Looking to break into the DSLR world

[SHRED]

Both cameras and lens are rated very well.

Canon EOS Rebel T5i DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
http://www.adorama.com/ICAT5IK2.html

Or:

Canon EOS Rebel T4i Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens
http://www.adorama.com/ICAT4IK2.html


Go for it?
Which one?


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[Major Nikon]

1. I'm not a Canon guy so I can't comment on them

As far as basic DLSR advice goes, my advice is to consider what type of photography you want to do and then work backwards to the camera. If you are going to be using flash extensively, first consider which one(s) are going to serve your needs the best, then consider which lens(es) are going to serve your needs the best. By the time you have those things figured out, you should know which manufacturer makes the camera system you want and from there it's a matter of picking out the model that does what you need it to do.

Good lenses will far outlast the body, so choose your lens(es) wisely. What set of lenses do you ultimately see yourself owning? Let's say you plan on buying a 70-300 sometime in the future. Do you really want to start out with a 18-135, when much of that range is going to be duplicated by the 70-300? It might be better to get the 15-85. Although there's only 3mm difference on the short end, that 3mm makes a bigger difference than 50mm on the long end. Here's why. The horizontal field of view (FOV) for 15mm is 73 degrees and for 18mm it's 63 degrees for a difference of ~10. The FOV for 85mm is 15 degrees and for 135mm it's 9 degrees for a difference of ~6. Personally I would rather have a 15-85 than the 18-135, but I realize the 15-85 is probably going to be more expensive.

Here's another thing about buying a DSLR. Sometimes the retailer will offer you some really good unpublished deals when you buy the body and lens(es) together, so don't just settle on that really good pre-bundled deal. Call up Adorama (and B&H) and tell them you want to buy X body along with Y and Z lenses, then ask them if they will make you a deal vs buying all of those items separately. Quite often they will, but it just depends on what the manufacturer will let them do. The last time I bought a body I bought 4 lenses to go along with it because they made me such a good deal on the lenses. I turned around and sold 3 of the lenses on ebay and made enough to pay for the 4th lens that I kept.

[SHRED]

2. Thanks ...

I will add that most of my pictures will be nature shots.

[Major Nikon]

3. For what it's worth, here's my take on the 18-135 for that purpose

When I think nature shots I either want wide angle (if not ultra wide angle) or I want a long telephoto. Although the 18-135 is a little bit of both, it really doesn't doesn't do much justice to either. That's just my shooting style. Yours may be different. Also lenses like the 18-135 generally don't perform nearly as well on the long end as they do on the short end.

That being said, sometimes bundled deals can be pretty good so it is worth considering what you'll pay for the bundle vs the body only to get your true cost for the lens. If you are getting a really good price on the lens, it could be worth it even if you plan on turning it around on ebay in a few months in favor of set of lenses.

[Sherman A1]

4. I have a T2i and an XT with a variety of lenses

and not that one in particular. I have been very happy with my Canons. Had a d20 but sold it off recently as it duplicated my XT and I was helping someone who was in need of a DSLR.

I would look at Sigma lenses as well as I have several and I am happy with them and their price.

For bags I only use Lowepro, but I am sure there are other good lines out there and I have been happy with the service from Adorama on the things I have purchased through them.

[SHRED]

5. a COSTCO deal

http://www.costco.com/Canon-EOS-Rebel-T5i-DSLR-Camera-2-Lens-Bundle.product.100057275.html?MobileOptOut=1

Although the bundled lens are not as quality as the other deal. I am not sure I would notice since I an a beginner.

[groundloop]

6. The T4i and T5i are essentially identical

The only difference is the mode dial. No functional differences, for all intents and purposes they're one and the same, so go for whichever deal is better.

AND I have a T4i and it serves me very well.

Also, IMO you might be better served initially with 18-55 IS and 55-250 IS lenses. The STM is supposed to be a good lens for video because the focus motor is so quiet (I've never used it, just going by what I've heard from others on this one), but I think you'll appreciate the extra reach of the 55-250 at times. Those are both very good quality lenses for their cost.

[SHRED]

7. Thanks

[SHRED]

8. Canon factory refurb

From what I read people are happy with factory refurbs.

This $679 is appealing with a Lowe case and 32G SD card.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1012918-REF/canon_eos_rebel_t4i_digital.html

[groundloop]

9. From what I've read on the Canon forums, factory refurbs have been great.

That'll definitely be everything you need to get going.

Later on if you decide you need a longer lens you can buy the 55-250 used for under $150. I've moved on to more expensive lenses but still hang onto that one as a backup because it's such a good value. I recently went to a college football game and knew they wouldn't let me in with my bigger Canon lens so took the 55-250 and it didn't disappoint me.

[rdking647]

10. you may want to consider a mirrorless camera

i have a nikon d600 . i also have a sony nex-6
the sony has the same sensor as a nikon d7000. it takes great shots,and does 90% of what my old nikon d7000 would do.
yet weighs almost nothing.
the only reason i havent replaced my d600 is some of the lenses i use sony has no equivalents to (yet)

[Major Nikon]

11. T5i + 18-55 + 75-300 = $658

http://www.adorama.com/ICAT5IK1.html

Click the link under "Buy together and save"

Click the third option (EF 75-300mm Lens)

Add to cart.

Price will come out to $657.59.

Shipping is free.

[groundloop]

12. Don't bother with the 75-300, it's not a good lens

The 75-300 has a pretty bad reputation amongst knowledgeable Canon users, and deservedly so. Beyond 200 mm or so it's very soft. The 55-250 will get you nearly as much reach, and has much better image quality. I have personal experience with both those lenses.

[Major Nikon]

13. For whatever reason, the bundle price is considerably better with the 75-300

I'm not sure if this is a price mistake or what, but if you select the 55-250, the price is more than $200 higher. The bundle price with the 18-55 and the 75-300 is even $100 cheaper than just getting the 18-55 and T5i by itself. So he can buy the bundle and sell the 75-300 on ebay and be money ahead.

[groundloop]

14. Ahhhh.......

Apparently trying to get rid of unsold inventory.