My first love!

Bought this cam in Nov/2011 before a big change in my life.

I was to leave my country and move to China, and I wanted something to record the change.

I had a Sony P12 already beat up, lots of years of intense use and a few accidents were already showing some wear down.

Not much money available but a big will to enter (again) the DSLR world. My first was a Canon 400D that my ex-wife took... So, after intense search, I got to 1100D+18-55! What I would like to call: affordable quality.

After 2 months, I bought the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8. A whole new world open up...

After 4 months of intense use (it was my only toy), I was invited to join a photography class. I got the camera, the will and now, also the knowledge was starting to come. On my class, there were all kind of cameras, and yes, also a colleague with a MkII.

One lesson I have learned is: It doesn't matter what you have, but how you use it… or know how to use it!

I got some pics better than the guy with the MkII! Not my word, but the evaluation of the whole class.

It was only after photo class and thousands of pics later that I started to realize some limitations on my 1100D!

The 1100D is very easy to use. Easy to learn and a perfect cam to start entering seriously the photography world!

With it, I tried everything! And the 1100D is capable of everything!

Smaller and lighter, I could carry it on my hand for hours while walking along, always ready to take a photo!

At the end of the day, I was really happy with my decision. I bought a beginners cam for a beginner and it opened wide open the doors into the photography world! This cam was a jackpot!

Another important lesson i have learned is that with a little bit of money, i could confirm that I really loved photography, I wanted to do more, I wanted to do it better... Instead of upgrading for no reason, I am now looking for the best tool to suit my needs, and let's be honest, it's not always the most expensive tool that does the best job!

In the meantime, with all that I have learned, I’ve upgraded to 60D (after 2 years), which is my cam today and for what I do, is challenging… and enough!

My rating:

5 stars - because it delivers in a easy way! Exactly as a tool for beginners should be!

Detailed scoring:

Kids/pets - only if they don't move! lol It takes a little to focus... so, it's not easy!

Action/sports - once again, it is a little bit like the kids/pets scenario! You know that 1100D does video!? lol Meanwhile, you can get some nice pics... be patient and practice!

Landscapes/scenery - They don't move and you have time! Nice pics! Faith in you and on the cam restored!

Portraits - Beautiful pictures!!! Invite your family and photograph them all! Christmas gifts for everyone and you can save some dollars... maybe for the next lens!!! Don't forget your girlfriend! Easy money! Regarding the kids, a small hint is... catch them asleep!

Low light (without flash) - It works... and with a dramatic effect! One trick I used to convert the cons on pros... Change to black&white... increase ISO and enjoy the wooow effect you will cause when you show your pics to your friends!

Flash photography (social) - It works but... I used a small diffuser on the flash to get the best result.. very cheap, and very effective!

Studio/still life - Take your time... composition... pay attention to the lines... and so on! It works great with studio flashes! For still life, soft boxes does the trick!

Some foot notes... I started getting better results when I started changing the lenses! Pay attention, I only had 18-55 and 50mm! But, hey, what are friends for !?!?...

Now, leave your pc and go get a 1200D! It can only be better ...