DSLR Camera input please

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:43 am

Boy wants a Canon EOS T-3 camera.
What cautions should I have for purchasing? Are bare-bones kits fine to get going? Or are they pretty useless unless bundled with other kits/options?
He sent link to this
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/st ... 1_-1_12164

DV · Post by DV » Fri Nov 25, 2011 12:52 pm

I've had my T3 for about 4 months now and I love it. It's certainly not useless as is, but he will probably want a zoom lens at some point, then maybe other lenses later. I did buy a 55-250 zoom lens with it right away and I probably use it of 50% of the time. But the 18-55 that comes with it takes great shots, he just won't be getting close ups of the bird that is 400' away with it. I also got a case logic slr backpack which has proved critical for travel or long days with the camera. Finally I replaced the neck strap with a generic that had a little padding. And I forgot memory, I got a 16 gig SD card too.

Here is what I added to the bare bones kit.

55-250 zoom

backpack

Also that kit is $449 on Amazon right now : http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digital-18-55mm-Movie/dp/B004J3Y9U6/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1322243582&sr=1-1

Brian

Easto · Post by **Easto** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 1:24 pm

NewEgg has a great deal on the T2i right now. But as DV said... another lense will be in your future. Possibly an additional battery as backup.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 5:32 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Boy wants a Canon EOS T-3 camera.
What cautions should I have for purchasing? Are bare-bones kits fine to get going? Or are they pretty useless unless bundled with other kits/options?
He sent link to this
http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/st ... 1_-1_12164

that's a perfect entry level choice for a beginner ,but I only like buying from B&H,always free shipping ,no tax(for me)and great CS ! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Nt ... Search=yes

that will come with everything he needs to get started,

except for a card,

and trust me,a 4 or 8 gig card is fine.an extra battery is cool to have,but I never NEED mine even on a whole day of shooting,

if you get him anything extra,get a tri-pod,that's very useful IMO , Manfrotto is the best IMO like this one comes with a head http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Manfrotto+- ... &cp=1&lp=6
or this is cool too http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Lowepro+Sli ... lp=12&cp=2

and I like the black body better.just looks better imo

though amazon has a nice package right now http://www.amazon.com/Canon-Rebel-Digit ... B004J3Y9U6

Canon EOS Rebel T3 12.2 MP CMOS Digital SLR with 18-55mm IS II Lens and EOS HD Movie Mode (Black)

Free DSLR Bag, 8 GB SDHC Memory Card, and Tiffen Filter
For a limited time, purchase this or other qualifying Canon Rebel digital SLRs from Amazon.com and receive an AmazonBasics backpack, Transcend 8 GB class 10 SD memory card, and Tiffen lens filter at no additional cost.

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 9:15 pm

If you could find it with the 18-135mm lens instead...

The 18-55mm is fine but the 18-135 gives you a bit more reach and is a better lens, especially if you need to get rid of it later. You can also get him a Canon 50mm prime for just a benny brand new. The 50mm will be easy to get those sweet blurred backgrounds due to it's wide aperture at f1.8. I'd ask him what he wants to shoot. You might discover that he wants to do portraits where the 50mm comes in. Or he may just want to do landscapes where the 18-55 or 18-135 would be great. If he's not sure at all...the 18-55 will be just fine to experiment with.

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:25 pm

JawZ wrote:You can also get him a Canon 50mm prime for just a benny brand new. The 50mm will be easy to get those sweet blurred backgrounds due to it's wide aperture at f1.8.

If he's new to photography that's my 2 cents as well. A lot of people want nice cameras because of the option of powerful zoom lenses, but everything I've read and experienced is that a 50mm is the best beginning lens. It helps you learn to frame shots properly, will push you to explore the different ways you can manipulate the image with the camera settings, and gives you the background to better take advantage of the telephoto and macro lenses out there. Akin to giving a 16 year-old a Volkswagon Rabbit instead of a Ferrari. They'll both get you there but you'll drive the Ferrari a hell of a lot better if it's not what you learn to drive with.

Humboldt · Post by **Humboldt** » Fri Nov 25, 2011 11:29 pm

Also, I adore my Canon XSi and sounds like your son has his mind made up...but Sony make some really nice cameras and one advantage of their DSLR cameras is that the IS is built into the body instead of the lens. Look at Indy's shots...they're awesome, and the camera bodies and lens are more reasonably priced.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 11:22 am

Thanks for input all.....I should have mentioned up front (in case it has any bearing on input)....he is just getting into photography...likes it in school, wants to get into outdoor pics, and I suppose the primary reason is for making video's of stunts at the skate park.

Dan · Post by **Dan** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 2:00 pm

here is a pretty good deal http://www.target.com/p/Canon-EOS-T3-18 ... =X2Y0|null

$599.99

Reg:$864.99- Save $265.00 (31%)
Canon EOS T3 18-55 & 75-300 Bndl Kt

Free shipping when you spend $50

JawZ · Post by **JawZ** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 4:23 pm

YeOldeStonecat wrote:Thanks for input all.....I should have mentioned up front (in case it has any bearing on input)....he is just getting into photography...likes it in school, wants to get into outdoor pics, and I suppose the primary reason is for making video's of stunts at the skate park.

Ok...so hear me out. I'm a Canon guy. I've always had canon stuff...always. But if your son wants to capture fast moving objects (sports in general), then right now, nothing can beat the super friggin fast autofocus of the new micro four thirds cameras. The camera of the year for 2011 is the Olympus PEN-E P3.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/8 ... amera.html

It has interchangeable lenses. It takes great pics and video although it's not the best in low light. The best in low light are Nikons. Now here is the deal...the P3 will set you back $800 with a nice lens. Olympus basically cannibalized itself when it made a smaller version of the camera called the PL3. This is about $150 cheaper with the same lens depending what sale you hit. Could be even more. Right now Newegg has it for $599.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6830111474

These new mirrorless cameras have blazing fast autofocus systems but no viewfinder. They use the LCD screen so it's WYSIWYG. The high end micro 4/3's do but costs thousands like the Leica M9 (about $6 grand). I like the PEN because it has an all metal model, nice retro look and has a lens mount where you can put on different lenses. I've followed people using these camera and the pics are stunning not to mention the HD video. Hell, both PEN's even do 3D pics right in the camera lol.

the main issue with regular DSLR's is that once you buy a body you get locked into buying lenses for that particular mount. So if you get into it and buy lots of lenses, you have invested into that brand. If you want to switch, you not only buy a new body but in many cases, all new lenses.

Let's say your son doesn't like the T3. It may be a bit more difficult to unload that camera on ebay than say the PEN.

I will say this though...cameras don't take great pics, only photographers do. You can have the crappiest camera and still take breathtaking pics as long as you know how to compose a great shot with the proper exposure for the scene. Mirrorless technology is the future of digital photography. Sony is really the big pioneer with their Alpha line as they were camera of the year for 2010 with the A55. Now they have the killer A77 which is a beast. Panasonic has a great line with their G3 as they partnered with Leica. Fuji has a killer with the x100 and x10. So that (tech) has a factor in buying decisions as well these days. The current crop of DSLR's...are on borrowed time no matter what people say. As the tech matures, the big companies like Nikon and Canon will adopt it.

I still think the T3 is a good starter camera but I feel I had to mention the PEN's because of what he wants to shoot.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:00 pm

JawZ wrote:Ok...so hear me out. I'm a Canon guy. I've always had canon stuff...always. But if your son wants to capture fast moving objects (sports in general), then right now, nothing can beat the super friggin fast autofocus of the new micro four thirds cameras. The camera of the year for 2011 is the Olympus PEN-E P3. .......
I still think the T3 is a good starter camera but I feel I had to mention the PEN's because of what he wants to shoot.

Thanks for the input Evan....I'll mention that to him.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Sun Nov 27, 2011 5:01 pm

Dan wrote:here is a pretty good deal http://www.target.com/p/Canon-EOS-T3-18 ... =X2Y0|null

Thanks for the link Dan....will keep that in mind. My thought is....get him the base camera for XMas...if he wants to get into more lenses and options....it's something he has to work for. I want to get him going with a basic kit that has all the necessary stuff to get going, fancier options....he's gotta learn to make/save, etc. "Learn to earn!"

cybotron r_9 · Post by **cybotron r_9** » Mon Nov 28, 2011 10:51 pm

get some good glass

funny video

[video=youtube;hk5IMmEDWH4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hk5IMmEDWH4[/video]

DV · Post by DV » Sat Dec 10, 2011 12:46 pm

[quote="cybotron r_9"]get some good glass

funny video

Lots of funny (and informative) vids, thanks for the link!

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Mon Dec 12, 2011 6:32 am

Dan wrote:that's a perfect entry level choice for a beginner ,but I only like buying from B&H,always free shipping ,no tax(for me)and great CS ! http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Nt ... Search=yes
.[/B]

Thanks Dan...ended up ordering it from there (along with a tablet for our daughter). We ordered it about 2 days after starting this thread, both products arrived the very next day. Pleased with BHP..thanks for the tip.

And "Thanks" everyone else who contributed to this thread. As another correction for his intended use, not "motion" recording as in videos...but pictures of fast action...specifically stuff at the skate board park.