$2500 for canon slr and lens(es)

[JJphoto]

Unless you need speed I would opt for a T2i

the only thing I don't like the rebel is the shutter lag, too long,to me, that's a deal breaker. i don't mind have one as a back up body though.

[nickds7]

Unless you need speed I would opt for a T2i

the only thing I don't like the rebel is the shutter lag, too long,to me, that's a deal breaker. i don't mind have one as a back up body though.

Theres a lot things that differentiate the xxxD bodies. It is hard to say until you actually use both. Viewfinder, buttons, screen, shutter lag, af, larger grip (still not large enough, damn canon) . You might want to visit a store and try both, I think best buy has a 7d on display...not sure though.

[btaylor]

Hi Rebecca, welcome.


I'd go with the 50D or 60D. As JJ mentioned, I think the 7D would be overkill and you get a lot of the same features with the 50D / 60D anyway. The 7D has its advantages in terms of frames per second etc but I don't think that will be your primary requirement.


I would head for one of the xxD models over the rebels/T2i for 2 main reasons:


- build quality is much better in the xxD models


- the 50D/60D both have autofocus microadjustment (which the rebels/T2i don't) and I consider this one of the most important features on my 5D2.


If you can afford it the 60D it does have some advantages over the 50D including a newer autofocus system, full HD movie mode (if that interests you) and it takes SD cards (instead of CF cards) which are generally cheaper.


In terms of lenses I think the Canon 85mm f/1.8 is a good suggestion and is a popular portrait lens. The EF-SCanon 17-55mm f/2.8 IS is also an outstanding lens. I would also get a speedlite (flash) and the 430 ex II is a fantastic mid range speedlite. Getting a handle on shooting with a flash effectivelyis very important part of portrait photography so why not start learning from the word go.


If I were in your position I'd go with the 60D, 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, Canon 430 EX II speedliteand a Sandisk Extreme 16 GB SDHC memorycard. This would set you back $2488.95 at B & H.


That would keep you going for some time as there's a lot of potential in this combo. The only problem with this setup is that if you want to upgrade to a full frame camera in the future the 17-55mm f/2.8 is not compatible so you'd have to upgrade. By that stage though I'm sure you'll have a good idea where you want to head.


Hope this helps anyway,


Cheers, Ben.

[Fast Glass]

- build quality is much better in the xxD models

True, but I have droped my XTi multiple timeson concrete and it just bounces! Build for an ameture is no big deal.

- the 50D/60D both have autofocus microadjustment (which the rebels/T2i don't) and I consider this one of the most important features on my 5D2.

The 60D does NOT have AF microadjustment while the 50D does, that's partly why I didn't recomend it.

and it takes SD cards (instead of CF cards) which are generally cheaper.

But slower. Memory is cheap buy more!

If I were in your position I'd go with the 60D, 17-55mm f/2.8 IS, Canon 430 EX II speedliteand a Sandisk Extreme 16 GB SDHC memorycard. This would set you back $2488.95 at B & H.

That set up would be FAR more limiting than a T2i and 17-55mm or 24-70mm and 70-200mm. It's no fun to be stuk only with a standard range lens, I shot for two years with only the 18-55mm kit lens and that focal length range is usefull but also limiting and gets borring after a while!


John.

[btaylor]

The 60D does NOT have AF microadjustment while the 50D does, that's partly why I didn't recomend it.

Thanks for the correction John (I hate to give false advice). The lack of micro adjustment was actually one of the things that blew me away with the 60D so I don't know why I missed that.


Rebecca you've got a lot of varied suggestions here, all will give you a good result. The best bet now is probably to head to your local camera store with these suggestions in mind and have a feel of the gear to see what suits you best.


Good luck. Ben.

[Richard Lane]

- the 50D/60D both have autofocus microadjustment (which the rebels/T2i don't) and I consider this one of the most important features on my 5D2.

As Ben has stated the AF Micro-adjustment is nice, however, I don't believe that the 60D has this feature as this time. There are some hopes though, that it may be added via a firmware update in the future.


All excellent suggestions so far, here are my thoughts!


You sound very passionate about it and you did mention, possible business aspirations, so if you do get the 7D, you will probably never need anything more out of the body. If you get the 60D(un-weathersealed body?), you may eventually be longing for more, like faster shutter speeds or AF micro-adjustment. Regarding AF-microadjustment, it allows the consumer to fine tune/calibrate each Lens with their specific Body, as all lenses and bodies seem to have some "acceptable variations" in accuracy and repeatability. The 7D also has a 100% viewfinder vs. 96% VF on the 60D. The 7D also has 19pt. f/2.8 Auto focus cross type system vs. 9pt. f/2.8 AF cross type on the 60D.


I would recommend the 7D $1500 with the EF-24-105 f/4L IS (Image Stabilization) $1059, this is a very nice focal range to start off with, plus the 7D offers higher shutter speed capability coupled to a more elaborate AF system and weather/dust sealing for the body and lens, and if you do decide to upgrade to FF some day, then the EF-Lenses are FF friendly. The 7D and 60D both have a pop-up flash that you could use temporarily until you could acquire a 430EX or 580EX flash. If you do use the pop-up flash then I would buy a flash diffuser for it, they are dirt cheap. The 17-55 f/2.8 IS is also a good choice, but is too short for outdoor candid portraits and I would miss the longer focal length and weather-sealing of the 24-105 and I would sacrifice the 17-23mm focal range and the f/2.8 stop, because the 2.8 is still not wide enough for low light indoor ambient lighting.


Then, later..., depending on your needs of course, the next lens to consider would be a low-light light indoor lens like the 50/1.4 ($340) or 85/1.8 ($370 a little long for group shots inside on a crop body, great for solo shots though).


After that I would get the best 70-200mm f/2.8 lens that you can afford (plus a 1.4X for X-Mas) even though there is some overlap with the 24-105 range this lens doubles that focal length, light capture and speed, and with the 2X extender capability it could double the focal length a second time; or a 100-400mm, and then lastly the10-22mm EF-S (non-weathersealed, no other option available, 1.6x Crop Mount only) that takes excellent wide angle pictures.


Rich

[Fast Glass]

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Unless you need speed I would opt for a T2i

the only thing I don't like the rebel is the shutter lag, too long,to me, that's a deal breaker. i don't mind have one as a back up body though.
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Unless you shoot action that differance is negligeble. I havenever missed a shot becuase of it, unless the subject is moving very fast. Actually the only time I ever missed a shot do to shutter lag was when I got my Minolta 600mm f/6.3shooting birdsand onlytwo shots were missed the whole time I'veowned it!


John.

[JJphoto]

John, I think it

[Fast Glass]

it's very easy to miss a moment especially shooting candid shots of kids.

I've shot that too and never missed a shot becuase of shutter lag. The only time you will miss a shot becuase of shutter lag is if the subject is moving very fast, such as in sports or fast moving wildlife and birds.


John.