papajim

I have been reading you for about 6 months and I have learned quite a lot. I wonder if anyone has any opinions on the Canon t5. I bought it last year and I really like it. I would appreciate any input, thanks.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

It's Canons base entry level camera, now replaced by the t6. It can serve you well.

papajim

Thanks.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Maybe more important is, after a year, how do you like it? Do you get good photographs from it? Does it do what you expected it to do. Is it lacking in any features you can't live without? We could all love it or hate it but your opinion is what matters most. Canon makes a fine camera. Good luck with it.

Dennis

papajim

I get excellent photographs from it. I'm not a pro, so I don't need anything more than this. I can't think of any other features that I would use. Years ago I had a Canon FX film camera. I really used that one a lot until it was stolen. It was what really sold me on Canon. Thanks for the reply.

PaulR01 Loc: West Texas

Papajim spend a little money next on a L lens and you will have a really nice set up. The EF 24-105 F4L is a great choice and a good all purpose lens. The version 1 is starting to drop in prices since a version 2 was recently announced. I keep a T5I as a travel camera and use it quite often.

papajim

Good info, thanks

UXOEOD

As with any camera, the most important component is the person on this side of the viewfinder, and just above the shutter release button.

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

It is a decent entry level camera, quite capable and based on well proven technology. It really depends what your objectives are. If you are looking to build out a system - lenses, battery grips, other stuff - there are better choices that have more expansion capability, but if you just want a reasonable DSLR and a few lenses it is a decent choice in the Canon range. The cameras that would be a better choice for the heart of a system also cost a bunch more money and take more effort to learn how to use well.

In a few years' time, if you decide you will be ready for more then you can upgrade. If you like it, you made a good choice. As you use it you will learn what you want to do, and may discover a limitation or two. If so, you will also learn what to do next. Have fun and enjoy it!

Psergel Loc: New Mexico

The Canon T3i (the T5's great grandfather) was my entry into digital photography.
I think the Canon entry level cameras are first rate.
Obviously you don't get the ruggedness of their more expensive models but, for the money, the features and ergonomics are great.

Tracy B. Loc: Indiana

I had the t4i and loved it. That touch screen spoiled me. Now I have a 70d (w/touch screen) and am awaiting the 5d Mark IV (w/touch screen)

tbetress Loc: Skippack, Pa

I have the T5i (also 40D and 70D)
The T5i I love, does everything that I could want and the photos are darn good from it too.
My son is using it now and is thrilled with it. It is lightweight and easy to carry all day
I use a Sigma 18 - 250 lens on both the T5i and the 70D and they have been excellent.
Great all round lens, not heavy and reasonably priced.
I use 128GB mem cards in them too.

dirty dave

A short on the t5. My wife bought me one for my birthday last year as a surprise. I knew it was a entry camera and compare to my 5d and my 60d it wasn't up to their standards. The more I played with the t5 the more I liked it. I now carry it everywhere and love it. The camera is light and shoots great photos. In fact I just put a print from the t5 in one of the galleries that sell my prints. Great little camera no complaints.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I agree with this... The main thing is if you feel comfortable with a camera, enjoy using it and take the time to learn how. Some cameras are optimal for certain types of photography, but for their more general purposes aren't really needed by a lot of people.

And, IMO, the second most important component is the lens. The camera itself doesn't really matter all that much. So long as it's quality is adequate for the purposes... and most relatively recent cameras are, for most people. Typically the lens and the user make more difference in the end results, than the camera itself does.

I disagree with an earlier suggestion that you "need" an L-series lens. That's not necessarily true. In fact, while there are some very good L-series, there also are are many lenses that aren't L-series that can and will do an excellent job. For example, in nearly all respects a far less expensive EF 28-135mm IS USM or EF-S 18-135mm IS STM or USM can serve just as well as the more expensive EF 24-105L. Plus all L-series, by definition, are full frame lenses. That can be overkill, unnecessarily expensive, larger and heavier yet giving no better results when used on an APS-C camera such as a Rebel T5. Yes, I use some L-series lenses and many of them are excellent. But I also use a number of non-L... both Canon and third party... which do their job as well or better, for my purposes, than any L-series would.

After more than 35 years doing it, I can tell you photography is a continuous learning process. Try things. Challenge yourself. Experiment. Buy books and take classes that interest you. The nearly instant feedback of digital photography, it's affordability and the flexibility of a DSLR - especially one that's backed up by an extensive and comprehensive system such as Canon's - and all the support modern gear offers the user can help them "be the best they can be" as photographers.

ebbote Loc: Hockley, Texas

I had a Canon T4i for about a year and loved it but Nikon kept beckoning me back, since I have been a Nikon user for many years, I went back to Nikon and I haven't looked back since.
P.S. I do have a Canon SX50 that I rarely use, but it is a very good camera and it ain't going nowhere.