First canon dslr: I have been wanting to upgrade from my point and shoot sony h2. Dang thing almost hit the wall several times but made it since 2007. I would try to take the picture...

das1997 Loc: Brewerton, NY

I have been wanting to upgrade from my point and shoot sony h2. Dang thing almost hit the wall several times but made it since 2007. I would try to take the picture and nothing but beeping from the camera. We'll anyways I've been looking at the t5i as my upgrade. I research day and night but I am having a hard time deciding on what package to go for. Max budget would be 1000. I shoot lots of family pics with our two boys but love to take scenic pics.

I am stuck between these three options to start my journey:

1. 18-55 and 55-250 STM $949
2. 18-135 STM $949
3. 18-55 and 50 1.8 $875 and get a good zoom later.

I just have to jump and get this in the mail so I can sleep again and not stay up all night watching YouTube and reading reviews...:). I am going to take a class once I get the thing to use it correctly.

Thanks for any advise/suggestions you guys have. What a great forum for those of us just starting out. Thank you.
David

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

das1997 wrote:

I have been wanting to upgrade from my point and s... (show quote)

Who has the camera and lens for this price? Have you considered a refurbished camera?

Robert R Loc: Indianapolis and Naples

I would consider the T5I with the 18-135 STM. Great camera and great lens. Another option is T5i with the new Tamron 16-300. That many be a little over your budget. I have the 16-300 and love it. It says on the camera all the time. I also have the 18-135 and an not sure what I am going to do with it.

das1997 Loc: Brewerton, NY

Amazon. I have not checked out refurb yet. Just figured I would buy new since it may be the last for a long time:).

greg vescuso Loc: Ozark,Mo.

You have not mentioned the age of your boys, but if they are under 10 yrs. the
18-55 and 50 mm 1.8 with this camera would be a good starting point and you can add a zoom later.

jethro779 Loc: Tucson, AZ

das1997 wrote:

Amazon. I have not checked out refurb yet. Just figured I would buy new since it may be the last for a long time:).

Most of the time a refurbished will last as long as a new camera because it is a new camera. Everything in the camera that was bad has been replaced. This way you could buy some of that show off white glass with the red ring.

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

das1997 wrote:

I have been wanting to upgrade from my point and s... (show quote)

Depending on whether you want to focus on the camera or the lenses, you could also consider a Canon T3i w/ 18-135 lens and also the EF-S 55 -250 IS II or a used / refurbished EF 70 -300 IS, which would also fit in your price band and give you a little more flexibility. The T5i is better if you want to do video, but the T3i continues to do well as a still camera with some video capability.

The EF-S 18-55 / EF-S 55 - 250 is a very capable combination for functionality, but the 18 - 135 / EF 70 - 300 IS gives superior lenses and a better walk around lens and better telephoto capability.

Lots of options, but you will probably be pleased with any of the above.

Good luck

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

My first DSLR was a T3i with the 18-55mm. I quickly added the 55-250mm. They were a great combination. The 18-135mm is a good lens but, depending on what you shoot, you will probably miss the reach of the 55-250mm. You'll get the most bang for your buck with the 18-55 & 55-250. I wouldn't worry about the 50mm prime until you have used your DSLR for a bit and figured out what focal lengths are going to be the most useful to you. You may find that a different length prime will suit your needs better.

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

LFingar wrote:

My first DSLR was a T3i with the 18-55mm. I quickl... (show quote)

What he said, also!

My wife did her SLR work with a Nikon FM2, loved it and her lenses. Never got on with a Digital Point&Shoot for fun photography. Did a good job for her business stuff, but never really felt connected to it.

As a surprise I gave her a nice used Canon T2i and my original EF-S 18-55 and EF-S 55 - 250 lenses. She absolutely loves the combination since it behaves and feels very similarly to her old system, while having much more capability, plus she can borrow my other lenses if she wants.

Many options, but the T3i or T5i plus the lenses we are suggesting will be a strong combination and close to your budget range. I also would not go for the 50mm prime right now, I have one, but use it much less often than the two zooms we have discussed.

jimni2001 Loc: Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

Here is another option on Amazon
Canon EOS Rebel T5i 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Zoom Lens + EF 75-300mm f/4 for $859.
I would also wait on the prime lens. The 50mm 1.8 is not a very expensive lens $100 to $125. You can always get it if you decide you want or need it.

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

jimni2001 wrote:

Here is another option on Amazon
Canon EOS Rebel T5i 18.0 MP CMOS Digital Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Zoom Lens + EF 75-300mm f/4 for $859.
I would also wait on the prime lens. The 50mm 1.8 is not a very expensive lens $100 to $125. You can always get it if you decide you want or need it.

Another good suggestion, although I would strongly recommend getting an IS version of any longer range zoom. It becomes very noticeable what difference it makes.

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

T3i with 18-55 + 55-250 + 50mm F/1.8

das1997 wrote:

I have been wanting to upgrade from my point and s... (show quote)

redhawkssh44 Loc: Puyallup Washington

I started with the t3i with the EF-S18-55 IS and the EF-S 55-250 IS lenses. I love the versatility of that lens combo. I am also new to the DSLR cameras but have found that I can do close up shots with the 18-55 and get great zoom shots with the 55-250. You can see an example of the zoom capabilites of the 55-250 in my post Mt. Rainier and the rising moon.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

das1997 wrote:

Amazon. I have not checked out refurb yet. Just figured I would buy new since it may be the last for a long time:).

Das, just so you know, refurbs ARE new.
I would NEVER buy a camera new, over a refurb!
And if your P&S is going, you can even use it for the Loyalty program to save more. Call Canon and ask about the Loyalty Program.
Just saying. ;-)
SS

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

SharpShooter wrote:

Das, just so you know, refurbs ARE new.
I would NEVER buy a camera new, over a refurb!
And if your P&S is going, you can even use it for the Loyalty program to save more. Call Canon and ask about the Loyalty Program.
Just saying. ;-)
SS

Does an AE-1 or T90 qualify for loyalty credits?

Just askin'. :)