Hi..new to board with a question

[Pooh667]

Hi,

I am new to this board. We are taking the Alaska cruise in Aug. I would like to get a new camera, a SLR. I have never had one before and I like Canons. Is the EOS Rebel 2 a good camera? I need something that is fairly easy to use. Also can anyone recommend a good website that has discounts for cameras? Thanks for any information you can give me.

 

[Shutterbug]

Hi and welcome

For DSLR's whats your price range you want to spend?

On the low end of the price range, I would not get a Rebel. I would go for at least the T1i or the newer T2i as those offer video capability.

Check out B&H photo and Adorama for prices.

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Welcome. Two things I would recommend. First, if you've never had a DSLR I would take a little time to look at all the brands. Why? Because when you purchase a DSLR you are buying into a system. You want to ensure that system will fit your needs. These cameras and accessories are not cheap and it quickly can get expensive if you want to change systems. Ergonomics are very important. If the camera is uncomfortable you will resist using it. Its important that you handle the different cameras to ensure the buttons are where you need them to be. Obviously, Canon and Nikon are the two largest, followed by Pentax, Sony. Olympus has their 4/3 and mirrorless system (I'm not as familar with the Oympus brand than I am with the others).
Second, be careful with your online camera purchases. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Two of the best are the previously mentioned B & H and Adorama. There is always Amazon, which uses various vendors. I have had a friend who uses Abes of Maine and has had good luck.

After your purchase is when the work begins because then you will learn how to use the tool called a camera. Since all the camera brands will take good pictures, its the photographer who makes the difference. There are some good ones here who are free with their advice. It takes a little studying and practice. Good luck and feel free to ask any questions.

 

[ukcatfan]

I think the OP is looking at the Rebel II film camera. There is no DSLR that was called a Rebel 2 and the post says SLR, not DSLR.

As for websites, I suggest B&H and Adorama.

 

[rtphokie]

Are you looking to buy a digital SLR or one that uses film?

 

[Pooh667]

First thank you so much for the replies and information!

My post only shows how much of a novice with cameras I really am. I am red in the face because I didn't even post the right camera. I am interested in getting the EOS Rebel T2i EF-S 18-55mm IS Kit. I saw someone using it at a New Years Eve party. I thought it looked nice and she was saying it took good pictures. I think I will go to Best Buy to actually feel the camera. I am sorry for not posting the right camera.

Thanks.

 

[ukcatfan]

The T2i is a nice beginners camera. I do suggest taking the advice given earlier and consider all brands when making a decision. Basically, all entry level models have similar specs and all can produce excellent pictures in the right hands. Without knowing how to use it correctly though, some people end up with worse pictures than their p&s cameras produced and end up frustrated.

Be sure to do plenty of research and also plan out your next steps to make sure you are willing to make the future investments. For some brands, even wanting a particular lens in the future could mean significant price differences. Without planning ahead like that, you might end up spending more than you needed to spend just because you picked one brand over another. Just because one person really likes their camera, that do not make it the right camera for you.

I suggest looking at the Canon T1i and T2i, Pentax K-x and K-r, and Nikon D5000 and D3100. You should also consider Sony and Olympus, but I do not know the current model numbers for them.

 

[zackiedawg]

Current Sony model numbers that would be equivalent to the above would be the Sony A550, A580, A33, and A55.

Another consideration if you're not likely to become a real camera afficianado would be to consider one of the mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras - these have a more limited lens selection, more compact bodies, and often less overall controls - but come very close or the same in image quality and high ISO performance as DSLRs, just in a more simplified package that works like a P&S camera. Ones to consider might be the Sony NEX3 and NEX5, the Olympus Pen EP-L1, and the Panasonic GH1 or G2.

Definitely consider all brands. There simply is not a single brand or model of camera that is superior to all others, or that perfectly fits the needs of all people. So handle as many as possible, feel comforted that the performance and image quality is so small between them that virtually noone would ever notice, and pick the one with the features, feel, and price that best fits you.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

It's all about what you want to spend. Normally a good DslR setup including a spare battery and memory cards will set you back about $600 or more. depending on the lens.

I used my Sony A55 on vacation alot, I like it because of the articulating screen. But if you are going to Alaska, you may want a longer zoom lens, which you can either rent or buy. I would suggest looking at the 70-200 is f/2.8 which is one of the most popular canon lenses out there, but it's also 2 grand. The budget version is the 55-250mm.

But most important, go out and look at the camera and hold it, if it's uncomfortable, you won't enjoy shooting with it.

 

[Pooh667]

Thank you so much for all of the advice!! I am going to research and handle many different cameras before I make a decision. I appreciate all the makes and models you have mentioned. I will look into them. Thanks again.

 

[sbaird]

A REALLY Great site to read on camera choices and lens and more is Ken Rockwell. Highly Recommend reading his reviews when deciding on which camera and lens you choose.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

 

[ukcatfan]

A REALLY Great site to read on camera choices and lens and more is Ken Rockwell. Highly Recommend reading his reviews when deciding on which camera and lens you choose.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

Sorry, and nothing against you sbaird, but that guy is the biggest loony bird in the photography business. He is seriously insane. There is some good information on his site, but it is impossible to tell the good information from the insanity if you are not already familiar with photography. Beginners should stay away from there.

 

[rtphokie]

This tool: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp might help you. Play with the settings to narrow things down, anything that doesn't make sense, just leave as the default.

 

[AlbertZeroK]

Sorry, and nothing against you sbaird, but that guy is the biggest loony bird in the photography business. He is seriously insane. There is some good information on his site, but it is impossible to tell the good information from the insanity if you are not already familiar with photography. Beginners should stay away from there.

Agreed. And most of his reviews include a buy it now button that gives him a referral fee (he makes money off it.) He is clearly a Nikon Fan Boy and disregards the simplest of things. My favorite part is where he says the 35mm f/1.8 is great for shooting in the dark without a flash, but he doesn't mention the reduction in the depth of field which could make group shots blurry.

 

[boBQuincy]

Since the OP mentioned Canon's Rebel T2i, one of the interesting things Canon has done is to put the same sensor in their entry level line (T2i); their mid-range line (60D); and their top line APS-C camera (7D). In other words the image quality is identical in all these models (over a price range of about 2:1), something no other camera manufacturer has done (that I am aware of).

 

[C&B Young]

I shoot Canon, and the T2i is a great camera - it shares many features with the Canon 7D. For a beginner the T1i is certainly no slouch either and runs about $150 less. If money were no object I'd certainly go with the T2i though.

 

[ukcatfan]

Since the OP mentioned Canon's Rebel T2i, one of the interesting things Canon has done is to put the same sensor in their entry level line (T2i); their mid-range line (60D); and their top line APS-C camera (7D). In other words the image quality is identical in all these models (over a price range of about 2:1), something no other camera manufacturer has done (that I am aware of).

This is true, but that said some of its features are getting a little long in the tooth. I think they are pretty good for the T2i, but the 7D is in need of an upgrade soon. The highest ISO is only 12800. My lowly Pentax K-x has that and is only $500. The latest Pentax K-5 has 51200 and the Nikon D7000 has 25600. The sensor on the Canon has slightly more pixels, but it is not very many.

Basically what I am trying to say is that them sharing the same sensor is a decent thing at the low end, but not so impressive at the high end. Also, the comparable sensor in the current Pentax entry level has better high ISO performance. The Canon does take the top spot in number of pixels, but again I don't see that as some great advantage.

Note to the OP: This is not a fight between us on here. Many of us have been on here a long time and know each other well enough that we can discuss this stuff without hostility

 

[boBQuincy]

This is true, but that said some of its features are getting a little long in the tooth. I think they are pretty good for the T2i, but the 7D is in need of an upgrade soon.

Indeed. I see it in pretty much the same light, where this sensor may be a bargain in the T2i but to use the same sensor in a $1500 camera may not be the best marketing strategy. The Sony sensor used in the current Pentax and Nikon 7000 appears to outdo Canon's best APS-C sensor in several areas, including dynamic range and color depth.

If I weren't knee deep in Canon lenses I might consider a brand change but having the top sensor performance doesn't last long and Canon is rumored to have a lot of surprises in store for CES this month!

 

[Pooh667]

Thanks again for all the info!

I didn't think you all were fighting. When you start to talk to each other I only understand about 1/4 of it but that is good because I am starting to research all the terms you are saying.