Canon 550D (Rebel T2i, Kiss X4)

[PrincessInOz]

Hi PrincessInOz,

I'm no camera buff, but I can help you with a website that I bought my camera from (I'm in Brisbane). I bought the Canon 450d, which I am learning about as well!! This website had the best price that I could find anywhere for my camera - and believe me I looked!!! It could give you a little practice time with your new toy - although not as you said, on fast rides or fireworks, of course!!! Plus it would give you more Disney time - not camera shopping time!!
Right at the moment I'm at work, so I can't get that web address for you, but I can PM you perhaps Monday if you would like. Don't forget, too, if you get it here you can claim back your GST, as long as it is 30 days or less from flying out.
Sorry I can't be of any more assistance at the moment! I will be at the World in May too - perhaps our paths will cross!!!

Heather

Hey Heather. Yes, please PM me the website. I'd love to check it out...although for the new Canon 550, the price in Oz is about AU$1300 and it retails for US$800 (off the Best Buys website). That's a huge price difference; even taking exchange rate differences into account.
Also - it would be great to cross paths with you in May...

 

[MICKEY88]

if you already have a minolta slr in the family I highly recommend checking out the Sony Alpha DSLRs. since Sony bought out Minolta and kept the lens mount, any minolta autofocus lenses that you have will work on the Sony Alpha cameras

 

[YesDear]

First let me say welcome to the board and yes you have found a place where I sometimes think our best skills are our ability to empower each other to spend money! So you have found a great place to be

I actually think you have a great idea given the dramatic differences in prices you have expressed and I have several ideas.

I am sure you will get lots of input as to which camera is best. I am a Nikon shooter so of course I think Nikon's are best, but that decision is yours. Go to camera stores in your area and play with the different brands. Find the one that feels good in your hand and the controls appear understandable. I have never understood the nomenclature of a Canon but that is me. So play and decide.

I would buy a kit. The lens that you get will not be pro grade glass but will give you good value.

If you are going to buy in the US remember that you will have to return it to the US is something should go wrong. I think the chances are slim that something would be wrong but you need to understand that local repairs will not cover under warranty.

If you want the best price, I would buy from a place like B&H or Adorama and have it shipped to your destination spot in Orlando. You will pay more at a Best Buy etc. but you would be able to return immediately if something wrong.

See if you have a rental source in Melbourne that would rent you your camera for a weekend or week and give you a chance to at least play for an extended period of time.

At Disney use program or auto as much as possible. That will give you the best chances for the best photos right out of the box. Read up on fireworks etc to see what settings to use.

Since you are saving so much on the camera, invest in a tripod for the fireworks. There are several good threads here about tripods.

Memory cards, memory cards, memory cards. They are cheap and you do not want to run out.

If you hubby has had a SLR and is proficient with it, photography is photography and the math is the same. If he understands ISO ratings on film then the ISO setting concept will be a breeze.

So these are my ramblings. I am sure others will also pitch in!

 

[DznyFan]

Yes, it is expensive lurking here...!
I second Mickey 88's suggestion - I shot Minolta SLR before my slow transition to DSLR, and I went Sony because of the lens compatability. Good luck with your decision!

 

[sage10]

Ok, so I just purchased this camera. I am brand new to dSLR, although I have used my dad's Nikon D60. My main question is: what is a "MUST HAVE" lens? I already know that I don't just want the kit lens 18-55mm. I think one of the first ones to buy is the 50mm. But not sure what else is kinda a must have.

I really enjoy photography. I have 3 young kids, 5, 5, and 3. So I want to be able to get pictures of them enjoying time outside, and not just posing. Thank you so much for your advice, and also your wealth of knowledge. I have popped in here for the past 2 years and read threads, and look at the amazing pictures that you all take. Thank you so much for your assistance.

 

[VVFF]

Ok, so I just purchased this camera. I am brand new to dSLR, although I have used my dad's Nikon D60. My main question is: what is a "MUST HAVE" lens? I already know that I don't just want the kit lens 18-55mm. I think one of the first ones to buy is the 50mm. But not sure what else is kinda a must have.

I really enjoy photography. I have 3 young kids, 5, 5, and 3. So I want to be able to get pictures of them enjoying time outside, and not just posing. Thank you so much for your advice, and also your wealth of knowledge. I have popped in here for the past 2 years and read threads, and look at the amazing pictures that you all take. Thank you so much for your assistance.

How much do you want to spend, that's the biggest deciding factor. Realize that the 50mm F1.8 is slow focusing especially in low light so I wouldn't recommend it for use in servo mode with fast moving kids.

Other than that take your 55mm and set it a bit short of 55mm and see how you like it...you may find it long...you may find it perfect. Take pictures without changing it and see which suits you best.

Congrats on the T2i, it's a beast of a camera for the $$$. Probably the best high ISO camera at that price point right now actually.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks for all your really helpful suggestions and tips.

I'll take DH's lens' with me to the local cameral specialists and see if it does fit the Sony Alpha. I've also been looking at the Nikon and the Pentex....decisions, decisions!

YesDear - that's a very good thought about renting for a weekend. I'm not sure if there is any similar service here but will find out. And we have already considered the warranty thing. For us, in the unlikely event that something does go wrong, we will be able to bring it back to the US. DH's job is based in the US and he gets about 2 - 3 trips to SF per year. Post warranty period, all bets are off - irrespective what continent we live in

We will definitely look at a kit, if we purchase in the US. And yes - Memory cards, Memory cards, Memory cards (also cheaper in the US)....this trip is pure pleasure/vaca; so we won't have the PC to download the shots till we get home.

Before we head to WDW, we will have 2 days in Long Beach and 2 days in Miami/Everglades. So, that we would have this time to play with the new toy (if we hadn't hired one in Oz) before WDW, I was hoping to head to a camera shop in Cal after we pick up our bags and hire car....any recommendations for a good shop in the LA/Long Beach area? Buying over the internet and shipping to a hotel that we may stay in for 1 or 2 nights doesn't thrill me.

 

[photo_chick]

I love the 50mm f/1.8 and it's about the only lens I'd say to get right from the start.. mainly because at that price you just can't go wrong, IMO. I've never had any slow focusing issues with it. At least not any worse than with my other entry level lenses.

As far as other lenses... what is a must have for me might not be a must have for you. My advice is to see what shots you can't get with what you have, then go from there. There is no worse feeling than buying a lens and realizing a few months later it totally was not what you needed.

I almost got hte T2i but went for the 50D instead. All I can say is ISO 12800... sure it's noisy, but put on a fast lens and you can shoot in the dark which is pretty cool.

 

[DznyFan]

PrincessinOz, what Minolta SLR does he have, and what lenses?

 

[PrincessInOz]

He's got a Dynax 500Si and a 28 - 80 mm AF lens.

 

[bob100]

Ok, so I just purchased this camera. I am brand new to dSLR, although I have used my dad's Nikon D60. My main question is: what is a "MUST HAVE" lens? I already know that I don't just want the kit lens 18-55mm. I think one of the first ones to buy is the 50mm. But not sure what else is kinda a must have.
I really enjoy photography. I have 3 young kids, 5, 5, and 3. So I want to be able to get pictures of them enjoying time outside, and not just posing. Thank you so much for your advice, and also your wealth of knowledge. I have popped in here for the past 2 years and read threads, and look at the amazing pictures that you all take. Thank you so much for your assistance.

actually the Canon 18-55IS kit lens is a "MUST HAVE" lens!
for the price it's a good sharp zoom lens (check out the reviews)
congrats on the new camera!

 

[AbbysFamily]

actually the Canon 18-55IS kit lens is a "MUST HAVE" lens!
for the price it's a good sharp zoom lens (check out the reviews)
congrats on the new camera!

I agree with this one... I re-read the OP's message and made sure he said he didn't "JUST" want the kit lens (whew)... I have the T1i and I got a bundle with the kit lens and the 55-200IS (which is another REALLY good lens for the money). Read the reviews for both those lenses - I think they make a great combo. I did add the 50mm 1.8 too..

Now I'm pretty much set until I can justify the $$$ I want to spend every time I go into the UWA area. I just wish there was something UW in the $150 range. I'd even be happy with a fixed 10mm. I can't justify the $600 or more for one of those right now.

 

[boBQuincy]

Many people go for longer reach with Canon's 55-250. This lens is a great complement to the 18-55 and is a sharp lens (especially for the price). Unless we go for sports or wildlife the usage of a long lens may be somewhat limited but for when we just can't get closer there is no substitute.

On the other end we have the wide and ultra-wide lenses like Canon's 10-22 but they quickly get expensive.

 

[C&B Young]

I echo the recommendations for the 55-250 IS, that lens & the kit will cover most of the range you'll want to cover at first. The 50mm 1.8 is also a good lens to have in your bag, for $100 you just can't go wrong. Of course the more you start watching this thread you'll want an ultra-wide too!

 

[d_lairson]

I have the 28-135 IS and I love it! It has a great range and focuses fast, except in very low light situations. I use it almost 99% of the time.

 

[kateross]

There is a wide range of Canon T2i Accessories online. For example, straps, lens filters, underwater cases, etc.

 

[Iri920]

The lens that I keep on my camera most of the time is the Tamron 28-75mm. I pretty much use it for portraits and it does a great job at it but it you're looking to shoot a lot of landscape/scenery I would probably look for something wider.

 

[Zoesmama03]

My 50 is great for just one kid. But for more than one I'd probably recommend a sharp zoom. Of course I just got a used zoom and have really grown to love it. It does far better focus on multiple subjects than my 50 does. I must be doing something wrong because even if outside where I can close down aperture it seems to put one out of focus.

After trying my 80-200mm out I'd love to try out the 18-200mm.


The 30mm may be easier to get all the kiddos in without backing up as far and its pretty inexpensive.

 

[bonoriffic]

For the T2i a class 4 card is too slow. I was able to do HD video just fine with the card, but for general shooting it was too slow. I was waiting way more than I expected. I have a class 10 card coming tomorrow.

 

[VVFF]

For the T2i a class 4 card is too slow. I was able to do HD video just fine with the card, but for general shooting it was too slow. I was waiting way more than I expected. I have a class 10 card coming tomorrow.

Hate to tell you but that probably wasn't the card causing the slowdown as a class 4 is not too slow.

If you were shooting with flash that could be a reason, or if you were doing RAW.