What’s Your Preference?

Lolkat · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2010, 10:04 PM

So, I think I've made up my mind and decided on Canon for my first DSLR (as opposed to the Nikon D5000). Now I have to choose between the T2i and the T1i. I have read all the reviews and specs that I can, but I'm still not sure if it's worth the extra money to get the T2i. Does anybody have any personal experience with this camera? (I know it's very new and probably not many people have purchased one yet) Are the differences really going to be noticeable to me, since this would be my first DSLR and I don't really have anything to compare it to? And another thing, originally, I was going to forego the kit lens and just buy one separately, but now I'm second guessing this as well, as I've read the kit lens is actually decent. Any thoughts on this? uugghhh!... I think I just need to stop researching, I'm driving myself crazy!

BTW- I do NOT care at all about video capabilities as I will never use it.

ShantDotMe · #2 (**permalink**) 06-02-2010, 10:44 PM

I had a similair "problem" as yours, and I decided to go for T1i. If you don't mind the cash, the T2i is surely better...

The deal for me was either get the T2i with the kit lense or go with T1i + 15-55 + 55-250 IS lensee, I chose the second.

inkista · #3 (**permalink**) 06-02-2010, 11:05 PM

If the $100 isn't particularly expensive, I'd go for the T2i, particularly if you plan on shooting at >1600 iso a lot. The $100 difference pretty much goes to having a sensor similar to the 7D's, vs having one similar to the 50D's, as well as the video features you don't care so much about.

If, however, you're not planning on shooting available dark all the time, then saving the cash and putting it towards an EF 50mm f/1.8 II might be worthwhile.

As for going for the kit or not going for the kit, I hate to say this, but "waste" the money on the kit. You are going to replace it--nearly everyone does, but until you've actually got some experience with a lens, you aren't going to know what lens you want to buy. Walkaround zooms are the most numerous, varied, and widely-priced lenses of all. You have literally dozens to choose from, and if you don't know what focal length, maximum aperture, stabilization, or an ultrasonic motor actually mean in terms of shooting, you've got no way to decide what's going to fit you best, other than hearing other people say what works for them.

You may shoot something completely different. Or in a completely different way. A lot of things can affect what lens you need: whether you plan to shoot with or without flash, if you plan to handhold or use a tripod. If you want to shoot sports with it, or landscapes, or portraits.

The 18-55 kit lens is limited. It's consumer-grade. But it's also dirt cheap. It only adds about $100-$150 to the price. You can't find a better lens in that focal length range for that price. And buying it separately (new) is more expensive, too. And while everybody says it sucks, you're missing the context: it sucks compared to much more expensive lenses. If you can't afford those lenses, or you're not sure which one is worth spending all that money on, then maybe waiting a while and doing your research before dropping all that dough is worth the $100-$150 bucks for the kit as a temporary holding measure. The kit at least lets you use your camera until you've learned about lenses, and what pricepoints you can swallow, and which features are important to what and how you shoot.

Lolkat · #4 (**permalink**) 06-02-2010, 11:26 PM

Thanks, Inkista. You always seem to know just the things to say in your posts to help people make a buying decision/solve a problem

BTW, I took a look at your flickr page and you have some AMAZING photos!

TFord.LTTP · #5 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 08:57 AM

Yeah, go with the T2i. It's more or less a heavily pared down 7d where the T1i is a beefed up xsi. Better sensor, slightly better AF, much better metering, iso and video capability.