is Canon Rebel XS good for kid?

[smartie]

My son is one yr old .I have a LX3 and really love it. But recently,brought him to central island and found when he took train,probably due to far distance,LX3 can not take a clear pictures,so I am thinking buy a DSLR to learn and try. I know there are a lot in the market,but since photography is not my hobby,so I don't want to buy a expensive one. Costco now is selling XS for 500 that includes EF-S 18-55IS and EF 75-300 lens

so just wondering
1: is XS good for little kids since they move around very fast?
2: Is this a good price for two lens?

Thanks in advance

[rf134a]

The biggest problem I have with my XS is that I find the sensitivity to be low. The sensor is outdated and could use updating, hence the T3i, etc. If your child is moving around quickly, the kit lens (18-55IS) will be fine OUTSIDE. Once you get inside, you'll find that some of the photos may be blurry due to small aperture and relatively poor light sensitivity of the sensor.

The 75-300mm lens is generally considered to be junk in terms of picture quality. Not useable except in bright sunshine. Also, not useable indoors unless you only want blurry photos an eye or nose since the 1.6 crop will make the lens the equivalent of a 120-480mm lens.

For the same price, I think it's hard to beat the Canon S95 for light sensitivity and ease of use. A basic DSLR in A or P mode will not help you with better photos.

Also, the Canon SD4500 is a lower cost version of the S95. If you really want something similar to the Rebel XS without learning how to use the DSLR features, the G12 is the same price from Costco as well.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/canon/s95.htm
http://www.photographyblog.com/reviews/canon_powershot_s95_review/

tldr: For $500, buy a Canon S95.

[goofball]

It should be fine but you will want a speedlight for indoor work for sure. I shoot with a nikon D40/18-55VR but always have a flash mounted and it makes a big difference. Also, if he is very mobile, you may want to put the camera into continuous focus (servo) mode instead of single.

[sylpherware]

I read the title + the first sentence and thought OP wanted to buy a DSLR for his 1yo son to use :facepalm:

[RCGA]

Personally, I'd consider a Canon G12 or S95. Something that let me shoot in manual, raw and is very easy to carry around.

You also need to realize the limitations when it comes to shooting moving subjects, especially inside - there is a reason why this kit only costs $500

[RCGA]

You should also read this before you buy anything:

http://theonlinephotographer.typepad.com/the_online_photographer/2010/05/letter-to-george.html

[number84]

I read the title + the first sentence and thought OP wanted to buy a DSLR for his 1yo son to use :facepalm:

+1 lol I thought the same thing.

My son is 2.5 now and have had my XSi since he was born. Could never get good pics indoor with the kit lenses. You really need to get a proper lens. Finally got myself a 50mm 1.4 prime and use this pretty much all the time indoor and out. I'm just getting into photography but boy is it an expensive hobby. Hope you're ready. :)

[goofball]

+1 lol I thought the same thing.

My son is 2.5 now and have had my XSi since he was born. Could never get good pics indoor with the kit lenses. You really need to get a proper lens. Finally got myself a 50mm 1.4 prime and use this pretty much all the time indoor and out. I'm just getting into photography but boy is it an expensive hobby. Hope you're ready. :)

I guess it depends on how much you understand your setup, I have been able to get great pictures using the 18-55 VR (kit lens) almost exclusively for 2+ years on a D40 (beginner body). The key was having a hotshoe flash since the kit lens is too slow for indoor use to get the right shutter speed. Without the hotshoe flash, I agree that indoor shots are rather hard.

[rf134a]

I guess it depends on how much you understand your setup, I have been able to get great pictures using the 18-55 VR (kit lens) almost exclusively for 2+ years on a D40 (beginner body). The key was having a hotshoe flash since the kit lens is too slow for indoor use to get the right shutter speed. Without the hotshoe flash, I agree that indoor shots are rather hard.

It looks like OP is a P&S user, the XS is no good. A speedlite will cost an extra $240-$300. Without an understanding of the basics of photography, even the best DSLR is useless to the average newbie.

For $500, the S95 is hard to beat for sheer simplicity and convenience.

[goofball]

It looks like OP is a P&S user, the XS is no good. A speedlite will cost an extra $240-$300. Without an understanding of the basics of photography, even the best DSLR is useless to the average newbie.

For $500, the S95 is hard to beat for sheer simplicity and convenience.

With all due respect, a beginner dslr is perfect for a beginner. The "best" DSLR, assuming you mean something like the Canon Mark Series or the FX-Nikon's, are definitely not for newbies, and I agree that they would be not the best for new users. I have seen many great photo's from people that have no idea about photography other than to point the camera and shoot (such as my wife) using a D40.

For $500, I'd rather have a used beginner DSLR + lens + hotshoe flash. A D40 + 18-55 + SB-600 can be had for $500 used.

[RCGA]

For $500, I'd rather have a used beginner DSLR + lens + hotshoe flash. A D40 + 18-55 + SB-600 can be had for $500 used.

IMO, if you're going to shell out $500 and carry around a DSLR w/ flash, you might as well do it right the first time and put down some coin.

If I had a kid and was thinking about buying a DSLR, there would be no way I would buy one that couldn't at least do 720p video.

[Temujin1]

It's funny how many of us go down the dslr route once we have kids. Before kids, the pictures you shot were generally of landscapes/travel photography and adults who tend to pose and hold still for you. Kids, well, kids are kids and pretty much do what they want. And when it's your kids in particular, getting the shot is everything.:razz:

I would vouch for having a dslr, any dslr quite frankly as it affords you more options includings lens options and better flash than a point and shoot. It's a big investment though, and i'm not talking money. Mostly time to learn how it all comes together.

Don't listen to everyone telling you how expensive it is. It can be, but it doesn't need to be. Buy a cheap dslr, get a 30mm or 35mm lens with a big aperture (ie. 2.0 or less), a cheap third party flash and fire away! When you get better, more knowledgeable or have different needs, spend some more money on the other stuff. Yes the point and shoot might work under some conditions but it won't catch that nice shot of your kid on stage at the christmas play (you'll need a tripod and fast lens), killer soccer shot (fast lens like a 70-200mm on a crop, multiple frames per second), and more creative stuff like bounce flash that improves the quality of lighting in ways that would be hard to deliver with a p&s.

If you're really on the fence, pick up a cheap body, kit lens and flash on your local kijiji website. If it works out, great, you'll have terrific memories. If not, resell it and you'll lose like $100, no biggie. My biggest regret is not getting one until my little girl was 2 years old. Granted, she didn't run around that much until 2 yrs, but the quality of light of my indoor shots without bounce flash in the first 2 years is crap.

[rf134a]

Don't listen to everyone telling you how expensive it is. It can be, but it doesn't need to be. Buy a cheap dslr, get a 30mm or 35mm lens with a big aperture (ie. 2.0 or less), a cheap third party flash and fire away! When you get better, more knowledgeable or have different needs, spend some more money on the other stuff. Yes the point and shoot might work under some conditions but it won't catch that nice shot of your kid on stage at the christmas play (you'll need a tripod and fast lens), killer soccer shot (fast lens like a 70-200mm on a crop, multiple frames per second), and more creative stuff like bounce flash that improves the quality of lighting in ways that would be hard to deliver with a p&s.


Sounds good! Hook me up with a cheap EF30/35 F2 or EF 70-200 F4L. Lowest price on the EF35 F2 is $429 and EF70-200 F4L is $1429 from Vistek. I'll take 1 of each for $300. I want to know where your getting all these fancy cheap lenses from.

[Temujin1]

Sounds good! Hook me up with a cheap EF30/35 F2 or EF 70-200 F4L. Lowest price on the EF35 F2 is $429 and EF70-200 F4L is $1429 from Vistek. I'll take 1 of each for $300. I want to know where your getting all these fancy cheap lenses from.

Please note that i said to go on kijiji, which if one doesn't understand that to mean USED, i apologize. But don't let that stop you from take things out of context.

That being said, you CAN pick up a cheap nikon 35mm f/1.8, less than $250 delivered new from B&H. http://www.photoprice.ca/product/02791/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-DX-35mm-f1.8-G-price.html#a.02791 I expect to be receiving your $300 shortly and i can pocket the $50 difference. :D

As for the 70-200 f4L lens, you should know better than to be bringing an 'L' lens into this discussion.

[rf134a]

That being said, you CAN pick up a cheap nikon 35mm f/1.8, less than $250 delivered new from B&H. http://www.photoprice.ca/product/02791/Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-DX-35mm-f1.8-G-price.html#a.02791 I expect to be receiving your $300 shortly and i can pocket the $50 difference. :D

As for the 70-200 f4L lens, you should know better than to be bringing an 'L' lens into this discussion.

I shoot Canon, so a Nikon lens does nothing for me. :)

Funny thing is that the cheapest 70-200, any mount any brand, is the Canon F4L non-IS for $800. :razz:

[Temujin1]

I shoot Canon, so a Nikon lens does nothing for me. :)

Funny thing is that the cheapest 70-200, any mount any brand, is the Canon F4L non-IS for $800. :razz:

True, but F4? come on...go hard or go home :D

Off topic, but very important question about your sig...isn't there a 'select' before the 'start' for the contra code?

[goofball]

True, but F4? come on...go hard or go home :D

Off topic, but very important question about your sig...isn't there a 'select' before the 'start' for the contra code?

No, it's just as it is, no select.

I think that if someone is going to consider a 70-200 constant aperture, that they know something about photography at that point. I know that I wouldn't have spent that much money and want that heavy of a lens if I knew nothing about photography.

[shaolinmonk]

the XS kit you are looking at is too expensive imo..

personally i would go with a cheaper kit maybe a used body.. (you won't find much use for the 70-300 IMO)

i would go with primes. a 70-200 can be a pain to lug around while you are watching a child

cheap body, sigma 30 1.4 or canon 50 1.8 imo to go with the kit 18-55IS ( for group shots etc) and a cheapo yongnuo flash to get started

(edit pretty much what Temujin1 said lol)

[Temujin1]

For great portraits (which is basically ALL i do with my little one), the 70-200mm can't be beat. Second best is the 50mm f/1.4 on a crop body, lighter, cheaper, less flexible, but very sharp. Complain about the weight of it all you want but i don't see another way of getting that sports (or in OP's case, far away moving train shot) than the 70-200 f/2.8.

Anyhow, just to clarify, i wasn't suggesting a beginner start out with a 70-200mm. I suggested a fast prime, which on cheap dslr crop bodies, equals 30 or 35mm. The mention of the 70-200mm was to show the upgrade path, which is very normal for those with kids. Especially since OP is rockin' an LX3, which is a great camera but wide to normal, not telephoto. I believe the specs are 24mm-60mm equivalent (f2.0-f2.8). A superzoom is not the answer, because the aperture on those suck (trust me, i own a panasonic fz series 20x).

I've spent WAY more money on other stupid pursuits, many of which may actually be physically harmful in the long run :D. Photography has much better payback, especially capturing family memories. If you're dissatisfied with your photography, go for it. Missing the shot is very painful. Like i said earlier, i regret not buying the dslr earlier. I just don't want another parent going through the same thing.

Plus, you're on redflagdeals....buy first, ask questions later!

[shaolinmonk]

i recently added a sigma 50-150 (80-210) to my crop body 50d and find it very useful for outdoor sports, kids running around and my dog lol

[rf134a]

Off topic, but very important question about your sig...isn't there a 'select' before the 'start' for the contra code?

Select is required only for 2P mode. I use this code for a fully powered up ship in Gradius or magic warp in Bubble Bobble. :cheesygri

The one thing we can all agree on is that a DSLR of any kind will take effort to learn to use and to carry around due to it's size and weight. The best camera in the world is useless if it sits in the closet.

[Akraz]

I read the title + the first sentence and thought OP wanted to buy a DSLR for his 1yo son to use :facepalm:

lol thats exactly what i thought... the english language is becoming the laziest these days. people dont care.

[Temujin1]

.... The best camera in the world is useless if it sits in the closet.

Agreed, with one caveat.

Sometimes not having a camera is better than bringing the wrong camera/lens. Really. If you didn't have it, you would've just enjoyed the moment, rather than wasted your time thinking you were getting some decent shots when in fact you didn't and just wasted your money/effort, and everyone else's time and got hopes up. For me, having a memory card full of FUGLY pictures is not better than no pictures at all.