CrAzY Working Mom: Advice for a budding enthusiast

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Advice for a budding enthusiast

This is the camera that I'm looking at buying. It is a Canon Digital Rebel XSi 12.2 MP Digital SLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens. I am currently using a Kodak DX6490 which I love. It's a great camera, but I am wanting a little more. It is 4.0MP where the Canon is 12.2. This is the major attraction to this camera. I have a birthday coming up and I am looking for some advice from some fellow photo enthusiasts. I love to take pictures and I want something that is easy to use and takes great pictures as well. Maybe then I'll buy a Zero Halliburton briefcase to carry it in! What kind of camera do you use and how do you feel about it? What accessories are a necessity for your camera, such as a zoom lens? Please leave me a comment and any advice that you can. Thanks!

13 comments, add yours here:

Unknown said...: Oooh...that's a nice camera! I have a compact digital, and I love it, but I love my BF's camera more!

I've tagged you for a meme on my blog, too.

http://justaddlaughter.blogspot.com/2008/11/mean-meme.html; 2:27 PM
Camp Stanhope Happenings said...: I have a cheap HP digital with 8. and it's easy to use, but my 25 year-old Minolta SLR takes the BEST portrait/family group pics EVER.
Maybe some day I'll have a fancy digital SLR, but until then, if it's time for the Christmas grandkids pic, I'm going to use the old Minolta!!!; 3:21 PM
Anonymous said...: I have this camera but in the 10 mp model. I LOVE IT !

I wish I would learn more to use it to it's full potential.

I would go for it.; 3:25 PM
Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...: well my take is a little different, i have a canon powershot sd1100 and i love it because it is just a couple of ounces and the size of a thick credit card. it is 8megapixils. now why do i love this? because i always have it with me. if my camera was larger i would miss all the good shots because it would be at home...

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo; 3:42 PM
Twisted Cinderella said...: Oooh I am so jealous! I long to own a Rebel! I love to take pics and they are pretty good, but I just know the quality of my pics would go waaaay up if I had a good camera.; 3:46 PM
maryt/theteach said...: Tish, it's funny you bring up looking for a camera to buy. I was talking to my niece-in-law (and she knows what's she talking about) yesterday because I was thinking I wanted a new camera and an SLR at that. I use a Canon A710 IS which is a point-and-shoot digital camera (7 megapixels). She told me that if I go to an SLR it will be bigger and bulkier than my Canon. (I like to throw my camera in my bag and have it with me at all times.) But if I really wanted an SLR she said the Rebel would be the one she'd recommend. She pointed out that it's not the no. of megapixels that makes for a good shot (you need the megapixels if you want to blow the pictures up to very large sizes) it's getting to understand ISO and aperture. She also said you have to look through the view finder to take a picture with an SLR not at the LCD display. I don't think I'd like that. My zoom is a 6x and I do feel at a loss. But I looked up your camera and I see it's a 10x zoom which is a lot better. If you aren't familiar with an SLR, she told me, get to know your camera very well before going to an SLR. She said I might like a Canon Powershot Pro (not an SLR) Anyway she recommended a web site, Steve's Digicam, (just google it) to get some camera comparisons. Oh and she also said if I'm into action shots the SLR would be good. Hope I've been helpful Tish, good luck! Let me know what you do... :); 3:59 PM
Janna said...: I need a new digital camera too!
Unfortunately, I'm too poor to buy one, so I'm going to have to rely on "Plan B", which means saving the life of a millionaire and having him be so grateful that he grants me three wishes...

Or, no, wait... that's a genie.

Well, I'll save somebody's life, anyway.; 6:34 PM
storyteller said...: I’m sorry I can’t offer advice at this point, but I do appreciate you sharing your thoughts about a new camera because I’ve been thinking about getting one too. I want to be able to take macro shots!
Hugs and blessings,; 8:03 PM
Crazy Working Mom said...: Thanks to everyone for your great advice. Do keep it comin'!

Bee, I do have a "small" camera that I keep with me for those shots that I might miss.; 8:43 PM
Desert Songbird said...: I have a small point and shoot (a Canon Power Shot A570IS) which I like a lot, but I would love to have a Digital Rebel!; 9:53 PM
Linda said...: As I've mentioned, it was a debate between this one and the Nikon that I ended up with. And Mary is right, I was reading just today that sometimes the more megapixels you have, the trickier it can be.

I was also reading up on ISO and apertures in the manual of my Nikon today and I am still totally confused!

Whatever camera you choose, I'm sure your pictures will be fantastic!; 11:20 PM
Anonymous said...: I have THIS camera and it rocks! You don't have to think about it. Go buy it!! :-); 7:11 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi Tish - I have an Xti ( the model before) and you've seen a lot of my photos.

It's dead simple to use and after you download your first photos you'll never want to go back to your old camera. It has a full auto mode for when you start out, so just point & shoot but after that the manual is good, there's loads of great online help & you'll soon be taking it off auto.

I've had mine a year now, and know what aperture, shutter speed I want from experience, but it was total gibberish when I started out-you'll soon pick it up!

Mail me if you would like to & I'll bore you senseless with some hints & tips ;-); 2:51 PM