Canon 550D (Rebel T2i, Kiss X4)

[AlbertZeroK]

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.

This is one thing about cameras, it's like ford and Chevy! I said, Pentax lacks FAST prime lenses. I don't really think of a f/1.8 or higher as very useful to me because I have f/2.8 zooms so slow primes are of no use to me. That being said, I do think Pentax has issues with their lens selection, for example, they have a 50-135 f/2.8, but nothing more in a zoom at f/2.8. Nikon and Canon both have the 70-200 f/2.8 which is a VERY popular and great lens! And Tamron and Sigma's versions of these lenses lack compared to the Canon or Nikon.

Is name important? No. But market share is. Why? A great example, Pocket Wizard will likely never release a MiniTT1/FlexTT5 for the Pentax. So you'll clearly find more third party products for Nikon and Canon than Pentax.

As for the in camera IS, I'd love to see it match the IS in my 17-55mm IS f/2.8 or my 70-200 IS f/2.8 Mk II. I agree it's nice to have for primes, but it's not always a selling point to people.

Like I said, I'm a canon guy. I'd buy a canon T1i or T2i if you want video and a XSi if you don't.

 

[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.

This is one thing about cameras, it's like ford and Chevy! I said, Pentax lacks FAST prime lenses. I don't really think of a f/1.8 or higher as very useful to me because I have f/2.8 zooms so slow primes are of no use to me. That being said, I do think Pentax has issues with their lens selection, for example, they have a 50-135 f/2.8, but nothing more in a zoom at f/2.8. Nikon and Canon both have the 70-200 f/2.8 which is a VERY popular and great lens! And Tamron and Sigma's versions of these lenses lack compared to the Canon or Nikon.

Is name important? No. But market share is. Why? A great example, Pocket Wizard will likely never release a MiniTT1/FlexTT5 for the Pentax. So you'll clearly find more third party products for Nikon and Canon than Pentax.

As for the in camera IS, I'd love to see it match the IS in my 17-55mm IS f/2.8 or my 70-200 IS f/2.8 Mk II. I agree it's nice to have for primes, but it's not always a selling point to people.

Like I said, I'm a canon guy. I'd buy a canon T1i or T2i if you want video and a XSi if you don't.

You just cannot admit when you are wrong. Whatever. Grow up.

As for pro type gear, I would never say that Pentax is the best solution. They are not even trying to enter that market. That said, a very TINY amount of people are looking for pro gear for their DSLR. Take a step back, look at the situation you are commenting on, and stop being an elitist. If that is what you are really so interested in, then head over to the DPReview boards. The Disboards is not a pro photographer hangout. Sure we have pros here, but they are able to reply to the situation. You do not seem able to do that. This OP is NOT looking for a gear layout for becoming a professional photographer. They want to take better pics of their kids and on Disney vacations at a reasonable price. You just want to spout off fanboy opinions.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

The Sony A500 and A550 are quite good buys now IMO if you are not looking for video. B&H has the A500 plus kit lens for $539. The size will be slightly larger than the Pentax K-x and photo quality is considered to be very similar I believe. Sony's also have the in camera image stabilization and have a fast live view system that can allow you to get some candid shots when people do not necessarily realize you are taking shots.

Let me just add that it is a good idea to go and try holding as many different camera's as possible. All the manufacturers make very good camera's and having a comfortable camera can make all the difference in using it or letting it sit around.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Don't forget a budget for memory cards and spare batteries. I prefer batteries made by the camera manufacture, but off brand batteries often can be found online for $10-20. I really recommend a spare battery.

As for memory cards, if you want to take continuous picture, faster memory cards can be an advantage. Normally, you can shoot 10-20 pictures before your memory card speed impacts you, but after those shots, memory cards speed will impact the ability to continuously shoot. I'm a sandisk fan because I've never had a sandisk card fail on me, but their are other cheaper options out there. Also, with larger MP images and video, more memory is nice to have - and a spare card, regardless of how fast it is in your bag can save your day when you leave your memory card in you computer! If you are forgetful like me, you'll need a stack of memory cards

 

[manning]

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.

Also check out BH Photo...no tax and possible free shipping.

 

[manning]

Think about shooting with 50mm if you don't have a zoom lens If you have both I would favor the 50mm. this article will explain why.

http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/tutorials/portrait_lenses.html

Recommended Portrait Lenses
So what are the best portrait lenses for an EOS camera? Well we can start out at 50mm. This is an excellent focal length for portraits on an APS-C DSLR, and is also quite good on a full frame camera, especially if you are not trying to do tight head shots. While you can certainly shoot portraits with shorter focal lengths, "normal" perspective starts at around 50mm for "head and shoulders shots". You can get good results with a lens like the 35/2.0 if you are doing "head to toe" portraits though. As I said at the beginning of the article, you can use just about any lens for portraits, but I'm keeping this list to lenses between 50mm and 200mm and that are f2.8 or faster, otherwise I'd have to list just about every lens that Canon makes!

 

[bob100]

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.

I agree, the 18-55IS and 55-250IS package is the best option.

 

[Frantasmic]

For portraits, I love the 85mm f1.8. It is hard to take bad pictures with this lens. It isn't "magic" (as in doing the work for you), but once you figure out a thing or two, it is a great lens.

Here's two from earlier this summer of my kids:

 

[PrincessInOz]

My camera equipment: I am shooting with a Canon T2i (or 550D depending on which continent you’re in). My lenses on this trip included the Canon 18 – 55mm f/3.5 – 5.6 IS, 55 – 250mm f/4.0 – 5.6 IS kit lenses and Canon 50 mm f/1.8.

Thread Focus: This thread is directed at all the dSLR beginners out there wanting to shoot under low light conditions using a 50 mm f/1.8 Lens.

Preamble: I’ve had my camera since April this year and am a self-professsed rank dummy beginner on using the dSLR. Previous to acquiring this camera, my experience as a photographer consisted of pretending to hold my DH’s SLR and using a point and shoot.

So, it was an absolute surprise to me that after the purchase of the camera, that I discovered a love of photography. I do not profess to be a good photographer – just that I have a love of taking photographs.

We came to the World in April with just the 18 – 55 mm kit lens and did not even attempt any photographs in low light conditions. Therefore, this is the first time I've ever hit the parks with a lens capable of shooting in low light conditions.

I had the opportunity to head back to WDW for 3 days in the week before Halloween (2010) and I jumped at it.

Disclaimer: For all the professional, semi-pro and prosumer photographers out there, the thread is most likely not for you. However, I welcome all your critique and comments. I’m at least over 6000 miles away and wearing my Kevlar/Teflon suit.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Before this trip, I had purchased the 50 mm f/1.8 prime lens for a friend’s wedding. Aside from the wedding, I had not used the lens in low light conditions before. Let’s call this Mistake Number 1.

My problem was that this was really the first time I had really pulled this lens out in low light conditions. As these first pictures show, I unclearly did NOT have a clue about what I was doing!

First time round…

Nor second time round…

My other sad attempts!

It was a relief to come out of the ride the second time round and pull my trusty kit lens on in daylight conditions! I had abysmally failed to lock focus using the prime in HM but I don’t give up easy!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I was touring the park with a fellow Dis-er and we ran across the Hag.

I decided to take a step back.

And another.

It took me multiple steps back to get this shot of DisneyFirefly with the Hag (she’s the one on the left). I think I finally figured out that I needed to stand back in order to get the right focus. That’ll teach me to start off photography with zoom lenses!

And I’m glad that Firefly stood where I was standing because she got a great shot of me and the Hag (she’s the one on the right).

It’s sad to think that I’d been having issues with the lens and a complete novice just picks up my camera and shoots a shot in focus.

Turns out there is a very fine line between slightly out of focus…

…and slightly less out of focus!

I had read on the Dis photography section that there was a steep learning curve with the fast shutter speed prime lens and I was experiencing it first hand!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I’ve worked out why a theme park is such a great place for photographers to go to; particularly when learning how to shoot in low light conditions. It’s the fact that you get to shoot, check out your shot, determine what to do differently next time, go on the same ride and make your adjustments.
If you ever want to learn how to shoot something, then a theme park is the perfect place to practise. Repeatable, predictable and completely consistent!

I’d decided to go on Pirates twice to see if I could learn from my mistakes. Sometimes it just takes a shift in seat position to make the shot….or not.

In the above shots, the first shot was taken on the first time round and the second shot was taken on the second ride.

I’d learnt that distance made a difference when using a Prime lens!
Armed with the learning from Pirates, I headed towards the American Girl Doll shop masquerading for a Disney attraction.

I’m glad that I managed to lock focus on this attraction as I did not want to go through this ride again. I seem to recall them having a problem with their sound system in May with the music being stuck on the same song, when I was last at the park. It would seem that they have not fixed it in 5 months as the same music was still playing.

 

[PrincessInOz]

All I did in these shots was to move my point of focus by a couple of millimeters.

I’m sure that there is learning in the above pictures….it will hit me….eventually!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I had the privilege of attending two MNSSHP nights in my 3 days at the World. This gave me the opportunity to practise shooting fireworks.

I did not have my tripod with me on the first night; so I chose to set the camera in No Flash mode and click away. Afterall, this was the first real time I had played with a fast shutter speed prime lens and I was just happy to get some shots in. I was located at the Hub for the first night.

My tripod made the 10,000-mile trip from Australia to Florida. Aside from my camera gear, this was about the only other camera gear that I had and I figured it was worth bringing it despite it taking precious bag space and adding weight to the luggage.

I hadn’t planned on taking the tripod with me for the first party and had intended to bring it along for the second night.
Mistake Number 2 was leaving it behind to enjoy the resort whilst the rest of my gear was with me at the park. I’d like to say that this was due to jetlag; but really, it was plain stupidity.

I tried to console myself by thinking that I was a rank beginner anyway and that I probably wouldn’t have known what I was doing.

In any event, I deliberately set myself near Casey’s in Main Street, right smack bang in the middle.
To the right of me was a guy shooting with a Canon 5D Mark II.
To the left of me was a guy shooting with a Nikon 700D.

Both had tripods.

Turns out Mr Canon was the silent grunting Neanderthal type and Mr Nikon was the silent gruntingCro-Magnum type. But I’d gotten enough out of them to figure out that BOTH of them had NEVER taken long exposure shots of the fireworks before.
Feel free to have a kick for this mistake….I’m already over it.

At this stage, I’d like to thank Pea-n-Me and all the straight shooters on the 2010 Summer Scavenger hunt. Without this hunt and learning from everyone playing, I would not have moved the camera away from the automagic buttons on the wheel.

Whilst I’m not in full manual yet, this set were taken on the second night mostly in Shutter Priority, hand held.

The above shots show that I should have taken multiple steps back; or brought a wider-angle lens to the park.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Always get some mileage in using new equipment before hitting WDW.

Sometimes, taking a step back makes for a better shot; or bring a wide-angle lens to the park.

If you bring a tripod to Orlando, make sure you use it!


And finally, I did get some shots that I’m happy with using the prime lens.

 

[PrincessInOz]

My first ever post on the Dis Photography section was entitled along the lines of “It’s Expensive hanging out Here.” On my way home, I had the opportunity to pick up….

No, that’s just the subject. The above shot was taken with a Tamrom 17 – 50 mm f/2.8 (Around US$600, about AU$1100; AU resale of $750)

The above shot was taken with a Canon 18 – 55 mm f/2.8 (Around US$1100, about AU$2000; AU resale of $1600)

DH had told me to pick up a new gold charm for my Pandora bracelet for our anniversary at the end of this month. I bought the Canon 18 – 55 mm f/2.8 instead. It’s a mark of how much hanging out on this forum has changed me; particularly when I chose the lens over the charm. Sadly, DH does not thank any of you for this change!

 

[Jade+3]

Princess, you make me laugh! I love your firework shots. Last year I brought my DSLR a couple of months before our holiday and did not have a clue, so I know exactly where you are coming from.

Love your anniversary present too.

 

[Suburbanmom]

I really enjoyed your trip report! Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

[mom2rtk]

I love photography focused trip reports! Thanks for taking us along! I can tell you have a love of photography and a great sense of humor, so I hope you'll keep hanging out here!

I was where you were when I took my fall MNSSHP trip last year. I had purchased my sigma 30mm f/1.4 right before the trip and was learning as I went along.

I'm not surprised you had to keep moving back with the 50 mm f/1.8. That focal length has always seemed a little tight for me at Disney. Backing up a few feet is SO hard when there are so many people around. You will LOVE your new Canon 17-55 f/2.8. Mine stays on the camera most of the time now.

I did notice that a lot of your shots were done in auto. I did this last year too with the Simga. It's really hard at Disney to be fiddling with the settings as you go. But be sure to play with the new lens at home now so you can get the most out of it.

It seems you were most frustrated with focusing. It can be really hard in low light. Were you pre-selecting a focal point, or allowing the camera to do it automatically?

 

[Uncle Greg]

Great idea for a thread, especially when you center it around a lens that's very affordable for someone just breaking into the hobby.

The lesson to be learned from the lego sea serpent is that a low light lens can't solve all your low light problems. You were shooting at 1/15 of a second so I suspect you managed to reduce camera shake in the second frame.

Without a tripod or an image stabilization lens, the general rule is to try and get a shutter equal to 1/the focal length of the lens...in this case 1/50th sec. Your example shows that it's certainly possible to get results at slower speeds but that you should always take several shots to increase your odds.

Thanks for sharing your experience!