Photography Bay

Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips

Best Lenses for the Canon Rebel T3i, T4i, SL1, T5i, T6i, T6s & T7i

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Canon Rebel SL1 with 40mm f/2.8 Lens next to the Rebel T5i and 18-135mm IS Lens

The Canon Digital Rebel Series has been around since 2003 and has been the most popular DSLR over the past decade. Before the Digital Rebel, the Canon Rebel brand was already very strong with several film cameras a part of the product line. There are so many lenses in Canon’s product line. And then, when you consider all the lenses offered by third party manufacturers like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina, knowing which lens to purchase can get confusing.

My goal is to identify the lenses that meet your needs and wants, while keeping them in a budget range to match the camera that you use. [Read more…]

 

Reader Question: Should I Buy a Rebel T1i or Wait For a Canon Rebel With a Swivel LCD?

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Photography Bay reader, Alan, wants a Canon DSLR, but also likes the swivel LCD found on other cameras.

Alan’s Question: I am looking at upgrading to a DSLR and have come to the conclusion that Canon is my preferred choice (namely the 500D). However I really am taken by the swivel Nikon D5000‘s LCD flip down swivel screen. Not only does it fold up back wards to proteck the screen it also offers excellent viewing of screen at strange angles. SO my question is does any one know of any rumors if future Canon models with this swivel screen feature.

My Answer: There’s certainly been speculation regarding a swivel LCD on Canon DSLRs.  A few months back, Canon asked about the importance of this feature in an EOS customer survey.  I think Canon is definitely thinking about it.  I also think it’s very possible that it could be a feature in the next Rebel model.  Would I bet money on that?  No.  However, I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see it.

The Canon 500D / Rebel T1i is a great camera, which can be had at a very reasonable price now.  If you really want a DSLR, there’s always a reason to wait for the next model.  Most of those reasons, however, are not justified in my opinion.

I’ve used the the T1i and the D5000 both.  I don’t think a swivel LCD changes the way I shoot anything but video.  And if you want the camera for video, for most people there are better solutions than a DSLR.  If you want a still image camera, I’d say jump on the T1i and don’t worry about the lack of a swivel LCD.  Just my two cents.

For more on these cameras, you can check out the following resources here on Photography Bay:

Canon Rebel T1i Review

Canon Rebel T1i Reviews and Resources

Nikon D5000 Review

Nikon D5000 Reviews and Resources

Do you have advice for Alan, or maybe some unique knowledge about whether Canon will be plugging a swivel LCD in the next Rebel?  Leave a comment below.  We would love to hear from you.

Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM Lens

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Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM

The Canon EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens is designed for Canon EOS DSLRs that have an APS-C format sensor (1.6x crop).  The 15-85mm range is equivalent to a 24-136mm angle of view in a 35mm or full frame camera and is a natural substitute for the Canon EF 28-135mm IS lens on the Canon 50D, Canon Rebel T1i and Canon 7D.

The EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens will be available in October 2009 at an initial retail price of $799.99.  Check availability on Amazon.com.

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS News Release

The versatile focal length, extreme wide angle and stunning image quality of Canon’s new EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM lens makes this the ideal multipurpose wide-angle zoom lens for the photographer shooting a wedding or exotic vacation. Featuring three aspherical elements and one UD glass element for outstanding image quality, the zoom range of this lens is equivalent to 24-136mm on a full-frame camera. When coupled with Canon’s new EOS 7D DSLR, this lens provides moviemakers and videographers with a phenomenal focal range for wide-angle scenic footage and zoomed in telephoto shots.

Canon Rebel T1i Review

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The Canon Rebel T1i (also known as the 500D and Kiss X3 outside of the US) is the follow-up to the Rebel XSi, which was (and still is) a very appealing entry-level DSLR.  With the Rebel T1i, however, Canon steps into a new feature set for entry-level DSLRs.  This camera is leaps and bounds above what we saw in the original Rebel.  The T1i also pushes the entry-level boundary beyond what we previously expected Canon to offer in a camera at this price point.

While you may not consider the Rebel T1i cheap (a retail price of $800 for the camera body and make it $900 if you want an 18-55mm lens in your kit), it offers considerable value as compared to other cameras at or above its price range.  Over the past couple of years, Nikon and Sony have pushed Canon out of its comfort zone at the top of the digital camera world.  Competition has forced Canon to really push its camera development (particularly in DSLRs) to new levels.  The Rebel T1i is demonstrable evidence of this renewed competitive environment among what can fairly be characterized as the “big three” camera manufacturers.

Over the past couple months, I have shot with the Rebel T1i on a regular basis in my ordinary photographic endeavors.  Everything from backyard snap shots, fast moving cars and motorcycles, and the occasional indoor play or event.  I have tried to make use of this camera in the way that I expect most purchasers of entry-level cameras would use it.  Additionally, I have taken a bit of time out of my normal shooting to pit it against its most direct competitor, the Nikon D5000.  Anyone shopping for the Rebel T1i is likely considering the similarly equipped Nikon D5000.  It was useful shooting with these cameras side-by-side, and below I will direct you to some more specific image and video comparisons for these two cameras. [Read more…]

Canon EOS 500D Review at DP Review

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DP Review has posted a review of the Canon EOS 500D (aka Rebel T1i).

All the major manufacturers cram more and more new features into their ‘budget’ offerings but the EOS 500D is arguably the currently best specced camera in the segment, which lifts it some distance above pure ‘entry level’ territory.

For more news and reviews, see Photography Bay’s Canon Rebel T1i Reviews and Resources.