Canon t3i (Page 2): For just about that money you could get a D7000 body. It's a little more to get into it and a lens, but it might be worth it. If nothing else, start out with a...

SteveR Loc: Michigan

For just about that money you could get a D7000 body. It's a little more to get into it and a lens, but it might be worth it. If nothing else, start out with a nifty fifty.

However, Judy 2011 shoots wonders with that Canon 100-400L lens of hers.

PlushToy Loc: Nebraska

Good camera for the price, no problems (yet!) runs magic lantern great.

jprib Loc: Pittsburgh Pa.

So Jealous !!! You have to live in the BEST place for photos in the world according to me (just my opinon) I have always wanted to take a trip up the Eastern Coast to Maine and all of your Lighthouses !!! Far as we have gone in the The Jersey Shore, Conneticut, upstate NY... just love to look at pictures of Maine.... Send me a few sometime when you out and about shooting !!!!

Enjoy everyday !!!!

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I have a T2i and it is a nice camera. Most stores offer different kit lenses but the most popular is the 18-55 kit lens. Some offer with the 18-55 and the 55-250. I went to a camera store, not a big box electronics store, and they offered it with a 18-135 zoom. I felt that this was a nice compromise. I still have this camera/lens combo and use it as my second camera when 2 cameras are needed. The T3i isn't much different - it has the articulating screen. My ex-grilfriend purchased the 60D which is one step up from the T3i. It has the articulating screen, but also shoots almost 6fps and uses camera controls on the back simular to Canon professional camera bodies. If you can afford it, go this one step up for the 60D. The extra speed and nice camera controls is worth it.

Another poster here said they purchased the 55-250mm lens separately, not as a kit lens because someone told them that the 55-250 zoom kit lenses aren't very good. Whether or not this lens is sold with a camera body, it's still the same lens.

Jerry1940 Loc: Born in OH live in CA

Amazon has T3i with 18-135 lens for $899. This is a great combo.

marcomarks Loc: Ft. Myers, FL

djmills wrote:

Is anybody unhappy with the Canon T3i? Costco has a 2-lens kit for under $1,000. It sounds like a great deal, but I don't have deep enough pockets to make a mistake. I would be moving up from the Canon SX 40.

I don't have the T3i personally because I chose the Sony Alpha 55 over it but it's reputation is untarnished and shots I've seen from them are exceptional. The 3 big players in that price range are the Nikon D5100, Canon T3i, and Sony Alpha 55, so you wouldn't be making a mistake by any means - and the two lens kit is a very good deal.

Your Canon SX40 is one of the best "bridge" cameras out there so you should know you can certainly trust Canon for quality.

dadcowell Loc: Myrtle Beach SC

I love mine as well. If I had to do it over again, I would not have bought the kit though. The lenses 18-55 lens and the 55-250 lens are ok but they are enty level. I have since bought the Canon 10-22 wide angle and the Canon 24-105 L lens to replace the 18-55. Those lenses are significantly more expensive but the quality difference is substantial. You might consider seeing if you can just buy the body and get a better lens than the kit.

ronjay Loc: york Pa.

i would go with the 18-135mm lens if i had to do it again instead of the 18-55 and the 55-250. later i would look at the 70-300mm is usm canon for a telephoto better image quality and cheaper tha a L lens. you can pick them up on ebay for 350-400.00. good luck

dame_wolf Loc: Oregon

I love my T3i and will be buying another one later this year as a back up.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

jprib wrote:

Just bought the T2i today, it is on sale at Best Buy and today if you bought any Cannon, you could purchase a lens for half off, I got a nice zoom lens 55-250 for $150 dollars, I was told the the KITS aren't as good, I had looked at Sam's Club and they had the 2 lens kits but was warned they aren't very good quality lens. Not even sure I will like the camera, but the deal was great !!! Extra warranty, a $30 card, extra lens and it was under $1000...

The kit lenses are fine but they aren't the greatest. If you plan to do anything more than what you start with then I'd do this:

Buy a body only. No kit lenses.

Then i'd buy a lens that I thought would fit my needs; 50mm, 24-70 zoom, 70-200, etc.

Decide WHAT you are going to do with it THEN buy the lens to match the task.

Grandchildren's indoor skee ball tourney?

Get a 85mm f/1.8

Outdoor soccer with the kids in daylight?

Get a 70-200 f/4

Just all around shots at medium distance?

50mm f/1.4

And on it goes.

The picture quality is ALL IN THE GLASS and buying "so so" lenses just to realize that they aren't the cat's meow in 6 months is a waste of money.

I did this with a T2i last year. At some point you will post this:

"....how come I can't get razor sharp bird picts in low light like swamp gator does??? Help!!..."

And then you will post what lens you are using and the suggestion will be to get a high quality lens.

Trust me.

bvargas Loc: Palm Harbor, Florida

Whatever you do, get the 18-135 kit lens instead. You won't regent it. BV

kmohr3 Loc: Rockford, IL

I wouldn't be afraid of the kit lenses - I have a 18-135 that came with my T2i, and a 55-250mm I bought later. I would shy away from the 75-300mm - It's really not that great of a lens. I can't even seem to sell it for $100. I also have a 70-300mm IS USM that is pretty decent for the money.

rone Loc: Ohio

djmills wrote:

Is anybody unhappy with the Canon T3i? Costco has a 2-lens kit for under $1,000. It sounds like a great deal, but I don't have deep enough pockets to make a mistake. I would be moving up from the Canon SX 40.

I got mine back in December with the 18-135 lens. Love it! works like a champ. I would suggest getting the 18-135 with it.

gmcase Loc: Galt's Gulch

rone wrote:

djmills wrote:

Is anybody unhappy with the Canon T3i? Costco has a 2-lens kit for under $1,000. It sounds like a great deal, but I don't have deep enough pockets to make a mistake. I would be moving up from the Canon SX 40.

I got mine back in December with the 18-135 lens. Love it! works like a champ. I would suggest getting the 18-135 with it.

My wife got that combo last fall and loves. I tried the 18-135 pn my 7d and it was pretty sharp.

Dunatic

djmills wrote:

Is anybody unhappy with the Canon T3i? Costco has a 2-lens kit for under $1,000. It sounds like a great deal, but I don't have deep enough pockets to make a mistake. I would be moving up from the Canon SX 40.

I love my Canon T3i and have a Canon XS. Both very good cameras. In my opinion, the lens makes all the difference in the world. I enjoy the Canon lens but haven't tried any other brand. It's Canon lens make for Canon cameras, can't go wrong. I think that I have learned the glass is more important - to me - then the camera body. Good luck with your choice. Cheryl