Canon EOS T3i

[Tom Hendricks]

Anyone have any experience with this camera? I unfortunately discovered by accident that my wife bought this camera for me. We share our Amazon login and I went to buy her something and the order was there.

I was actually considering buying either the Sony NEX-5n or 7. So this purchase came as a real surprise to me and I know nothing about this camera.

Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Kai Winn]

I don't know about the cameras you mentioned, you can check the specs and experiences of users on a number of websites, just google. The last Sony I had was crap, 720p video, but with moving objects it zoomed constantly in and out of focus, completely useless. Another problem, I couldn't put the Sony on a tripod, and plug it in to a TV to monitor the record on the big screen at the same time. The Sony had the USB jack at the bottom right next to the winding for tripods. One more, as soon as i pushed the record button, TV and the display on the back of the Camera both went dark. It recorded, but i couldn't see what. My mistake, should have checked before the purchase. Canons have the jacks always on the side. They're cheaper, too. Bought a little A1200 for about 80 bucks recently, 12 megapixels, 1080p video in 30fps, and the autofocus works as it is supposed to. Nice makro too, under 1 inch. Like every Canon I had before, I expect it to quit after about 18 months, Sonys might work longer.

 

[Kai Winn]

Still have to add that Sonys almost certainly run only with batteries and microcards of their own Sony formats, you can't use accus and memories of brands four or five times cheaper to replace.

 

[ngc7293]

The chief difference between the Sony that you were looking at and the Canon EOS Rebel that you are getting is that the latter is a dSLR. Unlike the former camera you can get different lenses for the Rebel
go to Steve's Digicams at:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/camera-reviews
and look up both the Sony cameras and the T3i

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Yeah, I was figuring on doing my own research. Just was wondering if anyone on the board has or does own one and what they think.

 

[Timby]

I have the Rebel T2i / 550D, which is the immediate precursor to the T3i (the T3i has the same image sensor, but has a flip-out preview screen).

Do you have any lenses for the camera?

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Not currently, I know that she got the kit with the lens that comes with it. She also purchased another lens, not sure of the specs because once I saw the information I got out of the site as fast as I could.

I currently have a Canon G9, nice little camera. However I wanted to step up to something better. Have really been interested in the Sony NEX-5n or 7. I really like the smaller form factor yet getting the DSLR sensor and having the interchangeable lenses.

Are you happy with the T2i? To do over, would you buy it again?

 

[Dac]

I have the T2i/550D as it's called in Europe, and if you love taking pics, its a great camera, if you love taking video, its a fantastic camera.

Thats primarily the reason I got it. Everyone was harping on about the 5DmkII or the 7D, and yes, they do produce technically better images, for the price your paying for a T3i your getting what is essentially the same picture quality wise as the 7D for half the price. Now, yes, I'm aware that the Rebel uses a cropped sensor, which makes for some interesting calculations when it comes to focal length, but for the most part thats negligible unless your doing some serious cinematography.

That's not to say the still image picture quality isn't great though, its fantastic. Seeing as the T3i is essentially the same camera with a flip out screen, I think your in for a treat. Enjoy it.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Thank you for the information.

 

[gh4chiefs]

I have the Rebel T2i / 550D, which is the immediate precursor to the T3i (the T3i has the same image sensor, but has a flip-out preview screen).

Do you have any lenses for the camera?

Same here, and the T2i is a great camera. You won' t be disappointed. The thing I'll point out about this camera as with any SLR, it's only as good as the lens you have for it. The kit lens that comes with it is good, but you'll probably want to invest in a telephoto lens at some point.

One of the things you'll want to make sure of is to get an IS lens (image stablizer) as that will help alot. My first Canon Digital Rebel didn't have that and I hated that camera. But Canon has stepped up, improved their cameras and their IS lens line. Hell I even bought the cheapest telephoto lens they had, and I still feel like I get great pictures. I can only imagine how much better they'd be if I'd invested in a higher end lens.

To sum up, you've got a great camera. Enjoy it!

 

[Dac]

I have the Rebel T2i / 550D, which is the immediate precursor to the T3i (the T3i has the same image sensor, but has a flip-out preview screen).

Do you have any lenses for the camera?

Same here, and the T2i is a great camera. You won' t be disappointed. The thing I'll point out about this camera as with any SLR, it's only as good as the lens you have for it. The kit lens that comes with it is good, but you'll probably want to invest in a telephoto lens at some point.

One of the things you'll want to make sure of is to get an IS lens (image stablizer) as that will help alot. My first Canon Digital Rebel didn't have that and I hated that camera. But Canon has stepped up, improved their cameras and their IS lens line. Hell I even bought the cheapest telephoto lens they had, and I still feel like I get great pictures. I can only imagine how much better they'd be if I'd invested in a higher end lens.

To sum up, you've got a great camera. Enjoy it!

Speaking of lenses, if you wanna film in low light or take good portraits, invest in a $100 (Although im sure it could be had for less) "Nifty Fifty" 50mm Canon F1.2 lens. Its cheap, and plasticy but wow, The images it produces are fantastic. And even though 50mm is a long focal length for shooting video in any form of confined space, it's worth having for the low light capabilities.

It IS the cheapest lens you can buy, but its well worth it imo. I own that and a Tamron telephoto 75-300mm lens. Both of these are sharper than the kit lens, although I still use the kit one thanks to the shorter focal lengths.

 

[Arrqh]

Speaking of lenses, if you wanna film in low light or take good portraits, invest in a $100 (Although im sure it could be had for less) "Nifty Fifty" 50mm Canon F1.2 lens. Its cheap, and plasticy but wow, The images it produces are fantastic. And even though 50mm is a long focal length for shooting video in any form of confined space, it's worth having for the low light capabilities.

Er, I assume you mean the f/1.8. The f/1.2 is a tad more expensive

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Er, I assume you mean the f/1.8. The f/1.2 is a tad more expensive

Yeah, the F1.8 is $103 and the F1.2 is $1300. Will keep these in mind.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

As an aside, how does anyone feel about buying used lenses? Do manufacturers sell refurbished lenses?

 

[Arrqh]

I don't think the manufacturers sell refurbished lenses directly, but I know the retailers do. As long as the lens is in good condition, I don't see any reason why not to do it. The only problem is that used lenses tend to pretty close to the full retail price and I generally find it hard to find a good deal (unless a new version of an existing lens just came out and lots of people are trying to trade up).

I myself have a used 100mm macro which I managed to find for almost $150 less than retail. But that seems to be the exception and not the norm. In other words, I got lucky!

 

[Dac]

Speaking of lenses, if you wanna film in low light or take good portraits, invest in a $100 (Although im sure it could be had for less) "Nifty Fifty" 50mm Canon F1.2 lens. Its cheap, and plasticy but wow, The images it produces are fantastic. And even though 50mm is a long focal length for shooting video in any form of confined space, it's worth having for the low light capabilities.

Er, I assume you mean the f/1.8. The f/1.2 is a tad more expensive

Ah yes, I always get those confused :P

 

[Mr. B]

The Canon EF Lens system is pretty good so if you're going to get into photography you have a nice start. I own a canon 40D and have handled the more current and cheaper models. The T3i takes great pictures. Personally though, I'm put off by the tiny size and plastic shell. I would sooner buy an older semi-pro camera with a metal shell and some heft. I hold a minority opinion, though. Most people just get the latest rebel and don't bother buying additional lenses... the whole point of a dSLR camera.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

I like smaller, thats why I was looking at the Sony NEX5n/7. I wanted the DSLR sensor with the small form factor. I was originally gonna return the T3i and still get the NEX5n or 7. However after reading many reviews and seeing it as the recommended camera on several sites, I have decided to stay with it.

The Canon EF Lens system is pretty good so if you're going to get into photography you have a nice start. I own a canon 40D and have handled the more current and cheaper models. The T3i takes great pictures. Personally though, I'm put off by the tiny size and plastic shell. I would sooner buy an older semi-pro camera with a metal shell and some heft. I hold a minority opinion, though. Most people just get the latest rebel and don't bother buying additional lenses... the whole point of a dSLR camera.

 

[Psion]

This ISO noise test seems relevant.

 

[Tom Hendricks]

Well I happen to be near a bestbuy tonight and I went in and they had both the Canon T3i and the Sony NEX 5n. I got to fiddle around with both and I think i may have changed my mind. The T3i felt super cheap and didn't like holding it at all. Now the Sony felt just right and I liked it even more then just lusting after it online. Now it was quick, so I'm actually planning on going back and spending a little more time with both.