DSLR Advice Needed!

[Ice-520]

55 is not a lot different then 40
a better lens with more usable range would be 24-70 F2.8 L

L lens is not just to look cool

[oracle]

EF 75-300mm f/4.0 - f/5.6 II USM

what you say about this lens leighton

[Ice-520]

EF 75-300mm f/4.0 - f/5.6 II USM

what you say about this lens leighton

I have that when i have the 2 lens kit came with my XT
didn't like it, it is slow and doesn't have IS, not for low lights for sure, but not bad on a sunny day

if i had to buy this lens with money, i wouldn't
it's quite cheaply built, but very light tho since it is all mostly plastic

but I do miss having a tele zoom lens


edit: oops, I actually had the 55-200 instead
u can forget the above comments

[w00tgasm]

i just found a good deal for you
http://bccamera.proboards81.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1198869454
17-40 L for $515
used but like new, so no tax

Yep, looked at that already.
Used body too.
So no taxes either way

you can get them for $1158 brand new if you buy form the states

Actually I found a 17-40 F4L for 709 locally.
NIB and all that shazam

[Ice-520]

i just found a good deal for you
http://bccamera.proboards81.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=1198869454
17-40 L for $515
used but like new, so no tax

Yep, looked at that already.
Used body too.
So no taxes either way

you can get them for $1158 brand new if you buy form the states

Actually I found a 17-40 F4L for 709 locally.
NIB and all that shazam

1158 is including the Xti body

[w00tgasm]

Oh.
Right then.
I'm just knee deep in all this DSLR pricing.

[BLAM]

L lens is not just to look cool

yes it is. I only bought it for the red ring.

[Username]

^Are you home now?

  Kev

[BLAM]

I am at work

[rice_rocket]

Hey

I've been looking into getting a SLR for a while now. All my friends have Canon, although the guy who talked me up for 30 minutes at London Drugs recommended the D5000 vs the T2i. I'm just wondering if anyone can give me some feedback on the two cameras.

Also, Futureshop is selling the T2i with the EF-S 55-250mm Telephoto Lens. I was also wondering if that lens is any good for indoor photos, ie. at a ice rink or would it be worth my money to pay more for a better lens

[BLAM]

T2i >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> D5000

[DKaz]

Really that much? The specs seem comparable. I like the placement of the aperture control on the D5000 better, but if it matters to you the T2i is way better at taking videos and you can connect a stereo mic if you're that serious. The D5000 uses older technology video capture and is not quite as good but I would think that the D90 based D5000 would have an ever so slight edge in photo quality.

Really play with both and see which one works best for you. Being entry level cameras there will be options that are nested in menus or secondary function buttons but at the very least you should have dedicated ISO, EV, and WB buttons. Find which works best for you and remember there is a return policy you can take advantage of. Also look at the Sony, Panasonic, Pentax, and Olympus cameras as well, Canon and Nikon aren't the only names around. I just got a Sony Alpha A33 SLT camera and I absolutely love it, the only nitpick I have with it is the electronic viewfinder, but I got used to it. The only thing is that it is easier to find lenses and accessories for the Nikon and Canon cameras.

[Cosmic Wonder]

There are several cameras that work well for you depending on what your overall goals are. But....make sure you pick up the camera, with a lens or 2 attached and battery if available, and really "feel" what it's like in your hands. Can you operate all the functions easily? Is is a good weight? Do your hands fit the grip properly and that the grip isn't too big or small? Make sure you take the time to play with it in your hands. And don't feel pressured by the sales guy to hand it back over after 15 seconds in your hands. Take 5, 10, 15 minutes to hold it (This is one reason I don't by camera gear at futureshop!). When I bought mine, I held a few and ended up holding mine for 15 minutes while talking to the sales guy about whatever. After all, if you're buying a DSLR, you'll probably end up holding it a while at times and a camera that doesn't fit your hands properly makes a fantastic day of shooting turn into a terrible day very quickly.

[derrick]

If all your friends shoot Canon, and they've got more money than you, stick with Canon so you can borrow their lenses.

Ice rinks are usually pretty bright, and the ice makes for good even lighting. The 55-250mm is probably F4-5.6 and would be okay in those conditions. But in other indoor situations with less light it might be a little slow.

[DKaz]

Hey if you end up liking the Canon Rebel T2i, The Shopping Channel is offering the camera + camera bag, Mini-HDMI to HDMI cable, and other accessories for $799.99 + shipping (~$20) and tax... one benefit is that you can make upto six monthly payments on it interest free (full HST due with first payment when you purchase). They have a 30 day return policy just like anyone else. I never bought anything from there before but my sister in law has and looks like a good deal, the lowest anyone is selling it for is $799, just the bag will save you $50. Something worth considering.

http://www.theshoppingchannel.com/product/electronics/cameras/canon+t2i+dslr+grab+and+go+bundle+369548.do?&N=100337&Ns=P_DATE_CREATED

Wait I can't tell if the kit lens is included from the description... all it says is "everything you need to get started" so I assume it does, the product photo shows the lens.

[rice_rocket]

Cosmic wonder - yeah, I was holding onto the D5000 for 15 minutes or so and it feel pretty heavy with the standard lens on now that you mentioned it.

Derrick - hhmmm my friends usually play at 8 rinks and based on what I've seen from other friends pictures it sometimes seem pretty dark. Maybe I should put a bit more money for a higher quality lens when I do get one.

I guess I should go back and play around with the Canon and see how I like it.

[HeaTransfer]

Don't chose a SLR based solely on its weight.  They will only get heavier as you add nicer and longer lenses.  A factor in my decision to go with Canon was because I have more friends who shoot Canon, and the used market for Canon camera gear is larger.

8 rinks should be fairly well lit, but it also depends on your tolerance for motion blur.  For instance, I brought my camera to a Canucks game last year and shot at 1/1000, f 2.8, ISO 1000.  I would not expect 8 Rinks to be lit as well as the Garage/Rogers Center is.  With the "slower" zoom you're looking at you'd probably be getting shutter speeds on the order of 1/250 or 1/320 assuming the same light... and the light probably isn't the same.

If none of this means anything to you, get a camera that fits your hands well and feels comfortable... it will be useless if you never use it.  As you learn you'll discover what you want and what you need to get the results you're looking for.

[serpico007]

I like my D40 though a new nikon would be nice to record hd video.

[Cosmic Wonder]

Very true about the weight being the sole thing to worry about. A D5000 isn't considered a heavy DSLR by any means so don't weigh your decision on that too much. I basically meant that it should feel comfortable. Remember, you'll most likely have a neck/shoulder strap for when it isn't in use, but it's still readily accessible when you need it.
I myself have a D90 and I'm hoping to upgrade to a higher model next year, funds dependent lol. The D90 is a slightly heavier camera, but I find it very reasonable, and most importantly, I find the grip is big enough for my hands without feeling cramped or too loose. If you're looking into Canon, the T2i is a fantastic camera and will do anything you need including full 1080p video if that interests you.

[DKaz]

Something to note that a heavy lens on a light body will make the camera feel unbalanced, but this is not an issue for beginners like you and me. Entry level bodies are light enough to be comfortable to use throughout the day and heavy enough to handle lenses we're most likely to use. The D90 feels rock solid to me.

Lots of amateur photographers take photos at Burnaby 8 Rinks, I don't think it's a big deal. Just up the ISO, we're not going to be expected to take professional calibre photographs anyway.