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Canon Rebel (or other DSLR owners)...questions

After a bit of research, I think I've decided on a Canon Rebel XSi 10.1mp.  It fits my budget and from what I understand, unless I'm going to be printing large photos or doing miniscule cropping, I won't notice a difference from the 12.2mp.  I just want it to take photos of Georgia, the dogs, and photos for my blog.

I also want to get a 50mm 1.8 lens...I think.

My questions:

  • Any reason why you think I should go for a different model camera? My research is just based on what I've found online and in a couple of books.
  • Does anyone have the lens I listed?
  • What lenses do you use and what do you use them for (portraits vs. action, etc)?
  • What is a good price for the camera - basically, should I buy now or wait for deals to come up around Christmas? Are there kits available now?  The extra memor card, bag, etc...even the not so great additional lens, would be nice to have.

Re: Canon Rebel (or other DSLR owners)...questions

  • I got mine at Costco and they always have pretty good deals. Right now they have a deal for the body with the kit lens and an instructional dvd for $650 plus you get the great Costco warranty.

    I have the 50mm 1.8 lens and like it but I just use my camera casually.

    I really liked this tutorial, fwiw. Super helpful.

    image
  • The 50mm 1.8 is an excellent value. It was the first lens I bought and I used it as my multipurpose lens for a long time, sleeping baby and food.
  • I have a Nikon DSLR. Just make sure you do your research on the lens thing. I bought the kit including a lens, and I so wish I would have bought the camera body alone and hand-picked a lens or two. I don't know what lens(es) I would have gotten because lenses confuse the heck out of me, and I need to do more research. But I don't really like the kit lens that came with mine.

    I do have the 50mm 1.8, and I LOVE it for close-up shots inside. I also bought an external flash (a very simple, small, relatively cheap one), and it makes all the difference in the world when it comes to taking pictures inside. I can't imagine going without it now.

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  • I already printed the Two Peas tutorial and reserved Understanding Exposure at the library.  I want to read it ASAP.  I may have to wait a few months to buy my camera (dumb tree growing money is apparently impacted by the drought Stick out tongue) but I'm going go ahead and learn all I can so I'll be ready to go when I do buy it.
  • I also got mine at Costco.  I have the 50mm/1.8 and use it for taking cake pictures.  I really like it.
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  • I tried to buy the XSi before Christmas and couldn't find it anywhere, and ended up going with the T1i.  I like the T1i fine, except it has video which I find way awkward to use so I just don't.

    I have the 50mm 1.8 lens and never use it.  It's too tight inside my house; I can't get far enough away from the subjects indoors to take any good pics with it.  I recently got the Sigma 30mm which I'm much happier with (unfortunately, it's a lot more expensive).  I plan to sell the 50mm.

    I mostly use the Sigma indoors w/o a flash, and the kit lens outside.

    My T1i and 18-55mm lens was $600 at Walmart, beginning of Dec.  It came with a bag, memory card...I don't remember what else.  I bought a neoprene case for my camera when I take it places b/c I don't like dragging the bag full of junk with me.  That way I can throw it in my purse and not worry about it getting dinged up.

    I do plan to get a zoomier lens, b/c I noticed my kit lens didn't zoom in enough for Ian's school performance even though I was seated near the front, but I haven't really looked around and am not in a big hurry to get that.

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  • If you are willing to buy one used, my partner is selling her rebel with the kit lens and extra batteries and a lot of other stuff for a super good price.  She takes really  good care of her gear and it has a TON of life left to it. And I may be selling my 50mm because I just don't use it.
    image
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  • I don't know anything about Canon's for the most part. But it's just a box that catches light so it shouldn't matter in my opinion if you're not buying it for professional use. Long term wear and tear, Nikon makes a stronger body. I've submerged one of mine, twice... Both times it survived. A Canon would not have survived because the body casing is different.

    That prime is good, but just remember you're locking yourself into a prime. A 24-70, 2.8 would be a better choice for me. I have 16 lenses and that's the second most used lens I have. But, if you like the way the 50 shoots, then you should get whatever you're going to be happy with.

     Good luck with whatever you pick. Happy shooting!

  • here's a blog i wrote last year on this subject:

    http://monkey-tree-photography.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-you-want-for-christmas-is-dslr.html

    good luck!  and if you can spring for the 50mm f/1.4 instead of hte 1.8, do it.

    also, i don['t recall if i wrote it in the blog or not, but check the buy and sell forum on pixtus.com for people selling gear. 

  • And you can go on and start following the Two Peas guide now.  I don't have dSLR, but I do have an advanced point and shoot (whatever that means) and I was able to do a lot of the Two Peas tutorials.  It really helped me learn to use my camera a lot better and think it made me a much better photographer.
  • image04JaxBride:

    here's a blog i wrote last year on this subject:

    http://monkey-tree-photography.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-you-want-for-christmas-is-dslr.html

    good luck!  and if you can spring for the 50mm f/1.4 instead of hte 1.8, do it.

    also, i don['t recall if i wrote it in the blog or not, but check the buy and sell forum on pixtus.com for people selling gear. 

    Jax, thank you for writing this & sharing it on here again.  It's very clear and helpful!

  • image04JaxBride:

    here's a blog i wrote last year on this subject:

    http://monkey-tree-photography.blogspot.com/2010/11/all-you-want-for-christmas-is-dslr.html

    good luck!  and if you can spring for the 50mm f/1.4 instead of hte 1.8, do it.

    also, i don['t recall if i wrote it in the blog or not, but check the buy and sell forum on pixtus.com for people selling gear. 

    That's where I started my research.  :)  I'm not sure if the 1.4 will fit into my budget, but I'm going to look around for a good used one.

  • imageMrs.JulesH-S:
    If you are willing to buy one used, my partner is selling her rebel with the kit lens and extra batteries and a lot of other stuff for a super good price.  She takes really  good care of her gear and it has a TON of life left to it. And I may be selling my 50mm because I just don't use it.

    Can you email me at themunns at gmail or have her shoot me an email?

  • imagekat.in.the.hat:
    And you can go on and start following the Two Peas guide now.  I don't have dSLR, but I do have an advanced point and shoot (whatever that means) and I was able to do a lot of the Two Peas tutorials.  It really helped me learn to use my camera a lot better and think it made me a much better photographer.

    I'm going to start reading it today.  I'm thinking I may be able to do some of hte stuff on my P&S and hold off until someone buys  me a DSLR for Christmas.  What P&S do you have?  Ours cost $200 so maybe it's advanced too, ha!

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