Both adorama and B&H buy used/new gear too--just throwin it out there

I managed to pick up the kit for $811 at Frys Electronics after talking them into price matching an apparent error at their Burbank store! I found out that little tip on some random forum. I also picked up a 16gb class 10 sdhc card for $50. The battery is charging now...

Now I just have to call Adorama tomorrow to cancel the body and get my nice lens shipped out.

I'm really impressed with the camera so far. I haven't used a digital Rebel since I borrowed an XTi, the ergonomics and menus have really been refined. I'll try to post some photos tomorrow after I've spent more time with it.

I am jealous. I would love the 17-55mm f/2.8 IS.

Shooting with a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 right now which I love, but the little bit of extra reach and IS plus canon name brand would be so much sweeter

Where are the pictures, Chris?

Very soon, I've been distracted! The new lens arrives today!

How do you like your Tamron?

I love it. Great focal length for me, sharp as a tack, built like a tank. f/2.8 is nice, if I need faster glass I can go to primes.

Only real complaint is AF is loud, especially compared to USM on the canon lenses. Usually doesn't bother me too much unless I'm shooting video with the t1i. (then i turn the focus to MF and just focus manually).

Here are a few of my first photos. They're all with the kit lens, except for the last one.

Yay for abstracts.

That's all I have an eye for typically. That's why I love macro photography so much, I think that will be my next lens purchase.

which macro lens?

Which macro lens are you thinking of getting?

DH

Macro lens would be sweet. You can also accomplish an inexpensive macro lens by buying macro rings. It's about $100 for 3 of them and they install between the body of the camera and the lens. Obviously a lense will be faster and let in more light but I've still been able to get amazing macro shots using rings

I haven't really looked into it much yet. 100mm or 150mm, Sigma's offerings seem pretty solid for the price. Canon does have a nice 100mm macro with IS, which works out to about 150mm on the crop body.

i absolutely love my sigma 150

Sigma's sharpest macro is the 70mm (statistically). I actually just got it on Monday.

I've only been able to take these test shots, but the lens produces great results.






The 150mm is 2nd sharpest and offers great working distance. I think it's definitely their most popular macro. You can also get a tele-converter for only a couple hundred, and you've got yourself a tack sharp telephoto lens. I definitely recommend looking into the 150mm for sure.

great pictures!

Awesome camera and lens choice!

7D IQ at half the cost
17-55 is L class optically

Lots of practice shooting action this weekend. I screwed up a lot of potentially great photos, but it was a good learning experience. I was staying with a famous photographer from the scene, invaluable advice.

Here are a few:

Woo! Great stuff, Chris. You'll be pro in no time.

Thanks! That last one doesn't have the best focus, but I was shooting with the photographer's wireless spot flash off to the right. Interesting effect in such harsh daylight. The second photo is my favorite from the weekend.

That's some fantastic detail and contrast. Are those straight out of the camera?

Just some slight correction with auto tone and auto contrast. I tweaked the exposure a little on the first one.

Thanks for posting these pics. You've really helped me make a decision on what camera to buy. T2i it is.

Picked this camera up today. My first DSLR and it's great right out of the box. Looking forward to some new lenses.

Great choice! I'm still really pleased with it, I'll try to post up some more of my work soon.

!!!

Great Shots Chris

My new Canon 60D arrived yesterday, to replace my T2i. I'm really glad I started with the T2i, it's a pleasure to use and has nice ergonomics, but the 60D suits my needs a bit better. They have the same image sensor and image quality, but after handling a 60D I was convinced it was worth the upgrade (I found a killer deal on a new body for $899).

What first drew me to it was the better build quality, and the larger, brighter viewfinder. I was also really into the swivel screen, my very first digital camera (Nikon Coolpix 5700) had one, and I used it often. I've already been able to take shots from unusual angles using live view, no more guessing and checking. One feature that's really going to change my workflow is the dedicated AF button on the back. Being able to have the AF and shutter button work separately will help me tremendously with the live shows I've been shooting in dark venues.

Anyone want to buy a T2i kit?

5 bucks + shipping?

YGPM

YGPM!

YGPM

I would keep it. I thought I would stop using the XSI when I got the 7D but I have taken to carrying them both so I don't have to switch lenses.

I want a T2i body. Or a 60D.

I've been debating keeping it as a backup, and to shoot events with two lenses, but I think I'd like to sell it while it's still worth a decent amount. I'm worried it will just end up collecting dust.

Do you actually shoot a lot of events where you would need a backup?

Otherwise, you could always just rent a backup body once in a while.

Only recently has it been a possible need, but it's usually not a concern. If I keep traveling and shooting shows for Daft Punk'd I'll consider investing in a backup.

Aren't they in the Tron movie?

Daft Punk is, indeed.

Neato!

dhaut I think you're missing an important piece of information here.

Man I'd kill for a 60D. I keep secretly hoping my 40D will crap out so I can justify buying one.

That Punk'd is a tribute band? Nah, I caught that.

After my first comment, lol.

Oh I also picked up a Canon 50mm f1.4 two weeks ago for some portrait work. I felt bad always borrowing my friend's 50mm L series. I'm pretty happy with it so far, the bokeh is decent, focus is quick and quiet. I'm used to the build quality of some nicer lenses, but this one seems sturdy enough. I bought it locally last-minute before leaving town for a photo shoot. I would have liked to have had a chance to check out the Sigma 50mm 1.4 to really compare the two, the Sigma costs quite a bit more though.

I find the focal range to be pretty limiting beyond portrait work, but I want to keep walking around with it on. I could see myself investing in a wider 28mm Canon or 30mm Sigma prime down the road for a more normal perspective.

I picked up a generic lens hood for it on eBay for $4 shipped, which arrived today. Considering the price, it's functional enough. It doesn't have the black fuzzy 'flocked' material inside like the official Canon version, but I doubt it'll be a problem. I use my lens hoods for protection more than anything.

I just ordered a 60D as a selfish christmas present. Using it to replace me trusty 10D, which works fine but is slow and annoying to work with. Image quality is fine otherwise fine with the 10D and better than current APS-C dSLRs at lower ISOs.

The big selling point for me was the video capabilities. Otherwise, I would have saved up and got a Sony Alpha 850.

I have a 50mm 1.4 and rarely use it. My Tamron 17-50 F2.8 is just as sharp. IMHO, Canon makes the weakest wide primes in the industry.

You'll be happy with it, I'm really glad I upgraded.