Should newbie buy Rebel

Yih-Yoon Lee · Jun 6, 2004

Hi,

I am planning to get a new digital camera and interested in learning photography. Is Canon Rebel a good choice for newbie or should I start with a point and shoot like A80?

Thanks

Yih-Yoon

fer312t · Jun 6, 2004

I say go for it, no question!

I was new to photography when I got the drebel, and it has been a stress free and enjoyable experience learning the camera.

If you're at all imtimidated in the the early days by the manual functions, remember the drebel also functions essentially as a point and shoot if you so desire it to ...

Glen Tang · Jun 6, 2004

I suggest go for a p&s. The drebel can be pretty frustrating to learn to use, and expensive to buy accessories and lenses for for better results.

You should find out what you like/dislike about the A80 first. Maybe the lack of a LCD would be a deal breaker... or you might find the A80 even too big for your likes.

I think a canon a80 would be ideal because even when you do get a drebel or other dslr, it would make a good compact supplement to it.

Doc Tonic · Jun 7, 2004

If you are that new to photography, you should stick with a point and shoot camera. Check out the canon 8mp powershot or the 8mp sony...I'd go with one of those first. If you want to learn more, then move up to SLR. There is quite a bit to learn about photography before you can successfully use the rebel. Also, this is an SLR camera and is meant to be used with a wide variety of lenses, which add to the overall cost of the camera.

Eugene Golubtsov · Jun 7, 2004

Hi,
Do not listen to anyone get it use it love it.

It can be used like a P&S , just put it to auto mode and shoot away.

About diferent lenses, Yes and No, if you get a kit lens it's better then most P&S will offer. and when you grow with the Rebel you can get the lenses after that.

The picks will be better qualety , without a question on the Rebel, then on any P&S in the same price range.

And, if you new to it any way, it dose not realy metter what to learn on as long as you stay on one camera.

Geting a P&S and then going to to Rebel may be a more lerning curve then you need.

So go with it Right away.

Joe201677 · Jun 7, 2004

I love my 300D, and I was just like you. Not sure of the learning curve and all the lenses. But this is one thing I have yet regretted one bit. Awesome camera!! Here is one of my favorite pics of my son. Maybe not the best but I love it.

Joe

DogsPlayingPoker · Jun 7, 2004

You will greatly enjoy the dreb if you want to learn about photography. If you want a point and shoot you will quickly get frustrated and not enjoy your purchase.

If you don't know about aperture, shutter speed and ISO you will want to get a good book on photography. I highly recommend Bryan Peterson's book Understanding Exposure (there is a new edition coming out but the one currently for sale is still excellent). I also recommend his book Learning to see Creatively. You can get both for about $16 each on Amazon.com.

Also, be prepared to spend extra money for at least a couple of CF cards, and extra battery, a better strap and a lens to complement the kit lens (at least the 50 mm f/1.8 plus maybe a telephoto [I like the 100-300] or short telephoto [28-105]). You can hold off on extension tubes, an external flash, etc.

--
http://www.mike-j.smugmug.com

ShirleyKat · Jun 7, 2004

It depends on HOW interested you are in learning photography. If you're really sure you want to spend time practicing and studying, then go ahead and gradually move into the non-auto mode settings. Don't run out and buy lenses until you hit the wall and can't get the photos you want.

If you have any doubts, buy a point and shoot (such as the A80 that was mentioned previously). You can practice all of the same creative zone type settings on a camera that costs less than $500. You can learn to do post processing, If you then want to pursue it further, including the expense of many times the cost of the camera for lenses, a good tripod, a good flash, etc., then make the move to the dRebel's successor.

Shirley

lawnmower · Jun 7, 2004

Yes, get the DSLR. If you have the money, bypass the PS. I learned on a PS which gave me the option of shooting full manual. That means I could adjust the shutter speed and aperture manually. My point and shoot has manual white balance adjustments, ISO, exposure compensation, shutter, aperture, flash compensation, different color modes, you name it. If I could learn on that you can learn on the Rebel. I will say that it helped me a lot when I did get a DSLR. I was ready to go. I was never interested in sticking my camera on auto and just shoot. I like full manual on my PS and on my DSLR. Get the DSLR and learn it. If all else fails stick it on auto and when you get a chance learn manual. You can do that on a PS and you can do that on a DSLR.

Phillip Gibson · Jun 7, 2004

I concur with peacemaker. I started by shooting in full auto mode trying to get a feel for the camera. I moved to the P mode so I could have more control. I have since move to the TV, AV and manual mode so that I have full control. I always set my camera back to full auto. My wife loves the full auto because she just wants to point and shoot.

Phil
--
I am not an art critic but I do know what I like.

kindred1 · Jun 7, 2004

I was a total newbie,never even owned a camera in my life,got the drebel and figured it out pretty quick,i say go for it.

krayers · Jun 7, 2004

I'm also new to digital photography. I agree with almost all the above comments. There is a pretty good learning curve with the 300d & it is not as easy as my daughter's point & shoot sony f707, but I do like it much better. One big plus is the problem with sutter speed lag you have with a point & shoot. We missed many great photos with her camera due to the shutter delay. That is one of the main reasons I chose an SLR. If you're REALLY interested in photography I think the 300D is a wonderful camera, but to fully utilize it you will need to learn about shutter speeds, focal lengths etc. I personally don't regret buying it at all, but I'm already adding lenses, which is pretty expensive. I used the lens kit for a long time while I was learning though. Good luck!

Kim

Zapped · Jun 7, 2004

I certainly wouldn't argue against getting a DRebel since I love mine, but if you get a P&S maybe save a little money by getting an A60, A70, or A75 instead of the latest&greatest A80. My reasoning is this - you can learn photography with the A-series since they support Av/Tv/M modes, and they're a nice pocket-sized camera to keep for snapshots even after you move on to a DSLR. I also like the fact that the A-series takes AA-sized batteries, which are easy to find even in the most remote corners of the earth. I'm considering replacing my Powershot S20 with an A70.

Why go for the most expensive A-series if it might be a stepping-stone to bigger & better things?

--
Zapped (Austin, TX)
http://www.pbase.com/pricklypear

Kropot · Jun 7, 2004

It depends how certain you are. I bought a G2 2 years ago. And now I own a 300D. Its not the camera that makes the shot, its the person behind that cam. It can be done with any cam. Just take some Mega pixies to be sure, and buy a good brand. If you want to go on with it and buy a DSLR, think, do I have the money for good lenzes.

Regards
Kro
--
http://www.kropot.nl

wburychka · Jun 8, 2004

Find a class to take first. Your local community college, many school districts, and commercial firms (like one here in Houston called Leisure Learning) offer classes pertinent to your decision. If you are serious about wanting to learn photography, this is a good place to start anyway.

You can probably find a class for people looking to buy a camera. Even if not, you will surely find a class for Digital SLRs. You will get double benefit there. You'll learn some basic photography stuff, and you'll have a chance to visit with others who have already taken the plunge. Make no mistake about it. You are talking about a lot of money here, and advance knowledge can make a big difference.

I recommended the same to a friend who wanted to buy a motorcycle a few years ago. I urged him to first take the Motorcycle Rider Course, available in most metropolitan areas sponsored by the mfrs and offered through local community colleges. He spent the $50 and two days...and he still thanks me for convincing him to take the course. He did not buy a motorcycle.
--
Bill
300D - It's a great camera, even if it isn't black

Jose Gil · Jun 8, 2004

In my opinion, a P&S is too limiting in control to let you learn photography. A lot of the functions are there, but are too cumbersome to easily access with most P&S cameras.

If your goal is to learn photography, either get a Rebel Digital and some books and shoot a LOT, or borrow someone's film camera and take a class at the local community college (most of these places aren't equiped for digital, and you'll be shooting slide film a lot, so might as well use a film camera).

Be careful though, once you get use to an SLR and like it, there's no way you'll be satisfied with a P&S. That's why I ended up getting the Rebel Digital. I wanted a digital camera, but I also needed the control of an SLR at a reasonable price. I bought it the first day it came out (and I'll finish paying for it some day).

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