camera for newbie

I am a newbie to digital photography that is looking for a camera. I am looking at either a Canon G12 or XSi. I also can spring for a T3i (although I have to make a few personal sacrifice for a few months). Right now, I primary use my camera for taking pictures for my church. I like to learn a new hobby that may get me into a new way to earn donations for my church. I had done a bit a research and like to seek some advice. Here is what I found:

G12/11- relatively inexpensive but has a lot of manual controls. No choice of lens/very few accessories. Have to buy new as it has been on market for new months. G11 is very similar to 12 except I can buy used on Craigslist. Both also can shot entry level video. My feelings, it is good for learning but I probably will out learn it fairly quickly.

XSi - DSLR, older generation. Hugh choices of lens/accessories. Very inexpensive. Con, no video. don't know how reliable it is as buying on CL has no warranty. Heavy and bulky comparing to g11/12.

T3i - start of the art. Can do HD video. Full slate of lens/accessories. I probably will take years to learn/use all it features. Con expensive. Probably double the cost of a new G12.

I like XSi as I can learn a lot of photography from it for minimal cost. it is more bulky than I like but I probably can live with it. No video is a big turn off though. G12 is good but no choice of lens etc. G11 is relatively expensive to G12. Craigslist G11 seller don't give much discount. Can anybody tell me if T3i's advance features are worth double of G12 and how long will my photographic get up to steam so I will use all the advance features? tx

If you do choose a DSLR over the G12, I'd recommend the T2i if you don't need the flip out screen of the T3i. It does also have a bunch of new gimmicky features, but it's up to you to decide whether or not it's worth the price difference.

Either way, Adorama currently has the T2i for $769.00 with the 18-55mm kit lens ( http://www.adorama.com/ICADRT2IK.html ). However, there's a rebate that's available for $400 off when you buy a Canon DSLR in conjunction with the $400 Canon Pixma Pro9000 printer ( http://www.adorama.com/ICAP9000M2.html ). So if you have the extra funds now, are competent enough to fill out the rebate correctly, and can wait a few weeks to be reimbursed, you can get the T2i kit and the printer for $769.

You should be able to sell the printer for ~$200, bringing the price of the T2i kit to $569.

well, i afraid the rebate doesn't apply to me as i'm in canada. i have to pay 40 to ship to canada too. the taxes will be paid the same. i save $ 200 but i don't think the warranty will work in canada either. sigh.. can you summarize the difference btwn the two? tx

There is also a new T3 available for $599 which might be perfect.
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Canon S95 ...

slam5 said:

I like XSi as I can learn a lot of photography from it for minimal cost. it is more bulky than I like but I probably can live with it. No video is a big turn off though. G12 is good but no choice of lens etc. G11 is relatively expensive to G12. Craigslist G11 seller don't give much discount. Can anybody tell me if T3i's advance features are worth double of G12 and how long will my photographic get up to steam so I will use all the advance features? tx

Click to expand...

Canon's DSLRs lead in video department among all brands but at the current stage the video is still not quite for a good user experience. So if video is not a requirement, XSi should be an excellent choice. Even if you later decide that DSLR is not for you, you don't loose much.
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Rick

If considering the G12, then also look at the Lumix LX5. Not as long but much wider and better for landscape / architecture, also HD movies. Great in low light.

Might want to consider a canon factory reconditioned T2i. I just got one that way and am very happy with the purchase.

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/subCategory_10051_10051_-1_34263

Not sure if they will send them to canada or not, or if they have something similar up there.

If you just want static shots of church architecture that you stitch together (even HDRs), then the G11 or G12 is perfectly adequate. If you want to invest in a DSLR for landscape or architecture work, then I do have to say that this is an area where the Nikon D7000 and Sony a580 have better sensors for this kind of work than the current Canon products. (So do several of the Pentax cameras.)

For church interior architecture with stained glass, etc. HDR/tonemappting is the only current technique that will do it justice other than relatively sophisticated lighting with a flash (which is how one used to do such things in the era before computationally-augmented photography).

For photographing people at church, you are going to need not only a DSLR but either a pretty good flash or a pretty fast lens (likely both). If you're photographing during worship, a 50D or 60D is preferable because of "Silent Shooting Mode". You would probably combine this with a 85mm f/1.8 or a 50mm f/1.4 lens and brace on a chair/pew back as needed.

If you're only photographing during music, or sermons, etc. a Rebel can be OK, but its kind of loud. Lens recommendations stay the same.

When I get home (after youth group tonight - I have A/V work to do), I can post a few pictures we did at a lock-in a couple of weeks ago using a 500D w/ a 100mm f/2.8 lens. (We are still working on consent form logistics, so I may or may not be able to post ones with kids, but the adults had lots of fun in the inflatable obstacle course as well.)

Photo consent language should also become part of the release form for events.

If you are undecided I recommend you stay with a point and shoot camera. DSLRs will give better image quality, but you pay lots for the marginal increase. To get the advantages of a DSLR you really need to buy decent lenses each of which can cost more than the camera body. You need to carry around the appropriate lenses and you need to be willing to change lenses in the field. DSLRs also tend to require post processing. A point and shoot camera is much easier to use, much less expensive and you are likely to get better results unless you are seriously interested in photography and spend the time to develop your skills.

aha, that's more like it. what's the real difference from t3i? i went around town today looking at cameras. went to 3 places, one suggest Pentax as they don't have to use special lens to get IS. Another say Nikon D600(?) and when i quizzed them about Canon, the lady then give me the info on Canon. I believe that company won't make as much $ on Canon as Nikon or she doesn't as much bonus. Personally, I like Canon but if something else give me as good value. IMO, I think Canon has better software and can be hacked more.

It certainly means I have much less I have to spend and maybe able to get a macbook. I think I have to write down on a piece of paper what I really need and rather than just want. also a firm budget will be good too.

slam5 said:

It certainly means I have much less I have to spend and maybe able to get a macbook. I think I have to write down on a piece of paper what I really need and rather than just want. also a firm budget will be good too.

Click to expand...

XSi has quite adequate features for learning photography. My suggestion is to start with just the kit lens and learn how to get the best out of it. You certainly will miss scenes that need something wider or longer but believe me there are enough in-between to keep the kit lens busy.
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Rick

I had a similar dilemma. I was looking at the G11 which then became the G12 for nearly a year. A photographer friend of mine said I should just go straight for the DSLR as I'd only get bored with the G11/12 eventually and want to upgrade.

Good advice - I got the 550D w 18-135IS & 50 1.8 and it is truly great. I recently had a play around with a G11 and yes I think had I bought one I would have been upgrading to a DSLR within 6 months.

I do want an S95 though now (as well as a list of lenses that get longer each week!) as I do miss having a camera in my pocket at all times.

Good luck with your choice I am VERY happy with mine...

I would like to disagree with the previous poster that said that the XSi shutter is too noisy to use in a church. I have the XSi and I have used it in a church and I found the noise level of the shutter to be perfectly acceptable. I was not as if I was invisible, for I was standing there taking a picture but it was not like I was dropping a hammer every time the shutter released. Just a hushed 'click-click' sound.

Also you need to keep in mind that if you will be shooting inside of the church that you will probably be using high ISO to take pictures because of the dim lighting. At high ISOs, the images from the G-11/G-12 will have significantly more digital photographic noise than the XSi. Or, to look at it another way, if you shoot JPEGs with in camera noise reduction, the XSi will have much more detail and sharpness in the photos at high ISOs.

Good luck with your decision!
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Yogi

When you get down to the nuts and bolts of photography, the results depend on the 'nut' behind the camera!

See the 'Plan' in my 'Profile' for my current equipment.