And I'm Finally on the Hunt of a DSLR...help

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Adler

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So after years of using my point-and-shoot, I think I'm finally getting a DSLR. I am pretty sure that I want a T1i. I want to stick with Canon because I know many people with them, including some pros, and would be able try out their lenses too. Also, T1i's are pretty reasonable since the T2i came out. I've been monitoring slickdeals, and you can routinely find them for $500-600, with 18-55mm lens.

The problem is I am almost always using more then 55mm of zoom, so I'll need to get most likely a 55-300 (or something close)...and that's where I get lost.

I'm almost positive I only want to go with an image stabilized one, but from what company, refurbished or new, what price range, from who, yadda yadda yadda?

And also if you want to tell me I'm starting off wrong, that I shouldn't get a T1i, let me know too.

Thanks in advance!
 
I second that website. Bought my gear off there. I was going to buy from some super discount store, but after reading tons of negative results, I decided to drop the few extra bucks and get my Canon from BHphoto.
 
Also, if I could go back, I would have bought the body, and saved a few extra bucks on some nice glass. the Nifty 50 is a GREAT cheap lens that is quick and takes sharp photos. As for zoom, a few extra bucks is well worth spent.
 
scooter2525 said:
Also, if I could go back, I would have bought the body, and saved a few extra bucks on some nice glass. the Nifty 50 is a GREAT cheap lens that is quick and takes sharp photos. As for zoom, a few extra bucks is well worth spent.
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What do you use the Nifty 50 for? I understand it's pretty cheap and good quality, but why get a prime 50 when the camera comes with a 18-50? Does the stock 18-50 really suck that much?

Thanks for the site GNE, definitely have some more research to do.
 
Adler said:
What do you use the Nifty 50 for? I understand it's pretty cheap and good quality, but why get a prime 50 when the camera comes with a 18-50? Does the stock 18-50 really suck that much?

Thanks for the site GNE, definitely have some more research to do.
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Eh. I have that kit lens... it will take pictures, but seems to lack clarity. Really depends on what you plan on doing with the camera. General use? That will work... if I had a choice, i would get the nifty 50 (which is great for portrait and challenging yourself as a photographer) and http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx in place of the kit lens. again depends on what you are getting into and budget.
 
scooter2525 said:
Eh. I have that kit lens... it will take pictures, but seems to lack clarity. Really depends on what you plan on doing with the camera. General use? That will work... if I had a choice, i would get the nifty 50 (which is great for portrait and challenging yourself as a photographer) and http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-EF-24-70mm-f-2.8-L-USM-Lens-Review.aspx in place of the kit lens. again depends on what you are getting into and budget.
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Yes...general use, mostly airplanes too. Anything will be a huge leap from my Panasonic fz18. Honestly, I'm not sure of the budget either, though I'm sure it can't be any L series :) Maybe the nifty 50 will come one day down the road, but for now I'll be happy with the normal kit 50mm. My concern is more over the zoom lens. Something relatively cheap, around 300mm, but image stabilization is a must.
 
Adler said:
Yes...general use, mostly airplanes too. Anything will be a huge leap from my Panasonic fz18. Honestly, I'm not sure of the budget either, though I'm sure it can't be any L series :) Maybe the nifty 50 will come one day down the road, but for now I'll be happy with the normal kit 50mm. My concern is more over the zoom lens. Something relatively cheap, around 300mm, but image stabilization is a must.
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I have the 55-250 f4 that Ive used for some casual spotting. I will say reviews found it better then the 55-300, but Ive found you get what you pay for. Its a cheap zoom lens. It gets the job done, but pictures aren't terribly sharp in certain zoom range, and the further out I zoom, I start getting a lens vignette. Its slow too, but for realtivly cheap and the stabilization... it works.
 
I'll play devil's advocate and say you won't really need IS. If planespotting is going to be your main use, you'll be under plenty of light and have high shutter speeds. Plus, high ISO values are getting more and more usable with newer bodies. My Digital Rebel can go up to ISO 400 with pretty much no noise, and I've seen a new Nikon body that can take usable shots at ISO 10,000 (seriously!). I'd suggest looking at used glass at keh.com and getting a high-quality used lens without IS instead of a cheap new lens with IS.
 
pwttogfk said:
I'll play devil's advocate and say you won't really need IS. If planespotting is going to be your main use, you'll be under plenty of light and have high shutter speeds. Plus, high ISO values are getting more and more usable with newer bodies. My Digital Rebel can go up to ISO 400 with pretty much no noise, and I've seen a new Nikon body that can take usable shots at ISO 10,000 (seriously!). I'd suggest looking at used glass at keh.com and getting a high-quality used lens without IS instead of a cheap new lens with IS.
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So I've read and been told by a few others. My only concern is the grey flying days, and air to air shots. I know for real air to air the guys use gryostabilized mounts, but IS has gotta make things easier...right?

What would you suggest as a used high quality lens?

(Keep in mind, I'm a college kid about to graduate into a career that wont pay me back for a few years)

I think right now I'm leaning towards either the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM, or the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. Like the first cause it goes a bit farther, but mostly the USM. However if IS is an issue, then I like the second one.

I understand that you get what you pay for, but when you're going from a $200 p&s I think anything will be great.
 
You'll only think it's great compared to the p+s shoot for so long. Get the best glass you can swing. It's more important than the body.
 
I just purchased a Canon 7d and a used 70-200mm f/2.8l is usm. The camera is just a tool, if you don't know how to use it its not going to take good pictures. I am learning!
 
:beer:
 

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Adler said:
So I've read and been told by a few others. My only concern is the grey flying days, and air to air shots. I know for real air to air the guys use gryostabilized mounts, but IS has gotta make things easier...right?

What would you suggest as a used high quality lens?

(Keep in mind, I'm a college kid about to graduate into a career that wont pay me back for a few years)

I think right now I'm leaning towards either the Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM, or the Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS. Like the first cause it goes a bit farther, but mostly the USM. However if IS is an issue, then I like the second one.

I understand that you get what you pay for, but when you're going from a $200 p&s I think anything will be great.
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I have the non-USM version of the 75-300mm lens (same glass but slower AF). It's great for planespotting as long as it's stopped down--I've noticed image quality suffers a bit with anything wider than f/8 or so. The quality also drops off a bit beyond 200mm, but it's still very much usable. Here's a shot from it at 300mm, f/8 on my Digital Rebel at ISO 100.
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Depending on what state you live in I would also suggest Amazon for purchases due to tax/shipping. I have purchased from BH in the past and they are also a place I shop. I say Canon but that is because I've used their cameras since 81. Why not save a bit more and get a new kit with a couple entry level lenses.
 
Been planespotting with a Sigma 80-400 OS (Sigma's equivalent to IS) mounted on a Canon 20D since sept '05 and that combo hasn't done me wrong. If you're not shooting out beyond 300mm you can probably get away with no IS in good light, but where IS comes in real handy is less those less than perfect light situations where more zoom is needed, for example see my Avatar pic.
 
Have the t1i / kit lens and 55 -250, when amazon was running a sweetheart deal. Very happy so far! Don't buy glass strictly on plane spotting, there are plenty of other things to shoot. Love IS.
 
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