Motion / Canon 300D

[TechKnowBabble]

I am getting ready to purchase a Canon 300D (digital rebel) my question is how fast is the camera. My only previous digital camera is an old Olympus 1.3 MP (one of the Camedia line) which gives blurry photos if you move or the subject moves in the least. For taking non-motion shots (meaning not sports or anything fast) would I be fine with a regular lens, as I was looking at the IS lenses, but can't afford it just yet

Thanks!

Nikki

[Johnnynf]

By fast, I assume in this case that you are talking about stopping action. If that is the case, then the answer to your question is yes, the 300D will stop action MUCH better than any point and shoot camera ever could...even with the kit lens. With the 300D you can set shutter speeds of up to at least 1/2000th of a second (maybe higher...haven't checked in awhile). This speed is plenty fast to stop action. I have used my Digital Rebel to shoot a few basketball games, and trust me, it is plenty fast to stop the action.

As for the IS lenses, their main purpose is not to help you stop action faster...rather kind of the opposite. The IS lenses are made to stabalize the image when you must leave the shutter open for longer periods of time. This allows you to get much less blurr when trying to hand hold the camera in low-light situations...so if you are strictly looking to stop action, the IS lenses will not help you all that much. When trying to stop action, the shutter speeds will be fast enough that the camera won't shake that much anyway. I'm not saying that it won't benefit you at all...simply that the IS is intended for hand held, longer shutter speed shots.

If you really want an IS lens, B and H has the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM for around $400. This is an outstanding non-L lens for the money. You could get just the 300D body (with no kit lens) and get the IS lens instead. This would give you a total unit price (body and lens) of around $1300. If you can't swing the extra $300, then the kit lens provided is more than adequate until you can afford more...especially for only $100.