Canon SLR question for all you experts!

[Jozymouse]

Hello,

I`m in the process of buying an older SLR model: CANON DIGITAL EOS REBEL XT with 8MP. What I like about it is that its small and very cheap for an SLR.

I was shopping on the net and 2 options are given to me when buying this camera, it either comes with a EF 28-90 mm Zoom Lens or a EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens . And, of course, I have no clue what either ones are ......

Can anyone help me out?

My main goal is to take it with me to Disneyland and taking pictures of parades (day and night), Fantasmic and general castle, character etc pictures.

Also, does anyone know, how long the NB-2LH Battery Pack lasts? Should I consider buying a second battery pack?

Last but not least, if you think this camera wont do the job, can you recommend another SLR camera within the $500-600 range?

Thank you all !!!!!!!

 

[DawnM]

IS means Image Stabilization. I have been looking at these too!

Hoping you get some more answers as I am still learning.

Dawn

 

[jann1033]

i have the rebel xt. it's a nice little entry level camera. it's a few yrs old, the next model was the xti which has a sensor cleaner and a few more mp. you can find those fairly cheap now to since the xsi is out. what brand is the first lens? I think the second is( http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-S-17-85mm-f-4-5.6-is-usm-lens-review.aspx) getting decent reviews but it is better for outdoors, normal light shots. what is the f stop of the first lens? it would be good to have something a little lower than the 5.6 at the longest length but it's ok for a general type lens. the efs means it can't be used on a full frame body, but that you can use it on the rebels and the 20/30/40 d models so imo not a big deal. the is is always a nice feature to have. at any rate you can pick up a 50mm f1.8 canon for around $80-100 new so you could get that for low light needs along with either of the others. all the photos in my zenfolio link were taken with a rebel xt
if number one is a canon, it's old and pretty cheap so i'd go with the 17-85

 

[Jozymouse]

Thank you so much for your help!!!!!

 

[gometros]

Why buy used when you can get a new camera and lens in that price range? Check out the SONY Alpha A300 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545827-REG/Sony_DSLRA300K_Alpha_DSLR_A300_SLR_Digtial.html
or the Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm lens http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545827-REG/Sony_DSLRA300K_Alpha_DSLR_A300_SLR_Digtial.html
Both are good cameras.

 

[jann1033]

Why buy used when you can get a new camera and lens in that price range? Check out the SONY Alpha A300 http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545827-REG/Sony_DSLRA300K_Alpha_DSLR_A300_SLR_Digtial.html
or the Nikon D40 with an 18-55mm lens http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/545827-REG/Sony_DSLRA300K_Alpha_DSLR_A300_SLR_Digtial.html
Both are good cameras.

i may have missed something, i don't see where she said it was used? the 17-85 lens is on sale now for around $450so if the camera isn't much over that it seems like it's worth it.

 

[Jozymouse]

The one i'm planning to buy is not used, its just a model that is no longer being manufactured, but its brand new. Thanks!

 

[MICKEY88]

if you don't mind buying a demo model b& h has this deal... for 599...


http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/559023-DEMO/Sony_DSLRA200W_Alpha_DSLR_A200_SLR_Digital.html

 

[boBQuincy]

28 is not very wide on a Rebel, 17 might be preferable to get some wide angle shots.
Also, neither of these lenses is very fast which limits their usefulness for low light work (like night parades). Fortunately Canon's lowest cost lens (50mm f/1.8) *is* good for low light work and at less than $100 it might be a good solution.

We have a Xt and the battery lasts for hundreds of images, however we take many hundreds so we always carry a spare battery. Check dpreview.com to get an idea of how many shots they got on a battery.

 

[jann1033]

28 is not very wide on a Rebel, 17 might be preferable to get some wide angle shots.
Also, neither of these lenses is very fast which limits their usefulness for low light work (like night parades). Fortunately Canon's lowest cost lens (50mm f/1.8) *is* good for low light work and at less than $100 it might be a good solution.

We have a Xt and the battery lasts for hundreds of images, however we take many hundreds so we always carry a spare battery. Check dpreview.com to get an idea of how many shots they got on a battery.

i concur with bob about the battery, i always start with a fully charged one and think i have only changed it once during a day ( i usually take at least 200-300+ photos in a day if we are on vacation or something) and then it was because i forgot to recharge/change batteries before i started. usually i have more than a 1/2 fully charged one when i get home. i have 3 batteries but usually 2 just sit in my bag in case disaster strikes it's always good to have atleast one spare though

 

[ukcatfan]

You never mentioned where it was from that I saw. Be careful b/c there are ten times more scam artists in online camera sales than honest retailers. Check Reseller Ratings before you buy.

If you go with Canon, then be sure to plan the extra $100 for the 50mm f/1.8.

Unless you can find a Nikon D50, they are probably not going to be your best option b/c their low cost 50mm will not auto focus on the D40, D40x, or D60 (i.e. the low cost bodies). The cheapest low light lens for those models is about $400, so your budget is way over.

If you go with Pentax or Sony, you would probably have to go with a used lens to get in your budget. I do not think it is possible to get a low light lens for your budget with Olympus.

 

[Jozymouse]

Thanks everyone! I will look into buying a second battery and a 50mm f/1.8 lens

ukcatfan: I am not planning to buy it online. I saw it at the Costco warehouse for a good price Thanks for yoru advise!

 

[gometros]

i may have missed something, i don't see where she said it was used? the 17-85 lens is on sale now for around $450so if the camera isn't much over that it seems like it's worth it.

You're right. I read "older" and translated it in my mind to used. Sorry about that.

 

[DawnM]

I don't know how much the one you are looking at is....but Costco.com has the newer 12 mpx with an 18mm-55mm IS lens AND a 2 gig memory kit for a reasonable price.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1

 

[Jozymouse]

28 is not very wide on a Rebel, 17 might be preferable to get some wide angle shots.
Also, neither of these lenses is very fast which limits their usefulness for low light work (like night parades). Fortunately Canon's lowest cost lens (50mm f/1.8) *is* good for low light work and at less than $100 it might be a good solution.

We have a Xt and the battery lasts for hundreds of images, however we take many hundreds so we always carry a spare battery. Check dpreview.com to get an idea of how many shots they got on a battery.

Hi again, theirs a EF 50mm f/1.8 II Autofocus Lens on Ebay for $60+ is that the same lens that you are referring too? Also, please confirm that I should use this lens to take pictures from Fantasmic, Parade of Dreams when it plays in the evening and Main Street Electrical Parade. Should I also use this lens to take pictures (without flash) in Disney attractions? The lens that I have right now is the EF-S 18 – 55 mm Lens that came with the camera. Thanks again!!!!

 

[jann1033]

you can get them $80 new in stores( sorry i think i was looking on adorama, ) so if it's used i'd spend the 20+ if it were me.

 

[Jozymouse]

The problem is that i'm in Canada and the shipping is like $40 so its still comes up to be expensive. If I buy it here at Best Buy its $130 + 15% taxes.
We are going for a few days to New York in August so i'll see if I can get a deal at a store there so that would save me the shipping. Thanks for your great advise!

 

[jann1033]

sorry should have seen Montreal and gotten a clue...
but NYC NY? if so http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ndard+(40mm+to+65mm)&basicSubmit=Submit+Query bet you could spend a whole vacation there not to mention the whole vacation budget

 

[Jozymouse]

jann1033..thanks for the store. That will be my best bet at $89 + taxes and no shipping!!!!! The story of my life is to spend my vacation budget on cameras, video cameras etc. My boyfriend tells me that I should choose between the camera and the trip but then if I buy the camera and I dont go on a trip well I dont think its worth it since my main goal is to take Disney pix with the new camera. Then the other way around wont do either since I want NICE pictures during my trip. I just cant win!!! So I have no choice getting it all!!!!!

 

[gometros]

sorry should have seen Montreal and gotten a clue...
but NYC NY? if so http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...ndard+(40mm+to+65mm)&basicSubmit=Submit+Query bet you could spend a whole vacation there not to mention the whole vacation budget

I work for B&H and I can assure you, you CAN spend a day at the store. Like WOD and FAO Schwarz, it is a popular tourist attraction.