Some advise regarding DSLR purchase

I would like to ask the experts if it is worth it for me to purchase a DSLR camera with maybe a total of 2 lenses. I have a budget of 2k for camera and lenses. Note, video is a nice to have but not a big deal for me.

My background: I am retired. My first real camera was an OM-1 which I had for about 5 years and lost everything in a fire. Never did replace it and have used point and shoot cameras ever since. The canon S2IS, Panasonic Lumix FZ35 and Sony DSC-H55 have been my last three camera purchases.

I take mostly indoor family photos and the wildlife from the back porch. I have not been real happy with the results given from my two super zooms. Great range but with lots of noise and terrible in low light situations.

I was thinking of picking up a Canon T3I body with the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5 - 4.5 USM for inside work (I have found 25mm is not always quite wide enough). This lens would be a 16-35mm on the T3i. Would I have to deal with any fisheye effect at the lowest end? For the wildlife I think I would try the EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM as I can’t afford the f2.8 versions. I would also add a 3rd party 1.6x TC for additional range, but not sure how bad it would affect the IQ (this would bust the budget).

Also, I do not use any software to enhance my pictures, other than what comes with the camera. Not sure I would like to start getting involved with that, unless it is truly idiot proof.

So with all that said, do I save my money and pickup a Lumix FZ150 or Canon SX40 and live with low light issues. Or will I get a significant improvement in IQ and low light capability with the DSLR staying within my budget?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and suggestions.

jbrackjr

Canon 10-22mm is a great lens and you wont get any pronounced fish eye effect to deal with. I would get at least Photoshop Elements, very straightforward to use.
With the right lenses image quality will be significantly better than opting for the latest superzoom models.

If you are really not concerned with video you could get a second hand 40D for £300 which would leave more for the tele lens.

I used to have a SX10 IS a while ago and I used to be mighty pleased with it, the SX models now-a-days do an even better job. More important than the significant improvement in picture quality (which a lot depends on the user), is the control a DSLR provides to the user.

If I were you, I would have tried T3i + Tamron 17-50 / Sigma 17-50 / Canon 18-55 + Canon 55-250 + a flash. Now is a very good time to buy as there are rebates on lot of stuff. If you are not able to buy now, buy used lenses so you don't end up losing much in case you decide later that the improvement is not significant enough for a retired person to justify the remaining invested.

Finally, with DSLRs, you are going to lose a lot if you do not make use of the ability to edit RAW format files instead of the out-of-camera files. For that, you get software along with your camera which is good enough for starters, albeit intimidating for some in the beginning but once you start learning it, it all starts falling in place.

Unless you want the swivel LCD screen and "creative filters", I would suggest saving some coin and going for the T2i. Everything else is the same.

As for the lens, going to a "pro" store where they have them available to try would be the best bet. I no longer buy a lens until I try it.

jbrackjr wrote in post #13526837
I would like to ask the experts if it is worth it for me to purchase a DSLR camera with maybe a total of 2 lenses. I have a budget of 2k for camera and lenses. Note, video is a nice to have but not a big deal for me.

My background: I am retired. My first real camera was an OM-1 which I had for about 5 years and lost everything in a fire. Never did replace it and have used point and shoot cameras ever since. The canon S2IS, Panasonic Lumix FZ35 and Sony DSC-H55 have been my last three camera purchases.

I take mostly indoor family photos and the wildlife from the back porch. I have not been real happy with the results given from my two super zooms. Great range but with lots of noise and terrible in low light situations.

I was thinking of picking up a Canon T3I body with the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5 - 4.5 USM for inside work (I have found 25mm is not always quite wide enough). This lens would be a 16-35mm on the T3i. Would I have to deal with any fisheye effect at the lowest end?

No. The 10-22 is a rectilinear zoom, which means that straight lines will remain straight, more or less, whereas with a fisheye only lines going through the optical centre (mid point of the frame) will stay straight.

Of course, getting very close to people or any other subject will give some distortion, the same as if you would get extremely close to people or tother subjects yourself. Towards the corners things will be stretched out, but that is normal.

It will likely be better than with any superzoom compact, but you will lose autofocus with such a combination. AF will not work beyond F/5.6 on a T3i. I'd suggest you forego the converter for now, unless you really find you are missing the extra reach. Effectively, with the 70-300, you will have a reach of 480 mm FF equivalent, which is quite a lot, generally considered to be enough for most wildlife shots, except maybe birding.

Since it doesn't write back to RAW files, I suggest you always shoot both RAW and jpeg, no problems whatsoever in that case. It is fairly easy to work with, however .

Yes, you will get a major improvement imagewise, it makes for quite a difference.

BTW, one final remark: make sure you also get yourself the 18-55 IS kit lens with the T3i. This will give you a lens for normal situations too, and as a kit it adds little to nothing to the camera pricewise. Furthermore, this will give you coverage from 10-300 mm in almost continuous fashion - the 56 to 69 mm gap you will likely not miss at all - that's about one step forward or backward in most cases.

HTH, kind regards, Wim

For $1420, you can get the following at B&H Photo:

1. Canon T2i
   
2. Canon EF-S 18-55mm
   
3. Canon EF-S 55-250mm
   
4. Canon EF-S 10-22mm
   

jbrackjr, you don't mention where you live bit if it the States, and if you still have that Canon S2IS, you should consider moving beyond the T2i or T3i and go right to the 60D using the Canon Loyalty Program. You can get the 60D body for about $640 and for not too much more get it with the 18-55mm (although not my favorite). I personally think it a better camera than the "T's" and once you use the articulating you'll agree it is quite useful. Details at https://photography-on-the.net/forum/...d.php​?t=948785.
Basically you trade in a Canon digital product and then you get 20% off Canon's refurbished price. The refurb product comes with a 90-day guarantee and a 2-week (I think) return policy. After putting some special software on an old PC I was able to "poke around" in the camera and the shutter count was 42 or 45. My 60D was for all essential purposes new.

Personally, I'd opt for a little different for a basic setup.
1.Canon T3i or 60D
2.Canon EF-S 18-135mm (like the range so much better than the 18-55 )
3.Canon EF-S 55-250mm
4.Canon EF-S 10-22mm
5.Canon 430 EXII or Canon 580 EXII flash for when you truly need it.
And a good sturdy tripod and either a remote or cable release. Forego the TC's on any reasonably cheap lenses.
For things that don't stand still, like wildlife, a DSLR will focus significantly faster than any of the superzooms or bridge cameras.. IQ will be a bit better too.