Canon 550D (Rebel T2i, Kiss X4)

[Altair]

My Canon FTb, hand assembled in Japan in May, 1971. Which makes it 39 years old and it still works perfectly. This camera is the F-1's little brother. It is the only camera I've used until I went over to the dark side two years ago. It's fully manual and not a computer chip to be found.

 

[luvthemouse71]

This is just a point and shoot, but I love my Canonsx110. I get many compliments on the pictures I take with it. It has a 10x optical zoom. It's been my "go to" camera for a while now, and I took it to Wdw last year, because I wanted to go simple. I thought maybe my pics would be kinda lame but no! Beautiful shots. I paid $212

 

[ScrappinGran]

I have a Canon Rebel Xti, and while I haved loved it for 5 years, I just used my DH's Canon T2i at a local fair the other night. OMG!!! I am in LOVE!!!!! The night shots were amazing. Soooooo, We went a ordered it for me yesterday! We ordered a bundle, body w/ 18-135mm IS lens, the extra battery, yada, yada.
Then this a.m. DH ordered a 50mm 1.4, which he says I'll love and a 60mm 2.8 macro. Not sure on how to use them, I mean, I understand a macro a little, but I am still learning! Tell me what I'll love, and your experiences with these lens and cameras! I have a LOT to learn. I also want to rent a fisheye for our upcoming visit to WDW. What is a good one to start with? I want to play with a fisheye so bad!
I CAN'T WAIT til the camera gets here! Is it so popular? Out of stock practically everywhere here in MA. Can't wait to use this @ WDW in 17 days!!!

 

[VVFF]

I have a Canon Rebel Xti, and while I haved loved it for 5 years, I just used my DH's Canon T2i at a local fair the other night. OMG!!! I am in LOVE!!!!! The night shots were amazing. Soooooo, We went a ordered it for me yesterday! We ordered a bundle, body w/ 18-135mm IS lens, the extra battery, yada, yada.
Then this a.m. DH ordered a 50mm 1.4, which he says I'll love and a 60mm 2.8 macro. Not sure on how to use them, I mean, I understand a macro a little, but I am still learning! Tell me what I'll love, and your experiences with these lens and cameras! I have a LOT to learn. I also want to rent a fisheye for our upcoming visit to WDW. What is a good one to start with? I want to play with a fisheye so bad!
I CAN'T WAIT til the camera gets here! Is it so popular? Out of stock practically everywhere here in MA. Can't wait to use this @ WDW in 17 days!!!

First of all, congrats on the new camera. Second of all, we can't tell you what you'll love. I do recommend taking time to "learn" the lenses you get. Each of them will serve a different purpose and you'll find that you probably gravitate towards one. The 18-135 is an ok walk-around type lens. Not great at anything in particular but convenient. The 50mm F1.4 is a good low light lens but is a bit long for normal shots. Great portrait lens, but you'll have to stand fairly far away to get full-body shots. 60mm macro is a great lens that you'll probably either find is your favorite or will never get used. I for one like the fact that I can turn everyday objects into interesting subjects but everyone is different. I believe Mark Barberi commented that he didn't use his much. For me its still my most used lens(I have the 100mm F2.8L macro).

If you haven't already learn Av Tv and M modes and when to use them. Also learn how to use flash in everyday situations to enhance your shots.

 

[ChiSoxKeith]

Congrats on the new camera.

 

[ScrappinGran]

DH & I have been taking beginning photography lessons, so I understand AV, TV & M, still struggle a bit in M, but am getting better. DH has had his T2i since march, but I just now borrowed it. I thought i would have a bigger learning curve to use it, but I adapted quickly.

 

[SrisonS]

I love the 18-135mm on my T1i. I don't have anything to really compare it to, but I also haven't seen any real problems with it either. And it is a very good walkaround lens, because of it's very useful zoom range. I don't think you'll regret that purchase.

Have fun with your new toys!!!!

 

[AlbertZeroK]

T2i is nice. I have two (am selling one to get another 50d), but it's an awsome little camera.

The macro lens takes some getting use to, personally, I like using a longer lens and stepping back. In fact, I sold my 100mm macro. But the 50mm f/1.4 you will LOVE! Open that baby up and shoot! You'll love the 50mm!

Did you order UV filters for your lenses? I put them on all my lenses because I tend to get them dirty and it protects the core lens.

 

[tmagg]

I just got a Canon SX210 IS and I am very impressed by it so far. Long manual that I have yet to read through to get all of the details on what it can do, but right not I am shooting in the Auto mode which is working fine.

 

[brack]

My Canon EOS 1 film camera is still my favorite even though it has been retired for about 5 years. It is sitting in a bag back home.

 

[klmall]

Without a doubt, it was my Canon G5. I have shots and enlargements from this camera that continue to amaze people at their quality for a point-n-shoot. It was the easiest camera to use I have ever owned from the moment I opened it as a Christmas present in 2003 until it just recently began to die.

I could take a shot, enlarge it in post-processing and count on crystal clear quality for cropping with very little noise. If it hadn't been slow in shutter speed and less than adequate in low light I might never have moved to a DSLR.

As it was, I upgraded to a (free) Canon G9 which performed great but had mechanical failures right after the warranty expired. Time to move to a DSLR!

The postscript to this saga is that I am strongly considering buying a Canon G11 now that the price seems to be coming down a little. I really miss having a smaller camera with the capability Canon puts into this fantastic line.

Two Canon G5 pics - First from Glacier NP and second from Yellowstone NP.

 

[Cinbride]

Just arrived today! yay! Since I haven't read the manuals and the extra book I bought, thought I would just throw it in auto and see how it handles with kit lens (I usually shot in P; sometimes I just go crazy and shot in a different mode; )Beautiful indoor shots, eye color is very nice. Outdoors in grass, before sunset, shady area, overexposed. I did just a red wagon and they turned out nice and vibrant. I tried my kids; blonde hair, pale skin, really overexposed, some blurry. I am reading the books to see where all my buttons are. but if anyone can offer suggestions? I've read this elsewhere: Lots of green requires EC -1/2 to -2/3. I took over 200 shots and most I decided to undersaturate/warm/or blk/white for some vintage feels. None of the kids made me happy enough to leave in color.

thanks

 

[disneyboy2003]

Just arrived today! yay! Since I haven't read the manuals and the extra book I bought, thought I would just throw it in auto and see how it handles with kit lens (I usually shot in P; sometimes I just go crazy and shot in a different mode; )Beautiful indoor shots, eye color is very nice. Outdoors in grass, before sunset, shady area, overexposed. I did just a red wagon and they turned out nice and vibrant. I tried my kids; blonde hair, pale skin, really overexposed, some blurry. I am reading the books to see where all my buttons are. but if anyone can offer suggestions? I've read this elsewhere: Lots of green requires EC -1/2 to -2/3. I took over 200 shots and most I decided to undersaturate/warm/or blk/white for some vintage feels. None of the kids made me happy enough to leave in color.

thanks

Congratulations on your brand new T2i!

Can you post some sample pictures? That would probably help. It's otherwise a little hard to tell what's going on without actually seeing sample pictures.

 

[Cinbride]

okay when I have a moment I will but I have to have it online first in order to post the image on here, correct?

Almost all of the histograms show more to the left. My poor fair skin babies are really white. haha

 

[luvthemouse71]

I bought a Rebel XS last fall as a way to ease in to DSLR-dom.

Things I lust after that the Rebel T2i has (my most recent - "gimme gimme" object):

1. Higher ISO. The XS is limited to 1600, not an issue for most folks, but for a Disney fan it means - Dark Ride pictures are a chore.

2. Faster Focusing. The XS has an older focusing system - the T2i focusing system is the bomb.

Things I look forward to that the Rebel T2i has:

1. Better Sensor. This is really the heart of a DSLR so I'll enjoy the lower
noise, higher resolution, etc. that the newer/better sensor offers.

Things I imagine I'll use but would never miss if they weren't there that the Rebel T2i has:

1. Movie Mode.

2. Better LCD.


Since I already have the XS I wouldn't really consider the XSi or T1i - not enough juice for the squeeze required. After having tried out a 5D MK II (full frame camera) in the store I've also decided it's too much camera for me. So
it's nice to have a focused "gimme gimme' object - I figure about the time I have my money saved up for a T2i I'll have learned enough to know how to use it

I also went with the XS..I was on a strict budget at the time, but still wanted to try a DSLR. I figure I'll spend some time learning with this camera and if I make progress, I'll splurge on a better model. I can always sell it or hand it down to someone.

 

[disneyboy2003]

None of the kids made me happy enough to leave in color.

Poor kids! When will they ever learn? I think they deserve to be left in black and white.

just kidding.

I don't recall how old your babies are, but if they're really young and aren't staying still AND if your camera is choosing a slow shutter speed, then that may be what's causing your kids to turn out blurry.

Plus, if your kids are very light-skinned AND you were taking pictures of them in the relatively darker, shaded area, your camera might have been trying to brighten the overall scene, and inadvertently making your kids even MORE bright / overexposed.

This would be similar to taking photos at a concert in Auto mode. Again, the camera sees a mostly-dark scene and tries to brighten the entire scene. However, the performer, who already has a bright spotlight, is inadvertently overexposed in the brightened photo.

If this is what is happening in your photos, then you can either:

• use negative Exposure Compensation (as you've already suggested), or
• use faster shutter speed, while keeping the same aperture and ISO, or
• use Spot Metering (symbol of a box with a dot inside), and point the center of the frame at your kid(s).

Again, I'm just guessing at the problem and I'm guessing at the solutions.

Yes, to post your photos, you will need to first upload them online (ex. to Flickr, PhotoBucket, SmugMug, Picasa, etc.), get the URL addresses for some of the photos, and use the Image button above to enter the URL address to post your photo.

Hope that helps!

 

[bentos]

congrats on your T2i. I prefer nikon tho

 

[bob100]

I also went with the XS..I was on a strict budget at the time, but still wanted to try a DSLR. I figure I'll spend some time learning with this camera and if I make progress, I'll splurge on a better model. I can always sell it or hand it down to someone.

The XS (1000D) is also limited in RAW mode, - I would spend a little more and get the newer T1i (500D) or T2i (550D)

 

[AlbertZeroK]

don't forget about canon's loyalty program, you can get a good refurbished DSLR for less through it, but you have to trade in an old canon camera.

Personally, for the price, you could pick up a used 50d for the price of a new t2i. In fact, if you are not shooting video, the 50d, in my opinion, rocks over the t2i so much that I sold my t2i and got a 50d.

Of course, now I want a 5d2.

 

[zackiedawg]

You may want to try using center-weighted metering, if you've got one. I've always found centerweighted metering to be the perfect choice between multi-metering which too often ignores a specfic shadow or highlight area where my subject is, and spot metering which is far too specific and can result in too drastic a swing in background. Center-weight still meters the whole scene, but puts more emphasis on your subject area in the metering spot.

Also, note that many newer DSLRs are tuned to slightly overexpose, to protect shadow detail...it's not unusual for newer DSLRs to require setting to -.3 or -.7 EV permanently - the metering can be dead-accurate and perfect every time with just that little EV adjustment dialed in.

And the third option is to consider any dynamic range optimization or shadow boost programs that your camera likely has (all of them do nowadays)...they usually have settings to help control highlghts and shadows in contrasty light, and using that option might help.