I often get asked what camera I use. And, this past week when I was in the process of buying a new one and tweeting my way through the experience, I would get all kinds of responses from fellow tweeters. So, I’m deciding for you that you are interested in my camera and I’m going to tell you all about it. Plus, I’m excited. Downright bubbly, in fact.
(Disclaimer: All the info in this post is either my own opinion or what I learned while researching this stuff…I’m no expert. Let me repeat, I am NOT an expert! I just love sharing what I learn to save you some legwork! Also, nothing in this post is sponsored.)
For the last 3+ years I’ve been using a Canon Rebel XT. It was only $500 new and it’s been a great camera. It certainly gets the job done. Lately it’s been getting errors here and there, which is annoying when you’re shooting photos for a local restaurant and miss the moment that the milk gets poured into the coffee. ARGH! Plus, it’s only 8 MP. For heaven’s sake, phones are catching up to that number. Also, the ISO doesn’t go very high, which isn’t helpful in a dark restaurant. My food blogging has simply outgrown my Rebel.
This is my old camera. It’s been real, Rebel XT.
A quick side note. I use the Canon 50 mm f/1.8 lens for my food photography. I love this little lens. It’s cheap. And it does wonders in low light situations, has beautiful shallow depth of field (you know, fuzzy backgrounds), and I can get really neat shots of food and kids alike. You get a lot of bang for your buck with this lens…I highly recommend it.
Speaking of Canon. I know you’re probably thinking, Canon or Nikon? In all honesty, I don’t think it matters that much. The biggest reason I chose Canon years ago was simply because it was less expensive. And that’s about all I have to say on the subject. I know, so helpful. Ree wrote a couple posts about the subject here and here, if you’re interested in her opinion and comparisons. Bottom line for me – I already had a few Canon lenses, so I stuck with Canon.
Okay, so back to camera shopping. I spoke with many experts, got many opinions and decided NOT to get a full frame camera (I don’t really need it…I mean, maybe want, but need? not so much). Which left me with the Rebel T2i, 50D and 7D (in order from least to most expensive). The T2i is 18 MP, the 50D is 15 MP and the 7D is 18 MP. I ditched the 50D – less megapixels for more money than the T2i? No thanks. The camera store guy told me to not bother with the 7D – that if I didn’t get a full frame Mark II, then I should get the T2i. I must admit, I didn’t really trust him at first…but after even more research, I realized he was right. At least for my needs. Here’s why.
The 7D and the Rebel T2i are essentially the same camera. When they designed the T2i, they incorporated many of the 7D’s features.
The main differences are user interface (both are great, just different), the build (the 7D has more metal construction, is more durable, and, as a result, much bigger and heavier), continuous shooting speed (~8 frames/sec on the 7D, 3.7 frames/sec on the T2i), and focusing system (more complex and advanced on the 7D).
The main similarities are they have the same megapixels, movie quality is identical, and image quality is identical (at least according to the camera store guy). And, keep in mind, the camera store salesmen are on COMMISSION…and they were all advising me to go for the T2i, which is HALF the cost. That’s saying something.
I chose the T2i because I almost never use continuous shooting mode, I like having a lighter camera since I often throw it {carefully} in my purse when we eat out, and even though the focusing system is fancy schmancy on the 7D, it’s fancy enough on the T2i.
So there you have it! I’m the proud new mama of a Rebel T2i. Yippee!
Check out that giant beautiful screen on my new T2i. Alright, you can’t really tell in this photo, but the screen is seriously beautiful. And it’s better quality than the 7D’s screen.
Back to lenses. I actually upgraded to the Canon 50 mm f/1.4 because I use my 50 mm every darn day of the week and love it and the 1.4 has a cool focusing feature and for heaven’s sake it works in even lower light. I couldn’t resist. But, honestly, the 1.8 is great. Awesome, in fact. I’m giving mine to my mother-in-law with my old camera…I can’t wait to see what her artistic eye will come up with now that she has a decent camera. (Merry Christmas, Pat!)
For general shooting I use an 18-55 mm lens. Both times I bought my cameras, I bought the body only and did not buy the kit lens, which is the lens that comes with the camera. The 18-55 mm that I purchased is basically a nicer version of the kit lens. I’m keeping this lens and will continue to use it, even though the 50 mm stays on my camera most of the time.
Wish list lenses: 100mm macro 2.8 L and the 24-70mm 2.8 L. These are the lenses that Helene Dujardin uses on a daily basis, and just look at her beautiful work. Time to start saving some money! (She’s actually “mad” at me for spending money on the 1.4…she wanted me to save up for the 24-70. Sorry, Helene! Hope you’ll forgive me!)
I hope this is helpful! Please feel free to pipe in with your own opinions or if you have any questions!
Thanks to Helene, Ree, Broderick and Heidi (as well as the helpful staff at Keeble & Shuchat, where I bought my camera) for all their help over the last week as I waded through indecisiveness!
AND…just when you thought this post was finally over…the Shutter Sisters wrote a great article today, Creating Your Digital Camera Wish List.
Hello! My name is Jane Maynard and you've landed yourself on my blog, This Week for Dinner™. Every Sunday I share a weekly menu...and then count on you to share your own! You'll also find other deliciousness that I hope you'll enjoy!
