I've decided to buy a DSLR camera and have narrowed it down to a Cannon EOS Rebel T3i. In Cinema School, I worked with SLR cameras but of course they were all film (it was the 90's after all.) It's been more than a few years since I've worked with anything other than a point & click camera.
I'm wondering if anyone else has any experience with DSLR s and have some advice about purchasing one. What kind of lens do you find yourself using more often than not?
I use a Canon DSLR. If you're just looking for a consumer entry-level DSLR, Canon Rebels are good. If you want a slightly better prosumer version, then go for a 60D version.
The kit lenses are okay, but I'd recommend (if you have the budget/as your budget allows) getting a 50mm, and then adding a wide angle lens, like a 20mm f/2.8 and a telephoto zoom lens (75-300mm f/4-5.6) if you really find that you're loving photography (which it sounds like you will since you went to cinema school). Sigma lenses are okay and compatible with Canon equipment, but Canon lenses are definitely better quality.
Thanks, girls. I've been doing so much research on what to get that my head hurts. I ended up buying the Cannon Ti3 body and purchasing a Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 zoom lens (and a bayonet hood for it.) I was looking at the sigma lenses, but I figured that if I was going to get a good all around workhorse lens, I might as well get the best possible. I'm hoping to save up for a good macro lens too.
Kenzie- I was going back and forth between the Ti3 and the 60D. In the end, there just wasn't enough of a difference between the 2 for me to justify the price bump (the more advanced features of the 60D were very attractive, but I didn't think I'd end up using them enough.)