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Canon 50D or Rebel T1i with 18-55mm lens
Ok. So I am JUST starting out. This will be my very first SLR! I have posted a previous thread and got amazing advice. But this is the final choices. Honestly, it is based on prices and reviews.
I will be using this camera for mostly portraits and of course my own personal hobby photos. I am looking for best value, EASY to learn (but also grow with) and affordability of all the "follow-up goodies" that I will need!
I see that a lot of people like the HD video option of the Rebel, but honestly I can't say that it makes a difference to me.
Thank you!
I will be using this camera for mostly portraits and of course my own personal hobby photos. I am looking for best value, EASY to learn (but also grow with) and affordability of all the "follow-up goodies" that I will need!
I see that a lot of people like the HD video option of the Rebel, but honestly I can't say that it makes a difference to me.
Thank you!
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i think you should get a used 40D ~700 and a 50mm f/1.8 ~100 New.
50mm i think is a great starter lens. i doubt you'll miss or need a wider frame from the 18-55 especially if you are doing portraits. Lens is great in low light and produces high quality pictures...did i mention its inexpensive...
ProjectPhotobooth
But, I think I would recommend against getting a kit lens, especially the 18-55 Mk1. The IS version is said to be better, but ....
Both the T1i and the 50D are 1.6x crop cameras. This means that a full-frame sensor (which is the size of the traditional 35mm film frame) is roughly 1.6x the size of the sensor in the T1i and 50D cameras. On a cropper, I think I would select one of these lenses for portrait work:
- Canon EF-S 17-55 f/2.8 IS USM ($1,060, pricy but it's pretty much best in class)
- Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD ($450)
- Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD - Note the VC, it's like the Canon IS, only called something different ($650)
- Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di LD ($460) - this is an older lens, but it has a strong following and for good reason. I've had this lens for years (5 or 6 anyway) and still use it on a regular basis.
- Of course, for portraits, you can't go too far wrong with a good copy of a prime lens, such as the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 (or even the f/1.8, at $100 for a new one how can you go wrong) or the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 (this might be a touch long on a cropper, depending on how much room you will have in which to work). Of course primes are a bit less flexible.
A good, used 50D will run you ~$800 and the lens(es) will run you anywhere from $100 to the $1,060. Don't know what your budget is, but there you go - my opinion FWIW.Oh, and you will probably soon want to consider something in a flash. Easy choices are the Canon 580 EX II ($450), the Canon 430 EX II ($280), and the Sigma DG 530 ($219). Of these, the Sigma offers pretty much the same performance as the 580. The differences are found, mostly, in the build quality - bit it's a good place to start.
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The Canon 50D and T1i/500D both share the same sensor so you will get great image resolution whatever the choice. If you shoot lots of action and sports photos the higher FPS of the 50D may be appealing but if it's mainly for portraits and "hobby" type photos the better choice may be to buy the T1i/500D and use the savings for extra lens, flash, etc. Or wait a few weeks, supposedly Canon is going to announce the new T2i with more features, and the new 60D with more features !
H: I've owned both the EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 Mk II, and the EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS. Both have performed very well in my estimation.
J: Here's a link to a discussion of the non-IS Kit lens (my post with samples is about half way down (R2D2))...
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1029&message=29868284&changemode=1
H: The IS version increases those capabilities somewhat in low light (for static shots).
J: The 50mm f1.8 can produce some wonderful photos (especially portraits), but like the Kit lens, its build is at the low end.
H: But I'd really recommend not investing a lot in lenses until you've shot for a while. You'll have a Much better idea of where to put your money then.
Best of luck,
J&H
The triple-digit Digital Rebel series (300D-500D) are all great starter SLRs. They're fully-functional SLRs with lots of features aimed at beginners and casual shooters (the video option, smaller size and lighter weight, IR remote shutter release), yet they can do most of what the more expensive cameras can do.
The double-digit series (20D-50D) are superior cameras in almost every way to the trips. They have better low-light performance, expanded ISO, and are tougher and built more solidly. The trade-off is that they're heavier and larger, but being a big guy with big hands, I prefer a bigger camera; the triple-digits are uncomfortable for me to use [note: my 300D is physically the largest of the trips; it's only a hair smaller than the 50D, while the rest of the trips are significantly smaller).
You can't go wrong with either camera, but I recommend that you save some money and go with the Rebel; the money you save can be applied toward lenses and other accessories to outfit yourself with a fully-functional kit. If you find yourself outgrowing the Rebel a year or two down the road, you can upgrade to a double-digit series body. But since you're just starting out, I'd stick with a body that is specifically designed for whose who are just starting out, rather than a better body that's designed for somewhat more serious hobbyists.
right, if you like those big heavy models. if I was buying now I would look at the new T2i / 550D - with all those new features it ought to feel solid !