digital rebel good camera for a newbie

[SteveRN]

thinking about the digital rebel any input on this camera as a first time purchase without breaking the bank in starting out with action shots for loacl pee-wee/high schools???

[roanjohn]

I would suggest a used 10D for action shots..........

You should find one for under a thousand in these boards of FM>

Ro1

[tofuboy]

It's a good camera for the cost. Keep in mind you will need a decent zoom lens to go along with it for the football photos if you want that "upclose" photo... unless you intend to be running around on the field.

If you know for sure you want to really get into photography, then you might want to think about getting the 20D. The drebel is great for people getting into SLR photography who don't know much about it. It was great in helping me learn... and I still am learning. I wouldn't mind having the 20D, but I am in no rush to dump the drebel for a new camera body. I'll probably go for a new camera body when the 20D's successor comes out... whenever that is.

[facemaker01]

I am learning photography and after much research found the 300d a good camera to get started. The person who I purchased the camera from (a photographer) is extremely helpful with his advice on which lenses to use and I am slowly working my way through my "Lens Wish List"....I rarely use the 18-55 EFS lens after purchasing the 70-200 ultrasonic zoom lens and some prime lenses.
One of the photographers that I style for and assist has kindly agreed to be my mentor and made me switch to manual. He also confirmed my supplier's choice of lenses as well.
The other thing that has been of immense help is Dennis Curtin's short course in Canon EOS Digital Photography. Much more comprehensive than the manual! I have tried other brands and am very happy with my decision.

Although I will purchase the 20d, I will be keeping my 300d as my back-up!

[ralee]

Hi Steve,

The Digital Rebel is a great entry level DSLR, but unfortunately it is not that good for sports photography. It is acceptable and if you are willing to have less keepers but gain good experience, it will get you by. As recommended by others , your other option is to look for a used 10D and then get a decent lens to go with it. Again the Digital rebel will work and you can learn off of it but if you plan on trying to make money in sports photography try to get a 10D atleast or better get a 20D.

Rob

[Persian-Rice]

Yes, the 300D is a great camera. If you want to go used and slightly more expensive there is the 10D.

[crazyfoo88]

I got a digital rebel, and she has treated me fine. Yes, its not the best DSLR, but unless you work full time and can afford the 10d or something better, the Rebel is the best choice. I had to pay for mine, and im only 16 (well, 15 when I got the camera). I do mainly biking photography, and the Drebel has never disappointed me. I like the lightweight body over the metal bodies of the other cameras. However, it is a little weaker if you drop it. I chose the Drebel over the 10d just because it felt better in my hand, and it didnt take that much out of my wallet. Honestly, get the rebel. Buy the cheap Canon 75-300mm USM lens, and you will be fine. I paid 200 CAD for mine, and she has been beautiful. Hope that helps,

Andrew

[pcasciola]

It's hard to resist getting the Rebel with the big rebates Canon is having. Get the Rebel + 2 lenses from their rebate list and you get $300 back on the Rebel and around $45 - $150 back on each lens depending on which lenses you get. I'm thinking of getting one just because I figure for $499 for a 2nd body to keep in my bag, how can I go wrong. I'll be buying two lenses between now and when the rebates end anyway, so the $300 is a given.

I posted this before on another thread, but with the rebates you could get the Rebel body, 50mm f/1.8, 70-200 F/4L and 28-135 IS for less than the price of a 20D body alone.

[Jon, The Elder]

If you just want to "take pictures" its all you'll ever need.

If you want to become a "Photographer" it's a great beginning

If you are going "Pro" it is a great "backup"

Buy it and get on with it - do it right away, yer wasting daylight !!

[johneo]

thinking about the digital rebel any input on this camera as a first time purchase without breaking the bank in starting out with action shots for loacl pee-wee/high schools???

I've never had the 300D but I do have a 10D and I think (as others have said) your money would be better spent on a 10D, especially since they have come down in price (new and used).

Keep in mind that whatever camera body you get, that will only be the 1st part of your spending. Buying good to excellent lenses can grow that spending to where you'll be scrtaching your head saying "Wa happened to my bank account?" I look in my camera bag and see that my 4 lenses (only 2 of which are "L"'s) and realise these lenses cost twice what the body did and I have a wish list that will make that seem like a bargain :cry: . Throw in a flash, a bunch of memory cards and an assortment of other items and you'll quickly see this "hobby" isn't cheap.

[pcasciola]

thinking about the digital rebel any input on this camera as a first time purchase without breaking the bank in starting out with action shots for loacl pee-wee/high schools???

I've never had the 300D but I do have a 10D and I think (as others have said) your money would be better spent on a 10D, especially since they have come down in price (new and used).


Normally I would agree that getting a 10D over the digital rebel would be a worthwhile investment, but because of the current $100-$300 digital rebel rebate, I'd tend to lean toward the digital rebel for a beginner on a limited budget, because the savings alone compared with a 10D kit would be $500-$700.

It all depends on what you are looking to spend.

For under $1000 I'd recommend a digital rebel with 18-55 kit lens and 75-300mm.

For $1200 you could get the digital rebel + 18-55 kit lens + 70-200mm f/4L for sports and either a 50mm f/1.4 or 85 f/1.8 for portraits. Go 10D and you are only getting the kit lens for that price.

If you can go $1500-$2000, then I would agree there is no reason to go with the digital rebel, but at that point I'd strongly recommend going with the 20D if you are looking to do sports, and maybe starting out with the 75-300mm to keep it under $2000.

[Molydood]

before you make a decision, between a rebel and 10d, take a look at the actual differences between them. From a functional point of view (once you get the hack for the rebel) it is almost identical to a 10d, and the pictures quality is pretty much identical too.

Think about this also:
If you buy an L lens and a rebel, you may want to upgrade the body in a year or two, but you won't want to change the lens.
If you buy a 10d and a cheap lens, you will probably want to upgrade both the lens AND the body in a year or two.
The lenses are a better investment IMO, as the camera technology moves a lot quicker.

Personally, I would get the rebel and spend the extra money on some nice glass, which is what I did, but I wouldn't really worry about it if it's your first DSLR. It's going to be fun :-)

please note that if you are considering the 20d, then my recommendation above is not valid, as I see the difference between a 20d and 10d larger than the differences between a 10d and a hacked rebel, and for sports, you will see the benefits of it over the 10d or rebel.

Martin

[Headcase650]

I have a 300D, my experiance tyring to shoot my daughters micro soccer leage were so frustrating. the sport mode is the only dedicated AI servo mode and its ISO 400 only. In the creative modes the camera decides weather to use one shot or servo focusing. Id shoot 100 pics and 10 would be in focus. If you have the budget my sugestion would be, 20D body $1500, sigma 24-60 2.8 EX $370 at PriceRitePhoto, sigma 70-200mm 2.8 EX HSM $650 from PriceRitePhoto Ebay, couple extra 1500mAh BP511 batterys off ebay $20, 1 Gig sandisk ultra II CF card $100 and a bag around $100 (Lowpro or Tamrac are good ones). All together yor at $2740 pluss shipping. Later on buy a flash, maybe a wide angle. Most people think thats a ton of money but you will wind up spending it in the future anyways. All this applys if you want to shoot sports, if you dont need sports or you dont think its worth the investment then go with the rebel, it is a great camera just not great for sports. I have spent that much on the equipment listed below plus batterys CF cards(I bought prior to july this year when 1 Gig cost $200) oh ant the 2 sigma lenses I suggested get great reviews, there not "L's" but they are less than half the price and are at least 90% as good. With all I have to shoot with I still cant do sports with great results.

[PhotosGuy]

I've had the 300D since February without any problems. See the pics at the site below & draw your own conclusions. :wink:

[DocFrankenstein]

Get 10D

[Molydood]

Get 10D

yeah, but why? A hacked rebel is the same isn't it?
you can use AI servo in any mode once you have the hack, although it it slightly buggy, its still useable IMO.

for me the choice is rebel with good lenses, or 20d with not so good lenses.

[ejwebb]

For $1200 you could get the digital rebel + 18-55 kit lens + 70-200mm f/4L for sports and either a 50mm f/1.4 or 85 f/1.8 for portraits. Go 10D and you are only getting the kit lens for that price.


While I agree the 10D does have more functionality and better build than a Rebel, with the rebates I think the advantage goes to a Rebel with good lenses over a 10D. Personally, I would rather spend the difference between the camera bodies (including rebate deals) towards the 70-200/f4 lens which I think would contribute more to good photos than the 10D body. Bodies are updated more often and lose value as new ones with new features come out - you will likely upgrade the body in a few years regardless of which one you buy. But the lenses you will keep much longer.

The $1200 Rebel and lens combination above is a phenominal deal! I paid $900 for my Rebel and kit lens just a few months ago! Just an opinion like everyone else's...