EOS rebel T1i 15.1 mp

[JaceD]

I am looking at getting this camera for my mother and would like to know if this would be a good one for her.  She has been using Hp 6 mp and has taken some amazing pictures with it.  One review I read said the rebel was an entry level camera.  She takes alot of close up pictures of flowers and wild life, as well as family.  I am thinking the 15.1 canon rebel with the 18 -55 mm and the 55 - 255 mm lenses would be a big step up for her.  At 899 dollars for the package with a 4 gb sd card would this be the one to go with?  Thands JaceD

[bmpress]

Unless she is interested in learning to use the camera it might be overkill. But if she is interested in going beyond "point-and-shoot," it is an excellent choice.

[JaceD]

She is way beyond point and shoot.  I was wondering if there might be a step up from the rebel but come next thursday this will be the camera I buy, if another does not present it self.             Thanks JaceD

[Bob Atkins]

I think the T1i is an excellent first DSLR. Though it can be quite complex if you want to use it in a mode where you choose all the possible options for metering, focusing etc. it also has a large set of essentially fullt automatic modes, so if you're ever confused about setting you can always wswitch the the "green sqare" mode where it's literally "point and shoot" or select "macro" or "portrait" or "landscape" modes and the camera will optimize settings.

The 18-55 is OK for closeups and 55-250 is OK for wildlife. Though the 18-55 isn't a macro lens it will go to a magnification of about 1/3 lifesize at 55mm, which isn't at all bad.

Just be careful where you buy from and avoid the Brooklyn "bait and switch" stores (be sure to read http://www.bobatkins.com/photography/photo_gear_buyer_beware.html. Watch out for shipping and handling charges, restocking fees in case of return and stores trying to sell you "extras" (which are often supplied with the camera as standard, such as batteries and chargers!).

$900 is a good price for the kit and includes the Canon "instant rebate" Right now that's the price from Adorama ($899.99 - free shipping)

Your step up from the T1i would be the EOS 50D. However the 50D doesn't have a video mode if that's important. The step up from both the T1i and the 50D is the EOS 7D, which is a very good camera indeed, though you're now looking at almost $1700 just for the body alone which will take you over $200 even with the basic 18-55 and 55-250 lenses - and you might really want better lenses to match the body.

The 50D is probably a better choice, though isn't available in a kit with either the 18-55 or 55-250 as far as I know. You can get the 50D body (new) for $940, plus a refrurbished 18-55IS for $110 and a refurbished 55-250 for $200, giving you a total of $1250 - add on about $120 if you want both lenses new. Refurbished lenses are usually indistinguishable from new.