Canon 550?

Hey guys, I was thinking about getting a 550D for my first camera I take a lot of pics with my iPhone 4S but its just not doing justice for what I see through my eyes, I've had some advice from a friend on what camera to get he basically said any DSLR canon, I plan to buy a used 550D (not new) the other thing is it worth taking a 6 week beginners course to basically learn all the buttons etc, or shall I just type in what I want to know on YouTube as some people have advised me to do, if anyone can help me with these two questions it would be good happy to become a canon owner.

Valentinecanon wrote in post #15409392
Hey guys, I was thinking about getting a 550D for my first camera I take a lot of pics with my iPhone 4S but its just not doing justice for what I see through my eyes, I've had some advice from a friend on what camera to get he basically said any DSLR canon, I plan to buy a used 550D (not new) the other thing is it worth taking a 6 week beginners course to basically learn all the buttons etc, or shall I just type in what I want to know on YouTube as some people have advised me to do, if anyone can help me with these two questions it would be good happy to become a canon owner.

A Canon 550D, also known as a T2i, is a pleasantly useful camera that can handle any task you can give it. These images came from a 550D.

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Valentinecanon wrote in post #15409392
Hey guys, I was thinking about getting a 550D for my first camera I take a lot of pics with my iPhone 4S but its just not doing justice for what I see through my eyes, I've had some advice from a friend on what camera to get he basically said any DSLR canon, I plan to buy a used 550D (not new) the other thing is it worth taking a 6 week beginners course to basically learn all the buttons etc, or shall I just type in what I want to know on YouTube as some people have advised me to do, if anyone can help me with these two questions it would be good happy to become a canon owner.

The 550D (or the T2i as its known is North America) is a couple of generations old at this point, but its still a great entry level dSLR. In fact even though a 600D and the new 650D version have been released, all three cameras have the same 18mp sensor. While the newer versions have greater functionality, the differences are generally not that significant. The 550D is definitely not obsolete. You didn't mention the lens. I presume one is available with the body, but that's not necessarily so. Confirm that one or more lenses are included in the deal or you'll have to buy one separately. Generally the kits for this body come with a Canon 18-55mm lens and sometimes with an additional lens, usually the Canon 55-250mm.

Learning is a very individual things. Such a course might work for you, or might not. Be sure its geared to dSLR specifically so they won't focus on point and shoot camera features. Regardless, I would also get a copy of David Busch's Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D book. It will step you through each feature and option of this camera, how to use it, and why. Although its a 350 page book, its a profusely illustrated, easy to understand, complete guide and reference. Its published by Course Technology and is available on Amazon.com. If the course you're thinking of taking is focused more on photography than operating a dSLR, then the combination of the two might be a good idea.

I had the 550D's predecessor. It was, and still is, a very capable camera. Don't expect miracles, though. A DSLR expects you to know what you are doing. Much like playing piano or basketball, what you get out of it is primarily determined by what you put into it.

^^^^Couldn't have said it any better.

Great camera and it will reward you with wonderful photos provided that you learn how to use it properly. These fora provide a great resource for learning along with the UTube tutorials. A 6 week course may also help you with some hands-on training.

Good luck and welcome to POTN.

Hey Valentine. Hope all is well. And welcome to the PotN forum. We have a great group here that is full of knowledge about most anything you'd care to learn about the subject of photography. Many, like me, are beginners to the digital world (I spent my youth on the fabled cameras that used something called "film"), but most here are ridiculously well versed in Canon's digital realm.

Now, on to your question: the Canon T2i/550D is one hell of a camera. It is capable of producing works of art. I have one right now and love it. It uses the full range of Canon's digital/automatic lense lineup (excepting for the new M series), and is capable of using certain older, manual film camera lenses via adapters (you can find more info on that scattered throughout the forum and the net). The image quality is vivid and sharp, yet flexible enough to manipulate in the various photo editing software that are in use today - from freeware to Photoshop. I find the viewfinder to be of a comfortable midsize, that is bright and sharp. The T2i's (U.S. name of the 550D) weight is very light compared to other cameras that are on the market, yet it is meaty enough to feel right with longer lenses attached.

I can highly recommend the 550D as a first camera. The operations are simple enough to grasp quickly, yet complex enough to help you get the shot you want. With the settings on "Auto" (green rectangle) you can take great snapshots, but turning the dial over to "Manual" (M) will allow you the breathing room to take photos like some of the ones that can be found in this forum.

If you have never used an SLR of any sort before, I would recommend either taking the course you have looked into or just purchasing a good book on learning photography, and using it while simultaneously trying out what it is teaching you while you read. Either approach would offer you a "hands on" learning experience that you need to really show you what your camera is capable of doing.

Good luck, and welcome to the habit, er...hobby.

The T2i at this point price wise is a massive amount of camera for the money. Sensor wise it has the same sensor as the 7d, 60d, and T3i. If you aren't afraid to load Magic Lantern on it, you'll find a whole new slew of functions the camera can do that are very useful for photography, not just video, like 1/3 ISO stops, focus peaking, bulb,....
Get one with confidence. As your first DSLR, the T2i will not be what holds you back as you learn.

BrickR wrote in post #15409599
The T2i at this point price wise is a massive amount of camera for the money. Sensor wise it has the same sensor as the 7d, 60d, and T3i. If you aren't afraid to load Magic Lantern on it, you'll find a whole new slew of functions the camera can do that are very useful for photography, not just video, like 1/3 ISO stops, focus peaking, bulb,....
Get one with confidence. As your first DSLR, the T2i will not be what holds you back as you learn.

Thanks for bringing video up. Of course the 550D also does great hi def video with or without Magic Lantern . Surprisingly no one else (including me) mentioned it

mwsilver wrote in post #15409517
The 550D (or the T2i as its known is North America) is a couple of generations old at this point, but its still a great entry level dSLR. In fact even though a 600D and the new 650D version have been released, all three cameras have the same 18mp sensor. While the newer versions have greater functionality, the differences are generally not that significant. The 550D is definitely not obsolete. You didn't mention the lens. I presume one is available with the body, but that's not necessarily so. Confirm that one or more lenses are included in the deal or you'll have to buy one separately. Generally the kits for this body come with a Canon 18-55mm lens and sometimes with an additional lens, usually the Canon 55-250mm.

Learning is a very individual things. Such a course might work for you, or might not. Be sure its geared to dSLR specifically so they won't focus on point and shoot camera features. Regardless, I would also get a copy of David Busch's Canon EOS Rebel T2i/550D book. It will step you through each feature and option of this camera, how to use it, and why. Although its a 350 page book, its a profusely illustrated, easy to understand, complete guide and reference. Its published by Course Technology and is available on Amazon.com. If the course you're thinking of taking is focused more on photography than operating a dSLR, then the combination of the two might be a good idea.

I agree wholeheartedly with the above advice, especially to get the David Busch book. If you get this book, you may not need the course!

Good luck!

Yogi

Yogi Bear wrote in post #15410133
I agree wholeheartedly with the above advice, especially to get the David Busch book. If you get this book, you may not need the course!

Good luck!

Yogi

The book will teach him everything he need to know about operating the camera, but it probably won't give him enough understanding of when and how to employ different techniques. I don't recall if it goes into enough detail about the relationship between aperture, shutter speed and ISO or how they should be set in relation to each other to achieve the results you're looking for. I know much of this is covered to one degree or another, but a good course or an additional book which focuses on photographic technique would be very useful

The 550D is a great entry camera and was my first DSLR. If I showed you shots from my 550D and 5D3, you probably couldn't tell the difference. After using a DSLR, you will wonder how you even took pictures with an iPhone.

One book that gets a lot of recommendation, and rightly so, is Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure." Go out and pick up a copy for $15 or less and read every page. In addition to knowing your camera, you need to understand how ISO, shutter speed, and aperture work together. It's the definitive DSLR book for those just starting out.

550D plus "Understanding Exposure" along with POTN launched me into this hobby, and it took two years of hard sports shooting before I finally started to outgrow it. It's a great camera body, and at current used prices, an amazing value.

Hey guys the books that you recommended have been ordered I'm just waiting for them to arrive I will be getting my camera at the end of January as that's when my birthday is, so for the mean time I'm gonna read and watch video's on digital photography and learn as much as I can so when it comes to hands on I will have a better idea of what I am doing but thanks for all the help and suggestions you guys gave, thanks.

You haven't mentioned what lens you're getting with the T2i, or what type of situations you expect to shoot. One of the "problems" with getting a good camera is that it allows you to really see all the strengths and weaknesses of your lens. Most new owners will want another lens in about one month ... and yet another lens in about 6 months.

Welcome to the world of good photography!

bubbygator wrote in post #15425275
You haven't mentioned what lens you're getting with the T2i, or what type of situations you expect to shoot. One of the "problems" with getting a good camera is that it allows you to really see all the strengths and weaknesses of your lens. Most new owners will want another lens in about one month ... and yet another lens in about 6 months.

Welcome to the world of good photography!

The OP is getting the books before the camera. I hope the purchase of the camera body works out. I also asked about the lens in an earlier post, but no response yet.