Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens
Rating:
Too often camera reviewers insist their initial dslr purchase is a transformative event. “I couldn’t believe the pictures I got from (fill in the blank).” Having used an Olympus point and shoot for years, I was seduced by those claims. My pictures were good, but imagine what they would be like if I used (fill in the blank). I wanted my pictures to look like the ones in the magazines. And, based on the reviews I read, I would get that quality if I purchased a dslr.

After exhaustive research, I finally settled on the T2i. Initially, I was hesitant about buying a Canon or Nikon, assuming that the hype about their quality was a direct result of their advertising budget. But the press for the T2i was overwhelmingly positive, and I decided all of those reviewers couldn’t have been bought off.

So once the camera arrived, I took it out for a test shoot. Since I am a neophyte, I initially set the camera on automatic. The first thing I discovered was discouraging. Canon makes a big deal about the three-inch lcd and how many pixels there are so you can consult it in any kind of weather. And the display is beautiful indoors. But out in the sun… uh, uh, it is worthless. I had to duck into the shade to see anything. So if you are an advanced photographer and want to adjust your settings shot by shot, either bring an umbrella or find some shade. Otherwise you will be shooting blind.

Now, as for the quality of the pictures taken on automatic, I was stunned all right. But not in a good way. They were no better than my Olympus (the 5060 if you are wondering) and not very sharp. I know that is heresy, but that is my honest opinion.

I had previously bought Amazon’s highest rated general dslr guide — a three-book set — and consulted it. The author advised shooting in an advanced mode and to shoot at f/8, in his words the camera’s sweet spot. And I saw an immediate improvement. Not that the shots were magazine quality, but I assumed that was because of my inexperience in setting the camera properly.

But then I called Canon customer service (which, by the way, is superb) with a question and mentioned to the guy that I was underwhelmed by my pictures. And he explained that the camera could only do so much. A key to great pictures is the lens. He pointed out that while I had purchased the camera with an upgraded 18mm to 135mm lens, the quality still was not comparable to an L lens, which is Canon’s professional lens.

Well, that clarified things for me. Unless I wanted to invest another thousand bucks or more on an L lens, I had no hope of consistently getting top quality shots. Presumably, I could stumble into one by accident, but that was all I could hope for.

But after lowering my expectations, I have begun to really enjoy this camera. Having tentatively moved to the advanced mode (I even adjust some other settings manually,) I have been pleased with the pictures I have been getting. And I am really glad I upgraded to the 18-135mm because it allows me the versatility I want without needing to change lenses.

Bottom line: if you have more modest expectations going in (your friends will not ooh and ahh at your pictures, and you will not see them in National Geographic) you will really enjoy this camera.

An Update (9/10/10)I always get annoyed with people who review products within days of receiving it. And yet I did the same thing. It’s now been a couple of months, and I felt an update was in order.

As I said previously, after I started shooting on manual, I saw marked improvement in my pictures. Subsequently, after reading a photo blog where the guy said that he always shot with the white balance set on cloudy to make the pictures warmer, I tried that with pleasing results. (I know real photographers vary all their settings dependent on the picture they are taking) but if you got this far you know already I am hardly a real photographer). The reason for this update is that the quality of my shots have improved dramatically, with, yes, an occasional wow. Why has this happened? I have no idea. But maybe the T2i just likes me more now. I also complained that my pictures didn’t have that glossy look, where the colors seemed to jump out. Then one day I was fiddling with Picasa and changed the saturation on a shot of the Golden Gate Bridge. Suddenly, the colors were more vibrant and the water’s blue much more intense. I’m not sure if this is cheating and the “real photographers” get that effect honestly, but, hell, I don’t care. I love it. Anyway… after a couple of months, I would change my rating to the maximum number of stars allowable. Just wanted to let you know.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens
Rating:
I’m 15 years old and this is my first SLR camera. I was disappointed after one week when the shutter malfunctioned and I had to send it to the Canon Factory for repair, but since then, there have been no problems. The customer service rep on the phone was not very knowledgeable about the T2i, but the repair techs at the factory fixed it quickly and I had it back in less than one week. I’m having a blast taking lots of different kinds of photographs and look forward to years of fun with this camera. Really glad I saved my money and purchased it with the upgraded lens!

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens
Rating:
I purchased this exact combo in June 2010. I don’t know if it was a mistake, but the combo I got came in an official Canon box that looks like the one above except 50% wider. In this official Canon box it contained the retail Canon box for the T2i+18-135mm, the retail Canon box for the lens hood for the 18-135mm lens, the retail Canon plastic container for the filter for the 18-135mm lens, and the retail Canon battery for the T2i.

I have no idea why it is not mentioned in the product information on Amazon. That’s why I’m wondering if maybe it was a different combo that I got, however I was unable to find that exact Canon Combo on Amazon. When I went to Best Buy they only had the T2i with 18-55mm lens and the T2i with 18-135mm lens. So I guess it may be a gamble as to whether you get the super combo with the camera, lens, lens filter, lens hood, and extra battery or if you get just the camera and lens. In the former case, it’s an amazing deal. In the latter case, I agree with the reviewer “skintigh” that its better to get the T2i + 18-55mm lens AND then separably purchase the 18-135mm lens because (at the time of writing this) they cost $849 and $388 respectively, then you can easily sell the 18-55mm lens for $100 (retails on amazon for $169 at the time of writing this). However, with the official Canon battery, lens filter, and lens hood, it’s a different story.

I’d be interested to hear comments from other reviewers to see what combo they got…

As for reviewing the camera itself: everyone else pretty much covered everything. I absolutely love this camera and it takes great shots with excellent quality for the money. What really sold me is the fact that it can record Full HD video (which looks amazingly good, especially with my canon 50mm f1.4 prime lens). The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because during video recording, one has to focus manually. Although the camera continuously adjust exposure, it does not have a continuous focus mechanism like a dedicated video camera… this is the last hurdle to truly having a great cross-over product. I have high hopes that Canon will get it right with the next t series (T3i?)

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens
Rating:
Excellent camera, though a bit expensive – worth every penny.

Pros:

- The 18-135mm lens is a nice upgrade to the standard kit 18-55mm lens. Especially if this is your first DSLR, and you don’t want to spend more money on lenses. It is also good for trips, taking pictures of kids, or in any other situation where you don’t want to change lenses. (And you save about $100 when purchasing this kit, compared to body + 18-135mm Canon lens).

- Performance. Minimal shutter lag, good low-light performance, nice video.

- Relatively light (about 1 kg / 2 pounds with lens), again good for trips.

Cons:

- Price

- Built-in flash is not so great. Also when taking pictures on wide angle setting, lens creates a shade.

- No autofocus when zooming while taking video, pressing shutter button half way focuses the picture.

- Focus in live picture mode is slow (even slower than on most point and shoot cameras)

Other Recommendations:

- Make sure to get UV filter (mostly for protecting the lens), and a spare battery (I’ve got the Opteka one for ~$13).

Canon EOS Rebel T2i 18 MP CMOS APS-C Digital SLR Camera with 3.0-Inch LCD and EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS UD Standard Zoom Lens
Rating:
it’s my first SLR camera. And it is really good.

still learning all the features it has, but my pictures taken with this camera are superb.

The lens (18-135 f3.5-5.6 IS) is also very useful since it has a quite wide focus range, good when you go to a ball game or when you need some good closeups.