Canon 50D

[Angrypenguin]

The 40d is an excellent camera. I know it's a favorite of many Canon photographers.

 

[bob100]

I like the 50d and the dw likes the d90 (mainly for price $1000.00 with kit lens), we did see a 40d at costco for 900 with a kit lens and a flash unit. I was thinking this might be a good compromise. It seems to have a good build, fast 6.5 fps, it has goten some good reviews. What do you guys think???

I looked at the Canon 40D at one time but decided to go with the XSi but really you can't go wrong with any of the choices, one thought - you may think you don't want or need video but there are times like weddings or family events that a video clip will be around longer than the photos,- I found this out when I had my S5 and it had video, (not necessarily a plug for the D90 from a Canon guy but just an observation)

 

[Spinning]

Oh my! I have so much to learn....I knew I would but wow....this is way more than I imagined....Just learning the knobs and buttons....Let alone remembering F-stops and all!
Here are just a few pictures....granted nothing special. Just on Auto and right out of the box! But I think I am going to love it once I really learn what I am doing! The speed is amazing!

 

[Rob_Drebel]

I have had my 50D since Dec '08, and love it. I had a few DSLR before that, but there is a lot to learn. Main thing is do not give up...every picture you take you will learn more about the camera and the amazing capability of it. Before you know it you will be making adjustments while looking through the viewfinder (bnly by touch).
It is a lot easier to make changes and see the results with digital versus the old film days where on the digital you can see the results instantly (and with the 50D screen, it is very accurate).
Wait till you get the lens bug...it is what really makes the DSLR shine since different lenses have different strengths.
Just keep practicing...it costs nothing more than you time and most important have fun doing it.

 

[jann1033]

wondering which lens...and the dog look great for 1600 iso

 

[Spinning]

it is a kit lens, 18-200mm I had it either set on sports or auto.
I can't wait to figure it all out. It is rather overwhelming....I use to be really good with my old 35 MM but the only thing comparing this camera with that one is the nice heavy feel!

 

[scoot241]

I can't wait to figure it all out. It is rather overwhelming....I use to be really good with my old 35 MM but the only thing comparing this camera with that one is the nice heavy feel!

I know it seems different, but the concepts are all the same. Once you get the hang of the controls, you won't have much trouble if you're used to a 35mm SLR. Start with learning how to set ISO, aperture and shutter speed. Once you have that down, most of the rest of the items are options. White balance is important if you're shooting JPG, but past that you're dealing with metering modes, autofocus modes and other things like that.

The manual, at least on the 450D/XSi, is pretty good. I'd imagine the 50D is similar. If you're looking for additional information on the controls, there's the Internet of course, but the Magic Lantern guides are very good too.

 

[budmonster]

I went to upload my pictures to my laptop the other day and the part/hole where you connection the USB cord was broke. So I called Canon and they told me there are no local repair shops so I have to send it to NJ. I really don't want to mail my brand new camera to NJ. Has anyone here had any experience sending their camera to the Canon repair locations? If so, what was the experience like and the turn around time? Was it covered by the warranty? Thanks in advance for your help.

Melissa

 

[Rob_Drebel]

I had to send a lens to Canon sevice in CA (the autofocus just died), luckily it was within the 1 year warrany, so they fixed it for free (I just needed to pay insured shipping out). They returned it within 2 weeks, but I noticed that the glass focal gauge had a hairline crack in it. I did have to sent it in a second time (this time to NJ) for that to be repaired, which it has been fine since. It was strange when it cam back because they had to replace the outer sheel of the lens upto the glass window and I got a box of peices with the lens (kindof strange they would send me that).
As for the USB, it has to be a factory / camera failure for them to do it for free. If it looks like something was forced, they might consider it user error.
Personally I never use the USB to the camera. An external card reader is faster and I do not have to worry about another cable out the PC for the camera (just me).
Good luck with you fix, the 50D is a great camera.

 

[handicap18]

I went to upload my pictures to my laptop the other day and the part/hole where you connection the USB cord was broke. So I called Canon and they told me there are no local repair shops so I have to send it to NJ. I really don't want to mail my brand new camera to NJ. Has anyone here had any experience sending their camera to the Canon repair locations? If so, what was the experience like and the turn around time? Was it covered by the warranty? Thanks in advance for your help.

Melissa

Don't ask Jann about Canon's service... lol


Are you hooking up the camera directly to the computer using the USB? Why not use a card reader? No worries about anything on the camera breaking AND you wont waste any of the batteries. You can get card readers for under $20. Also most new computers come with card readers built into them (although our laptop doesn't have a CF slot, so I just use a $14 CF card reader).

 

[jann1033]

Don't ask Jann about Canon's service... lol


.

my lips are sealed. i figure ignorance is bliss till the harsh reality sets in

in all honesty i would find out if you could send it to the center in CA instead of NJ...don't know if that is possible...you can read my rant on my thread about selling me on a new system if you want but the last few days i have been goggling it and it appears most of those happy with the repairs used the west coast. as hard as it is to be without your camera a few more days if they mess up the repairs you will be out of it for weeks. however i never use the usb so i probably would just forget it. you can do an online estimate( hahahaha) that should tell you if it's warranted or not

 

[peyjax]

We currently have a Rebel XSI that is about 2 1/2 years old. Love the camera really no complaints. As a gift we have a choice between the Canon 50d or the T2. We used the T2 on vacation and had some problems figuring it out. Perhaps just being unfamiliar with it was the problem. I was curious besides the obvious (video function) which camera would be a better choice. The 50d seems very heavy and bulky but we do love the lens that comes with it. Any pros or cons to each? We were just becoming used to the Xsi and its functions so we are unsure. We have young kids and take mostly pics on vacations and around house. We also have a small hi def palm video recorder. Any info or suggestions greatly appreciated!

 

[C&B Young]

We've got a 50d and a Rebel XS. I prefer the ergonomics of the 50D hands down over the Rebel. Changing settings is a lot easier with the 50D's joystick & control wheel vs. the menu-based system on the Rebel. And I actually prefer the added weight of the 50D when using some of the heavier lenses, it feels more balanced.

 

[photo_chick]

It really depends on which features are most important to you. I went with the 50D myself for the faster burst rate and larger buffer. But the T2i does have the slightly better ISO perfromance and better AF system (which can help with fast moving kiddos).

You can also buy the body only on either camera and then get whichever lens you want. You don't have to buy the T2i with the 18-55 kit lens.

 

[bob100]

We currently have a Rebel XSI that is about 2 1/2 years old. Love the camera really no complaints. As a gift we have a choice between the Canon 50d or the T2. We used the T2 on vacation and had some problems figuring it out. Perhaps just being unfamiliar with it was the problem. I was curious besides the obvious (video function) which camera would be a better choice. The 50d seems very heavy and bulky but we do love the lens that comes with it. Any pros or cons to each? We were just becoming used to the Xsi and its functions so we are unsure. We have young kids and take mostly pics on vacations and around house. We also have a small hi def palm video recorder. Any info or suggestions greatly appreciated!

you can do a side by side comparison of the features here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/sidebyside.asp

but if you like the smaller size of the XSi and don't shoot a lot of action shots then the newer T2i (550D) might be the better choice. The 50D, 60D, etc, have a higher "burst rate" and buffer for sports shots. Also the 50D has a "micro adjust" feature that calibrates the lens to the body, a feature that some people like.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

For me I like the heft of the 50D versus the T2i, but your mileage may vary. Go to a good camera shop that will let you pick up the camera and shoot with it in their store (not a big box store where they've got anchors attached to the cameras).

No idea where you are at, but if you have a calumet photo nearby they are great.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I sold my T2i to buy a 50d. I already had one and the frames per second just didn't do it for me in the T2i. Plus I never used the video mode and having two different camera bodies was annoying me (settings and button placements were just a little different.)

I don't know that you could tell all that much difference between the two, I never did image wise. Of course the T2i has video and is smaller, the 50d is heftier.

 

[::abdo::]

good luck

 

[Docarino]

I've lately been having a few minor problems with my canon 50d and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience and if, so, what the problem was. Once in a while (maybe once or twice in a day or shooting) I get an error message that there is a problem with the connection between the lens and the camera. The settings all clear to zeros and I cannot take any pictures. If I turn the camera off and reattach the lens, it is fixed. It could be that I'm just attaching the lens so quickly and not fully engaging it but it doesn't tend to happen immediately after I change lenses and it's happening more frequently.

Also, just recently, the focus seems off a little. Again, it could be me. I am noticing it most with my 24-70. With this, I'm wondering if focus problems are usually due to the lens or the camera body.

I think I will take the camera to a repair shop today and see what they say but I was just wondering if anyone else has had these problems. The camera is not that old, about 17 months, but I use it a lot, >37,000 exposures. It's already been to the repair shop once, after I dropped it during Star Wars Weekend Whatever it is, I hope it is something fixable in 21 days for when I leave for WDW!

Thanks for any opinions!

 

[bob100]

I've lately been having a few minor problems with my canon 50d and I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience and if, so, what the problem was. Once in a while (maybe once or twice in a day or shooting) I get an error message that there is a problem with the connection between the lens and the camera. The settings all clear to zeros and I cannot take any pictures. If I turn the camera off and reattach the lens, it is fixed. It could be that I'm just attaching the lens so quickly and not fully engaging it but it doesn't tend to happen immediately after I change lenses and it's happening more frequently.

Also, just recently, the focus seems off a little. Again, it could be me. I am noticing it most with my 24-70. With this, I'm wondering if focus problems are usually due to the lens or the camera body.

I think I will take the camera to a repair shop today and see what they say but I was just wondering if anyone else has had these problems. The camera is not that old, about 17 months, but I use it a lot, >37,000 exposures. It's already been to the repair shop once, after I dropped it during Star Wars Weekend Whatever it is, I hope it is something fixable in 21 days for when I leave for WDW!

Thanks for any opinions!

about the lens error message - try cleaning the lens contacts with a pencil eraser