ready to upgrade...suggestions?

[anorris917]

For the past 2yrs I have had a Fuji FinePix S1500 and I am ready to upgrade to a DSLR. I have been researching the Rebel XS because it's cheaper, but it's only 10mp same as my current camera. I was seriously looking into the Nikon D3100, or Rebel T1i and T2i. I'm very impressed with the T2i, but am wondering if it's worth the extra cost. Is there much of a discernable difference between the two? I know the T1i is 15MP and the T2i is 18MP, will it make much of a difference? BTW all of the models I am looking at come with the kit 18-55mm lens. I'm still learning and wanting to experiment with different flashes, and remote a remote control shutter. I would like to later add a wide angle lens to my collection, so I would appreciate any input on that also. So does anyone have any opinions on either of the 3 I mentioned?

BTW I mostly do landscape, nature, macro, candid.

Thanks for any help in advance.
Anna

[OsmosisStudios]

Megapixels are going to make a very small difference at this level. What's more important is the processing that is applied to the image before it is saved as a jpg by the camera.

The T2i has a better/newer processor than the T1i (to accompany the T2i's newer, higher resolution sensor). The D3100 is a different animal altogether and is newer than both: it does very well as well.

have you had the chance to try both cameras? That may or may not be the deciding factor.

[anorris917]

I went to the store and played with both the D3100 and the T2i. I liked how the Canon felt more than the Nikon. I've pretty much made my mind up to get the Canon, just hesitant. For me this is a very big purchase. I don't want to end up regretting it later on.

[adrean8j]

(My first post in here! ) I am in a similar situation....I have the 1000D(Rebel XS) and it is a great camera...but I want to upgrade to the T2i (T3i maybe?) due to it having: Digic IV processor, 18MP, Higher ISO settings, better metering, more AF zones, etc, etc...from everything I have read and heard you really cannot go wrong with this camera in this segment.....

[Happy_Mummy]

I just went through the decision of what to get as well. What finalized my decision was video. I know that everyone will tell you that video is not reason to buy an slr, but I found it so much easier to have just one camera with me. We also have a video camera that we can use, but I find I don't use it very often for several reasons. I believe the XS and some generations of T1i don't have video, but T2i does. I wasn't so keen on the huge mp count since there is so much more to good photos than the mp number. I'm guessing you will find that photos taken with the XS would be better than your current point and shoot. Sensor size makes a big difference. That said you may not find that at first since there is a bit of a learning curve.

FWIW my last camera was 5.1mp and blown up to 8x12 looked clearer and crisper than my in-laws 10mp p&s camera that always took grainy, icky looking photos. When they got it they were so proud of the mp count, when the photos were awful and looked like the iso have been pumped to high with every photo. It was like a setting had been changed. Also to make things even goofier after their bragging about how many mp it took, they insisted on having it set on the lowest quality level to give them as many pics on one card as possible. I found that so odd! And the photos were grainy even when the camera was set to the highest number of mp.

I'm not sure what your photography knowledge base is, but figure out why you are outgrowing the camera you currently use, figure out what you would like about a newer camera and base your search off that. I really enjoy playing around with my T2i but for now feel like I wasted a bit since I'm not familiar with playing around with the settings. Not too much point in getting an slr and keeping it in auto! That said, with airmiles most of my friends have slrs and have never used anything but auto for their pictures.

eta Something came back to me after I wrote this about the video. Not only is the video quality better witht he T2i, but you can also use an external microphone with it unlike the T1i. The advantage to this is that apparently you can hear the autofocus motor since the microphone is right next to the lens.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by anorris917

For the past 2yrs I have had a Fuji FinePix S1500 and I am ready to upgrade to a DSLR.

Just a small cautionary note: don't think of it as an upgrade. It's more of a paradigm switch with a sharp learning curve.

Just to let you know, spring product announcements recently happened, so the XS is no longer the Canon entry-level current offering. The new T3 (D1100) is. It does video and has a better AF system than the XS.

And, of course, the T3i (600D) has now supplanted the T2i. Its big feature additions are a flip-out LCD and a master in the pop-up flash.

BTW all of the models I am looking at come with the kit 18-55mm lens.

Yup. It's a good, cheap, entry-level lens that can cover most vacation snapshot scenarios and a bit more. It will be weak in terms of longer reach and low-light performance, but it's good for a lot of stuff, and a great "training wheels" lens. DO NOT listen to anyone who tells you it's a piece of junk. It's perfectly capable of delivering great pics for you, if you understand it.

I'm still learning and wanting to experiment with different flashes,

Two websites for this: Tangents and Strobist.

and remote a remote control shutter.

Just so's you know, a wired cable release is probably better for work from behind the camera. A wireless remote for shooting from in front of the camera.

I would like to later add a wide angle lens to my collection, so I would appreciate any input on that also.

The 18-55 is actually a wide angle lens. What you may be considering is an ultrawide lens, like the EF-S 10-22 (or its many Tamron/Tokina/Sigma counterparts). Be aware that the majority of these lenses are designed for crop bodies only. If you ever plan on moving up to a 5D or other full-frame body, you won't be able to use these lenses on full-frame.

BTW I mostly do landscape, nature, macro, candid.

Landscape and macro are useful designations. "nature" is not. (Are we talking plants, wildlife? landscape? These are three wildly different types of shooting each of which have completely different lens requirements). "Candid" is semi-useful, but then again, not really. Do you mean street shooting? Or portraits?

I will say that for macro photography, you really want to purchase a dedicated macro lens. Unlike your P&S camera, there is no dSLR "macro" mode that's going to let you get closer. The reason a P&S camera can shoot macro is because the sensor is tiny, and the lens is equally tiny with very short focal lengths. The DoF you have is huge as a result. dSLRs, with their larger sensors and lenses also mean you can now hit the "minimum focus distance" of a lens--i.e., if you get too close to a subject you won't be able to focus. You can use poor man's macro techniques like extension tubes, magnifying filters, or lens reversal, but they'll restrict the subject distances at which you can achieve focus (i.e., you can't really choose your framing exactly). A macro lens is a better tool for this. But expect them to start prices at around $400.

Wildlife typically requires a telephoto lens, if not a fast telephoto lens. These again, are going to cost. You can get a cheap Sigma 70-300 or EF 75-300 III for under $250, but they'll be slow to autofocus, which doesn't help if the wildlife is running away. And if you're into small wildlife, like birds, expect to need a $1000+ 400mm or longer lens.

Candids and portraits often mean shooting without flash in lower-light situations (such as indoors). While you can crank the iso up and hope for the best, shooting with a "fast" lens which has a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or wider is often desirable. The kit lens, unfortunately, isn't one. The most commonly-recommended low-cost "fast" lens in the Canon lineup is the EF 50mm f/1.8 II. It's about $100. The Nikon 50/1.8 is similarly priced, but won't autofocus on a D3100 (only AF-S lenses autofocus on the entry-level Nikon bodies: D3100 and D5000).

Just, so you know. You're gonna want to learn about lenses, and do some price comparison there, too. A single lens can easily outstrip the price of your camera. And most of us have at least two or three lenses in the bag. If not a whole lot more. Your lenses are the other half of your camera, and it's easily the most permanent part. Folks upgrade dSLR bodies like other digital equipment. Lenses can last you decades.

[adrean8j]

@Inkista: Great writeup and useful information for noobs! I recently bought the Canon 50 1.8 II and it made a world of difference since I am usually in low/bad light conditions...clarity is better as well.....

[mikeassange]

I am not sure what your photography ability base is, but figure out why you are outgrowing the camera you currently use, figure out what you would like about a newer camera and base your seek off that.