Let's talk DSLRs

+ T + · November 2010

I'm looking into the Canon Rebel T1i camera, but the Lens speed looks a little slow to me (3.5-5.6). Is it concerning? It's 18-55mm and I think that's fine for me - I don't think I need a telescope.

Hopefull11 · November 2010

I have the same camera and love it! However I bought a prime lens, and NEVER use the kit lens.

+ T + · November 2010

Hopefull11:
I have the same camera and love it! However I bought a prime lens, and NEVER use the kit lens.

Why and how much?

Hopefull11 · November 2010

+ T +:

Hopefull11:
I have the same camera and love it! However I bought a prime lens, and NEVER use the kit lens.

Why and how much?

I have the 50mm 1.8, it runs about $100. Its a much better lens then the kit lens'. It does so much better indoors then the kit lens because it can let in so much more light. I always shoot in manual and never use my on board flash, so being able to go to a 1.8 was a must for me.

Mrs.Keith2B · November 2010

I have a Nikon D3000 with an 18-55 and it's alright. (As far as a lens goes, love my camera). If you're new with DSLR's stick with the kit lens to learn the camera.

Jen&Louie · November 2010

Even as a beginner I would say get the camera body only and skip the kit lens. They are mediocre at best. A great entry level lens is the "thrifty fifity" 50mm 1.8 at about $100.

tiffanylaw06 · November 2010

Jen&Louie:
Even as a beginner I would say get the camera body only and skip the kit lens. They are mediocre at best. A great entry level lens is the "thrifty fifity" 50mm 1.8 at about $100.

Except if you go with an entry level Nikon, that "thirfty fifty" won't work. You'd be closer to $200 for a 35mm prime. Or $400 for a 50mm that will auto-focus on the body.

Amanda_&_Eric · November 2010

I agree with the pp. I would just get the body and then maybe a prime lens like the 50mm 1.8. I love mine. Or if you had the money, I'd go with the Tameron 28-75 2.8, its a good all around lens. (Its totally on my wish-list!)

Jen&Louie · November 2010

tiffanylaw06:

Jen&Louie:
Even as a beginner I would say get the camera body only and skip the kit lens. They are mediocre at best. A great entry level lens is the "thrifty fifity" 50mm 1.8 at about $100.

Except if you go with an entry level Nikon, that "thirfty fifty" won't work. You'd be closer to $200 for a 35mm prime. Or $400 for a 50mm that will auto-focus on the body.

I made this recommendation to the OP because she is looking at the Canon Rebel, not a Nikon model.

Ivana_Stolichnaya · November 2010

I have the T1i. The flash gets tired pretty fast and the kit lens is...alright. I have my eye on a 85mm and I really want to get a new flash.

JinglesChic · November 2010

Are you going to teach yourself photography? If yes, and you can afford it, then I might suggest buying the body only and looking into the Tamron 28-75. It's a much better lens than the kit, although like I said, it's a bit more money. If you're not going to study photography, I would suggest looking into a hybrid camera. No point in purchasing a DSLR and investing in lenses if you're going to keep it on auto. Many new point and shoot cameras will give you the quality that a DSLR will unless you teach yourself the art.

You'll probably get a lot more help if you go over to the photography board.

+ T + · November 2010

JinglesChic:

Are you going to teach yourself photography? If yes, and you can afford it, then I might suggest buying the body only and looking into the Tamron 28-75. It's a much better lens than the kit, although like I said, it's a bit more money. If you're not going to study photography, I would suggest looking into a hybrid camera. No point in purchasing a DSLR and investing in lenses if you're going to keep it on auto. Many new point and shoot cameras will give you the quality that a DSLR will unless you teach yourself the art.

You'll probably get a lot more help if you go over to the photography board.

It's for my digital photography class.

This course covers the digital camera, including the artistic, theoretical, technical, and career aspects of photography. Students learn the relationship between the key features of light, composition, film usage, computer manipulation, scanning, resolution, and the final digital print. Students must have access to a single lens reflex (SLR) 35mm camera or a medium-to-high resolution digital camera. Students learn how to use the manual controls of any 35mm SLR camera or digital camera; use computer technology to scan, digitize, and manipulate images; and, prepare images for professional display using Adobe PhotoShop software on the Macintosh operating system.

JinglesChic · November 2010

Yeah then I would look into either the 50mm 1.8 or the Tamron 28-55 depending on what you like better.

The thrifty fifty (50mm) is great for portraits, and is cheaper, but it is not a zoom. It will give you the same length, but you can get the aperture a lot lower. The lower the aperture, the more blur you can get in the background, making the photo much more pleasing. Aperture also controls the amount of light let in, so the lower the number, the more light you have available to you. The more light you have, the faster the shutter speed can be, which you'll need for a fast toddler.

This picture was taken a month or so after I started teaching myself photography, at around 1.8 with my thrifty fifty. Not the best quality, but you get the picture.

The Tamron is a great walk around zoom. It's a third party lens, not made by Canon. The 28-75 means that it can zoom between those lengths. It makes it much more practical for every day pictures than the thrifty fifty. It doesn't go as low with the aperture, though, going down to 2.8. It's still very nice and quick, and could probably tackle what you need it to. The kit lens you are looking at will go between 4 and 5.6 depending on the focal length, which can be pretty limiting.

Hope this helps.

SeaStar430 · November 2010

I wouldn't recommend the kit lens at all. I have a prime 50mm 1.8 and I'm not a huge fan of it. It takes awesome pictures, but it's not very versatile, especially if you're taking indoor shots (you have to be several feet away from your subject) and it doesn't zoom (I prefer zooms for running/crawling kids). I would prefer the 35mm personally, it would be a better range. But you can get the 50mm 1.8 for $90, and you can't beat that!

My favorite lens is my Tamron 28-75 2.8mm. It has a constant 2.8 but still zooms, and has a great range for a walkaround lens. I paid about $390 for it I believe. I did tons of research and comparisons on sharpness and other than if I wanted to pay $1,000, it's my dream lens. It never comes off my camera.

The kit lens is just pretty *blah*, not especially sharp, not worth the money. Get the camera without the kit and invest in a better lens.

shopgirl78 · November 2010

I'm a Nikon girl. D90. I usually use my Tamaron 28-75 2.8 or my 50mm 1.8. Every once in a blue moom I use my 55-200 and/or my speedlite. Never use the kit...

madeleines_mommy · November 2010

I've owned a Rebel for about 5 years and am upgrading the the 50D in January. I agree with all OP's,, just purchase the body and upgrade on the lens. I have the kit lens for my Rebel and a 75-300mm which is huge, but I can get great portrait shots with it.

I am also going with the tameron lens that everyone is suggesting when I get my new body.

Lucky428 · November 2010

I agree with what everyone has said. I can't remember the last time I used my kit lens.

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