Contemplating a new camera purchase

[Cruiser]

I have been using an older 8mp Olympus E series DSLR for several years. I have not been very kind to it since it was my first DSLR and I didn't really know how to treat it nicely. I have made some nice prints of pics I took with it but now I'm thinking about upgrading to something more modern. I'd rather not drop a million dollars on this purchase since this camera will not be used for anything more than pics/video of my kids as well as some basic hiking scenics and skiing action pics. Further, I'm a total photo jong. I have gotten lucky with a few good shots but mostly it's just one of those "even a broken clock is right twice a day" type things. I have very little free time right now (with 4 young children) but I'm planning to devote as much of it as I can to learning to take better pictures.

My initial research has lead me to consider a Canon T3i with the 18-55 kit lens and the Canon ef-s 55-250 IS lens. The total for that package would be something like $550 shipped via Amazon. That said I'd be happy to consider some alternatives with the stipulation that they come from Amazon since I have a couple of gift cards that I want to put towards this purchase.

So, can you guys give me some advice and insight into what camera and lens systems I should most seriously consider? Thanks in advance for your help!

[Tye 1on]

just as a side-note, i bought the t3i almost a year ago. Haven't spent that much time with it, but have found it to be pretty easy to work with. I've been shooting a lot in the speed-priority auto mode, and the pics seem to come out pretty dang good. Also very likely due to the broken clock being right...

[uglymoney]

I have a T2i with a Meike grip and three batteries for sale. Well used and the flash has stuck in the down position a couple times but that seems to have resolved otherwise it works great. No lens but I'd throw in a faulty nifty fifty for free that is unusable at large apertures but super sharp at F8.

Price police?

I'd sell it to a maggot for a little below market for average condition T2i with grip.

[Cruiser]

Thanks for the offer but my limited understanding of the difference between the 2 versions is that the t3i is significantly better at shooting video. I'm no videographer, but I'm planning to give it a shot with the new camera.

Anyone else have some input here? Is there a similarly priced offering from Nikon that I need to look at? Sony?

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[geomorph]

What lenses do you have for the older camera? It might be worth moving to the micro 4/3 system with an adapter if you have nice lenses you'd like to keep. If it is just an old kit lens then probably not worth it.

[systemoverblow'd]

Thanks for the offer but my limited understanding of the difference between the 2 versions is that the t3i is significantly better at shooting video. I'm no videographer, but I'm planning to give it a shot with the new camera.

Anyone else have some input here? Is there a similarly priced offering from Nikon that I need to look at? Sony?

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If you care about video, you don't want to look at anything Nikon in that price range.

As far as the t2i/t3i. There is manual control for audio on the t3i which wasn't available on the t2i. On the t2i, 7d, 5dmkii the audio was always in auto gain mode. Not that big of a deal if you are just shooting home vids but if you wanted to get deeper and use external mics, I wouldn't run them into a t2i. The other perk of the t3i for video is the flip out screen. It also has contrast detection autofocus in video mode but it is such shit that I wouldn't call it a feature.

But that's it. Besides that, they are basically the same camera, with the same sensor and processor.

As far as lenses, it depends how involved you get into it. For the everyday person those 2 aren't too bad. Nothing stellar but not like they will stop you from getting decent pictures. If you decide to buy lenses though in the future, I would suggest you upgrade and get some better glass. Once you start really learning photography you will realize why good glass costs so much damn money. One good lens is better than 3 crappy ones.

[Edgnar]

You can get magic lantern for the T2i which turns off auto gain and adds a whole bunch of other features. Its also available for the T3i, so there is that.

And +1 on lenses.

[Cruiser]

That's part of the problem geo, I didn't treat the lenses (which were fairly cheap anyway) very well either. So they're nothing special at this point. Better to just invest in the new body and a couple of basic kit lenses this Christmas and then search out a nice lens or two over the next year as I get used to the way the camera works.

I shot a few frames last year with a pro's rig and the quality of the glass was just absurd. She could see that I was a mook so she was reluctant to even let me fondle her gear but she reluctantly let me snap a couple of shots with very close supervision. That's what got me stated thinking about upgrading my current setup.

Any thoughts about the sl1 vs the t3i?

edit: Wow, magic lantern seems to let you root your camera. I'm intrigued. :-)

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[Cruiser]

Ordered the t3i and extra lens. Anyone have some feedback on a quality book that will lay the foundations about aperture, ISO, and speed?

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[systemoverblow'd]

Understanding Exposure by Bryan Peterson

It was written originally for film but has been updated. It's a book I think anyone should read that wants to get more out of their photography.

[Cruiser]

Thanks. I saw that one last night on Amazon and almost ordered it. Will pull the trigger today.

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