Ugh, can't make up my mind T2i vs D90

The body is not as important as you think. You are buying into a system. Canon vs Nikon will be argued as long as they both exist. Determine your needs/wants and then analyse the possibilities with different brands. Money is a concern for most people. I went with Canon because they had the lenses and camera combinations that fit what I wanted at several hundred dollars cheaper than Nikon. I have not regretted my decision.

One piece of advice: Do not spend so much money on the body you don't have the money left to get quality lenses. A good body deserves or maybe even requires a very good lens. Plan to spend more on lenses than the body.

First and foremost I want to thank everyone who has replied. You are all more helpful than the Nikon crowd who are almost as bad as so called Apple elitest (despite I use Apple).

Yes I may not be an experienced photographer per say. I am a graphic artist who has mingled with photography from time to time (I have produced some incredible shots). I am just one of those designers that is branching out so to speak.

I sat for a long time thinking about my choices and I realized that I just drive two hours to find a place with the T2i... After a long time doing research. That had to mean something for my desire. The fact of the matter is that I am incredibly impressed with Canons latest offerings. I suppose my constant indecisiveness was venturing into the unknown away from Nikon.

I have always liked the more fuller body of the D90 and much more so the 7D (fantastic camera) so I am hoping that a battery grip helps with my small complaint.

I decided to stick with T2i as I figure it has enough "pro" features and abilites to allow myself to prosper as a photographer and to continue supplying my own images for graphic work. When I save enough money down the road to pick up a 7D... I should have a decent array of lenses to compliment it.

Last but not least can you guys suggest a good telephoto lenses and flash to get me going? I prefer to do landscape and night scenes...

RiCEADDiCTBOY wrote in post #9887824
Last but not least can you guys suggest a good telephoto lenses and flash to get me going? I prefer to do landscape and night scenes...

FLash - 430EX

For the lens, I would start a new post in the lens section and state your budget and desired usage of the lens.

Do your buddies shoot Nikon? Do they have lenses that they might share with you? Are you avid photographers who are likely to discuss shooting techniques and gear?

You'll feel left out if they use Nikon and you are the only one in the group with Canon.

You should check the reviews at dpreview.com.

Also, go to the camera shops and handle both of them. Check out the options and experiment with video if that;s important to you.

Consider what sort of photography you will do. Sports? If so, look at high ISO noise, burst rate and crop ratio.

tkbslc wrote in post #9885334
If you really want to know what I would do - I would get a used 30D or 40D and spend the rest on a nice lens or 2 and a speedlight. The body is the least important part and if you aren't going to care about video, no use paying a premium for a new camera.

Excellent advice!

RiCEADDiCTBOY wrote in post #9887824
Last but not least can you guys suggest a good telephoto lenses and flash to get me going? I prefer to do landscape and night scenes...

Hold onto you wallet. Learn to use what you will have

+1 for the 430EX. Your interest is in telephoto, landscape and night scenes. That is rather difficult to find in one lens. There has been an enormous number of "what lens" threads recently. You might want to check some of them.

Check here for some information on many Canon lenses: http://the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/

About the above site: Such sites are just one persons opinion but it is a good place to compare the facts about several lenses.

No, I won't be doing any sports photography.

While I understand that price can be a limiting factor I don't see the point in ever buying anything less than the 580 EX II for your first speedlite... It will be able to run any additional slaves you get later on and is just a superior flash in every way... Considering it is THE best flash that canon make, it's just a tiny drop in the ocean money wise compared to the money that people around here spend on glass... Worthwhile first investment if you ask me as opposed to mucking around with a 430 and then wanting to upgrade later on.

I suggest you buy the EF 15-85 great versatile lens with super high IQ
then see if you miss the long end or wide end if you need longer i recomend the 70-300IS (if you do not care about speed - as seems from you preffered shooting )
on the short end there is plenty like the sigma 10-20, canono 10-22, tokina 11-16 - any one will be good
do get a flash and although the 580 is best the 430 is plenty good

The T2i is a great choice, I think you'll be very happy with it. If money is tight try the "nifty-two-fifty", Canon's 55-250mm IS lens, I've been blown away with the picture quality and you can get one refurbished for $200 at Adorama. I bought the Canon 70-300 IS USM and returned it because is was very soft between 250-300 so it made it a good 70-250 lens, which is not what I had paid for, and for the price you pay for a 70-300 you can buy a 55-250 and a 50mm 1.4 or even the 85mm 1.8.

I'm a pure hobbyist and I find the gear I now have is more than sufficient for what I do so I can only speak for myself. You just have to be very careful on what others tell you to do, you could spend your life savings with new gear and then come to find out you bought more than you bargain for.

enrigonz, a big yes to everything you wrote.

enrigonz wrote in post #9892258
The T2i is a great choice, I think you'll be very happy with it. If money is tight try the "nifty-two-fifty", Canon's 55-250mm IS lens, I've been blown away with the picture quality and you can get one refurbished for $200 at Adorama. I bought the Canon 70-300 IS USM and returned it because is was very soft between 250-300 so it made it a good 70-250 lens, which is not what I had paid for, and for the price you pay for a 70-300 you can buy a 55-250 and a 50mm 1.4 or even the 85mm 1.8.

I'm a pure hobbyist and I find the gear I now have is more than sufficient for what I do so I can only speak for myself. You just have to be very careful on what others tell you to do, you could spend your life savings with new gear and then come to find out you bought more than you bargain for.

all true !

D90 has better viewfinder(pentaprism vs pentamirror), better body(ergonomics) and faster continuous range whereas t2i wins over D90 for me by featuring better low-light performance, movie mode and cheaper price.

But above all what makes T2i clear winner is canon line-up of lenses as canon has better and more value for money lenses.

TCShadow wrote in post #9888789
While I understand that price can be a limiting factor I don't see the point in ever buying anything less than the 580 EX II for your first speedlite... It will be able to run any additional slaves you get later on and is just a superior flash in every way... Considering it is THE best flash that canon make, it's just a tiny drop in the ocean money wise compared to the money that people around here spend on glass... Worthwhile first investment if you ask me as opposed to mucking around with a 430 and then wanting to upgrade later on.

I respectfully disagree. I have had 430EX for a couple of years, and the only reason for me to get a 580 would be to use a master/slave system - which means I need 430EX anyway. As a standalone, it's a great flash, much cheaper and much lighter than 580.