Suggestions for new Canon DSLR

[Tucson T4R]

There have been many threads on similar subjects before but since technology marches on, I thought it would be appropriate to take a current look again.

I want to upgrade from my current Sony DHC-H1 Cybershot camera to Canon DSLR. I am confused over the wide selection available. For you Canon users out there, if you were to look at the current models available today and had a budget of about $1K, what would you purchase? Body and specific lens separetly or one of the kits on the market with body X and lens as a package?

Which body and lens combo would be a good starting set up that would keep me in the $1K range plus or minus a few hundred?

The primary areas my current camera does not perform very well are low light conditions (noisey) and slow reaction time to take multiple shots quickly of sporting events.

What say you, Canon gurus of the world?

 

[mcgovski]

I am no guru, but I just got a new canon! My Dad is the Guru and I think I have been bugging him on a weekly basis for a year or so asking camera questions. One day I called him and asked, "What do you think about this: A Canon rebel xti eos 400d with 1x 18-55mm lens, 1x 75-300mm, 2 gb card, 2 batteries and a case for $849.00?"
He said, "where can i get one!"
that was enough for me. My dad has had the photog bug for as long as I can remeber...when I was little he had turned the spare bathroom into a darkroom!
The rest is history. I bought it and I have been playing with it almost daily.
I think it will do about 90% of everything a full professional set up will do, that is is IF I keep learning how to use it!
Good luck!

 

[articulate]

That $1k (or a little more) will get you a new 40D, body only.

 

[Tucson T4R]

That $1k (or a little more) will get you a new 40D, body only.

But I want everything for nothing. How's that going to work out?

 

[goodtimes]

Brad, $1K will get you basically any of the Drebel bodies + one lens. Be aware that the 18 - 55 EF lens they include in the "kits" is not that great of a lens. Yes, it works...but it is far from inspiring.

If you do not plan on making large prints (bigger than say, 9 x 14 or so...), even the original Drebel's (6.3mp) will have the resolution you need (just don't confuse need and want). You can probably pick up a used body for 1/2 of the cost of a new one, and have more $$$ for the lens(es) (which is where the magic happens).

Also, don't forget all the nickel and dime stuff...tripod, remote, CF cards, extra batteries, bag, filters, etc.

Oh, then don't forget about the software...and if you're like me, the new computer to actually run the software (because my old one didn't have enough processor, making Lightroom run incredibly slow).

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

All of my DSLR gear is Nikon (although I do have a powershot P&S in the glovebox at all times), but I'll throw out a suggetion here anyways. You might consider a used, or even grey market 30D. You can get a pretty good deal on either one, and a 30D is a lot more camera than even many pro's need, let alone the amatuer. Spend your $$ on good glass instead of the newest, hottest body, and you'll be good to go- upgrading bodies is cheaper than upgrading a collection of lesser quality lenses.

Out of curiosity, why Canon? Do you already have glass, or is it simply a preference?

 

[mountainpete]

Out of curiosity, why Canon? Do you already have glass, or is it simply a preference?

I was going to ask the same question... I have always had Canons up until my new Nikon D300 (and I love it!). Keep your options open with the Nikons if you can...

Pete

 

[Tucson T4R]

I was leaning toward the Canon because they seem to be popular with a strong following. My dad has a Nikon D40 and I have not been too impressed with it's low light performance. Although the less than desirable results may have been the photogrpher's lack of skills and not the camera.

I don't have any lenses now so I'll be starting from scratch no matter which path I choose.

 

[pwc]

I'd suggest waiting a few weeks for the new Rebel XSi to come out. Then get the 18-200mm lens from Sigma with new stabilizer. Ignore the suggested retail on that site....it's closer to $425.

This will put you a little over your $1K limit, but that one lens will give you a lot of latitude.

My wife took pretty much this set up to Nepal for a trek in October (Xti and 18-200 without image stabilizer) and got great results. We will be purchasing the new stabilized lens as some of the 200mm shots she took suffered from movement. The year before she took my 5D and some L lenses and was much happier having the all in one lens of the 18-200 and the lighter weight.

I'll be doing a non-scientific comparison of the 18-200mm versus a 28-300mm Canon L lens on another site probably next week and can point you to some results. The lens is quite good.

The new Xsi will be plenty fast and keep up with your shooting. Plus it has a flash to help with low light (I've been impressed with the new canon's low light quality and I've been using DSLR from them for 6 years now).

There are a range of features to point out but I think one of the handiest for travel is the sensor cleaning feature when you turn it on and off. It's got a big screen and on and on and on. check out the site. it's a solid camera due out around Tax Day I believe.

 

[peekay]

The new Canon Xsi is coming out in April. It is around $800 msrp, and above the Xti. Many cool functions. I was about to get the XTi but will now wait for the XSi.

http://www.wolfcamera.com/product/541162053.htm

 

[Photog]

All of my DSLR gear is Nikon (although I do have a powershot P&S in the glovebox at all times), but I'll throw out a suggetion here anyways. You might consider a used, or even grey market 30D. You can get a pretty good deal on either one, and a 30D is a lot more camera than even many pro's need, let alone the amatuer. Spend your $$ on good glass instead of the newest, hottest body, and you'll be good to go- upgrading bodies is cheaper than upgrading a collection of lesser quality lenses.

Out of curiosity, why Canon? Do you already have glass, or is it simply a preference?

:iagree: :iagree: :iagree:
Put your money into the glass. Bodies will come & go. Go to a good camera shop, that takes trad-ins. Many folks traded their 30D & 40D bodies in, to upgrade to a 40D & 5D. These are much tougher bodies than the Rebels.

You could do the same with Nikon. Good glass, and a used body. D80 or D200 body. Many people have upgraded to the stabilized lenses (VR), and traded in their excellent non-VR lenses. Same goes for Canon stabilized (IS) lenses.

 

[goodtimes]

Many folks traded their 30D & 40D bodies in, to upgrade to a 40D & 5D. These are much tougher bodies than the Rebels.

Oh, I forgot to mention, Best Buy on Wetmore has the whole range of Canon dSLR's, up to the 5D. Ask them to remove the goofy little mount they have on each of them so you can see how they fit your hands and how they feel. Pick up the dRebel, then grab the 5D....whole different world. The 5D makes the XTi feel like a cheap toy.

 

[Ursidae69]

The 5D makes the XTi feel like a cheap toy.

That may be true, but the smaller size has its advantages. I've grown to appreciate the compact size when hiking. Just because you have more bells and whistles doesn't mean you need them or know how to use them. Buy the best glass you can afford and practice framing and training your eye for framing.

 

[pwc]

Plus the 5D doesn't qualify for his $1k budget.

 

[WhereTheHellIsJames?]

If I were just stepping into the DSLR arena from scratch, and didn't already have any glass from my film days, I’d get one of these, one of these, a couple batteries and a charger off of ebay, a good circular polarizer (reccomend) or UV filter, and a 2 gig card at Costco or ebay. High quality 10.2 megapixel setup that should cover about 90% or more of what the typical amateur shoots, and is light and compact enough to carry around all day. That's pretty much my everyday carry-around setup, except I use the D70S (6.1 megapixel) instead of the D80. With about $1k, you can get a really great setup.