Utter Confusion

[Maritimer1]

Mac, I read this thread quickly. Congrats on purchasing the Canon. I think you'll be pleased. If you can sit fairly close to the front at school events (stages), you might like to purchase a 50/1.8 lens. That, along with setting your ISO from between 400-800, should allow you to get some nice shots without needing a flash.

I started with the Rebel xti, went to the Canon 40D and now have those plus a Canon 1DIII. They're all 2007 models and have approximately 10 mega pixels. That number is not your guide to quality. so don't worry about it. I've been moving along that range as my photography moved towards a lot of hockey and I needed a camera with a fast frame per second rate (40D) and then one with higher ISO (1DIII). The Rebel was purchased new with the help of gift certificates, the 40D was purchased used through Ebay (and has since had the shutter replaced) and the 1DIII was purchased, new, but five years old for a fifth of what it would have cost when it was first released. You can have a lot of fun with your photography even if on a budget

Myra

[Steelman In Texas]

Hello and thanks for letting me join this group although I have been reading C in C for 2 years. I thought I was already a member? I was hoping Maciver would have come back and told us how his hunt was going. I started shooting film way back and still have Petri and Minolta film cameras, did let my Yashica Electro go to a new home a while back. I also shoot Sony DSLR with new and old Minolta lens. All of the advice was good and that is a compliment as I belong to other Forums where the advice sometimes comes out like "stuff" being thrown. There is only one Camera store in these parts, in Austin and I do shop there but I also buy from Camera web sites and other Forums with sale/trade listings. I have had some good luck with eBay but I also have had my money refunded by eBay. As for my handle: I like my cameras made out of Steel or some tough metal, my motorcycles and cars should be in steel also. Although my Sony is Magnesium.

[maciver]

I hit a roadblock, I took over 40 photos before the camera broke on me. The Rebel XT does have a warranty with squaretrade so I am waiting for it to come back from VA. I had an error message that said "It's not possible to shoot" and the display wouldnt turn off and nothing changed when I tried moving settings. I took the battery out and replaced it with a fully charged one and same thing. Tried changing lens, memory card, batteries and then I called Cannon lol. They gave me a do this and do that trouble shooting for awhile then had me send it for repair. So I called Squaretrade and the next day I had a prepaid box for the camera to send for repair. That was about 2 weeks ago so now am waiting for the 3-6 week repair time.

[maciver]

Been awhile, after multiple repairs through squaretrade they finally sent me a check for the fair market value of the camera. So I ordered a canon rebel t5i with no lens since I had the 18-55mm lens and ordered EF-S 55-250mm and 55mm Prime for it. I intend on using it mostly this fall for the kids school events but want to thank you all for the advice and help with choices.

[Peeshan]

ok for now I have purchased the used cannon because my nikon lenses are all old manual style. I intend on still looking at a newer body and choosing one brand to work with. The Rebel XT is a quick way to get a feel for the modern cameras. I really thank you all for the help and I will continue to read the forums and contribute when I can. Thanks again!!!

Just some thought:

Regarding what you said about astronomy pics, you might be interested in the future by this model: Canon EOS 60Da
It seems to have a different kind of sensor specially made for astronomy. Although it definitely don't go into the kind of budget you mentioned.

About old lenses, certain lenses have the possibility to manually enter and save the lens data, possibly allowing light metering and at least giving you EXIF. Concerning what was said about manual focus and focusing screen, you can actually buy a new one and change it yourself - wheter it's worth it or not, I'll let you decide, but the idea is interesting anyway.
Here is a link http://www.katzeyeoptics.com/

P-chan

[Donald]

Glad things seem to have been sorted out ... at last. I hope that, now, you can get on with enjoying your photography.