Canon Eos Rebel T2i
Oct 30, 2014 12:11:54 #
cptnjack66
Loc: Pennsauken,NJ
I am not a photo expert. I have a point and shoot Olympus SP600UZ that has began to fail. I have been offered a Canon Rebel T2i from a friend . Not being a photo expert, is this a good easy camera to use for general photography.
Will it be difficult to learn the proper way to use to obtain optimum results. It also comes with a few lenses . What would be the best lens for general use with this camera
Thanks for any input or help
Joe
Will it be difficult to learn the proper way to use to obtain optimum results. It also comes with a few lenses . What would be the best lens for general use with this camera
Thanks for any input or help
Joe
Oct 30, 2014 13:17:33 #
amfoto1
Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA
The Canon Rebel series are designed with beginner DSLR users in mind, and the T2i was the top of the series at one point in time (we're now up to the T5i, obviously with various improvements). The T2i isn't terribly old... it was introduced in 2010. It uses an 18MP sensor that's similar to what's found in the original 7D, 60D and is still used in T3i, T4i and T5i models. The most recent 70D and 7D Mark II are introducing a new 20MP sensor.
There's a lot of automation in the Canon Rebel series cameras... but they also can be used more manually, if you wish.
If your friend doesn't have the original user manual to provide with it, you can download a copy from the Canon USA website. I'd also highly recommend you get one of the guide books for the T2i that you can find on Amazon.com or other sources. These guide books supplement the user manual nicely and can really help you more quickly learn to use the camera well. Depending upon how serious you are about your photography, you also might want to get a copy of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure", which can be helpful to users of practically any camera if they want to move beyond the automation and get the very best out of their gear.
One thing about the camera... I don't know about the T2i in particular, but with many Canon models you can check the shutter count (number of actuations from new), to see how much use the camera has had. This can give you some idea how much "life" it might still have in it. It's purely an estimate... but I believe most Rebel series are rated to 75,000 shutter actuations or "clicks". This is only a predicted average mean time to failure... some cameras will fail earlier and some will live much longer. But it's a ballpark you can use and help you decided whether a used camera is a good value or not.
You didn't mention which specific lenses are being offered, Canon offers around 65 or more, plus there are many third party lenses. A T2i might normally come with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm "kit lens". The latest versions of this are all reasonably good optically: 18-55 IS II and 18-55 IS STM. The last has improved autofocus (quieter and smoother operating). None of the 18-55s are particularly fancy or very well built... they are inexpensive kit lenses, after all. But they can serve as a decent little walk-around lens. There are better lenses such as and EF-S 18-135mm, which is sort of an "upgrade kit" lens (also in both IS and IS STM versions). Not sold in kit, but even better are EF-S 15-85mm IS USM and EF-S17-55/2.8 IS USM lenses, both of which cost considerably more.
There are also telephoto "kit" zooms... commonly the EF-S 55-250mm is offered. This is a decent lens too, also found in IS and IS STM versions, with the latter being the latest and best version mostly thanks to improved autofocus. Sometimes kits are sold with Canon EF 75-300mm II or III (not IS or STM or USM... that sells for about $200), which is not one of Canon's better lenses. There are several EF 70-300mm IS USM, starting around $600 new and up from there, which are much better lenses.
Personally I've always been a fan of the EF 28-135mmm IS USM that's sometimes been offered in kit with certain Canon cameras, though it really isn't a kit lens in design or quality. But it's been a real bargain when it's sold in kit, with very good performance. (Just not very wide angle, on cameras like T2i with "crop sensor"... but pair it up with an EF-S 10-22mm and you've got one heck of a versatile kit with just two lenses.)
But, this is really just stabbing in the dark unless and until you tell us which specific lenses are being offered with the camera. Lenses are far more important to your image quality, than the camera is. So hopefully they are some good ones.
There's a lot of automation in the Canon Rebel series cameras... but they also can be used more manually, if you wish.
If your friend doesn't have the original user manual to provide with it, you can download a copy from the Canon USA website. I'd also highly recommend you get one of the guide books for the T2i that you can find on Amazon.com or other sources. These guide books supplement the user manual nicely and can really help you more quickly learn to use the camera well. Depending upon how serious you are about your photography, you also might want to get a copy of Bryan Peterson's "Understanding Exposure", which can be helpful to users of practically any camera if they want to move beyond the automation and get the very best out of their gear.
One thing about the camera... I don't know about the T2i in particular, but with many Canon models you can check the shutter count (number of actuations from new), to see how much use the camera has had. This can give you some idea how much "life" it might still have in it. It's purely an estimate... but I believe most Rebel series are rated to 75,000 shutter actuations or "clicks". This is only a predicted average mean time to failure... some cameras will fail earlier and some will live much longer. But it's a ballpark you can use and help you decided whether a used camera is a good value or not.
You didn't mention which specific lenses are being offered, Canon offers around 65 or more, plus there are many third party lenses. A T2i might normally come with a Canon EF-S 18-55mm "kit lens". The latest versions of this are all reasonably good optically: 18-55 IS II and 18-55 IS STM. The last has improved autofocus (quieter and smoother operating). None of the 18-55s are particularly fancy or very well built... they are inexpensive kit lenses, after all. But they can serve as a decent little walk-around lens. There are better lenses such as and EF-S 18-135mm, which is sort of an "upgrade kit" lens (also in both IS and IS STM versions). Not sold in kit, but even better are EF-S 15-85mm IS USM and EF-S17-55/2.8 IS USM lenses, both of which cost considerably more.
There are also telephoto "kit" zooms... commonly the EF-S 55-250mm is offered. This is a decent lens too, also found in IS and IS STM versions, with the latter being the latest and best version mostly thanks to improved autofocus. Sometimes kits are sold with Canon EF 75-300mm II or III (not IS or STM or USM... that sells for about $200), which is not one of Canon's better lenses. There are several EF 70-300mm IS USM, starting around $600 new and up from there, which are much better lenses.
Personally I've always been a fan of the EF 28-135mmm IS USM that's sometimes been offered in kit with certain Canon cameras, though it really isn't a kit lens in design or quality. But it's been a real bargain when it's sold in kit, with very good performance. (Just not very wide angle, on cameras like T2i with "crop sensor"... but pair it up with an EF-S 10-22mm and you've got one heck of a versatile kit with just two lenses.)
But, this is really just stabbing in the dark unless and until you tell us which specific lenses are being offered with the camera. Lenses are far more important to your image quality, than the camera is. So hopefully they are some good ones.
Oct 30, 2014 13:40:27 #
cptnjack66
Loc: Pennsauken,NJ
Thanks for the information here are the lenses that he has with the camera .Canon zoom EF 75-3001:4-5.6 111,Canon zoom EF 80-200 1:4.5-5.6, Canon efs18-55 Also the shutter count on the screen is 1727 does the count show how many remaining or does it count up?
Oct 30, 2014 13:58:36 #
Oct 30, 2014 14:32:24 #
Oct 30, 2014 14:47:45 #
That is a good price for that camera and lenses.
My daughter uses a T2i and does pretty good. It is a good way to start. You may decide to upgrade later or not. Depends on what you end up concentrating on in your photography. The shutter count is shots taken, not shots left.
My daughter uses a T2i and does pretty good. It is a good way to start. You may decide to upgrade later or not. Depends on what you end up concentrating on in your photography. The shutter count is shots taken, not shots left.
Oct 30, 2014 14:50:05 #
The camera and the 18-55 sell for $300+ or -. The 75-300 is about $100, the 80-200 is about $50. Take the deal. If you decide to upgrade or change brands you can resell and not have lost a penny.
Oct 30, 2014 15:09:22 #
Sounds like a terrific deal and you should enjoy the camera for a long while. The shutter count shows how many images have been taken to date.
With my first Canon Rebel, I used the 18-55 mm lens exclusively for nearly four years. It fits so many everyday situations.
With my first Canon Rebel, I used the 18-55 mm lens exclusively for nearly four years. It fits so many everyday situations.
Oct 31, 2014 07:30:56 #
robertjerl wrote:
That is a good price for that camera and lenses.
My daughter uses a T2i and does pretty good. It is a good way to start. You may decide to upgrade later or not. Depends on what you end up concentrating on in your photography. The shutter count is shots taken, not shots left.
My daughter uses a T2i and does pretty good. It is a good way to start. You may decide to upgrade later or not. Depends on what you end up concentrating on in your photography. The shutter count is shots taken, not shots left.
DUH! It is an awesome price, if everything is in decent condition. This is a great way to get into DSLR.
Oct 31, 2014 09:38:22 #
T2i is a great camera. Have taken spectacular photos with it. Best lens for me is 18-135, both for great walking around and great photos. Recently upgraded to 70D but contemplating keeping T2i as backup -- or selling same with a lot of accessories. Both cameras use the EF-S lenses so I can use my old lenses with new camera.
Oct 31, 2014 11:49:13 #
oldgeezer3
Loc: SoCal
cptnjack66 wrote:
I am not a photo expert. I have a point and shoot Olympus SP600UZ that has began to fail. I have been offered a Canon Rebel T2i from a friend . Not being a photo expert, is this a good easy camera to use for general photography.
Will it be difficult to learn the proper way to use to obtain optimum results. It also comes with a few lenses . What would be the best lens for general use with this camera
Thanks for any input or help
Joe
Will it be difficult to learn the proper way to use to obtain optimum results. It also comes with a few lenses . What would be the best lens for general use with this camera
Thanks for any input or help
Joe
I'm a T2i owner and user. The camera has gone with me to London, New Zealand, Ireland, Austria and other places. I have enjoyed its capabilities and have some good photos. For the price, it's a steal and you can get some awesome shots. Go for it!
Nov 1, 2014 05:25:58 #
I am old guy from the film days. I quit shooting and then was given cameras. I have had most of the Rebels and currently use a 60 D. I believe that the t2i is one of the most under values bodies. It does not have an articulating rear screen and some people faulty the T2i for that. My 60 has the articulating screen and I never use it.
I just showed some of my work at a juried show and had two honorably mentioned awards. It's interesting that the lens used was the 18-55 EFs. There are lots of glass that you can upgrade too - but it's all about the creative image that you capture. J. R.
I just showed some of my work at a juried show and had two honorably mentioned awards. It's interesting that the lens used was the 18-55 EFs. There are lots of glass that you can upgrade too - but it's all about the creative image that you capture. J. R.
Nov 1, 2014 11:27:49 #
cptnjack66 wrote:
Thanks for the information here are the lenses that he has with the camera .Canon zoom EF 75-3001:4-5.6 111,Canon zoom EF 80-200 1:4.5-5.6, Canon efs18-55 Also the shutter count on the screen is 1727 does the count show how many remaining or does it count up?
Sounds like a great offer. Shutter life expected for a T2i is 100,000.
http://www.shutteractuations.com/canon-eos-camera-shutter-lifetime/
Where do you get the number from? Most Canon DSLRs don't display shutter count info without using external software or the Magic Lantern runtime.
Anyhow, it should be an excellent start for you assuming your friend took good care of it.
Good luck
Nov 1, 2014 12:55:57 #
My T2i numbers the pictures serially. I'm up to over 4000. I THINK that's the number of clicks.
Nov 1, 2014 13:02:12 #
revhen wrote:
My T2i numbers the pictures serially. I'm up to over 4000. I THINK that's the number of clicks.
That's probably a good enough guideline, not sure if others have more insight into using that as a method...
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