Camera Equipment

[Former_Member]

Hello, I'm a new member here and I was hoping to get some input. I am looking to purchase my first dSLR and have been doing some research. The camera and lenses I am leaning towards are the Canon Rebel T3i. This camera comes in a kit with the 18-55mm lens but I am also looking into buying the 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Telephoto Lens and a macro, the 100mm f/2.8 vs the 100mm f/2.8L IS. Does this sound like a good starting point?

I know that Canon is coming out with the new T4i but I am getting a little impatient waiting for it's release. I am going on a trip to Ireland in August and would like to have time to practice with my new camera and lenses before I leave.

Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you!

[Former_Member]

I have a Nikon, but have heard many good things about the T3i. The kit lenses are not as good, at least the Nikkors. I assume Canon would be the same, and it is definitely worth it to spend the extra cash for a higher quality lens, in my opinion. Also, welcome!

Dan

[Former_Member]

look at a Nikon d7000.
I shoot NIkon, and own 3, a d80, d300s, d800

[Former_Member]

Thank you for the input. There is so much to consider and it is such a big investment.

[Former_Member]

I use the Canon Rebel T3 with the lens it comes with the 18-55mm. and find that it takes fabulous macro with just the one lens. I don't own any extra lenses my next lens that I am looking at purchasing is the 70-300mm. I feel that for macro and other close up work the 18-55mm lens is perfect, but to reach out a bit I need the 7--300mm. To get an idea of the type of clarity the 18-55mm will get you hop over to my shop at

http://www.etsy.com/shop/BorrowedCamera?ref=shop_sugg

I can't say enough about how much I love the Canon I use. It has great ease of use and fabulous clarity and color. Love it!!!

[Former_Member]

I have a canon t2i and I love it. I'd say wait for the t4i to come out if it won't be that long. The t3i is not that much improved from the t2i. I do have the telephoto lens and the first macro lens (not the IS) and I love them. I talked to many people who said the L series macro lens was not worth the price. I absolutely love the one I got and it takes great photos. Good choices!!

[Former_Member]

We shoot Nikon, but we have several Canon using friends with the 100mm L who absolutely swear by it. Invest in a good tripod if you're planning on shooting lots of macro type shots :)

[Former_Member]

I shoot with Canon and *love* the 100mm macro lens (I don't have the L). I also use the 70-300mm telephoto zoom and the nifty fifty and am very happy with both of those. I occasionally use the kit lens, but usually only if I am really desperate for a wider angle than I can get with the others--I find that in general it's just too soft for my taste. I would never use the kit lens for macro photos but have used the telephoto lens for a macro-look.

If you are very new to photography, jumping straight into the macro lens will probably be pretty difficult--shooting with a macro lens has its own set of challenges (like lighting and dof). On the other hand, if you have been at it for a while and are looking to step it up, then the macro is probably the way to go. If you're unsure, I'd go with the telephoto. If you find yourself getting as close as you can to the subject with the tele and setting your zoom out to 250-300mm, *then* I'd think about the macro lens.

Have you checked out the website photo.net? There are tons of informative articles and forum discussion there on equipment and purchase strategies.

Enjoy your trip to Ireland!

[Former_Member]

I currently have Nikon d3100 and that's because it fits my needs. I'm looking to upgrading within the next 3 to 4 years.

Cannon and Nikon I know of to being the top in the world of DSLR cameras. The kits will have a basic lens, and then a added bonus of another lens. My suggestion if you can do the kit get both lens. That way you'll not regret it later. I bought the kit plus the extra lens which is a telephoto lens... if i didn't get that lens I would have regret it.