if this does not work i'll try again tonight

Sunidaze

i really want to get a good camera before baby comes. i want to hear about canon rebels and equivilant. pros, cons. what i would need to purchase to start. level of difficulty of use. anything else i should know. obviously on my phone right now (lunch break) but will check back tonight. thanks!

Merin

I love Canons.  You can get a Rebel XS kit for close to $500, and that's a great entry-level DSLR.  The only things that you must have to start are the camera, a lens and a memory card (The XS uses SD cards).  Oh, and probably something to carry it around in...  though I used a reusable grocery bag for months...

You can (and definitely will want to!) upgrade later with more lenses, an add-on flash, extra memory, etc. but you don't need any of that to start.

It's very easy to use if you stick to the automatic modes, but you can also delve into the manual modes and really gain control over the quality of your photos!

LMK if you have any questions!

houndbaby

I love my Nikons. I think the entry level ones out right now are the D3100 and the D5000. I'm not sure what the price is on those two, I think the D5000 is a little less expensive because it's an older model that is going to be replaced sometime soon.

What you need, really depends on how you plan to use it. Most places sell kits that come with the camera body, battery, and 1-2 lenses, sometimes they come with a bag too. If you just plan to keep the camera on auto all the time to take snapshots, you may not ever feel the need to upgrade lenses or to invest in a different flash.

The level of difficulty to use the camera also depends on how you plan to use the camera. If you just want to keep it on auto mode, it's pretty simple to use.

JillBean78

I got the Canon Rebel XS with the kit lens for $479, no tax, free shipping, I bought it online.  I LOVE it!!!  I mostly shoot in auto, but the difference in pictures is amazing.  It is a great entry level SLR.  You can always add lenses later.

I bought a nice bag from Overstock for $12

Try Target.  I saw the camera there on sale the other day for $479.  B&H is a good place too.

I really thought I needed the Canon Rebel t2i or t1i but after talking to some camera savvy moms in my moms group they assured me that higher megapixels does not = better.  I am very happy with my choice.  Not to mention the 2 cameras I just mentioned cost about $200-300 more than the xs.  They told me to spend the money I was saving by getting the xs on a cooler lens later on.

I also scored an 8 GB memory card black friday for like $12. 

Ron*N*Kel

One of these days we will be investing in one also. I love this site: http://www.bestcovery.com/digital-cameras

 You can compare and review. I really want the Canon EOS Rebel T2i but w/ an $800 price tag we will see. )

JillBean78

I *think* the T2i and T1i also take video, but we already have a nice video camera so it wasn't important to me.

So that is something to think about too.  You will want a video camera for the baby.  If you don't have a video camera it might be worth the $200-$300 extra for one of those models.

Sunidaze

I'm not big on video so that's really not much of a priority.  For all the video I'm interested in taking, i think the Flip I got will be just fine (besides the fact that I let DH borrow it for an FOP golf outting last year and he cracked the lens when he dumped a golf bag). 

I'm just tired of having craptastic digital cameras - my cell phone seems to take much better pictures than I've been able to get out of an actual camera these days.  I'd like to be able to put together the occasional photo album as keepsakes for myself and a few other select people (the moms, my grandmother...that sort of thing) and whatever else.  I'd like to have a camera that I can have a little fun with and get creative with.  Or maybe I'm just a dork.

sparker298

I was in the market for a new point and shoot about 4 years ago when DH suprised me w/ the Rebel XI.  I love it for reasons, it shoots so fast and takes great pix. The major down side is it is so big and so much bagage to tote around, it wasn't bad w/ 1 child, but w/ 2 kiddo's I find myself not taking the camera out to often, just w/ so many other ensombles we take w/ us, its like do I want to lug the camera too. I do love the camera and we haven't required a new one since.  Prior it was like 6 months after we had a PandS it seemed crappy compared to whatever was new, where i feel like even though my camera is prob 4 years old it still keeps up w/ the newer models.  Other downside is expense.  If you want to buy separate lenses they are $400 plus so I have just 2 other lenses and then I have a external flash.. None of which were cheap. I guess i'm just glad we bought all that we did pre-kids because there is no way now we could afford any of that now.  So im not saying don't get one, I'm just saying things to think about. 

sparker298

now that i'm thinking of it I guess its been more like 5 years at least.. so I guess that is good 1 camera in that many years.

JillBean78

Brandi- visit my blog, I just put a post up, now the 1st two pictures were taken with my high quality $250 advanced P&S (also a Canon) and last year I'd have said those were great pics.  The last two are taken with my Canon Rebel XS, both shot in auto mode.

The difference in quality is huge.

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