Chris Hayes
EF5
I'm looking to buy a new camera in the next few weeks and was wondering if any has bought the Canon EOS T2i, and what their experiences were with it?
Canon EOS T2i
- Thread starter Chris Hayes
- Start date
Rob H
EF5
I purchased one at the start of the 2010 season as my first real DSLR. I haven't really experienced any problems or quirks with it, and it's been exposed to a bit of weather. Canon made a solid, but not exceptionally jaw-dropping, camera.
The full 1080p @ 30/25/24 fps is a really nice feature for general use, but you probably won't want to use it to record video of storms. It's nice to have in a pinch, but it really chews through storage and has the same general stabilization issues any DSLR will have.
The kit lens is kind of junky, so you'll want to replace it eventually. I would say it's wiser to go cheaper on the body and get a better lens if you're not able to afford the T2i and a lens.
The live view has some nice functionality, and it's definitely nice having AF, grids, and histograms on a slightly larger screen than some of the competitors. ISO performance is middle of the road, which is unfortunate, as storm photography can often be in low-light scenarios.
DPReview does a good job of summing it up as a great camera for entry level photographers that don't want to be forced into upgrading past it in the near future: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos550d/page29.asp
The full 1080p @ 30/25/24 fps is a really nice feature for general use, but you probably won't want to use it to record video of storms. It's nice to have in a pinch, but it really chews through storage and has the same general stabilization issues any DSLR will have.
The kit lens is kind of junky, so you'll want to replace it eventually. I would say it's wiser to go cheaper on the body and get a better lens if you're not able to afford the T2i and a lens.
The live view has some nice functionality, and it's definitely nice having AF, grids, and histograms on a slightly larger screen than some of the competitors. ISO performance is middle of the road, which is unfortunate, as storm photography can often be in low-light scenarios.
DPReview does a good job of summing it up as a great camera for entry level photographers that don't want to be forced into upgrading past it in the near future: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canoneos550d/page29.asp
Olivier Staiger
EF3
I got the same cam. Excellent choice.
recommendation :
-get a second battery
-get the battery grip
-don't get the cheap lens kit, but the 'body only'
-number one lens choice : EFS 15-85 IS
-get two 16 GB cards, SDHC, category 10
the 15-85 lens is very very sharp, excellent colours, sharp all the way , and excellent IS which works wonders in handhelf video shooting. Do read the reviews of the 15-85 lens on fredmiranda.com and on b&h . One of the few negatives is said to be vignetting, but the T2i does stunning vignetting correction in-camera !
you can see some of my videos shot with the EOS 550D ( T2i ) on www.youtube.com/klipsigeneva . Last chase season I did not yet have the 15-85 lens so I shot most with the 10-22 lens which is also great but it is not IS stabilized and in video mode it quickly shows...
some images shot with that camera ( but also with other cams ) can be found here
http://www.klipsi.ch/2010-tornado/tornado2010.htm
and
http://www.wetter-foto.de/alle-von-836-1-2-fotos.html
recommendation :
-get a second battery
-get the battery grip
-don't get the cheap lens kit, but the 'body only'
-number one lens choice : EFS 15-85 IS
-get two 16 GB cards, SDHC, category 10
the 15-85 lens is very very sharp, excellent colours, sharp all the way , and excellent IS which works wonders in handhelf video shooting. Do read the reviews of the 15-85 lens on fredmiranda.com and on b&h . One of the few negatives is said to be vignetting, but the T2i does stunning vignetting correction in-camera !
you can see some of my videos shot with the EOS 550D ( T2i ) on www.youtube.com/klipsigeneva . Last chase season I did not yet have the 15-85 lens so I shot most with the 10-22 lens which is also great but it is not IS stabilized and in video mode it quickly shows...
some images shot with that camera ( but also with other cams ) can be found here
http://www.klipsi.ch/2010-tornado/tornado2010.htm
and
http://www.wetter-foto.de/alle-von-836-1-2-fotos.html
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Olivier Staiger
EF3
about the lens choice :
number one choice, EFS 15-85 IS
and if you need some lens for low light , go prime, 50/1.4 , 85/1.8
number one choice, EFS 15-85 IS
and if you need some lens for low light , go prime, 50/1.4 , 85/1.8
Last edited by a moderator:
Dustin Wilcox
EF5
Great Point! You could always buy my Like Brand New XSi for only $350 and pair it with good quality glass, yielding better photos all while even maybe saving a little money!! Though that option is botched if you plan on using your still camera for video...
Rob H
EF5
The 50/1.8 is amazing value at only $100. Thanks for reminding me that I should pick this up, because even at F4, I still have issues taking low-light shots.
Chris:
I have two T2i's and am very happy with them. Rather than rehash what I've already written, I'll direct you to two blog entries:
http://www.hamwx.com/?p=3390 - my thought process regarding why I like the inexpensive T2i more than the 5D (and better) products by Canon for storm chasing use.
http://www.hamwx.com/?p=2758 - my little comparison between the 1080p capability of the T2i vs. My Panasonic HS300 1080p.
There's nothing scientific here but you might find it entertaining as you research your decision. If you're $-conscious take a close look at the XSi Dustin has for sale and spring for a great lens. That's a nice cam and any photographer will tell you: it's all about the glass you put in front of the camera body.
I have two T2i's and am very happy with them. Rather than rehash what I've already written, I'll direct you to two blog entries:
http://www.hamwx.com/?p=3390 - my thought process regarding why I like the inexpensive T2i more than the 5D (and better) products by Canon for storm chasing use.
http://www.hamwx.com/?p=2758 - my little comparison between the 1080p capability of the T2i vs. My Panasonic HS300 1080p.
There's nothing scientific here but you might find it entertaining as you research your decision. If you're $-conscious take a close look at the XSi Dustin has for sale and spring for a great lens. That's a nice cam and any photographer will tell you: it's all about the glass you put in front of the camera body.
Patrick Martin
EF4
+1 on the 15-85IS. I have the same lens, and the color/contrast is excellent. Far superior to the kit 18-55is.
For primes, the 50/1.8 is a great value, although I found it a bit awkward on a 1.6 crop camera. Also, be aware it has the micro-motor focus, so it sounds like a hive of bees when in AF, the AF will hunt in low light, and the bokeh it produces is nothing to write home about, at least when compared to other primes. I had one, and moved on to the Sigma 30/1.4 and a Canon 85/1.8 combo in short order. It's a wonderfully versatile prime combo for low light, cramped or open spaces, and for wider or in tight portraits.
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Chris Hayes
EF5
Thanks for the replies everyone. I already have a Canon DSLR with 3 lenses; the 10D that I bought in 2003. I'm just now getting to replacing it as my primary camera. I already planned on purchasing the body only. I will need to look into a hand grip as well as 1 or 2 cards though.
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