If someone wanted to get into photography today, it would be undoubtedly overwhelming. There are far more cameras than ever before, many with price tags that will make your eyes water. But, what if you only needed to spend $120?
I'd always had a vague interest in photography from a young age, but it's not something I pursued. I would borrow the family camera and take lots of snaps, even of obscure things like the way shadows were forming on a wall through a large plant. They weren't very good photographs, I'm sure, but I was clearly interested in the medium. When I got a little older and finally decided I wanted to test the waters, I was skeptical. I used to be flighty in the extreme when it came to trying new things. Like many people, I'd try something, enjoy it, dive in completely, then grow tired of it and wander off.
So, to be safe, I didn't outlay much money. I bought an early Canon digital body, second-hand of course, and a kit lens. Looking back, it was pretty dreadful by today's standards, but I was thrilled. If, like me, you're not sure you are someone close to you will stick to photography, you can now get powerful cameras cheaper than most of us ever imagined would be possible. I must say, I was stunned to hear that this Canon DSLR is at $120, so I went on eBay to check the U.K. market and I found one even cheaper. A truly incredible deal.
It's the Canon T3i for anyone wondering.
Canon Rebel. A million times NO. Buy a 7D.
It makes no sense whatsoever to steer a newbie to a 7D. None. Zip. The 7D is a great camera; it's also too complicated for a beginner.
Steer the beginner to a Rebel. Or a Sony a6000. Or a low-end Nikon, or Fuji, or Oly. Used. A simple lens or two (a prime and a zoom).
Let that beginner figure out if this is what they want to do. Let them use a simple camera with simple controls so that they can start to figure out light, focus and composition. Let them have some fun.
Then they can upgrade. At that point perhaps a 7D, or equivalent in another line, makes sense.
I'd ask for concrete examples of HOW the 7D is more complicated than a Rebel. The 7D has the auto green box just like any Rebel. It's literally no more complicated than a Rebel T3. My next "lowest" suggestion would be the Canon 50D. It also stomps any Rebel ever made, except for video, and can be found for less than $150 on Adorama right now. You may reply "but Canon T7i". Nope. The video choices alone far outstrip the 7D in the "complicated" department.
Nah. The Rebel is a great option for beginners. The Rebel is lighter, has a tilt screen, is cheaper and more readily available, has a whole bunch of creative modes in case the user really doesn't want to bother learning manual at the beginning, and the RAW files would be much easier to manage and edit (Out of all the cameras I owned the 7D files were always the most annoying to post process).
If you personally want to push the Canon 7D that's fine. But the Rebel series are marketed as an entry level camera for a reason. You need a fair amount of photography knowledge (especially "exposing to the right") to get the best out of the 7D.
Actually I expose to the left, as does Ken Rockwell. I'm not "pushing" anything. I'm giving my advice to beginners. It's the responsible thing to do.
Ya know, this is only the comments section of a photography content aggregator. It isn't your civic duty to post. You don't have a "responsibility" to make a camera recommendation, especially as the sum-total of your recommendation so far is nothing more than "Buy a 7D".
If you want to be "responsible" then perhaps start by explaining why a heavier, more expensive camera (which doesn't include a lens) with less beginner friendly features with RAW files that are harder to edit is a better option than the T3i for a five-year-old.
As for exposing to the left: anybody who owns and uses a Canon 7D regularly knows that it isn't great in capturing details in the shadows. It can be a pain in the butt to use in contrasty or dark locations and you need to shoot to the right to avoid muddy and noisy shadow detail. Its one of the quirks of the camera. Its a fantastic camera (I've still got it as a back up in my camera bag) but I wouldn't be recommending it to a beginner. The Rebels or their equivalent from other camera brands are much better options.
lol.... now we're discussing 5 years olds?... Give them a Lumix bridge camera and be done with it. The FZ200 will do just fine as the King of Small Sensor Bridge cameras (yes I do recommend it for children) .... And let me guess. You've taught photography for 40 years, built your own cameras and developed your own film. Every Rebel you ever had worked perfectly right out of the box, focus is never an issue, Canon can do no wrong and the Sigma 150-600mm is "to die for". So tell me, oh wise one, why do you hate the 50D?
Did you even bother to watch the video that this article is about?
I'm talking about a five year old because the $120 camera that this article is about was given to a five-year old. Its kinda the entire point. Why would you reccomend a 7D over a Rebel for a five year old?
And no I haven't taught photography for 40 years, I once built a pinhole camera that I only used once, I did develop my own film a couple of times and hated every minute of it. I've only ever owned one Rebel (called the 500D here), I don't believe Canon can do no wrong, as I've already said to you the Rebel "or their equivalent from other camera brands" are more than good enough as entry level cameras, and I don't hate the 50D, I LOVE the 50D and would certainly reccomend it for a new photographer over the Canon 7D as has an easier learning curve.
So congratulations. You have demonstrated that you know nothing about me. Now instead of getting personal how about "showing some responsibility" and telling us why you would suggest a heavier, more expensive camera (which doesn't include a lens) with less beginner friendly features with RAW files that are harder to edit is a better option than the T3i for a five-year-old.
My first DSLR was a Nikon D-60 with kit lens, bought it 17 years ago and still have it in camera bag and take with me to my kids sporting events. Why do I do so you ask? Well I can hand off the camera to another parent who has zip skills other than cell photo taking experience and give them a 2 min run through on the simple settings. I can't be in two different places at once at the mountain bike races but now I have another outlet and for the most part get really great shots from them. So if you have your old one laying around take it with you when you can use someone to snap some pics. What's the worst that can happen to a camera that is old and worth hardly nothing and yet still takes high quality pictures.
Started with a canon powershot, then another entry level canon digital camera I can't even remember what it was, then I upgraded to a t3i as I got a little bit more into photography, now I own a Sony a7iii so I took the entry level journey. I however have a friend who's gf decided she was going to buy her first camera and she bought the a7iii right of the bat (which I told her not to do) not only does she not know how to use it except in automatic mode, it's literally been sitting in her room basically unused for about a year.....
My first DSLR was a Cann Rebel T5 with the kit 18-55 and a 75-300. That really helped me imporove my photography and learn fundamentals. I eventually have upgraded (Nikon D610) but I miss my T5 because it helped me discover photography.
I started with Canon back about 1993 when my Richie KR5 was stolen. The insurance paid for my first Rebel, 2 kit lenses and film.
In 2004 I got a Rebel KISS 6mp and 3 years later got a T2i for my wife. That led me to a used 7D and later a 6D for my wife, a 5DIII a 50D for my son, then he got the 7D and his girlfriend used the 50D. He now also has a 5DII and I got a second body, a 5Ds.
All the bodies went thru me to the rest of the family, and there is a common thread. The 7D I loved that body, and I learned to love my photography because of it. It pushed me to grow into the 5D full frames and made me ask questions, it was my and my son's gateway drug to photography and we both do commercial work today (well less so this year.. but I do have a studio and regularly do paid portrait and event shoots)
If you have someone get a camera that does it all by itself, what is the drive to grow? You must be exposed to how things work and what is possible without having it simply handed to you. The 7D had one missing thing compared to the T2i, the presets for night, sports, portraits... And that made me look deeper for the perfect firework settings or football settings, and I learned about DOF and motion and strobe sync.
If you are a person who just wants to take pics, whatever.. but if you want to have room to grow, the 7D followed by a 5D3 or 5D4 or an R is a choice that is dirt cheap, stimulates the artist in you, and has a clear growth path through the professional levels.
I got a t2i with a Canon 50mm 1.8 on eBay for $125 for my 10 yo granddaughter , she loves it’s , plenty good enough for her. About a month later I added a near new EF-s 18-200 that I picked up on FB for $140 , how can you go wrong with that 🤷🏻♂️. I owned one 10 years ago and I’m still selling landscape photos I took with it. Rebels are a sensible choice for a beginner, especially for one on a budget👌
Being a KISS kind of guy, I set up my god-daughter with an EOS XT and a couple of lenses when she expressed an interest in DSLRs.
I have several of them, all purchased used for under $50, and when she needs something better I'll take it back and fix her up with a 20D, or possibly a 5D mk1 from my collection if she needs a full-frame.
All of these cameras were great machines in their time, and I still use them for astro work.
She has eyes like an eagle, so she doesn't need the electronic screen like I do, and I'd rather have her learn the basics vs letting the camera think for her, and if something happens to the cameras it'd be a learning opportunity vs financial disaster.
And if, after all that, she outgrows all those I'll lend her a 6D mk 1.
And if she outgrows all of those she'll know much better than I what her next camera should be...!
I still use my T3i its was my 1st dslr very easy to use and i tought my 8 yr old daughter how use it Now im about to set it up as a hd webcam for my desktop pc Any suggestions on what to get now?
I never spent more than $100 on a used anything, there's great stuff out there, that video is missing thousands of opportunities.
Plus a $50 NEW Android phone has fully manual mode in the camera if you're into understanding when manual is appropriate, and Vivitar ( remember them ? ) has a $5 interchangeable wide/tele/macro/close-up lens kit for phones, so $55 total buys NEW opportunities to explore and learn photography.
We got endless choices, people.
Play!
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Not really sure what the point of the article is...?