Need Expert Camera Advice! Do I Buy Photoshop?-11/13/12

[havoc315]

As a dslr, it will perform better in low light than almost any point and shoot. On the crop body, the zoom lens will give you plenty of zoom. It really should do everything you are seeking. A co-worker if mine just took advantage of this deal, for his honeymoon in a few weeks.

B&H is closed (including website) Friday night to Saturday night.

 

[momof1princess]

As a dslr, it will perform better in low light than almost any point and shoot. On the crop body, the zoom lens will give you plenty of zoom. It really should do everything you are seeking. A co-worker if mine just took advantage of this deal, for his honeymoon in a few weeks.

B&H is closed (including website) Friday night to Saturday night.

thanks i'm taking advantage of the website shutdown to think it over and run the numbers.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

You cannot dismiss the T2i and 55-250 deal within your budget constraints, especially throwing the Canon Loyalty Program into the mix (20% more off the refurbed camera).

As for the difference between the T2i and the T3i, most people wouldn't turn around for the difference. I don't know anybody that ran out and sold their T2i to buy a T3i when it came out. I do know some people that started ditching T2is for the T4i but that's a different discussion.

The value of the rebated T3i is in the overall package. Don't get hung up on the merits of the 3 v. the 2, that's all I'm saying. Do you need a bag? Do you need a 16G SD card? Do you need a printer? The answer to all of those things is probably "Yes" but the question is do you need them right now... and, would these selections be the ones you would buy if you were purchasing them seperately and on your own.

I still think the T2i + 55-250 is your gig. Don't over extend yourself on this. The difference simply isn't worth it, probably. Certainly not camera for camera and that's what should really count here. If you're going to do that, there are T3is in the loyalty/refurb program too and for only a few dollars more.

My point is that you can hundred dollar your self to death playing this game. I know. I do it ALL the time. Draw a slightly moveable line in the sand and live with your decision, and don't second-guess it. You'll be happy with what you did if you learn to use the camera properly. That's still the most important thing.

Look, you've gotten some pretty good advice in the last couple of pages. Granted, I'm biased because I wrote a lot of what I'm calling good advice, but the fact of the matter is, the recommendations you have here will do what you want. Whether you are able to do what you want after implementing one of them is still up to you.

I can sit right here and rationalize and justify the 60D to you too, but you don't need it right now and you won't need it for the next couple of years either (at least). And you don't want to spend $1500+. Wanna talk about the new 6D? Got $2500 laying around? I've already everything but justified that one in my own mind, and I have to throw out the baby with the bathwater to do it, for the most part (long story, most lenses have to go too). Wanna hear that one? No. You don't.

Get the T2i and the 55-250. You will be thrilled and if you find a couple of years from now that your talents and needs have outrun your camera and technology, by that time, you will, for the most part, know what you want.

 

[havoc315]

You cannot dismiss the T2i and 55-250 deal within your budget constraints, especially throwing the Canon Loyalty Program into the mix (20% more off the refurbed camera)..

Am I missing something? If she doesn't qualify for the loyalty program, the price I see for the 2ti and lenses, is over $800.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

Am I missing something? If she doesn't qualify for the loyalty program, the price I see for the 2ti and lenses, is over $800.

I'm not sure where you got that from but I don't remember exactly. The store has been down for almost 24 hours so I can't see pricing right now.

Anybody that's got any Canon camera they're willing to send in qualifies. That's basically the only "qualification" there is and she's already said she has one she's willing to trade.

I want to say it was about $479 -20%= $383 for the camera and 18-55. There's no loyalty program discount for lenses.

Again, I can't see pricing right now and I doubt you can either.

Another option to keep everything on budget is to buy the T2i refurb under the loyalty program as a body-only and buy the 55-250 to go with it. You can pick up an entry-level walk-around lens anytime for practically nothing. She's loaded with options, and I never said the T3i bundle wasn't one of them. I'm just trying to keep the initial outlay low since it does seem to be somewhat of a limiting factor according to the OP.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

For the record and if I only had a $400 budget and it was firm, I'd still rather have the combination above (T2i with 18-55) than anything else out there in the price range even without the 55-250. Foot zoom with the right camera trumps zoom range with an inferior camera, IMO.

The 50-300 (I think?) can be had for even less but it is a FAR inferior lens to the 55-255 according to most anybody that's compared them side-by-side. I never have. I do have the 55-250, and while I'd much prefer the 70-200 2.8L, it works just fine until I can save up enough quarters to take the plunge.

 

[havoc315]

I'm not sure where you got that from but I don't remember exactly. The store has been down for almost 24 hours so I can't see pricing right now.

Anybody that's got any Canon camera they're willing to send in qualifies. That's basically the only "qualification" there is and she's already said she has one she's willing to trade.

I want to say it was about $479 -20%= $383 for the camera and 18-55. There's no loyalty program discount for lenses.

Again, I can't see pricing right now and I doubt you can either.

Another option to keep everything on budget is to buy the T2i refurb under the loyalty program as a body-only and buy the 55-250 to go with it. You can pick up an entry-level walk-around lens anytime for practically nothing. She's loaded with options, and I never said the T3i bundle wasn't one of them. I'm just rrying to keep the initial outlay low since it does seem to be somewhat of a limiting factor according to the OP.

That is a good value. And the 2ti is practically identical to 3ti.

On Amazon, the 2ti plus kit lens plus the 55-250 is $850 or so.
Didn't realize it was so much cheaper on the Canon site.

I will say, I wouldn't go with JUST the 55-250 -- you'd be missing wide shots way too often.

 

[momof1princess]

I'm not sure where you got that from but I don't remember exactly. The store has been down for almost 24 hours so I can't see pricing right now.

Anybody that's got any Canon camera they're willing to send in qualifies. That's basically the only "qualification" there is and she's already said she has one she's willing to trade.

I want to say it was about $479 -20%= $383 for the camera and 18-55. There's no loyalty program discount for lenses.

Again, I can't see pricing right now and I doubt you can either.

Another option to keep everything on budget is to buy the T2i refurb under the loyalty program as a body-only and buy the 55-250 to go with it. You can pick up an entry-level walk-around lens anytime for practically nothing. She's loaded with options, and I never said the T3i bundle wasn't one of them. I'm just trying to keep the initial outlay low since it does seem to be somewhat of a limiting factor according to the OP.

i DO have an old canon powershot A1100IS i can trade in. it's NOT broken, just a lousy camera, lol.

i figured it up yesterday when i looked at the links on the canon website, and the T2i (with kit lens) and the 55-250 lens would be $550.38, minus tax and shipping-i got this figure by multiplying the price of each by 20%, then adding the results together. i could probably swing that.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

i DO have an old canon powershot A1100IS i can trade in. it's NOT broken, just a lousy camera, lol.

i figured it up yesterday when i looked at the links on the canon website, and the T2i (with kit lens) and the 55-250 lens would be $550.38, minus tax and shipping-i got this figure by multiplying the price of each by 20%, then adding the results together. i could probably swing that.

Just remember that you don't get the discount on the lens.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

That is a good value. And the 2ti is practically identical to 3ti.

On Amazon, the 2ti plus kit lens plus the 55-250 is $850 or so.
Didn't realize it was so much cheaper on the Canon site.

I will say, I wouldn't go with JUST the 55-250 -- you'd be missing wide shots way too often.

I TOTALLY agree. I was just saying based on the parameters laid out in the first post, that is an option. I'd never do it either but a budget is a budget (I guess. That's part of my problem! ).

And don't forget: The one from the Canon site is a REFURB (albeit factory with factory 90 day warranty)

 

[momof1princess]

That is a good value. And the 2ti is practically identical to 3ti.

On Amazon, the 2ti plus kit lens plus the 55-250 is $850 or so.
Didn't realize it was so much cheaper on the Canon site.

I will say, I wouldn't go with JUST the 55-250 -- you'd be missing wide shots way too often.

fortunately, i don't really need to take wide shots - our band isn't that big other than during marching band season, the camera would just be used for family events (thanksgiving, Christmas) and vacations (disney, etc.).

 

[momof1princess]

Just remember that you don't get the discount on the lens.

oops! okay, that changes the game a little, but not too bad. i can't remember what the lens price was BEFORE i took off 20%.

 

[momof1princess]

so, what i'm understanding here is, if i get the refurb T2i from the canon website with just the kit lens, i'll still be in better shape than with a P&S?

because, if my math is correct, i can get the refurb T2i with the kit lens for $358.39, with the 20% loyalty program discount for my old camera. this would be AWESOME, and, combining some Christmas money, i could probably get the other lens right after Christmas for the Sugar Bowl trip.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

so, what i'm understanding here is, if i get the refurb T2i from the canon website with just the kit lens, i'll still be in better shape than with a P&S?

because, if my math is correct, i can get the refurb T2i with the kit lens for $358.39, with the 20% loyalty program discount for my old camera. this would be AWESOME, and, combining some Christmas money, i could probably get the other lens right after Christmas for the Sugar Bowl trip.

Ding. Ding. Ding.

 

[havoc315]

fortunately, i don't really need to take wide shots - our band isn't that big other than during marching band season, the camera would just be used for family events (thanksgiving, Christmas) and vacations (disney, etc.).

On the crop body, 55mm is more like 75mm - So if that was your only lens, then it would be the equivalent of always being zoomed in. It would be practically impossible to take indoor shots. Youd have to go all the way to the far side of the room to take a picture of the christmas tree. But as long as you also have the kit lens, you're fine.
As long as you're ok with the bulk of a dslr, this does sound like the ideal solution in your budget. The only accessories you will absolutely need, are 1 or 2 good memory cards and some sort of camera bag. You may want to eventually add a tripod, but not a necessity.

 

[momof1princess]

On the crop body, 55mm is more like 75mm - So if that was your only lens, then it would be the equivalent of always being zoomed in. It would be practically impossible to take indoor shots. Youd have to go all the way to the far side of the room to take a picture of the christmas tree. But as long as you also have the kit lens, you're fine.
As long as you're ok with the bulk of a dslr, this does sound like the ideal solution in your budget. The only accessories you will absolutely need, are 1 or 2 good memory cards and some sort of camera bag. You may want to eventually add a tripod, but not a necessity.

i'm good with the bulk of this particular camera - it doesn't look too bad. smaller than my friend's nikon DSLR. i will need a couple of memory cards (8Gb-16Gb, class 10, right?), but i have a camera bag that i think will work, and i'll keep my eyes open for a tripod.

okay, just so i'm clear, what is "crop body"? lol, i'm such a noob.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

i'm good with the bulk of this particular camera - it doesn't look too bad. smaller than my friend's nikon DSLR. i will need a couple of memory cards (8Gb-16Gb, class 10, right?), but i have a camera bag that i think will work.

okay, just so i'm clear, what is "crop body"? lol, i'm such a noob.

Class 6's are OK, even for video but 10's are arguably better. Almost all of mine are 6's if that matters. I have 2 x 10's for when the situation just can't take a chance but I hardly ever need them.

Get youself a couple of 8's (6x) and shoot large JPGs to begin with. Don't try to make the camera do everything it CAN do to begin with. You can't anyway. Learn with it and never forget, AUTO is not a curse word in a tight.

FYI, I'm a man and I have pretty small hands. I like the feel of my T2i and most women seem to prefer it over the larger bodies. Personally, even with my small hands, I still prefer the size of my 60D but that's just me.

"Crop" bodies are probably beyond the scope of what you need to know at this point, really. Seriously. What you need to know is that everything uder $2k is a crop body, basically. Look it up on Wiki if you must, but like I said, it really doesn't matter much to you at this point. Be warned: It's likely only going to confuse you at this point in your career. Walk first and learn to take bigger steps every day.

 

[momof1princess]

Class 6's are OK, even for video but 10's are arguably better. Almost all of mine are 6's if that matters. I have 2 x 10's for when the situation just can't take a chance but I hardly ever need them.

Get youself a couple of 8's (6x) and shoot large JPGs to begin with. Don't try to make the camera do everything it CAN do to begin with. You can't anyway. Learn with it and never forget, AUTO is not a curse word in a tight.

FYI, I'm a man and I have pretty small hands. I like the feel of my T2i and most women seem to prefer it over the larger bodies. Personally, even with my small hands, I still prefer the size of my 60D but that's just me.

"Crop" bodies are probably beyond the scope of what you need to know at this point, really. Seriously. What you need to know is that everything uder $2k is a crop body, basically. Look it up on Wiki if you must, but like I said, it really doesn't matter much to you at this point. Be warned: It's likely only going to confuse you at this point in your career. Walk first and learn to take bigger steps every day.

ah, i get it! "crop body" actually refers to the size of the camera body! gotcha! :

so, a couple of 8Gb, class 6 memory cards and i'll be good to go!

 

[WilsonFlyer]

ah, i get it! "crop body" actually refers to the size of the camera body! gotcha! :

Nope. Not at ALL.

so, a couple of 8Gb, class 6 memory cards and i'll be good to go!

Yes.

See bold above.

 

[momof1princess]

See bold above.

i see now boy, was i WRONG!

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=326872