New Camera Day!

1.27.2012

It's been seven months in the making, but I am finally the owner of a new camera! Yes, it's true. I sort of can't believe it.

In case you're interested, I'll tell you what I ended up buying and why. But understand that I don't know all that much, just what I've researched and talked about with other camera owners. So if you know about cameras and think I've made a bad decision, just don't tell me about it, because I'm ridiculously excited.

First, I went with a Canon EOS Rebel t2i (body only).

There's a lot of talk about Canon vs. Nikon, and based on what I've read, you can't go wrong with either. A lot of it is what you've learned on or what you grew up with. There are pros and cons to both, but I ultimately went with a Canon because a lot of the photography blogs I read have great Canon tutorials. I realize that's not the greatest reason, but so be it.

Maybe at some point I'll upgrade to a bigger, badder version of the Canon, but for now I think the t2i will be a great starter for me. What I also like about this model is that it plays video too!

I went with the camera body only. If there's one thing I learned from my research, it's that it's a better use of your money to not buy the kit lens. For that good blurry background, you want a lens with what's called a fixed aperture. It's wise to get the camera body only and then find a specific lens you want. I got a lot of my info from here and here and here. These posts were super helpful for someone like me who doesn't know anything

Now, for lenses. 
First up, the 50mm f/1.8.

In conversations and research, the 50mm just kept. coming. up. Reviews say it's a quality lens for the best price you can find. Of course, I'm not under the illusion that this is the best lens out there. It's not by a long shot. But you wouldn't believe how often I ran across this lens. Earlier this week I was talking to someone at church about buying a camera, and she said, "Did you get a 50mm?" I was like, "Yes!"

It's got the recommended fixed aperture and also a fixed focal distance, so you have to literally move forward or backward with your feet to get closer or farther away from a subject. No zooming here. You can get a 50mm f/1.4, which is a lower aperture and thus will get you more of that cool blur, but it's more expensive, and for my purposes (and budget), the 1.8 will be perfect.

The third purchase was* the Tamron 28-75 mm f/2.8.
Again, fixed aperture. This lens has a zoom that's supposed to be good for portraits and also scenery, which is basically what I'll be working on as I learn the ropes.

*I actually haven't bought this one yet. Jordan (rightly) thought I might be overwhelmed at first and should just start with the 50mm initially. Also, I wanted to make sure I had enough money to buy a camera bag and a memory card, since those are sort of necessities. So the Tamron's not in my hands yet, but it's next up.

 So that's it! Now I'll get back to reading my manual.
 (And for those of you who do know about cameras and such, I'd love any advice about how to get started and also where's a good place to buy a camera bag.)

Anonymous said...

Wow. You are so much a camera snob now. I feel our friendship ebbing away... Who knew it would be THIS that did it and not the six-month mark...? Certainly not me.

Anyway... I will take the blame for this (or allow my blog to, at least), but I believe you mean "illusion" up there where you used "allusion." I apologize for confusing you with my blog title (if that is, indeed, why you're confused...maybe I'm being arrogantly presumptuous). But I also remind you that my blog title is a play on words.

Respectfully,
A

Amanda said...

I DO blame you and your blog. This is not the first time I've been confused about the correct choice since I saw your blog title :) In any case, it's correct now. Thanks.

Also, I am not a camera snob. At least, not yet ;) But we can still be friends, no matter what happens with my snobbery.

Moments and Impressions said...

How exciting... I have the 50mm and it is on most of the time. Have fun.

Brandi said...

Did you ever get the Tamron lens? I've been eyeing that one up as well. But, since I had to replace my 50mm recently, I don't know that it is in the cards for a while. Wondering your thoughts if you are using it?

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