camera & lens help

I have a lady friend that is a school teacher. She has been looking at some of my pictures and she wants me to recommend a camera and lens for her. She has never had a digital before and I was wondering about the T2i or a 60D with a 17-55 F/2.8. She will be taking mostly kids pictures in the school and of the family for now. May venture into something else in a later date. Just asking for help. Thank you.

I think you are on the right track. If she is just getting into it, the kit lens with the t2i before spending money on the 17-55 2.8. Not that the 17-55 2.8 isnt a superior lens, but its pretty costly for someone who might become overwhelmed by the dslr conversion. That and add an external flash of some sort.

Yeah, I'd start around the T2i or the 60D and kit lens, too. Learning to shoot and then worrying about jumping to the more expensive lenses.

Thanks gonzogolf & Snydremark

Many people don't like the superzooms but she could be a candidate for a superzoom plus a flash. A 60D with the 18-200mm lens as a kit is $1,299. The camera will be good for several years and the lens will be useful as a travel lens in the future. Get a flash regardless of body and lens.

I know several people that are using a Rebel plus a superzoom like a P & S camera. Their photos are much better than what they had been getting with a phone camera or an inexpensive pocket size camera. Most important, they are taking a lot more good photos.

Thanks Craiga

Sorry, but I gotta disagree with Craig, the 18-200 isnt a very good lens, and if you paid for a good camera you might as well get good glass.

I have to disagree with the "superzoom" lens idea as well, unless you go for the "superzoom" style of camera too.

There is no point in buying the potential of a DSLR and then treating it like one of the superzoom compacts by putting on a weak lens. You would be better off getting the superzoom camera in the first place - more portability and equal image quality.

There are many people for whom a DSLR is actually not the best solution to their photographic problems. A DSLR will, of course, do everything she wants, but if it will be used in Auto mode with a cheap super wide zoom lens, maybe it is just more than is necessary, and expensive too.

I knew there would be some responses to my suggestion of a superzoom and agree that a superzoom is not the best quality lens. They aren't close in IQ to any of my lenses. I just don't see a teacher spending nearly $2,500 on a starter kit for "taking mostly kids pictures in the school and of the family for now."

The OP listed getting a T2i or a 60D with a 17-55 f/2.8. The 60D plus 17-55 f/2.8 would cost $1,998.00
The low end would be getting a T2i plus 18-55 and 55-250mm kit for $899.00

The T2i two lens kit is the most economical way to have good photos with lenses that range from 18mm to 250mm and is a great starter kit. Having to change lenses is the problem with this kit.

I know we buy a DSLR camera so we can change lenses. Would a teacher really be willing to change lenses regularly for photos at school or family at home? My guess is that she would get a lot more use with a camera/lens combination that is ready for most any situation.

I do feel she would need the wide end in small rooms or for group shots and the telephoto zoom when outside whether at school or at home. The need for wide to telephoto in the 200/255mm range plus the convenience of an 18-200mm lens is why I suggested a superzoom for consideration.

The 60D and a superzoom would get used a lot while she learned to use a DSLR camera. She could upgrade to better lenses later and still have the superzoom as a travel lens. The Canon 18-200mm lens adds $400.00 when purchased as a kit with the 60D. Get a flash!

Here is a link to over 8,300 photos on Flickr taken with the Canon 18-200mm lens that is "weak" and "isn't very good." http://www.flickr.com …s/canon_ef-s_18-200mm_is/

Does she want to learn about photography, or just take nice pictures like you?

Gentlemen, Thanks for the replies. This lady will be one that wants to learn other things and get into taking different kinds of pictures as she learns. We will go with one of the two cameras mentioned before. Now we need a lens. I was looking at Tamron AF 18-270 f/3.5-6.3. I was wondering if this might be a good mid range priced lens. What would you recommend in the 1,000 to 1,200 range? This way she can make up her mind. We could drop back and go with one of the kit lens. I do not like the 18/135 or the Canon 18/200. Thanks again.

I'm already on record against the superzooms. You pay a significant price in sharpness for that range, not to mention the 6.3 max aperture fully extended. Its the swiss army knife of lenses, sure it does a lot of things, but none of them particularly well.

Pick up the newer 18-270 PZD and it should be a fine lens for learning on and learning what she needs out of a lens. Should be able to be had for around $600 or so.

gonzogolf wrote in post #12677033
I'm already on record against the superzooms. You pay a significant price in sharpness for that range, not to mention the 6.3 max aperture fully extended. Its the swiss army knife of lenses, sure it does a lot of things, but none of them particularly well.

What lens do u thing is good then

Lone-eagle wrote in post #12677349
What lens do u thing is good then

I'd start with a general purpose lens, like the either of the kit lens. Find out from there what her needs are, does her eye suit working with a wide lens, or does she shoot a bit tighter and then pick a better lens from there. Your original post suggested a great lens, the 17-55 2.8 and thats a great option, its just that so many people jump into this hobby with both feet, spend $3000 and then find that its too complicated/burdensome​/bothersome and then that money is down the drain. Take this in logical steps.