Canon 550D (Rebel T2i, Kiss X4)

[momoftwins]

I've pretty much decided on the Canon T2i camera. However, I know little about lenses and the best tradeoffs.

Of course $$ is always and issue, so:

Many of the kits offer a 18-55 and an 55-250 or 18-55 75-300.


I saw another kit that offers 55 - 250 lens.

I saw some of the kits 18-135. I also saw a single lens 18-135 USM. I guess the M means motorized.

Which is the best overall bang for the buck?

I like to take pics of the family, landscapes, Disney of course, kids sporting events, parades that type of stuff.

I am trying to learn, so please be gentle.

 

[photo_chick]

Stay away from the kit that includes the 75-300 because the 55-250 is a better tele zoom. Other than that, any of those kits would serve you well starting out. Just go with whatever you can afford, and don't forget to factor in memory cards and an extra battery.

 

[C&B Young]

I would go with the 18-55 and 55-250 combo. They're the best bang for your buck starting out, cover all the range you'll need, and should run about $100 cheaper than the T2i with the 18-135. Like photo_chick said, the 75-300 is not a well-regarded lens, whereas the 55-250 offers good image quality plus image stabilization.

 

[momoftwins]

Are the two lenses offered on the kit, a better choice than the 18-135 USM lens? What exactly is motorized on this lens? What is its purpose?

See, newbie questions.

 

[Bstanley]

Actually all Canon lenses are motorized.

The focus mechanical components (the motor, etc) and drive electronics are in the lenses for EF and EF-S Canon lenses.

USM stands for Ultra Sonic Motor. The USM mechanism (without going all geek on you) works differently than a typical motor and allows faster, more precise focusing.

 

[C&B Young]

A USM lens also allows you to manually focus while the lens is in auto-focus mode. Doing this on non-USM lenses can damage your auto focus. That being said, the 18-135 doesn't appear to actually be a USM lens. What the 18-135 offers is convenience - people often refer to this as a "walkaround lens" because it covers a big range and eliminates the need to change lenses. Having the 55-250 lens means you'll have to change lenses at times, but it gives you 115mm more reach. Starting out, I think you'll want to cover as much of a range as possible.

 

[DizzyV6P]

This site didn't like it:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/...meraComp=474&SampleComp=0&FLIComp=3&APIComp=0

However, the examples by these Canon users tell a different story:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=767215&highlight=18-135

Amazon reviewers also like the 18-135:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-18-135m...GTT2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1287887785&sr=8-1

Real world pictures trump in my book. It IS a tough choice since the 55-250 IS is a great lens for the price. You can always pick one up used for about $200 though. As a walkaround for an amateur I think the 18-135 is a fine lens.

 

[photo_chick]

USM does not automatically mean mean you have full time manual focus. There are two types of USM... ring and micromotor. The ring type has full time manual focus. Micromotor does not.

USM is supposed to be faster and quieter at focusing, but that does not mean that the lens is actually better.

 

[momoftwins]

I really appreciate all of the lessons . I waited too late for the current Amazon deal for the T2i with the 18-55 and 55-250 lens. Hopefully, they will get more in their stock. I will also keep watch on Adorama.

Have a great night.

 

[lpoeppelman]

Thanks in advance for your opinions!

I want a faster and better camera for taking pictures of my kids. Especially for my next Disney trip... but I will use if all the time. I am new to SLRs, so I don't know a lot about taking pictures with professional equipment (just point and shoot styles).

I need some advice on what to get.

I saw some posts on the Pentax K-x digital SLR camera and the picture of the camera body style looks like a good size for me (not overly large).

A few things to consider:

• Would love to stay within a budget under 700, but prefer under 550.
  
• Not so large that I can't lug it around because the lens is so big.
  
• If I like it, in the future, I may consider buying something more high-end. So right now, not looking for anything too high-end.
  
• Do not want a point and shoot. They are too slow for me.

 

[ukcatfan]

You really cannot go wrong with the K-x. I have had mine almost a year now and am extremely pleased with it. I have not checked into it too much recently, but I believe at the current prices going it is the best bang for the buck around.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

I'm a canon guy, so I'd highly suggest a T1i or T2i if you want video, otherwise the XSi is a great start. Not sure about the Pentex - personally, I wouldn't buy one because of the lack of fast prime lenses. Canon and Nikon are the most popular on the market currently making not only lenses, but accessories easier to find and buy.

 

[ukcatfan]

I'm a canon guy, so I'd highly suggest a T1i or T2i if you want video, otherwise the XSi is a great start. Not sure about the Pentex - personally, I wouldn't buy one because of the lack of fast prime lenses. Canon and Nikon are the most popular on the market currently making not only lenses, but accessories easier to find and buy.

Alright Al, I know we have had disagreements in the past, but that statement is just plain ignorance or a flat out lie. Pentax is KNOWN for their selection of prime lenses. Sorry, but really bad advice there. Their only lacking part is no company branded fast tele zoom. But with plenty of 3rd party options for them, it is no issue. There used to be a lack of 3rd party support for the smaller brands, but that is not the case anymore. Unless you are talking $3K+ professional lenses, ALL brands now have everything covered so lens selection is no longer a check against anyone.

Please know what you are talking about before trying to offer advice.

 

[ukcatfan]

Alright Al, I know we have had disagreements in the past, but that statement is just plain ignorance or a flat out lie. Pentax is KNOWN for their selection of prime lenses. Sorry, but really bad advice there. Their only lacking part is no company branded fast tele zoom. But with plenty of 3rd party options for them, it is no issue. There used to be a lack of 3rd party support for the smaller brands, but that is not the case anymore. Unless you are talking $3K+ professional lenses, ALL brands now have everything covered so lens selection is no longer a check against anyone.

Please know what you are talking about before trying to offer advice.

Oh yeah, there is one more thing to add. All those primes on Pentax will have IS because it is in-body. Having IS on many of the Canon and Nikon primes is not even a possibility. So if anything I think the discussion of primes is a check in favor of Pentax. Not that having a bunch of primes is the most important thing anyway, but you seem to place a bunch of emphasis on it.

 

[photo_chick]

I gotta go with ukcatfan here... With their lens compatibility Pentax probably has the largest selection of lenses to choose from. I'm including used glass here because let's face it, all the makers have pared down there lineups these last few years. But that's not a good enough reason to go with a particular camera in my book.

As far as the original question... Make a list of features you want. Find cameras that offer those features in your price range. Go hold those and see which one feels the best in your hands. Buy that one.

You really can't go wrong with any of the entry level cameras. And if a DSLR is too large for what you want, you might also consider the mirrorless cameras like the Sony NEX or Olympus PEN.

 

[SplashMo]

Nice Tutorial on picking a DSLR

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm

Except I would add canon t2i as well. However it is over your budget.

I like to spend more on lenses than the camera...

 

[WDWFigment]

I wouldn't buy a Pentax because of the name. Come on, what is that name even supposed to mean?! At least Nikon and Canon are good, strong, venerable names!

 

[LPZ_Stitch!]

USM is supposed to be faster and quieter at focusing, but that does not mean that the lens is actually better.

Also, when shooting video, the sound of the USM focusing is often not picked up by the on-board microphone.

This is not the case with the sound of non-USM lenses; it's usually pretty obvious in the video recording....

 

[Experiment_626]

I wouldn't buy a Pentax because of the name. Come on, what is that name even supposed to mean?!

I can't support Pentax because I think there's too much tax in our lives already! I can't get behind another one! And Canon -- sheesh, isn't the world violent enough already without so many people carrying Canons around and pointing them at people willy-nilly?

 

[bob100]

Nice Tutorial on picking a DSLR

http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/recommended-cameras.htm
Except I would add canon t2i as well. However it is over your budget.
I like to spend more on lenses than the camera...

Ken Rockwell is the internet photography joke!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/analprobe/dissent.htm

But the Canon T2i/550D is good

Alright Al, I know we have had disagreements in the past, but that statement is just plain ignorance or a flat out lie. Pentax is KNOWN for their selection of prime lenses. Sorry, but really bad advice there. Their only lacking part is no company branded fast tele zoom. But with plenty of 3rd party options for them, it is no issue. There used to be a lack of 3rd party support for the smaller brands, but that is not the case anymore. Unless you are talking $3K+ professional lenses, ALL brands now have everything covered so lens selection is no longer a check against anyone.

Please know what you are talking about before trying to offer advice.

I agree, I thought Pentax was actually known for primes but I'm more of a zoom guy