Canon EOS Rebel T1i / 500D 15.1 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Kit w/ EF-S IS 18-55mm Lens)

This is a very good camera but if you are moving up from the point and shoot realm, you'll have to get used to shooting in a very different way. I wasn't expecting such a change, and that threw me at first.

When I decided to move up from the point and shoots I've been using, I did a lot of research and narrowed it down to a few Canons and a few Nikons. I decided on the T1i because the kit I bought included an 18mm to 200mm IS lens. The length of this lens gives me almost as much "zoom" as my former P&S, and I like to be able to get close to things that I can't get to physically--across water, up in trees, etc. I do love this lens but it is heavy in comparison to the standard 18mm to 55mm kit lens. Luckily I have a tripod to use for evening and night shots. There is no way to hand-hold this lens when the exposure ends up being almost a second or more.

I had been used to framing shots with the LCD screen, which you can do on the T1i, but it's not quite as easy as it was on a point and shoot--and it eats up a LOT of battery power. So I had to begin using the viewfinder--which I hated at first, but I soon began to see its advantages, and now I like shooting that way.

Even though I was used to using the manual setting on my P&S, I had to take the time to really learn about exposure, aperture, ISO, f-stops, etc., in order to really take advantage of what this camera offers.

Initially I shot completely in Auto mode. The photos came out okay, but the colors were very, very pale and disappointing. Even when I tried to use the "picture modes", I was disappointed. With some research on the net, I found that there are ways to set up custom color options. The Canon manual is very WEAK in terms of teaching you about this. I HIGHLY suggest getting "Dave Busch's Canon EOS Rebel T1i/500D" to help you learn how to set up your own color choices.

The Busch book also helped me to understand the functioning of different types of lenses and to understand the various ways one can change ISO, f-stops, etc.

If you use the LCD to review your shots, you may need to do some test runs before you can get the LCD to accurately display the shots. I had taken some shots of sunflowers, and on the LCD, they looked underexposed, so I used the exposure compensation feature and increased them about a third or up higher. When I saw the actual shots after I uploaded them to my computer, the shots that looked underexposed on the LCD were actually correctly exposed, and the ones I increased were now overexposed. So I adjusted the brightness of the lcd up a bit and things now seem pretty accurate.

When I've gotten things right, I've taken some shots that really surprised me in their quality.

In conclusion, I would say that I am very happy with this camera, but the learning curve was higher than what I had been expecting to experience. At first I was frustrated, but with some more reading and with some helpful videos I found on Youtube, I have come to begin to really enjoy this camera.

I love this camera. However, the lenses sold in this kit are not digital they are analog, and can not be used with the video. I am still not quite sure what the difference is. So you have to purchase other lenses to take videos. Analog lenses are used for SLR cameras, not DSLR. They can be used with the DSLR, just not with certain features, like video. Also, lenses are not Canon Lenses, they are a cheaper brand. The live LCD is nice, but can only be used in certain settings, which if you don't know how to use those settings doesn't do you much good. Doesn't not work in Automatic mode. That was dissappointing. The large memory card is nice, but doesn't work in older computers.(HP Media Edition with Windows XP) I don't believe this Camera and Kit are the cheapest way to go. May want to check out different avenues. You get a lot of stuff, but not neccessarily needed or useful. I probably should have returened it, but was going on vacation and needed the camer to take pictures of the grandbabies. The camera is what I was looking for, I just need to get more lenses and learn more about the camera. I think it is going to be great, can't wait to start enjoying it.

As a DSLR that takes wonderfully expected images like all modern day DSLRs do and as one of the very few (currently, but we'll be seeing more) DSLRs that record full resolution HD video (1080 & 720) at the moment, it's a clear 5/5. After all, this is one of Canon's lowest trim DSLRs and it already offers 15 megapixels and HD recording.

But then all of those goodies have been beaten to death in reviews everywhere, so I thought I'll just detail some notes on hands-on experience using VIDEO on this bad boy (firmware 1.0.9). It's quite a new thing with DSLRs and some buyers (new DSLR owners and repeats!) might not be too sure what to expect.

- don't expect HD video quality matching HD video dedicated recorders. There will be the "jello" effect (that is actually the Internet technical term for it!) if you pan too fast. And just don't move too fast (you & subject) since at full 1080, it's only 20FPS, not quite up to specs to avoid choppy video when speed's involved (720 has 30FPS). Dynamic exposure is quite slow and sometimes off.

- manual focus seems like the only real usable method of focusing. Not only does the Liveview contrast detecting focusing really slow, it makes a ton of noise (recorded!) and for a LONG time (back and forth) even on a quick focusing USM lens like the 24-70L. Unless you want to give the viewers a bit of nausea, manual focusing gets you there much faster (and remember manual focusing by eye on the fab screen is fine since the output is not 15MP still image but 1080px in height video, i.e. precision doesn't need to be super exact). One last IMPORTANT point on auto focusing, if you try focusing on something dark where the camera needs more light to be able to find focus, the lens will automatically open the aperture so the camera can see. But then, that means while it is focusing, the video will suddenly become crazily overexposed. No joke. It's a lot like spot metering a backlit object where everything not dark will overexpose.

- the mono sound isn't too bad, a lot like video on a point and shoot/prosumer camera. It's sure no competition to an actual HD video recorder, but hey it does the job more alright than I thought.

- zooming the lens while you shoot does make a sliding sound in your video, depending on how smooth the zoom is on your lens of course. And don't even think about clicking any buttons or turning the wheel. The sound proofing for the on-body controls is quite crap. But then there's really not much you have to/can change on the camera while you're shooting anyways.

- I'm not sure what others are reporting (looking at the other reviews), I have an 8GB PQI class2 SDHC and it hasn't failed in writing speed to lose video bits yet.

- It's actually quite fun.

I know most of my notes are rather negative (point is to inform, right), but to be honest, HD video, especially on a DSLR with interchangeable lenses is really fun. Just think fisheyes! Telephotos! Super narrow depth of field! Tilt-shift lenses! And it's really something when you watch the videos, captured by a PHOTO CAMERA, on your computer monitor and find that at 100%, it's bigger than your screen.. fullscreening the video actually shrinks the video window. Hm.

So maybe it seems like this is just HD slapped on a DLSR for marketing and fuel for the whole gimmick-why-video-on-a-DLSR whine, but really, it's a sign for things to come. Future gens of these love machines will surely be refined due to competition and at the end of it all, we win.

I have been a photographer for 30 years working with 35mm, 4x5, 8x10 and digital. I just upgraded from an 8 mp Canon XT. And I am very pleased with the improvements on the T1i. I can use my remote shooting window again! - as the old Rebel was not compatible with 64 bit systems. I have used Canon equipment since my first SLR - an ftb in 1975 - and have never had and complaints. The larger preview / menus screen is a real plus, as well as the added flexibility. I don't use video so that's not a concern. As far as people complaining about lenses, I don't get that one, I don't think the naked eye can tell the difference.

This was my first purchase for a DSLR camera. I believe I made an excellent choice. The camera is easy to use and takes excellent pictures. Of course the camera is only as good as the person taking the pictures. The basic kit lense that comes with it is great for starting out but you will be buying a new lense that gets a better zoom. True you get a 15.1 megapixel camera, but really a 10-12 megapixel camera is going to take just as good pictures. Don't let the megapixel count be your only decision in buying a DSLR. The HD video recording is a nice touch. The 1080i only records at 20fps, so the camera has too be quite still to get it perfect. But if it is the recording is flawless. You will find yourself using the 720p at 30fps which takes excellent recordings. I spent a good 2 weeks reading online courses and videos on this camera and on DSLR's in general before actual trying to take some pictures. Let me tell you that the people that I have shown the pictures to have said that I should start a photography shop. You will probably narrow your search down between a Canon or Nikon camera. I hear pro's and con's for both. Both are excellent cameras as I spent about a month researching both. Why I chose the Canon? Just because that I wanted the recording feature. I almost just flipped a coin. I'm sure if I chose a Nikon I would be just as happy. Spend your time choosing what DSLR will fit best for you and then go for it. Learn all you can about Shutter, ISO, Aperture and you will take some fantastic photos.
Regards,
Bobby