Canon 550D (Rebel T2i, Kiss X4)

[VVFF]

Nope, I can't do it on the XSi. I always have my ISO set manually.

I actually prefer it that way, because the shutter speed is adjusted much higher than it typically needs to be for still subjects with an IS lens. Therefore, with auto-ISO I would needlessly be using a higher ISO than necessary. If conditions are changing dramatically...I use auto ISO...otherwise never.

Bright sunny day = ISO 100
Slightly overcast = ISO 200
Somewhat cloudy = ISO 400
Cloudy/twilight = ISO 800

I can pretty much go with those settings depending on my subject. I may need to favor a higher setting if I am shooting fast action.

 

[bob100]

Bright sunny day = ISO 100
Slightly overcast = ISO 200
Somewhat cloudy = ISO 400
Cloudy/twilight = ISO 800

I can pretty much go with those settings depending on my subject. I may need to favor a higher setting if I am shooting fast action.

good guideline for ISO levels,
I think the new T2i looks interesting, not enough to upgrade but if I was buying now that would be the model I'd choose

 

[LexPlayer]

I bet even mirror lockup doesn't get an easy selection while sending a picture directly to a printer gets it's own dedicated button! A disappointing new release overall.

Have to agree with that, but it is a CANON printer that uses that button. providing easy access to the mirror lockup doesn't sell any more product....

 

[Groucho]

I actually prefer it that way, because the shutter speed is adjusted much higher than it typically needs to be for still subjects with an IS lens. Therefore, with auto-ISO I would needlessly be using a higher ISO than necessary. If conditions are changing dramatically...I use auto ISO...otherwise never.

Bright sunny day = ISO 100
Slightly overcast = ISO 200
Somewhat cloudy = ISO 400
Cloudy/twilight = ISO 800

I can pretty much go with those settings depending on my subject. I may need to favor a higher setting if I am shooting fast action.

Yeah, but you could do that with Auto ISO, too, and maybe some of your cloudy/twilight photos will drop down to a lower ISO if the light allows.

I got curious and did a little research on how the different manufacturers deal with auto ISO. Every one seems a bit different with various pros and cons... but that's a topic for a different thread. Suffice to say - it's good they're doing it now, but geez, it took 'em long enough!

 

[VVFF]

Yeah, but you could do that with Auto ISO, too, and maybe some of your cloudy/twilight photos will drop down to a lower ISO if the light allows.

I got curious and did a little research on how the different manufacturers deal with auto ISO. Every one seems a bit different with various pros and cons... but that's a topic for a different thread. Suffice to say - it's good they're doing it now, but geez, it took 'em long enough!

Well that's my point is that auto ISO is TOO conservative for most of my uses. It tends to favor 1/focal length * 1.6 type rule or so even though I'm using IS lenses. So I'd rather tell the camera what ISO to use in those cases. I do think the feature is a nice add...I just don't think I'd use it very much.

 

[Groucho]

My point is, you're hardcoding 800 ISO no matter what in a given situation. If you could set Auto ISO to max out at 800, you'll never go above 800, but you might go lower - and what's wrong with that? Plus you're less likely to forget to reset the ISO later (and we all hear horror stories of forgetting to take the camera off 1600 or 3200 or whatever when going back outside.) As for IS - the camera does not know that you have IS and compensate for that?

The way Auto ISO was calculated was one of the things that was interesting looking at the various ways DSLRs deal with it. Canons seem to go by the 1/FL rule and that's it. Nikons let you manually specify what shutter speed to change ISO at but aren't as good as puzzling it out on their own as the Canons (or at least, didn't used to be.) Pentax does the 1/FL thing but on the K-7 you can also adjust the ISO response curve, IE, how aggressively it will bump up ISO. With many DSLRs, you can also adjust the Program line to favor shutter speed, DoF, or sometimes other factors - those will also affect how quickly ISO is ramped up. If you're really into manual control, some DSLRs offer a Sensitivity Priority mode where you can just spin the dial to change ISO while aperture and shutter speed are automatically calculated - kind of like hardcoding ISO in Program mode only allowing for faster/easier ISO changes.

Ultimately, as you can imagine, there's actually a lot of different ways for it to work. But at the end of the day, IMHO an easily configurable Auto ISO always beats hardcoding a specific ISO - there's no downsides to having that option.

 

[bonoriffic]

I upgraded to the T2i from an original Digital Rebel. I was able to sell my original Rebel fairly quickly online. Too fast, as I'm without an SLR until the T2i ships. Although my Canon G9 is an amazing point and shoot, and I was favoring it over the Rebel which is why I knew it was time to upgrade.

Canonrumors.com says 1Ds Mark IV will be announced next week, and no 60D.

 

[Snurk71]

I've had an XT/350 for a few years, and have been happy with it. I learned a lot about photography in general (speed, aperature, ISO, etc), and how to manage the camera settings to get the better pictures I lacked with a P&S.

But I've had the itch lately for an upgrade, something I'm sure many can relate to. I have been debating between upgrading to either the XSi or the T1i. I liked the idea of having some HD video option in the T1i (currently use a few years old Sony miniDV camcorder for video), but the video control sounded a little limited. Then I read the news about the T2i. While I'm not overly excited about the jump to 18MP on the same sensor, the sensor and processor is an ugrade from the XT and it sounds like they've improved the video part to be much more usable. So as of now, I'm planning on upgrading to the T2i - like this weekend when they start shipping (the rumor I read).

So the next question is what to buy along with it - since some of my XT accessories aren't compatible to the T2i. I know I'll need a backup battery, a few memory cards, and of course - need to evaluate my lens stock.

Memory cards - I read that the T2i will take the new suped up SDHC cards (I forget what they're actually called - I think there's an X in the title now). Do any current T1i owners have a recommendation on card class (minimum of 6, 10?)? I assume the new suped up cards will benefit in the HD video recording the most. So maybe I should just go that route.

Lenses - I currently have a Sigma 18-125 3.5/5.6, Canon 50 1.8, and Canon 85 1.8. My picture taking is general family stuff, WDW/DL trips, and bodybuilding competitions (stage/theatre low light). I almost exclusively use the Sigma as the walkaround lens for family and WDW/DL - and hardly ever utilize anything past 50-60mm. In good light it's fine. When it's darker, I resort to overblowing with the flash. For bodybuilding, I use the 85mm - and have received a lot of positive feedback on the quality of the pictures.

From what I read it sounds like I need an upgrade for my base lens to take some advantage of the T2's sensor (replacing the Sigma) - getting the kit 18-55 3.5/5.6 IS for the $100 additional cost, at a minimum. Before I do though (buy the kit lens), is there a better lens to look at that wouldn't break the bank? Take the cost of the kit lens at $100 vs. another. If it's much over $200, I might be hard pressed to justify it to DW.

Thanks for any feedback.

 

[VVFF]

I've had an XT/350 for a few years, and have been happy with it. I learned a lot about photography in general (speed, aperature, ISO, etc), and how to manage the camera settings to get the better pictures I lacked with a P&S.

But I've had the itch lately for an upgrade, something I'm sure many can relate to. I have been debating between upgrading to either the XSi or the T1i. I liked the idea of having some HD video option in the T1i (currently use a few years old Sony miniDV camcorder for video), but the video control sounded a little limited. Then I read the news about the T2i. While I'm not overly excited about the jump to 18MP on the same sensor, the sensor and processor is an ugrade from the XT and it sounds like they've improved the video part to be much more usable. So as of now, I'm planning on upgrading to the T2i - like this weekend when they start shipping (the rumor I read).

So the next question is what to buy along with it - since some of my XT accessories aren't compatible to the T2i. I know I'll need a backup battery, a few memory cards, and of course - need to evaluate my lens stock.

Memory cards - I read that the T2i will take the new suped up SDHC cards (I forget what they're actually called - I think there's an X in the title now). Do any current T1i owners have a recommendation on card class (minimum of 6, 10?)? I assume the new suped up cards will benefit in the HD video recording the most. So maybe I should just go that route.

Lenses - I currently have a Sigma 18-125 3.5/5.6, Canon 50 1.8, and Canon 85 1.8. My picture taking is general family stuff, WDW/DL trips, and bodybuilding competitions (stage/theatre low light). I almost exclusively use the Sigma as the walkaround lens for family and WDW/DL - and hardly ever utilize anything past 50-60mm. In good light it's fine. When it's darker, I resort to overblowing with the flash. For bodybuilding, I use the 85mm - and have received a lot of positive feedback on the quality of the pictures.

From what I read it sounds like I need an upgrade for my base lens to take some advantage of the T2's sensor (replacing the Sigma) - getting the kit 18-55 3.5/5.6 IS for the $100 additional cost, at a minimum. Before I do though (buy the kit lens), is there a better lens to look at that wouldn't break the bank? Take the cost of the kit lens at $100 vs. another. If it's much over $200, I might be hard pressed to justify it to DW.

Thanks for any feedback.

First of all, while the T2i has some great video control, realize that focusing will likely not be any better than previous cameras. So, if you want to take video, you should feel confident in your ability to manually focus.

As for the lens, the 18-55mm IS will certainly be better than what you have now. It won't max out the 18MP sensor, but few lenses can. For $100 its tough to beat. Be aware of the weaknesses of the kit lens. Namely, it doesn't have an ultrasonic motor, it rotates the front element.

Your 85mm should do quite well at getting you the full resolution of the 18MP sensor.

If you want a significantly better lens than the kit lens the price jumps up quite quickly if you don't care about range. I would say the next best zoom lens with significantly better optical quality than the kit lens would be the 15-85mm, which can be found for about $750 or so. If you want a large aperture you're looking at $1000 or so.

 

[ukcatfan]

Memory cards - I read that the T2i will take the new suped up SDHC cards (I forget what they're actually called - I think there's an X in the title now). Do any current T1i owners have a recommendation on card class (minimum of 6, 10?)? I assume the new suped up cards will benefit in the HD video recording the most. So maybe I should just go that route.

A SDHC card will be fast enough for video. I use class six and have not noticed my camera responding any slower than the quoted FPS or any problems writing to the card for video. As far as I know, the SDXC spec only allows for larger cards, not necessarily faster ones. They might make faster ones in SDXC, but being in that format does not automatically make it faster than SDHC. Anyone else heard anything different?

 

[Snurk71]

The T2i (with kit lens) is hopefully on its way from J&R (ordered last night).

I bought a couple of 8GB SDHC cards off Amazon today to get me started.

Looking forward to checking out the high ISO performance and the HD video.

 

[bob100]

The T2i (with kit lens) is hopefully on its way from J&R (ordered last night).

I bought a couple of 8GB SDHC cards off Amazon today to get me started.

Looking forward to checking out the high ISO performance and the HD video.

post some pics and test the AF on the video, I would be interested

 

[SamSam]

For you Canon slr users, I would like your input in why the T1I is worth the extra money over the Canon Rebel XS.

I know that it has more Megapixels, but I keep reading on this board that megapixels should not be the deciding factor (assuming it's already 8 or more).
I do want to get an slr camera that I will be happy with for several years, and would be willing to spend the extra $$ if it's worth it.
Thanks for any input.

 

[dpmfloyd]

the xs is nice, but since you're buying a dslr, you should throw the extre few hundred into a higher model. i bought the t1i before my disney trip and the resolution and functionality (not to mention feel) is far better than the xs. i used xs at best buy and it didnt feel very good, but the t1i was melted butter in my hand.

BUT! this month canon is coming out with an upgraded t1i, i believe the t2i will be $899 with a lense, and VERY worth it IMO.

 

[SamSam]

the xs is nice, but since you're buying a dslr, you should throw the extre few hundred into a higher model. i bought the t1i before my disney trip and the resolution and functionality (not to mention feel) is far better than the xs. i used xs at best buy and it didnt feel very good, but the t1i was melted butter in my hand.

BUT! this month canon is coming out with an upgraded t1i, i believe the t2i will be $899 with a lense, and VERY worth it IMO.

Oh, man...you are tempting me. $899 with a lense doesn't sound tooooo bad. I do want to add an additional lens, the 55-255, that people on this board have been recommending. I know we won't use it too often, but after not having a decent camera/lens on a trip to Machu Pichu last year, I am determined before another big trip that we will have a decent camera and lens to use.

I love my little point and shoot for carrying in my pocket/purse, but there are times when it just isn't enough.

 

[holcomb-mania]

If you're a Costco member, they are selling both of these dslrs in packages right now with 2 lenses, 4GB memory card and case. IIRC the t1i can do full 1080p HD video with HDMI out. I was just there yesterday and wanna say the t1i was $949 and the xsi was $799? Not sure.


eta: Just checked the website and the pkg deals aren't on there. But I KNOW I'm not far off. Was very tempted, but just had heat pump fixed and am waiting on the bill.

Would the above be a good pkg deal with the t1i and the basic and extended lenses, card and pack? They also had a similar Nikon pkg for the D9000 for around $1149 I believe. I go wander around there all the time so I can check.

 

[dpmfloyd]

the t2i will have a better fps than the t1i in respects to 1080hd video. if you want 30fps on the t1i, you need to use the 720 setting - BOOOO. the 1080 on the t1i only films at 20fps

keep your eyes peeled the for t2i, it will be worth it!! plus i think its now at 19 megapixels - how nice would that have been on your trip?? good luck!

 

[mom2rtk]

I would do it just for the higher ISO capabilities. Once you get using it, you will want the better performance in low light that the T1i is supposed to have. I tried hard to get my hands on the T1i when my Xti was replaced under warranty, but they could only get me the Xsi. I'm keeping my warranty up and eventually they'll have to replace this one too, right?????

 

[holcomb-mania]

I'm so clueless about dslrs. But I really want one!!

 

[C&B Young]

I started off with the XS, and within 8 months I upgraded to the 50D for some of the reasons already indicated (higher ISO, burst rate, LCD screen resolution). With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight I'd definitely recommend buying a little more camera than what you think you need at first - you'll grow into it soon enough!