Smokin Deal on Canon T2i, get yours!
 

Been shopping around and finally jumped on this deal! :) Its the best deal around (Literally, I have looked EVERYWHERE) as long as you don't live in NY or NJ since those are the only two states that have to be charged tax. The regular price for this T2i two lens kit (18-55mm & 55-250mm) is $1200. They take $200 off that and then for whatever reason another $50 comes off when you add it to your shopping cart. Shipping is free and since I'm in CT no taxes either. $954 out the door....its back ordered, but I don't mind waiting since I saved quite a bit. Best buy has the same package for $1029, but after taxes and a 10% coupon I had, it still came out to $1050 or so ...the way they play games with discounts/offers and coupons.

I'm not a 100% sure I'm going to keep the 55-250 lens since I could sell that to offset the cost of the camera another $200, bringing the total cost to $754, but I gotta think about it. Anyways, if anyone else is in the market for a camera, check this deal out!

http://www.adorama.com/ICADRT2IK55.html
http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=2002184

http://cdn0.mattters.com/photos/phot...67/t2i-460.jpg

Hooray for grey market... at least I'm betting it is. Most of those NY internet places are.

Should cause 0 issue though, but sometimes warranty stuff can be tricky. For awhile, Canon said they wouldn't honor grey market warranties. Mind you... that was like 6 years ago that I remember that from.

I really, really, really want that camera.

Just get a used 40D instead?

IDK, Adorama is a fairly large and reputable online vendor. The $200 off is a instant rebate from canon. That deal can be had at a few places. I'm thinking the extra $50 off is an attempt to set themselves apart from all the other companies selling the same package. They probably figure that they will make up the $50 loss with accessories each person buys when they buy the camera...

A d40 is nothing compared to this t2i but in experienced hands a d40 could produce similar photo's. The t2i is a far superior camera though. Looks like a sweet buy, when will you be gettin it?

If you go to B and H Photo, they will list "USA" and "international" versions of a lot of cameras. The "international" versions are usually cheaper. I think the only difference is the warranty (and perhaps the default language of the manual).

Well put....its not the camera that takes great photographs, but the photographer. I'll admit I'm a noob to DSLR's, but I think the T2i will be a solid platform that will last me years to come (feature wise). Its on backorder, but I called them this morning and they said they were expecting a shipment this coming up week. Not sure how many people pre-ordered before me, so I'm expecting it in two weeks or so. God I can't wait, I should have gotten a DSLR a LONG time ago!

My d5000 and new lenses will be home this week. Can't wait to get my new doodads!

I <3 my 550D/T2I

Wish i would have waited for a deal like this though.

Abes has the T2i standard package with just the 18-55 lens for $749 shipped. No need to try to sell off that tele lens that way.

Keeping an eye out on this thread. I just started looking for a DSLR yesterday. Best buy had a couple package deals, but I'm not sure how I feel about them.

also loving my d5000. nice and small and light and I'm not a professional so...

If anyone is curious, I just called Adorama and they said their shipment is coming in on May 20th....I guess they have a shit load of orders though :giggle:

Where do you see that? That is a great deal as well! Although the more I've been thinking, I think I'm going to keep the 55-250 lense.

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?i...CNEOSRDT2I1855

I've worked the best buy deals up and down, but it just can't compete with some of these online retailers. Only way I see best buy being cheaper is with a employee discount, that is if they even allow that on new items like this.

I lied about May 20th. The website no longer shows it as backordered and my order status changed to packed!:bigtu:

The Abes price I saw was on a "todays" specials list yesterday. Don't see it there today. Today they have the TLi on there.

ADORAMA is the SHIT! Got the camera today, 4 days after I ordered (When it was "Backordered")! Very happy with this purchase...

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Moar flash diffuser!

I vote focusing the dough on the glass first. And that doesn't necessarily mean expensive. Canon makes a plastic body (weighs nothing) 50mm f1.8 prime that's incredibly sharp - $90. Photodo is a great site for researching glass. There's also Photozone.de. And FredMiranda.com which also has a good forum.

btw- you realized you just stepped into a hobby that has equal potential to drain your wallet as your car? ;)

Congrats on the new equipment! +1 on a good prime lens! I went with a 35mm instead of a 50mm, but it just depends on what you prefer. See if anyone local to you has some lenses that they'd be willing to let you try out, then you'll have a better idea of what you want/need. And do everything you can to stay off of auto mode.

You can get a puffin diffuser for like $15 and it takes the sharp shadows and highlights/bright spots away. I agree with getting a prime lens. If you want to make your way across the state I should be getting my 50mm 1.8f in the next few days. It's for my nikon but it'll give you an idea of what it is like.

dont listen to the hardware guys! learn how to photograph with what you have and only buy more lenses when you reach YOUR limitations with the exceptional kit lenses! oh and get a flash you can bounce.

I disagree. Ditch the crap lens, spend $90 on a good prime lens and then go to photo school. I don't see the point in wasting time learning with a crap lens. I can tell you from first hand experience that it's a not a good feeling when you realize that you had a great shot except for the issues in the image caused by your junk lens. There's a reason I sold all my junk glass- and that lens that came on this camera will never be worth more than it is now. BTW- shopping used lenses is a great way to go IMO. I've seen the 50mm f1.8 prime go for as little as $50. If he finds one of those, he'll probably come with some cash after selling the new junk. ;)

Hey I like my new junk :giggle:! I'm completely new to this so I am going to use what I got and learn a little before I go crazy, lol. I bought a few books to outline features/functions/concepts of the camera & photography in general, so I'm going with that initially. Everyone has to start somewhere right. I think those photos pretty damn good for just turning on the camera and pressing the button :fawk:

My point was that you mentioned selling the lens, and if that happened, you'd have the dough to buy a better lens and dough left over. I've been doing photography for 35 years and still find it challenging. :D

fine fine, I'll give you one fast prime lens and the rest requires talent.

Keep your kit lens, and follow the advice to get a solid prime (or a few). You will have plenty of chances to create practice shoots for yourself, and to work on your skills. You are also going to take this camera with you to events and fucking around where you're gonna leave it in one of the priority modes, or program or something... and you'll want to make sure you get your subject in a photo that is expected. Until you are seasoned and fast, don't feel bad at all about relying on the kit gear, and some degree of auto to get your photos. When you have time to really work on your skills, learn to use all of the manual settings, and learn to use the higher quality glass. Beyond the quality, it will (much more importantly) force you to learn better framing focus and balance practices.

Only sell the kit lens to fund other gear that will give you the same or better performance, without losing the convenience of leaning on the camera's auto features when it suits the situation. The bottom line is, you don't want to completely miss shots because you were still learning... but you also need to have the tools to learn beyond what the auto equipment will give you.

I agree with not selling your current lenses until you are ready to upgrade. They may not be the fastest focusing, may have some chromatic aberration, they may be a little soft, but they may get the shot you want and once you sell it you may kick yourself. True you won't get more money for them later but still I feel until you are limited by the hardware you should not upgrade, nor do you need to. Kinda like when someone who doesn't know how to drive buys a go fast car (ie most evo drivers). But seriously a flash diffuser makes almost every shot that you use a flash with look better imo.

I've got a D5000

I won't be selling the 18-55mm vr kit lens EVER!

edit: well, I guess I could, but I dont have any plans to...

The reason is: at full zoom (55mm) The focus distance on it is 4"..... I've got a full frame 12MP Pic of a duracell AAA. It may not be as good as a full fledged macro lens, but it's in my bag because it's better than any of the 'fancy' glass I own. Ive got the cheap 55-200mm vr lens = trash. I've got the 18-105 vr D90 kit lens as my walkaround, and the 70-300mm vr nikon lens which is good for tripod shots of stuff that holds still, or sunny day long distance shots. I'll be getting 2 more lenses in the mail tomorrow - A sigma 50mm f/1.4 prime, and the sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens. There's also a flash in that box - my best friends wedding is coming up, so I wanted some fast glass for indoor stuff.

I actually had a Photoshop CS4 seminar today (Technically for work), but while I was there I used one of my photos from last night to apply some techniques learned in the class. It isn't perfect, but not bad for only a few minutes of post processing during the class...

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Got my 50mm in today. Here it is catching a pic of my jdm dog

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/i...3a7d70c8cf.jpg

GOOD CALL! What a difference!

This is the fucking truth.

I <3 my 50 1.8

I also rock a 10-22 EFS. My next glass will probably be the 70-200 2.8L..

I ended up getting the Canon T1i with 2 lens and an 8 gig class 6 SD card for $801 shipped from Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T1i-Digi...4272432&sr=8-1

You have to click on the "add both to cart" button and then put in the promo code to get the 200 off. Pretty much gives you the IS lens for free. I've heard the other lens is garbage.

This deal also applies for the Canon XS and makes that package 530 shipped. But I was informed by many that I should just get the upgraded body so I did.

I had one and moved on to a 100-400L for the extra focal length I needed, but there is no denying that I miss that lens. It really is the perfect tele zoom IMO. Another outstanding lens in the spirit of that 50 is the Canon 85mm 1.8 prime- sharp and quick like an L at only a quarter the price and .6 stop. I got to use one a few weeks ago and it was stunned. As stated though, this camera stuff isn't so different from cars/turbocharging.:p

No love for the full frame 50mm f1.4? It's my favorite, by far.

I've used (rented) it and couldn't justify it at 4x the price. Same with that 85 vs. the near $2k L 85. Decisions based on where I want/need to focus the camera cash. I'm not going to argue that with most canon lenses, the more you spend the better the quality.

Good point there. I picked mine up used for $330. I use the extra 2/3rds of light gathering ability almost every time I use it.

Jesus, Canon is coming out with new bodies faster than usually.... or maybe since Ive been out of retail my concept of time is constrewed. Canon also just celebrated their 40 millionth(sp?) EOS SLR production.

The 550D is one badass body, especially at that price... blows the deal I got on my XSi 2 years ago out of the water lol. The 18mp cmos sensor might be overkill but its mostly there for marketing. 1080p video is impressive along with it's new metering system as well.


I would love to see canon put some of the better lenses, like the 28-135mm that comes with the 50D currently, on some of higher end of entry level SLR's like this 550D. Like its said in this post, glass is extremely important.


Good find btw

I still rock a D1X. It's becoming an artifact I think.

Heh, on that note, my camera is a 35mm Elan IIe. Look where you want to focus, it's awesome. I want a full frame digital camera already.

Technology has ruined photography. At least the part where your camera body retains it's value. ;) I'm still rockin' my 1Dmk2 and get that burning feeling in my pocket every time one of these prosumer models comes out.

You speak the truth...I'm addicted already. Another money pit I suppose, but I could be spending money on worse things.

That's the same film camera I bought years ago. Great camera. Wish I had the same thing in digital now but too cheap to buy one. I hate the pictures I get from the little pocket digital I have but it's tough to want to haul around a big SLR again.

Where do you guys suggest taking a class that can familiarize a person with their DSLR? I noticed my community college has one... I have the old D1X that I bought from my dad with some nice glass on it but have never learned enough about photography to know how to do much more than point and shoot. I'd like to develop some actual photography skill and be able to take some nice photos...
-Ryan

No class necessary....do a little research and do some trial and error. Its amazing how fast you can pick up things. You'll always be learning though, thats for sure. What I've been doing is taking a pic, make an adjustment, compare, take a pic, make an adjustment, compare, rinse and repeat. You'll start to notice what settings do what, I did.

I just made a bounce diffuser out of a piece of paper for my nikon sb400.

This shot was taken in a dark shed with no other lighting at about 7:45pm this evening.

http://gallery.y8s.com/d/22891-2/DSC_2121.JPG

Heres another good example of how well the flash diffuser works....Everything was the same in these pictures except the diffuser.

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Yeah, a paper diffuser works also but for the low price and the "don't have to fuck with it every time you go to use it" factor I couldn't pass the puffin up.

Doing is the best way to learn. You can improve with specific instruction, but to really get going, you can take a more informal approach. I used to point a lot of people at "Tips from the Top Floor", a podcast designed to teach you 101 type tips, and force you into experimentation and practice habits. It's suitable for people with a point and shoot with some manual controls, and is ideally suited for DSLR owners. You may consider starting from the beginning, but as I recall, Chris's show was always pretty "jump right in" friendly.

http://www.tipsfromthetopfloor.com/