New to DSLR - T2i or T3i?

[ProudTexan]

I'm extremely new to DSLR's, having only used a point and shoot, and would like your expert opinions on which camera to buy.

Costco has the T2i for $849.00 which is the same price I would pay for a T3i at a local camera shop. What's included with both are listed below:

T2i (Costco)

• Canon EOS Rebel T2i Body
• Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
• Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Lens
• Canon Rebel Gadget Bag
• 4GB SD Card
• Mini HDMI Cable
• Wide Strap
• USB Interface Cable
• AV Cable
• Battery Pack
• Battery Charger
• EOS Digital Solution Disc
• "Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet

T3i - (local camera shop)

• EOS Rebel T3i Body
• EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
• Eyecup Ef
• Wide Strap EW-100DBIII
• USB Interface Cable IFC-130U
• AV Cable AVC-DC400ST
• Battery Pack LP-E8
• Battery Charger LC-E8
• EOS Digital Solution Disk and Instruction Manuals "Great Photography is Easy" Booklet and "Do More with Macro" Booklet

I'm not an avid photographer and would use the camera primarily for ever day use (i.e., vacation, kids, grandkids, parties, product shots, etc.). We own a camcorder so the ability to shoot video on the camera isn't that important.

Would it be more practical for me to get the T2i with the additional lens rather than the T3i? Is having an articulated screen and wireless flash control (T3i) that much of an advantage or is getting the additional lens more practical for someone such as myself?

Your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[inkista]

Originally Posted by ProudTexan

... I'm not an avid photographer and would use the camera primarily for ever day use (i.e., vacation, kids, grandkids, parties, product shots, etc.).

With the kids/grandkids, how often are you doing sports shooting? I also have to say that you'll probably need an additional (macro) lens to do product shots. Hang onto your P&S for that for now.

We own a camcorder so the ability to shoot video on the camera isn't that important.

Both the T2i and T3i are capable of video, so this probably isn't a consideration either unless you wanted to go for a used T1i.

Would it be more practical for me to get the T2i with the additional lens rather than the T3i?

Depends on what you want to shoot with the 55-250 IS. The longer reach is the main reason people pick it, but it's not fast enough on the autofocus to be great for sports or fast-moving wildlife shots. For general family snapshots it should be pretty good, but this is more of a "training wheels" lens that folks get because it's cheap and then they upgrade to something more suited for their specific subject if they use it a lot.

The price of a 55-250 IS new is about $250. The price difference between a new T2i and a new T3i is about $100. So, it might be worth it, it might not.

Is having an articulated screen and wireless flash control (T3i) that much of an advantage or is getting the additional lens more practical for someone such as myself?

Again, depends on what you shoot. The swivel screen comes in handy for overhead or down near the ground composition, and for video shooting. But I think it's the flash controller that's likely to be something you'll find a use for and that will be worth the cash. Food or product photography and portraits often require off-camera flash use, and not having to buy an additional EX speedlight unit to use Canon's proprietary wireless system means all you need to buy is a 430EX II to get started with Strobist setups with full eTTL capability.

Just me, but I'd go with the T3i. But which camera or lens or whatever to get generally comes down to you and what/how you want to shoot. I should probably point you to my "a dSLR is not a P&S upgrade lecture."

[ProudTexan]

Thanks inkista!

I'm new to photography so much of what you said about the wireless flash was Greek to me...lol. I'm a quick study however and will research what you said.

I don't do much sports shooting right now simply because all I have is a P&S camera. Both grandkids are starting to play more sports now so I'm sure I'll be shooting more events.

Since we all know how fast technology progresses I always like to get the most recent gadget of whatever it is I'm buying so I was leaning toward the T3i but when I saw the T2i with the additional lens for the same price I started second guessing my choice.

Is the 18-55mm lens better for still photos or sports shooting? What other lens would you recommend I purchase if I wanted to have something capable of shooting decent sports shots?

Ha - I do know that whenever technology is involved one always spends more than they anticipated. However, I'm not Warren Buffet so I am limited in what I can get. Plus, I'm a beginner so at this point I don't need the fanciest lens available.

Thanks again.

[inkista]

Originally Posted by ProudTexan

I'm new to photography so much of what you said about the wireless flash was Greek to me...lol. I'm a quick study however and will research what you said.

Have fun! The wireless flash/Strobist stuff was all Greek to me, too, for a very long time.

...Is the 18-55mm lens better for still photos or sports shooting?

Still photos.

What other lens would you recommend I purchase if I wanted to have something capable of shooting decent sports shots?

You're gonna hate me for this one. The EF 70-200 f/2.8L IS USM II. It's about $2000. This is why I asked. Sports and wildlife lenses do not come cheap. Typically, you want a long lens with a wide maximum aperture. Either of those two things are spendy. Put 'em together in combination, and it gets super-spendy. The lowest-priced 70-200/2.8s from Sigma and Tamron are about $800.

The EF-S 55-250 IS is a good lens, but it doesn't have USM (ultrasonic motor)--a feature which on telephoto zooms typically speeds up AF performance, and only consumer-grade optical performance. It's a good solid lens, and you could get sports shots with it, but you'd need to be outdoors in the sunlight, and your keeper rate may not be as high as you'd like.

[ProudTexan]

Thanks again inkista! I'm going to take your advice and get the T3i but I think I'll get the body only and purchase a different lens. What lens would you recommend for a beginning DSLR user for just basic everyday shooting? At this point I'm not too concerned with getting professional looking photos but once I get used to the camera and lens then I'll move up to getting better lenses. Is the EF-S 18-55mm lens that comes with the T3i what I should get or is there another/better lens you'd recommend?

[inkista]

I advocate the training wheels lens approach, but I have a bit more money to splash about on glass than most. The 18-55 is cheap, and when kitted with the body it's discounted to be only about $100. It'll cover all your vacation snapshot in front of a landscape needs. It's not the greatest lens, but it will give you some lens experience to work from when looking about for what lens you do want next.

The main "trick" with the 18-55 is to shoot in good light, and stop the lens down to f/8 for a little more sharpness and depth of field. And relish the 18mm wide end of the lens for landscapes.

The 55-250 IS and the EF 50mm f/1.8 II are the other two "training wheels" lenses, imo. The former for telephoto, the latter for wide max. aperture. Some folks would advocate getting them, others will say to go straight for something better.

[ProudTexan]

Perfect. I'll go with the 18-55 that comes with the camera and learn from there. Thank you!