Canon EOS 550D- wrong choice?

gabebalazs wrote in post #14572971
Seems like there are lots of good advice in this thread and some, in my opinion, not so good advice.

First of all, I own the Tamron 18-270 VC, the first version, not the PZD. This is the lens that I've owned for the longest time out of all my lenses (and many more that came and went in the meantime).
I also owned every Rebel at one point in time from the xt (350D) to currently owning the T3i.

I used the T2i a lot with the Tamron 18-270 and I liked it a lot, while keeping in mind its limitations. I also own some expensive lenses but that fact does not take away from my enjoyment of the Tamron. I am originally from Hungary and I've taken my Tamron lens - with 2-3 different bodies at different occasions - to Hungary many times since 2008.

The T2i is one of the best entry level DSLR out there still to this day in my opinion. IQ is very good, virtually the same as 60D, 7D, T3i, T4i. So that shouldn't be a problem. Feature-wise it is also pretty good and should not limit you in most of the shooting situation you might face.

The lens is a good all-around lens, I love it for traveling light/vacation. Some advice. Unless you're in a low-light environment, or want a shallower depth of field for portraits, stop the lens down by 1 stop at any given zoom setting (e.g. use perhaps f/5.6 at 18-35mm shots, use f/8 at 200+mm shots, etc.) That helps achieve sharper images AS LONG AS you're not compromising shutter speed and causing motion blur. The VC in this lens is great, but it won't help freezing motion by your subject (kids, pets running around, cars, traffic, etc.)
And this takes me to the main advice other have already given you: getting a basic understanding of photography. There are a tons of good books out there, also on the internet. But perhaps the most beneficial is to find a friend, a colleague, who knows about these things and can explain them to you in an easier language. Yes, technical terms are important to know but friends have a better way to explaining to us what they mean and do.

So to sum it up, your 550D + Tamron 18-270 VC is a good all around combo if using the right skills and knowing its limitations. And no, there is a good chance that you will not be able to take top notch wedding photos, portraits (here I mean images that look like the ones from professionals who own state of the art lenses, full frame bodies, the necessary skills, etc.), or award winning bird photos etc. There are way more specialized and more expensive lenses for that. I myself don't just venture out with my T3i and Tamron lens to catch migrating warblers in the area. I use my other setup (7D and 120-300 2.8 OS with extenders) for that purpose.
But don't give up, your Canon 550D is a very good body and the Tamron lens should provide you with a lot of nice memories.

p.s. I also believe that you should not lose the superzoom. I, in fact, went from starting out with the Canon 18-55 IS + 55-250 IS combo which I liked, to the Tamron 18-270 VC. For walk around, vacation photos, to me, the Tamron fits the bill better. With the 2 lens Canon combo I occasionally missed shots due to not having the right lens on, I found myself changing lenses all the time. I also faced more dust and dirt getting into my camera when I was on the beach in Tampa and had to change lenses to accommodate the shooting situation.
So I think you're fine with the superzoom.
Now it's time to hit the books, the net and ask friends about advice.

One last advice. I think your next steps equipment-wise should be an external flash, even if it is the cheaper 270EX, and the Canon 50mm 1.8. That will expand your indoor and shallow depth of field (for portraits for instance) possibilities.

Agreed. An external flash and the Canon 50mm f1.8 should be on her short list for future purchases.

loopylisa84 wrote in post #14571105
I have had my eye on the 50mm cannon 1.4 or 1.8 since I got the camera as yes I'm interested in getting that front clear back blurry kinda look.

I should mention that depth of field (DOF) is not just controlled by aperture but also focal length! You can create those shots but perhaps not with the composition you had in mind.

Try this. Set your zoom around 200mm and aperture as low as it will go (I'm assuming f/5.6 at this length) and focus on something fairly close, perhaps 2-3 feet. (The lens' minimum focusing distance is about 20"). Look at what happens to the background. Focus might be tricky though!

gabebalazs wrote in post #14572971
I also believe that you should not lose the superzoom. I, in fact, went from starting out with the Canon 18-55 IS + 55-250 IS combo which I liked, to the Tamron 18-270 VC. For walk around, vacation photos, to me, the Tamron fits the bill better. With the 2 lens Canon combo I occasionally missed shots due to not having the right lens on, I found myself changing lenses all the time. I also faced more dust and dirt getting into my camera when I was on the beach in Tampa and had to change lenses to accommodate the shooting situation.
So I think you're fine with the superzoom.
Now it's time to hit the books, the net and ask friends about advice.

I agree with what Gabe is saying, don't just ditch your lens right away, especially since you're planning to take it for travel. Did your camera come with a kit lens or did you just buy the body?

joeblack2022 wrote in post #14573511
I should mention that depth of field (DOF) is not just controlled by aperture but also focal length! You can create those shots but perhaps not with the composition you had in mind.

Try this. Set your zoom around 200mm and aperture as low as it will go (I'm assuming f/5.6 at this length) and focus on something fairly close, perhaps 2-3 feet. (The lens' minimum focusing distance is about 20"). Look at what happens to the background. Focus might be tricky though!

I agree with what Gabe is saying, don't just ditch your lens right away, especially since you're planning to take it for travel. Did your camera come with a kit lens or did you just buy the body?

Actually the Tamron is at f6.3 above 170mm.

The combination of a Canon digital Rebel T2i and a Canon 18-200mm image stasbilizer lens is a rough equivalent to the combination of a Canon 500D and a Tamron 18-270 VC

The T2i and 18-200 IS produced these images with no difficulty.
Now,lighting may make a difference, and these examples were produced outdoors, but the T2i usually creates good images and requires no exceptional attention to settings.

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I am for keeping the superzoom too. A lot of people pooh pooh them but have no experience of their own. They do have some drawbacks and some limitations, but also they have tremendous ability and breadth of application.

Here is my superzoom playing with limited Depth of Field (DOF) at 60mm f5.6

The combination of a Canon digital Rebel T2i and a Canon 18-200mm image stasbilizer lens is a rough equivalent to the combination of a Canon 500D and a Tamron 18-270 VC.

The T2i and 18-200 IS produced these images with no difficulty.

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I am sure by now you have enough information to make an informed decision...

If, in the future you do decide to get another camera, or a lens, be sure to check out Craigslist, you can get really good deals there, OR, buy used here in the Classifieds, it's actually safer to do that, good prices with both places though.
To kind'a show you, I had a XSi, then I wanted to upgrade some, so I bought the T2i, I loved it, it was a major upgrade ion my eyes, I was really happy with it.
On Craigslist I paid $650. for one that had 1,000 actuations on it, and it also came with a new 18-55mm IS and a new 55-250mm IS lens, and a bag, and 2 barely used 8 gig cards. That wasn't a bad deal, a guy needed to pay rent or be evicted, and needed money. If you look around, there are good deals, you just have to watch daily, not every once in a while... daily...
Since I bought that, I have seen many T2i's on Craigslist for around $400.-$500. some new in the box, or so they said, I didn't check them out, but I saw legit looking ones for the same price that were slightly used too.
(If I sell my XSi and the two lenses, I will almost get the T2I for cheap, I didn't need the bag, or the cards either)
Since then, I have upgraded again, to 2 other cameras, I bought both here using the Classifieds, and I was really happy with the prices, and the people I dealt with.
You buy new, you pay new pricing, which if that'[S what you want to do, that's fine, but buying used has its advantages too, good prices.

If you ever need to compare what cameras you need to, check out this site...
It allows you to compare side-by-side TWO cameras, it's really a time saver.
To show you, I placed a link below with both cameras you were interested in. By now, I'm sure that you know that the cameras share a lot of things, and you actually did fine by getting the T2i, they share the same processor, which is a big thing.

http://snapsort.com …anon-T3i-vs-Canon_EOS_60D

Here's a comparison that shows the cameras SIZES that should help those that need to know that information...

http://camerasize.com/​compare/#219,100

Anyway, hopefully this is helpful to you, or someone else here, I got this link here on the forum, and I'm just passing it along, it sure helped me a lot, I know that.

Randy

Yowza that's a big cat! FYI there is a 1024 pixel limit on the long edge for posting photos in the forum. Nice work getting the eyes in focus.

If you did this with similar settings to what I was suggesting, you'd actually get LESS depth of field than with the 50/1.8. There is a calculator you can use at:

http://www.dofmaster.c​om/dofjs.html

Sorry- I just got overexcited that I managed to post a photo at all. And this is one of my favourites. When I get home I will try to upload some smaller pics onto this thread of the cat that I like. I sorta find that calculator confusing as I don't really understand what its trying to achieve.

I did get the tamron 18-270 because I wanted to have a lense that when I was out and about in london I could take scenery pics and pics of the boy without having to change the lense. I am going to invest in the 1.8 or 1.4 50mm lense but I also wonder if for what I want it for their are other lenses I will need(just trying to get an idea of what to budget for), basically I want to
-Take pics at parties/events(includi​ng group shots)
-Take pics at friends weddings
-Take pics of my nephews(including baby)- indoor and outdoor(thinking leaves, brightly coloured umbrella's,, balloons, pics of him on the swing(up the shutter speed...)
-Scenery and landscape pics- e..g stonehenge

Based on the 18-270mm tamron and the nifty fifty will I be ok with this for a while?

loopylisa84 wrote in post #14576257
Sorry- I just got overexcited that I managed to post a photo at all. And this is one of my favourites. When I get home I will try to upload some smaller pics onto this thread of the cat that I like. I sorta find that calculator confusing as I don't really understand what its trying to achieve.

I did get the tamron 18-270 because I wanted to have a lense that when I was out and about in london I could take scenery pics and pics of the boy without having to change the lense. I am going to invest in the 1.8 or 1.4 50mm lense but I also wonder if for what I want it for their are other lenses I will need(just trying to get an idea of what to budget for), basically I want to
-Take pics at parties/events(includi​ng group shots)
-Take pics at friends weddings
-Take pics of my nephews(including baby)- indoor and outdoor(thinking leaves, brightly coloured umbrella's,, balloons, pics of him on the swing(up the shutter speed...)
-Scenery and landscape pics- e..g stonehenge

Based on the 18-270mm tamron and the nifty fifty will I be ok with this for a while?

For the moment, until you figure it all out. get a decent flash attachment (search here for recommendations) and the Canon 50mm f1.8, a small investment. It is a cheap plasticky looking lens but the photos it takes belies its cost and cheap construction. The most inexpensive of all Canon lenses and one of the true bargains in photography. Any thing else you need, like a good tripod, you'll be able to figure out for yourself later. BTW when you buy a tripod, don't go cheap. Buy the most rigid (and light weight) one you can afford

Once again, which version of the Tamron did you get, the one with the PZD focus motor and 64mm filter thread or the older one with the 72mm filter thread?

loopylisa84 wrote in post #14576257
Sorry- I just got overexcited that I managed to post a photo at all. And this is one of my favourites. When I get home I will try to upload some smaller pics onto this thread of the cat that I like. I sorta find that calculator confusing as I don't really understand what its trying to achieve.

I did get the tamron 18-270 because I wanted to have a lense that when I was out and about in london I could take scenery pics and pics of the boy without having to change the lense. I am going to invest in the 1.8 or 1.4 50mm lense but I also wonder if for what I want it for their are other lenses I will need(just trying to get an idea of what to budget for), basically I want to
-Take pics at parties/events(includi​ng group shots)
-Take pics at friends weddings
-Take pics of my nephews(including baby)- indoor and outdoor(thinking leaves, brightly coloured umbrella's,, balloons, pics of him on the swing(up the shutter speed...)
-Scenery and landscape pics- e..g stonehenge

Based on the 18-270mm tamron and the nifty fifty will I be ok with this for a while?

For your group shots and wedding shots you might want something a little wider than 18mm(if the groups are more than about 15 people)...This goes for Stonehenge as well.

Another good idea is a circular polariser for your landscapes...This will make the sky a beautiful deep blue colour.

rrblint wrote in post #14576455
For your group shots and wedding shots you might want something a little wider than 18mm(if the groups are more than about 15 people)...This goes for Stonehenge as well.

Another good idea is a circular polariser for your landscapes...This will make the sky a beautiful deep blue colour.

Gonna show my newbieness here but you are suggesting something like.. http://www.canon.com.a​u …-S10-22mm-f35-45-USM-Lens ?
The 'wider' the angle the lower the number?

Yes, the lower the number the wider(more coverage)the angle of view.

That 10-22 Canon lens that you specified has gotten very good reviews here on these forums and in the photographic press...I've never used it, but if it lives up to the reviews it should be perfect for your Stonehenge shots and groups. At it's lower end this lens is very wide(I believe Stonehenge is very big)and this will make it easier for you to fit it all into your photo without your having to move far away.It will accentuate the hugeness of that ancient monument.

Maybe someone who has used this lens can tell you more about it's IQ, but I am sure it is quite good.

Third party manufacturers make competing lenses that may be less expensive.

loopylisa84 wrote in post #14576590
Gonna show my newbieness here but you are suggesting something like.. http://www.canon.com.a​u …-S10-22mm-f35-45-USM-Lens ?
The 'wider' the angle the lower the number?

The 10-22 mm is very wide and most often used for expansive landscapes. And the speed, f3.5 - f4.5 won't be really usable in low light without a flash or other artificial lighting unless you use a long shutter speed on a tripod. But for Stonehenge with enough light? Perfect. I haven't been there is over 25 years. No camera back then. Boy, I'f love to get some shots of it now.