Adobe offers some fantastic student pricing.

And don't insinuate I'm a dinosaur because everyone still worked in the darkroom when I was in school! LOL Heck, I still work in a darkroom sometimes now. I think the chemicals have warped me.

 

[ukcatfan]

I took photo in high school, so I understand the basics of manual photography (I was using a pentax k100 then- still at my parents house).

All your old lenses will work on the new Pentax DSLRs. If you have a few, then it is probably worth looking at the Pentax K-x and K-7. At a minimum, you probably have a 50mm still worth around $100. The K-x is as good or better than all the models you are considering. But, if all you need is the 18-55mm added to your setup, then you can afford the weather resistant K-7 with a weather resistant kit lens for less than $1K.

I personally have a red K-x and an old K100D, which served me well for three years. The K-x is an incredible camera! As I just posted on another thread yesterday, it won the best entry level DSLR award from TIPA. http://www.tipa.com/english/award-details.php?iId=1768&sAward=Best+DSLR+Entry+Level

 

[bob100]

IMO, the T1i and T2i are worth the step up for the increased ISO range. I'm not a fan of video on a DSLR myself, but it seems it's coming on all the new models. but that ISO range... it's totally worth it.
.

I would be more inclined towards the newer Canon T2i (550D). The increased ISO range on the older T1i is simply using the RAW file which you can do the same with the XSi (450D) and bumping up the exposure in post-processing. The newer T2i has the same sensor as the 7D that translates into real ISO performance and megapixels.

But if you can get a good deal on the XSi go for it!

 

[ukcatfan]

I would be more inclined towards the newer Canon T2i (550D). The increased ISO range on the older T1i is simply using the RAW file which you can do the same with the XSi (450D) and bumping up the exposure in post-processing. The newer T2i has the same sensor as the 7D that translates into real ISO performance and megapixels.

But if you can get a good deal on the XSi go for it!

While I believe what you are saying, I doubt it would make very much difference in real world application. For example, some have said that the high ISO performance of the K-x is as good as the 7D and you can probably say that they are both the best at it for an APS-C sensor. Then consider that the T1i is considered to be almost as good as the K-x. So, I just do not believe that the T2i could be that much better than the T1i unless you really pixel peep.

 

[photo_chick]

I would be more inclined towards the newer Canon T2i (550D). The increased ISO range on the older T1i is simply using the RAW file which you can do the same with the XSi (450D) and bumping up the exposure in post-processing. The newer T2i has the same sensor as the 7D that translates into real ISO performance and megapixels.

But if you can get a good deal on the XSi go for it!

The expanded ISO on the T1i is not achieved simply by bumping up the RAW file exposure. I'm not opening the technical discussion and hijacking the thread further right now, but we can if you'd like. Bottom line, it's not what you're saying.

I've got the 50D which has a sensor very similar to the T1i. I can assure you the results at ISO 6400 and even at the noisy 12800 are superior to bumping up the exposure when processing a RAW file shot at ISO 1600.

The T2i does have an improved sensor, with slightly less noise, which is why 6400 is not considered in the "expanded" range as it is on the T1i. And the T2i does not have the same sensor as the 7D.

Adn though I love my Canon ... The Pentax K-x is the best bang for your buck right now. Well worth checking out as well.

 

[bob100]

The expanded ISO on the T1i is not achieved simply by bumping up the RAW file exposure. I'm not opening the technical discussion and hijacking the thread further right now, but we can if you'd like. Bottom line, it's not what you're saying.

actually the bottom line is: the "native" ISO of the 500D/T1i is 1600 !
don't believe me ? go to this forum- www.photography-on-the.net/forum
do a search in the equipment section with the key words "RAW channels T1i expansion"
or get your very own free version of Rawnalyze !
http://www.cryptobola.com/PhotoBola/Rawnalyze.htm
(you can analyze the RAW ISO performance of Canon, Nikon, even Pentax !)

 

[photo_chick]

The T1i goes to 3200 before it goes into "expanded" ISO. And no, that isn't how it works for the expanded ISO. I doubt it really matters to the OP anyway... LOL

 

[Jax1023]

I think I've now changed my choice to the canon T1i. I was at costco today and the price difference there between the XSi and T1i was 60 dollars, a tiny drop in the size of purchase price.

In the future I'm sure I'm going to want to expand beyond the kit lens. Will these lenses be compatible with pricier canon bodies if in the future the price drops or I want to upgrade. I know I'll probably want a 30mmish lens (which would have been equivilant to the 50mm lens on my film slr from my understanding). and possibly a wider angle lens. This is all in the imaginary future though, this is enough money for right now.

Thanks for the help! I get nervous with such large $ purchases

 

[photo_chick]

The Canon APS-C cameras (Digital Rebels, 50D, 7D and older XXD models) can use EF or EF-S lenses. The EF-S lenses were designed for those cameras with smaller sensors so you can't use an EF-S lens on a a full frame sensor (1D, 5D) or 35mm EOS body. But you can use the EF lenses on any EOS body, film or digital.

So yes and no to your question.

 

[Jax1023]

Well, I am now the proud owner of a Canon Rebel T1i. I had a tough time deciding between than and the Nikon d5000, but it came down to the fact that I have tiny hands and felt like some of the buttons were hard to reach on the Nikon. All in all, I think I got a good deal (camera body, 18-55mm lens, 55-200mm lens and 4 gb memory card for 825).

What are the must haves I need for this camera? anything to protect the lenses or something?

Thanks!

 

[ukcatfan]

Well, I am now the proud owner of a Canon Rebel T1i.

Congrats! Since you now have no use for those old Pentax lenses, I would be happy to give them a new home

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

I was reading this and thinking the same thing Ukcat!

I'm serious BTW, if you have any old Pentax gear you need to sell to pay for your Canon stuff LMK...

Thats the nice thing with the Pentax is I am using gear thats 30 years old and performs as good or better than a lot of lenses available now...

 

[Jax1023]

Congrats! Since you now have no use for those old Pentax lenses, I would be happy to give them a new home

Well, the reason I can't use them is they technically belong to my dad. Also, he keeps the camera in the basement, and they recently had a basement flood, so I have no idea if anything is even in functional condition anymore. Thats why I wasn't even bringing that into my decision.