I finally got approval from the finance minister (wife) to order the new camera and met with major disappointment ... it is on backorder--EVERYWHERE!!!

I want to get some time with it before our next trip.  I guess I will order and wait. 

Would like to get comments on ordering the kit with 18~55 and 55~250 lenses.  That option takes me a little over the $1000 budget but I am switching from Nikon ... no Canon Lenses.  These are sort of cheap.  Any suggestions on better options. 

I am getting this as an entry into video but will probably use it much more for travel/landscape photography.

Thanks for any comments.

I used this site to keep an eye on it.
http://www.nowinstock.net/digitalcameras/canon/rebel/

You might also want to get a prime, especially for video. The 50 1.8 is the cheapest(by far) but it's still good bang for your buck.

Quote from: Klauts on June 15, 2010, 01:43

I used this site to keep an eye on it.
http://www.nowinstock.net/digitalcameras/canon/rebel/

You might also want to get a prime, especially for video. The 50 1.8 is the cheapest(by far) but it's still good bang for your buck.

Put the 50 f/1.8 on 5d mk1 and it will shine. Put it on T2i and it'll be crap.

Thanks for the input.  I'm seriously considering the Tokina 35mm 2.8.  But, think I will start with the package deal until I get a little confidence.  And, I need something with some reach for shooting wildlife video in Yellowstone/Tetons/Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, etc etc etc.

Is the 50 f1.8 no good on the T2i because of the sensor size?

Is the 50 f1.8 no good on the T2i because of the sensor size?

Exactly. If 50 is your most used focal length then get a 50mm f/1.4 from Canon or the similar one from Sigma, which is great if you find a good copy. I would only recommend high quality lenses for the 550D, due to the high density of MP.

The site for check on lenses is www.photozone.de. Also fredmiranda.com is great because of user input with samples.

For side by side comparison use TDP site http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/ISO-12233-Sample-Crops.aspx?FLI=0&API=0&FLIComp=0&APIComp=0&LensComp=0&CameraComp=0&Lens=404

For sample shots taken with any lens on Canon use POTN site http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=107

For full size shots (if you can find some) use the pixelpeeper site: http://pixel-peeper.com/adv/?lens=597&camera=19&perpage=12&focal_min=none&focal_max=none&aperture_min=none&aperture_max=none&iso_min=none&iso_max=none&exp_min=none&exp_max=none&res=1

Choose wise.

Read the reviews and go see what the owners are saying, on POTN or fredmiranda. 18-55 can be good as a landscape lens or for groups of people, but the 55-250 is a complete joke. However, if you want wildlife, I don't think you can do anything with approx. 200mm, unless the subjects are really close. I would recommend getting a 400mm f/5.6L - tack sharp and not too expensive. Or for about the same money, the 300mm f/4L IS. Not as sharp, but very good as well.

back orders suck .. that's crazy .. Have you only looked online for one? I could drive to Wal-Mart for you and pick up the T2i w/ 18-55 for $850 and be back in 20 mins. I doubt they keep a 55-250 in stock though .. you could also look at Best Buy .. they carry those camera models in store too and both places are never out of stock .. at least around here.

Just checked my closest Best Buy, Randy ... BACK ORDER.  That new ad campaign must be working.  

BTW ... There is NOTHING within 20 minutes of where I live.  Buying groceries is a day trip.  

EDIT: to add:
isn't it disgraceful that camera companies like Nikon and Canon would produce anything that could be labeled "a joke?"  There was a time when they took such pride in their product.   

@Xalanx
I've been reading several of the reviews you referenced.  Those kit lenses don't seem as bad as I had thought.  The annoying thing about my Nikon 18~135 was the significant vignetting.  The reviewers complained of the same deficiency with the Canons.

I guess I was spoiled by the Nikon quality I had learned to depend on over the years.  You get what you pay for, huh?   

Back log wasn't bad.  It shipped yesterday.  Should have it by Wednesday.   

Take a look over at Cinema5D. They're all about video on DSLRs over there.

My camera isn't here yet but I have been studying everything I can find about the T2i specifically and video recording in general.  I am really concerned about manually focusing during the video.  The kit lens (18-55) reviews suggested that the manual focus ring is very difficult to use.  I came across this contraption:
http://blog.photoframd.com/2010/01/26/canon-7d-tips-diy-follow-focus-ring-for-video-stills/
and wonder if any of you video vets have tried it.  Or, do you think it might work?
Has anyone any good ideas on maintaining sharp focus with the T2i or 7D?

Thanks for any pointers.

For static shots, you can set up the focus fairly easily with the manual ring on the kit lens.  You switch it onto movie mode, you get a live view on the screen, you tweak focus, then you hit the "zoom" button (on the top right of the camera back) and the screen zooms in where you can fine-tune the focus.  Hit "zoom" again to get an even bigger view for very fine focusing, then hit "zoom" a third time to zoom back to the full view.  The auto-focus is a bit chancy, sometimes it selects something other than the main subject to focus on.

I haven't taken any action videos so I can't say how well that would work, but I have found the manual focus ring to be not too difficult to handle.  You could try out a demo camera in the camera shop - flip it into movie mode and try panning around, zooming, refocusing, etc. and get an idea for how it feels.

Instead of the kit lens, get the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which is soooo much better. It's a very good lens for the price. Sharp and with very low chromatic aberrations.

Quote from: Talanis on June 21, 2010, 16:58

Instead of the kit lens, get the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which is soooo much better. It's a very good lens for the price. Sharp and with very low chromatic aberrations.

Do you call this a good lens?

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/482-tamron_1750_28vc_canon?start=1

I don't think so!

Resolution: sucks, Aberation: sucks, Bokeh: sucks!


I think this one is much better and cheaper (but resolution sucks):

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/178-canon-ef-s-17-55mm-f28-usm-is-test-report--review?start=1

He is likely talking the non VC version. Even the VC version got quite positive review, I don't get where you take the sucks, sucks, sucks from.

Yeah, resolution: sucks:

The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] may have one of the funniest names around but the performance of the lens is serious at least regarding resolution where it was capable to deliver some of the best MTF50 figures to date. On the downside the very high field curvature at wide angle settings can be a problem in some situations (flat or very deep scenes at large aperture settings). Vignetting and distortions are about average for a lens in this class. CAs could be a little better at 17mm but otherwise the issue is quite well controlled. Mechanically the lens isn't top notch but it compares very well here to other third party lenses. Thanks to the very moderate price tag the lens is highly attractive and definitely worth a deeper look when shopping for a quality standard zoom lens for your APS-C DSLR.

Quote from: Albert Martin on July 23, 2010, 08:27

Quote from: Talanis on June 21, 2010, 16:58

Instead of the kit lens, get the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 which is soooo much better. It's a very good lens for the price. Sharp and with very low chromatic aberrations.

Do you call this a good lens?

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/482-tamron_1750_28vc_canon?start=1

I don't think so!

Resolution: sucks, Aberation: sucks, Bokeh: sucks!


I think this one is much better and cheaper (but resolution sucks):

http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/178-canon-ef-s-17-55mm-f28-usm-is-test-report--review?start=1

He is likely talking the non VC version. Even the VC version got quite positive review, I don't get where you take the sucks, sucks, sucks from.

Yeah, resolution: sucks:

The Tamron AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR Di II LD Aspherical [IF] may have one of the funniest names around but the performance of the lens is serious at least regarding resolution where it was capable to deliver some of the best MTF50 figures to date. On the downside the very high field curvature at wide angle settings can be a problem in some situations (flat or very deep scenes at large aperture settings). Vignetting and distortions are about average for a lens in this class. CAs could be a little better at 17mm but otherwise the issue is quite well controlled. Mechanically the lens isn't top notch but it compares very well here to other third party lenses. Thanks to the very moderate price tag the lens is highly attractive and definitely worth a deeper look when shopping for a quality standard zoom lens for your APS-C DSLR.

If you need center resolution peek as on that lens then OK... But, I don't understand how you will make equal that on border and even on extreme edges except you crop the image taken. There is why I said resolution sucks!

Nevertheless, I usually make choice from lenses which are mostly flat on all three areas (center, border and extreme) so I can use my sensors full size.  There is not good to have such peaks on center and so much down in resolution on the edges. You will understand what I am saying when you take the same images with let's say that sucky lens and canon 50mm F1.8 II with comparing them.

[added] To explain what is good enough for me is that lens performance @35mm F8... Almost all else sucks more or less.