Canon Rebel EOS Question

[TAKitty]

I am thinking about upgrading my point and shoot Cannon to something a little bit better. I was thinking about one of the Canon Rebels. Does it matter which model I get? I think Amazon has 3. Also, is this an ok upgrade? I don't know a lot about picture quality, but I'd like to be able to go to Fantasmic and have pictures turn out.

Thank you!

 

[Anewman]

I am thinking about upgrading my point and shoot Cannon to something a little bit better. I was thinking about one of the Canon Rebels. Does it matter which model I get? I think Amazon has 3. Also, is this an ok upgrade? I don't know a lot about picture quality, but I'd like to be able to go to Fantasmic and have pictures turn out.

Thank you!

When it comes to Canon EOS and DSLR cameras in general, IQ is very comparable be it a $399 body or a $2,000 body.

Lens selection and tripod is what will help most when shooting shows such as fantasmic.

Set a budget(including lens) and I am sure you will get lots of great recommendations.

 

[ukcatfan]

I am thinking about upgrading my point and shoot Cannon to something a little bit better. I was thinking about one of the Canon Rebels. Does it matter which model I get? I think Amazon has 3. Also, is this an ok upgrade? I don't know a lot about picture quality, but I'd like to be able to go to Fantasmic and have pictures turn out.

Thank you!

Please don't take this the wrong way, but it is clear that you don't know a whole lot about DSLRs and the details of photography in general. I am not saying you should not get a DSLR. I do think you should apply the brakes a little and do a lot more research before making this decision. It might turn out that Canon is not the best brand for you. I personally took almost six months of research before I actually pulled the trigger and bought one. I have not regretted the decision one minute, but if I had not taken that time I might have regretted it.

 

[photo_chick]

While a DSLR paired with the right lens can make getting the shot easier, you can get great shots with any camera if you know how. Even at events with more challenging lighting like Fantasmic. You will not be able to just pick up a DSLR and constantly get better shots than you did with your point and shoot unless you learn a little about photography. Knowledge is the key to getting the shots, not the camera.

Pretty much all of the DSLR's out are safe bets. If that's the route you want to go then I'd suggest first setting a budget. Include any additional lenses, batteries, memory cards, etc. that you might want to start off with in that budget. Then figure out what features you want. That should narrow down your list. Finally go to a store and hold the cameras that made your short list. which ever one feels the best in your hands, go with it.

 

[TAKitty]

Please don't take this the wrong way, but it is clear that you don't know a whole lot about DSLRs and the details of photography in general. I am not saying you should not get a DSLR. I do think you should apply the brakes a little and do a lot more research before making this decision. It might turn out that Canon is not the best brand for you. I personally took almost six months of research before I actually pulled the trigger and bought one. I have not regretted the decision one minute, but if I had not taken that time I might have regretted it.

You are correct. I don't know a lot about DSLRs, but I know that I want to upgrade from my point and shoot and I want to learn.

I plan to do more research, but thought I'd get an idea on a camera. I have had several Canon point and shoot cameras, and have liked the picture quality. I am thinking about staying with Canon because I do like the brand.

Thank you for the suggestions! I just got back from Disney and realized that before my summer trip I want to upgrade.

 

[ukcatfan]

I have had several Canon point and shoot cameras, and have liked the picture quality. I am thinking about staying with Canon because I do like the brand.

Canon is a great brand for DSLRs for many reasons, but being a fan of their p&s cameras is not one of the reasons. Don't even think about picture quality. You are going to get great quality out of any brand. You should pick a brand of DSLR based on the feel in your hands, the intuitiveness of the menu system, the affordability given your budget, your future aspirations, the availability of the lenses and other accessories you want, etc. etc. The image effects such as saturation, contrast, and things like that are more controlled by the user than the brand they pick. All are capable of incredible results in the right hands.

You might end up with Canon, and that would be a good decision, but then again you might not like Canon at all. I am not trying to influence your decision and have not even told you what brand I use. I want you to do some critical thinking and consider all brands so that you end up with the camera that is the best for you.

 

[Anewman]

You are correct. I don't know a lot about DSLRs, but I know that I want to upgrade from my point and shoot and I want to learn.

I plan to do more research, but thought I'd get an idea on a camera. I have had several Canon point and shoot cameras, and have liked the picture quality. I am thinking about staying with Canon because I do like the brand.

Thank you for the suggestions! I just got back from Disney and realized that before my summer trip I want to upgrade.

Just tell us a budget(lens included) and we will post what we would get...

 

[PrincessInOz]

You are correct. I don't know a lot about DSLRs, but I know that I want to upgrade from my point and shoot and I want to learn.

I plan to do more research, but thought I'd get an idea on a camera. I have had several Canon point and shoot cameras, and have liked the picture quality. I am thinking about staying with Canon because I do like the brand.

Thank you for the suggestions! I just got back from Disney and realized that before my summer trip I want to upgrade.

I'm currently shooting on a Canon dSLR so I'm a fan of the brand.
But ukcatfan has made some very valid points.

Don't pick the dSLR based on the brand. You will want to go into a shop and pick up a camera to play with the buttons and function keys. The camera you may like on paper may not suit your hands....

I certainly was thinking of buying a Nikon instead of the Canon. But the Nikon was just too big for me and I couldn't reach all of the buttons easily. The Pentax was also another brand that fitted my hands...but it didn't suit DH; and we ended up with the Canon instead.

 

[mikegood2]

I agree with ukcatfan and PrincessInOz about trying some cameras out at a store before purchasing. Also, do you have any friends with dSLR's? If so, you may want to look into buying the same brand as they do. They can be valuable resources in learning how to use the camera and also someone you could maybe borrowing lenses from. Which leads in to one of the biggest issues with dSLR's and that is lenses. Once you start investing in them, and the more you invest in them, the more you become locked into that brand. At the same time, don't let that scare you off, because Canon, Nikon, etc. all have great cameras.

As far as the Canon cameras at amazon, yes they are priced nicely at amazon and depending on you needs they should work fine. My canon is 3 or 4 versions old and it's still a great camera (although I want to upgrade it soon ). As far as the models, read the specs (features, speed, feel, megapixels, etc.) or feel free to ask more questions and I'm sure people will give you advice.

Now onto the harder question and that is what to get for lenses. I would suggest, and I'm sure some people would disagree, looking into getting the camera with the kit lens. While they may not be the best lenses, they are only about $100 more and you're not going to beat that price on a 18-55 IS lens. I would also look into the 50mm 1.8 lens at under $100 for a second lens.

Hope that helps.

 

[crz4mm2]

I jumped into the DSLR world with a Canon Rebel xt.
It's a GREAT camera and pretty easy to use. On Auto, it does a pretty good job of taking good pics all by itself
I learned a LOT with this camera. I did do some research before I bought it and it had pretty darn good reviews. I still think it is a great entry level camera.
I have not tried other brands, and maybe should have before I bought it.

I recently upgraded to a 7D...... wow. LOTS to learn (at least for me).

Good luck in your decision. Take a basic course if you can find one. It will really help. Hands on is the best teacher though (in my opinion!).

 

[bob100]

I am thinking about upgrading my point and shoot Cannon to something a little bit better. I was thinking about one of the Canon Rebels. Does it matter which model I get? I think Amazon has 3. Also, is this an ok upgrade? I don't know a lot about picture quality, but I'd like to be able to go to Fantasmic and have pictures turn out.

Thank you!

For the Rebel models you should be looking at the T2i (550D) or the T3i (600D)

 

[boBQuincy]

I am thinking about upgrading my point and shoot Cannon to something a little bit better. I was thinking about one of the Canon Rebels. Does it matter which model I get? I think Amazon has 3. Also, is this an ok upgrade? I don't know a lot about picture quality, but I'd like to be able to go to Fantasmic and have pictures turn out.

Thank you!

This was taken with a Canon Rebel Xsi, the closest current model is the T3 (no i) which is capable of getting Fantasmic photos that are at least this good (or better). I did use a high end lens for this, Canon's 70-200 f/4 L which is about $600. Canon's 55-250 costs about 1/3 that much and would do almost as well.

The T2i and T3i have a better sensor with more megapixels (and more $$$) although for most photos the 12 mp of the T3 are plenty.

 

[mikegood2]

This was taken with a Canon Rebel Xsi, the closest current model is the T3 (no i) which is capable of getting Fantasmic photos that are at least this good (or better). I did use a high end lens for this, Canon's 70-200 f/4 L which is about $600. Canon's 55-250 costs about 1/3 that much and would do almost as well.

The T2i and T3i have a better sensor with more megapixels (and more $$$) although for most photos the 12 mp of the T3 are plenty.

Very nice photo Bob, I have an xTi and if I (or anyone else) could end up with photos near that quality they should be very happy. I'm sure that lens helped, but did you shoot it with a tripod/monopod and what did you have you ISO set at? It looks nice and sharp, but I do notice a little noise, which I would expect shooting in that type of enviroment.

The T2i/T3i also would allow you do raise your ISO (allows your camera to shot faster, less blur, but your photos will be a little noisier/grainier) at night/indoors up, but still keep better detail. They also appear to have a nice menu/instruction system that would explain what the camera is doing and how it will effect your shot. the T3i also has an articulated screen (movable) which would be nice for shoot at some interesting positions and is also handy when shooting video.

 

[TAKitty]

This is all very exciting.

Thank you for the advice.

I haven't really thought about a budget yet. I can see that I have a lot more research to do.

 

[boBQuincy]

Very nice photo Bob, I have an xTi and if I (or anyone else) could end up with photos near that quality they should be very happy. I'm sure that lens helped, but did you shoot it with a tripod/monopod and what did you have you ISO set at? It looks nice and sharp, but I do notice a little noise, which I would expect shooting in that type of enviroment.

This was ISO 1600 (the limit for the Xsi) and I did not use any noise reduction (but maybe should have). Exposure was 1/180 @ f/4 and I used an ultralight (3 oz) monopod. My lens does not have IS and that would help.
After three generations the Xsi is getting a little old and ISO 1600 is midrange by now! I will probably get a 70D when they come out but for our OP this shows that any of Canon's current dSLRs can get good photos of Fantasmic.

 

[mikegood2]

This was ISO 1600 (the limit for the Xsi) and I did not use any noise reduction (but maybe should have). Exposure was 1/180 @ f/4 and I used an ultralight (3 oz) monopod. My lens does not have IS and that would help.
After three generations the Xsi is getting a little old and ISO 1600 is midrange by now! I will probably get a 70D when they come out but for our OP this shows that any of Canon's current dSLRs can get good photos of Fantasmic.

WOW, very impressive for 1600 ISO. I always get nervous shooting 800 or up (noise has always bothered me), but if my camera can get anywhere near that, I'd be very happy. May need to upgrade lightroom and take advantage of their noise reduction.

In the same boat with my xTi. Will probably upgrade to the t3i or 60D but doubt I'll be able to before my trip. To many other things I need like a new Point and shoot, travel/lightweight tripod...does the lists ever end?