Canon 550D (Rebel T2i, Kiss X4)

[bonoriffic]

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.

Nope it was the card. It arrived tonight. I've seen several reviews that Kingston class 4 under perform in Canon DSLRs. The new SanDisk Class 10 is probably overkill, but the Kingston card was unbelievably slow.

 

[MICKEY88]

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

if he has a dynax, it is autofocus and the lens will definitely work on the sony alpha cameras

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks. I've been looking at the Alphas as well, since your posts. We both love the Canon 550D; but were Minolta fans from way back.

I'm hoping for some opinions for how often a Canon camera needs to be sent back under warranty.

I've been investigating the Canon 550D and I've been provided with a website operating out of Oz where I can purchase this for about the same price as purchasing in the US. The thing is - the camera would be considered to be purchased on the "grey market" and the warranty is underwritten by the website company. I don't think that their service people are "Canon approved"....but aside from this, the warranty looks roughly equivalent to that offered by Canon. I would guess that the camera body comes from Asia.

The other side of the equation is purchasing the camera in the US. We would buy in California (most likely LA) and if my information is correct, in the unlikely event that something goes wrong, we would need to go back to California to have the warranty cover - no biggie because hubby has 2 - 3 trips a year to San Francisco. Plus, we have relatives in California (mine are in SoCal, his are in NoCal) that we could rely on to help out.

I've also looked at Adorama and B&H. Still waiting to see what kits come out. Can someone tell me if their warranty is Canon warranty or if they have their own service people?

This regional warranty that Canon has on the camera body is less than ideal. If I bought the camera in Oz, there is a $500 differential cf grey market/US purchase. I'd like to know if anyone has issues with Canon for this to make a great deal of difference....
(and no prizes for anyone suggesting I purchase a Nikon, with their international warranty; or the Sony Alpha either. The Nikon (5000)didn't suit either of our hands and we haven't ruled the Sony Alpha out of the equation).

Thanks in Advance.

BTW - We've been into the shops and had a play with the Canon and the Nikon. We both prefer the Canon in our hands; and hiring the Canon is EXPENSIVE here...it works out to about $100 per day.

 

[MICKEY88]

I don't think one brand is better than another reliability wise, they are just like any other piece of electronic equipment, they can work fine for years with no problems, or something can go wrong,

odds are the camera will be fine until the warranty expires..

another thing you might want to check into no matter what or where you buy is a mack warranty


http://www.mackcam.com/

 

[PrincessInOz]

Thanks all.

I went down to my favourite camera store in the city this week and had a friendly chat about cameras and the grey market. The guy suggested that I email him to get a quote for the 550D from them. I got the quote back today and would you know it...he's given me a great price. I can claim the duty tax back on the camera because I'm heading overseas and by the time I take this into account; and compare to US pricing (with adding shipping, and convert using an exchange rate of 87-88 cents to US pricing) there's about $50 - $75 difference between buying it in Oz vs Adorama/B&H. I'm prepared to pay the $50 - $75 more to buy it now and have the manufacturer warranty; plus local access in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.

I also took another look at the grey market pricing. The same camera/lens configuration is still cheaper than my friendly camera store but I would have bought the Mack Diamond International Warranty with it; and with shipping it ends up being $50 - $75 cheaper (same as the American pricing).

The only thing left for me to do is wait for 1 - 2 weeks. To claim the duty tax on the camera, I have to purchase this within 30 days of leaving the country.

Thanks again everyone.

 

[JPG]

First let me say I have lurked here on the photography forum for a long time and learned a lot from all of you! Now, I am trying to take my interest and ability to the next level. My 16 year old daughter had also become fond of photography and shooting video so we hope to learn and enjoy it together!

I just pulled the trigger on a new Canon T2i yesterday and can't wait for it to arrive. I am moving up from a Canon S2 IS and have a lot to learn but it will be fun I am sure.

I got the kit lens and I am gonna add a 55-250 to get us started. What else would you suggest? UV filters, lenses, whatever?? I have a nice bag and memory cards so what else?

Man am I excited!!!

 

[Mosca]

I've read a lot of good things about this camera; it packs a lot of features into a decent price. Congratulations!

Is the kit lens the 18-55? that is a pretty decent lens. I have some good telephoto lenses, but I never use them except shooting sports. When I got my first DSLR, the kit lens with it was 28-135, and I kept wishing for more reach... when I got into the gestalt of using it, the 28 wasn't really wide enough and I didn't care about reach at all.

I think for hardware, you should do exactly what you have planned; get the 55-250. If you are considering an on camera flash, DO NOT get the 430; not that it isn't a good flash, but the 580 is so much better, and costs only incrementally more. And, a GOOD tripod. Everyone has 3 tripods: the cheapest one they could get, then the best one they could find at Best Buy, and finally the one they should have gotten in the first place. Just order a Manfrotto and a decent ballhead and be done with it.

The only other thing I would recommend is either Aperture (Mac) or Lightroom (either Mac or PC). For the cost of a cheap lens you get a digital darkroom that will do everything except layers. It will do more for your work than any piece of hardware you can buy.

I think that covers my opinion, of things that I've bought that I consider worth it.

 

[VVFF]

I disagree with the PP on the comment regarding the flash. The 580ex and 430ex aren't all that different. I'll sum up the differences below:

Advantages of 580ex:
1 stop more power
Can rotate 180 degrees in both directions
Built in bounce card
Can aim slightly downward for more direct macro power
Can act as a flash commander

Most of these stops are pretty minor. I have shot in a very dark room at ISO100-200 with the 430ex bounced, so power isn't normally an issue. I will admit that the 430ex only rotating in 90 degrees to the right and 180 degrees to the left can be a bit annoying but it doesn't lose any functionality. Again, the built in bounce card is nice but nothing a notecard can't exceed in functionality. The rest of the features depends on what you need the flash to do.


OP I would recommend a flash, maybe a faster prime/macro lens. DEFINITELY replace the strap that comes with the camera, it makes so much of a difference for such a cheap price...trust me.

Don't worry about UV/protection filters on kit lenses. No point in my opinion. I would buy the hood for the lenses though.

Other than that, learn about the features of the camera so you are comfortable with all the features.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I wouldn't buy anything else yet. Learn to use what you have. Each new piece of gear is a new learning experience and creates new opportunities. Don't rush it. Most new photographers are tempted to gear up but you really want to load up with knowledge and experience first.

Once you're settled in with your new gear, here are the items I'd put at the top of my hit parade:

1) A polarizer - If you find yourself shooting outdoors a lot, get a polarizer. It'll give you a richer sky, fewer water reflections, and less glare.

2) A tripod - If you find yourself shooting things that don't move in low light, a tripod is invaluable. It can be helpful in other areas as well. You'll know you want one when your pictures just aren't as sharp as you'd like.

3) An external flash that can bounce. I agree that there are few advantages to the 580 over the 430. I've got both, so I know from real world experience, not just stats. One difference that was left out was that the 580 comes with a built-in diffuser. If you find yourself using lenses wider than 18mm, you'll either want the 580 or an aftermarket diffuser.

You'll know that you are ready for the flash when you can't get a high enough shutter speed to stop motion in your pictures without an unacceptably high ISO. You may also get one because you keep getting subjects that are dark against a light background and the internal flash doesn't have enough power to lighten the subject enough.

4) If you want to make your backgrounds more blurry or you want to take pictures in lower light without a tripod or flash, you want a fast prime lens. Start with the 50mm f/1.8 as it costs only $100.

5) If you wish that you could do more to make adjustments to your pictures or you take so many pictures that you want a better way to organize them, get software that is good at that. I prefer Adobe Lightroom.

6) If you want to be in your own pictures, get a small (tiny) tripod like a gorillapod and a wireless remote.

7) If you want to take pictures underwater, buy an underwater housing and some good strobes (it gets dark down there).

8) If you want to take pictures of things that are really far away, get the Canon 1200mm f/5.6 lens. I'd recommend a used one as they are pretty expensive. If you get one and don't like it, don't worry. I'll trade any Canon lens that you want for it.

 

[Mosca]

VVFF, I agree that the 430 is an excellent flash. The 580 is only $150 more, that is my only point. For me, I'll wait a little longer and get the better unit. If it was double the cost of the 430, well, no; I'd get the 430 and be done.

I know, I'm extrapolating my own purchasing philosophy on others, and of course what works for me doesn't necessarily work for you, or them. Looking at it objectively, the 430 would most likely work beautifully for just about anything an enthusiast would need to do. Either one is way better than the on-camera flash.

 

[VVFF]

I wouldn't buy anything else yet. Learn to use what you have. Each new piece of gear is a new learning experience and creates new opportunities. Don't rush it. Most new photographers are tempted to gear up but you really want to load up with knowledge and experience first.

Once you're settled in with your new gear, here are the items I'd put at the top of my hit parade:

1) A polarizer - If you find yourself shooting outdoors a lot, get a polarizer. It'll give you a richer sky, fewer water reflections, and less glare.

2) A tripod - If you find yourself shooting things that don't move in low light, a tripod is invaluable. It can be helpful in other areas as well. You'll know you want one when your pictures just aren't as sharp as you'd like.

3) An external flash that can bounce. I agree that there are few advantages to the 580 over the 430. I've got both, so I know from real world experience, not just stats. One difference that was left out was that the 580 comes with a built-in diffuser. If you find yourself using lenses wider than 18mm, you'll either want the 580 or an aftermarket diffuser.

You'll know that you are ready for the flash when you can't get a high enough shutter speed to stop motion in your pictures without an unacceptably high ISO. You may also get one because you keep getting subjects that are dark against a light background and the internal flash doesn't have enough power to lighten the subject enough.

4) If you want to make your backgrounds more blurry or you want to take pictures in lower light without a tripod or flash, you want a fast prime lens. Start with the 50mm f/1.8 as it costs only $100.

5) If you wish that you could do more to make adjustments to your pictures or you take so many pictures that you want a better way to organize them, get software that is good at that. I prefer Adobe Lightroom.

6) If you want to be in your own pictures, get a small (tiny) tripod like a gorillapod and a wireless remote.

7) If you want to take pictures underwater, buy an underwater housing and some good strobes (it gets dark down there).

8) If you want to take pictures of things that are really far away, get the Canon 1200mm f/5.6 lens. I'd recommend a used one as they are pretty expensive. If you get one and don't like it, don't worry. I'll trade any Canon lens that you want for it.

The 430ex has a built in wide angle diffuser unless you mean the bounce panel that only the 580ex has.

 

[boBQuincy]

I got the kit lens and I am gonna add a 55-250 to get us started. What else would you suggest? UV filters, lenses, whatever?? I have a nice bag and memory cards so what else?

Man am I excited!!!

Congratulations on your new camera, it is a good one and your lens selection is a great start. As for other items, get the lens hoods (although the 18-55 hood is not great) and get a circular polarizer (I think both of your lenses take the same size).

If you plan to do any tripod work then the RC-1 remote is a good item to have (and not very many $$$). A spare battery is nice, I prefer Canon.

 

[bob100]

First let me say I have lurked here on the photography forum for a long time and learned a lot from all of you! Now, I am trying to take my interest and ability to the next level. My 16 year old daughter had also become fond of photography and shooting video so we hope to learn and enjoy it together!
I just pulled the trigger on a new Canon T2i yesterday and can't wait for it to arrive. I am moving up from a Canon S2 IS and have a lot to learn but it will be fun I am sure.

I got the kit lens and I am gonna add a 55-250 to get us started. What else would you suggest? UV filters, lenses, whatever?? I have a nice bag and memory cards so what else?

Man am I excited!!!

nice upgrade!
I would hold off buying anything else until you get familiar with your camera and two lens - there will be plenty of opportunities to spend $$ !

 

[disneyboy2003]

8) If you want to take pictures of things that are really far away, get the Canon 1200mm f/5.6 lens. I'd recommend a used one as they are pretty expensive. If you get one and don't like it, don't worry. I'll trade any Canon lens that you want for it.

Of course, the only thing you neglected to mention about this lens is that a *used* copy already costs $120,000.00! Here's the link to B&H, if you were interested in buying one: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...n_2527A001_Super_Telephoto_1200mm_f_5_6L.html

And here's the demo video: http://www.video.bhphotovideo.com/?skin=oneclip&autoplay=true&fr_story=FRdamp354531

The other thing about this lens is that it might not be ideal for low-light photography because of its smaller aperture.

 

[JPG]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and suggestions. I am very excited to get started. My new toy is scheduled to be here tomorrow. Of course, I have to work, but I will be off for a long weekend this week so it should give me ample opportunities to get out and start learning. And, all the spring flowers are in full bloom here, so needless to say, I am looking forward to it!

Mark, WOW!!!! That's one BIG lens! I don't think it will be in my equipment bag for a while, LOL

As a side note, she sure is pretty!!! The lens I mean..


I definately want to add a circular polarizer. Any particular brand? I mean should I get a Canon brand, or other?

And also, a tripod. Mosca recommended a Manfrotto. Any other thoughts or model specific recomendations?

 

[Mosca]

Even within the Manfrotto line, there are so many choices. The rule with tripods is 1) light, 2) sturdy, 3) cheap; pick two.

Honestly, I was just answering the question as you asked it; I agree with those who took a more reasoned approach and suggested just learning to use what you have first.

 

[mom2rtk]

Thanks to all of you for your advice and suggestions. I am very excited to get started. My new toy is scheduled to be here tomorrow. Of course, I have to work, but I will be off for a long weekend this week so it should give me ample opportunities to get out and start learning. And, all the spring flowers are in full bloom here, so needless to say, I am looking forward to it!

Mark, WOW!!!! That's one BIG lens! I don't think it will be in my equipment bag for a while, LOL

As a side note, she sure is pretty!!! The lens I mean..


I definately want to add a circular polarizer. Any particular brand? I mean should I get a Canon brand, or other?

And also, a tripod. Mosca recommended a Manfrotto. Any other thoughts or model specific recomendations?

Can you IMAGINE what the circular polarizer would cost for that big lens????

 

[NateNLogansDad]

Can you IMAGINE what the circular polarizer would cost for that big lens????

I think I'm going to have my "Man Card" pulled, but I thought the exact same thing at first

 

[VVFF]

Since we've had a few member's buying this camera lately I thought a review might be of use to those still trying to figure out what camera they want.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos550d/

For those wanting just the end conclusion:

All in all, the EOS 550D is the most compelling DSLR of its class that we've ever tested.It is hard to imagine how much more we might realistically expect from a product of this type, and although the improvements that Canon has made over the EOS 500D aren't revolutionary, the 550D is a better camera than its predecessor. In terms of both still and video capture, the 550D is currently the best camera of its type on the market.

Definitely a pretty impressive showing as I have thought since the first stats came out and knowing that it borrows much from the 7D. I certainly wish I had the high ISO performance of the 550 which is about 1 stop or so better than the 50D.

 

[sschu717]

The T2i is a great camera. I picked one up on Monday but haven't had a chance to really test it. So far, though, I really like the photos it takes. And the videos, they are really good, too. I thought I would never want a video camera in my DSLR -- I was wrong.

The high ISO performance is excellent. Snapping the first pics right out of the box were surprising.

For a while I've been looking to upgrade from a Sony A330. I was torn between the D90 and the T1i. Then a co-worker made me realize that either camera owning either camera would be a win. So, since the D90 is getting long in the tooth, I opted to go with the T2i.