T2i for a newbie - Nature shots, twilight hours, night shots, and macro

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I'm as new as it gets when it comes to photography. I just remember I took two years of photography back in high school and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Now that I'm making some money, I want to invest in this hobby again! Trust me, it's been ~ 7years since I took those classes, so assume I know nothing, because I really don't! I understand the concept behind aperture and shutter speeds, but no way am I able to adjust them on the fly (yet hopefully!).

I'm looking to get a refurbished Canon T2i along with the 18-55mm kit lens. I am also looking to get the "Nifty Fifty" 50mm 1.8II lens as recommended by people on my car forum, and my labmate, who is a photographer and knees deep in investment, so I figured he must make some sense.

My primary focus will nature shots, twilight hours shots, night shots, foul weather shots, and macro shots. Do you think the T2i will be sufficient? I'd like to keep it for at least 6months-1year as I learn with it. Having said that, do you think i'll outgrow it quickly? If you know of other camera without going over $800, please suggest away!

What macro lens would you recommend "just to get started"?

Also, what about tripods? Common sense tell me I want something that's light enough to be portable, but sturdy enough to withstand some wind and the overall weight of a dSLR w/lens. Flexibility is high on my list, I'd like the ability to shoot close to the ground. I understand I'm asking a lot from the tripod, but if there is one in the range of $100-150, that'll be great!

Please, humble me with your knowledge and experience, and I am definitely open to constructive criticism! Thank you much.

[LikeABoss]

t2i is an excellent camera to start with and should last for a while, also the canon 100mm 2.8 macro is a good macro lens for a decent price

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Also, do you guys think it's worthwhile to buy used lenses? Because I can get a "Nifty Fifty" for $60 used, and it's said to be in excellent/good condition.

I'm looking to invest more into lenses vs. getting the mack daddy of all cameras.

[teraflop]

Originally Posted by Say Chi Sin Lo

Also, do you guys think it's worthwhile to buy used lenses? Because I can get a "Nifty Fifty" for $60 used, and it's said to be in excellent/good condition.

I'm looking to invest more into lenses vs. getting the mack daddy of all cameras.

By the price of a new nifty-fifty i wouldn't even think of buying this one used. You know, that only a new one has the full canon guarantee. If you ever come to much more expensive lenses, then buying used is an option - but even then you'll see, that lenses do not lose value so much over the years.

Investing your money in lenses makes absolutely more sense then buying the best body. And i heard, that the most bodies built to last longer than 6-12 months
My opinion is: it takes a very long time before you (or me) outgrown a camera body. I read this all the time - i think for the most of us it would be more honest to say: i want a better body and i can afford it. Thats ok - a better body will give you better handling and better haptics. Maybe some more AF-points - but if you not shooting sports you'll realize, that in most situations 1 AF-Point is enough.

The field of photography is so wide and there are so much to learn every day. After years you'll find that you do not know everything about taking pictures. Was it Ansel Adams who was saying: "the first 10,000 pictures are the worst." Wait until you come to working with flashes to form the light. Or working in a studio. Or shooting macros.

Get the T2i - it is a very nice camera!

Cheers
flop

[manueld1]

I think it's a great camera for those new to photography like me. I just got one about 2 weeks ago through the Canon Loyalty Program and it looked brand new. I also bought a Nifty Fifty to along with as it was suggested by my friend.

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

I may be able to get a T2i w/18-55mm kit lens for $500. It comes with a 3year "Mack Diamond" warranty.

Good deal?

I took a look at the Mack Diamond warranty, and it seems to cover an impressive list of defect and idiots' habits. Problem is, I don't know if there is a dealer in my area. They sort by names of the shop, not cities. Any one from San Francisco area that can recommend me a shop? Thanks!

[Cap10]

I did what your thinking of doing. Went with a refurbished XTi from Canon in March. Paid $609.99 with the 18-55 kit lens. It looked new. I couldn't find any marks on it. It even smelled new The last real camera I owned was a Canon AV-1. So this is also all new to me. This camera is fantastic. I'm very happy I went this way. I'm now using the money I saved towards a refurbished L lens. I have a long way to go before I need a better camera.
Take a look at the T2i unite thread. A lot of happy new owners there.
And those links........ not good.

[DC Fan]

Originally Posted by Say Chi Sin Lo

I'm looking to get a refurbished Canon T2i along with the 18-55mm kit lens. I am also looking to get the "Nifty Fifty" 50mm 1.8II lens as recommended by people on my car forum, and my labmate, who is a photographer and knees deep in investment, so I figured he must make some sense.

Picture from a T2i and a Canon 18-55mm image stabilizer lens.




Picture from a T2i and a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lens.




In actual use, the lens and camera combinations work very well.

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Oh that Nifty Fifty looks good...

[Say Chi Sin Lo]

Thank you all for your advice and suggestions. As I have posted in the giant T2i thread, I have purchased a used T2i with 5000 actuation count.

Comes with:
- Wide strap
- USB cable
- AV cable (don't really care about it)
- Battery and charger
- 2 extra batteries
- 8GB San Disk Extreme 30mb/s
- 16GB San Disk Extreme 15mb/s
- 1 Battery Grip

- $600 for all. NO LENS

I can't wait to start shooting... Visual inspection says the camera was well taken care of.

Thank you all for your help!