Canon EOS Body Only

I recently got my new Canon 50D. I have to admit that I'm crazy in love with this camera, and no, I'm not saying it's perfect. For example, I would be thrilled to see a full frame CMOS sensor, but I guess you can't have everything and a fair price too! I think that the images are crisp and clear and the operational part of the camera is a piece of cake. I have thus far shot 300+ pictures with this camera and I am quite happy with the quality of my images, especially at the high ISOs. As a test I gave it to a photography beginner to use on Thanksgiving day and he loved it too and had no problem whatsoever operating the camera

A couple of thing you should note – First off, the new CA mode. Now, I completely understand the need for this as there are a lot people using these cameras that have never before used an SLR and could not understand aperture or shutter speed. Nevertheless, this feature is just as good as the lens. If somebody is using a lens that does not have an aperture of 2.8 or 1.4 then they will not be able to get the background too blurred. Second, the exposure compensation is on the rear dial in this model, this is more a personal preference and it will take some time before you get used to it.

ETA: One more thing that could have been great is a video setting like the 5D has, as well as the Nikon D90 model. Once again, you cannot have everything.

Among the most impressive features to me it was how it manages low light situations. I took a shot at the wide range of ISOs and I was pleased on how the camera handled color, sharpness, and tone. I see some reviews that claim that Nikon or other cameras perform better in low light, and that just might be true, but that does not mean that the 50D is horrible or bad, it just makes it different. I do not think that people are taking low light pictures at the ISO setting 3200 or even 1600 all the time, because if they are, then I will recommend a lens change, something must be wrong.

Something else – to add light on the sensor/processor setting - look at it this way; film photographers would be disappointed because this camera would not be able to be compared against Kodachrome 25 ISO where you are not able to see grain at all or to be compared to the big bold grain of the Konica 3200 ISO - Nor could it fully replicate the Kodak/Konica infrared film where the exposure was more than welcomed. So, this camera will not please everyone. Choosing a camera body nowadays is like choosing film a long time ago, each one has their own uniqueness to it, but unlike film, you cannot change that easily.

It would be fair to say that I consider myself a photographer. Having been shooting for more than 25 years, and I have shot everything from 8X10 cameras to Polaroid Land models (pull apart). From Holgas to Hasselblads. I have had access to some sort of Digital Camera since Kodak released the Digital Nikon F3 when the top resolution was 1.3mp. I can remember that when Kodak downed the price of their pro-digital cameras from 25,000 to 10,000 I thought that was really something!

A big round of applause to me, I have been around. The reason I am telling you my background, is not to impress you, but because I want you to listen to some advice. I was not only a photographer during these years but I also sold high-end equipment. And I certainly know that in the end you must feel comfortable with whatever it is you buy, and you need to question yourself about the pros and cons of each purchase, can I afford to get it? And what do I want to do with it? These reasons are personal to everyone and each is as valid as the last one.

One of the things that I learned early in my career on was the basics. Learning basic photography before you get the big luxurious and complicated camera could help you understand what you want to do with the better model camera or that you might not need the biggest or best camera at all.

A camera can only be as good as its lens, and with Digital you really have to get used to both lens and camera. The one mistake that I see people often make is that they get too much camera and not enough lens. Saying it other way, they run before they can walk. From my personal experience, with few exceptions (the 28 - 135 mm F3.5 - 5.6 or the 24-105 F4 IS), the kit lens, in my opinion, are made bearing only one thing in mind -cost. I’m not saying the will give you a bad image, but if great images are what you’re after, then the lens will make all the difference. For film purpose I would think the body doesn't matter that much, get the lens first and then work up your way to the bigger and better camera. It will help you, I can’t say this enough. Cameras with less features will guide you and they will help you understand photography more. Am I saying that everyone should buy a Canon L lens, no, there are other good lenses, but you have to research which ones are just right for you.

Lens - I have seen some reviews about different lens and how this one is better than the other and such. One person wasn't able to tell the difference between a *lens kit* and an L lens. I would say to that person that they are not paying attention to the detail and you are paying way too much attention to the subject. The L lens system is quite simply the best quality glass in there is in the canon system; it's designed to beat any other lens in the system. L lens are designed for the working professional too. It was made to last long and they do. Lens that are in the kit just were not made to last and they certainly aren't designed bearing the working professional in mind. They are designed for folks who want to keep their costs down.

The Canon 50 1.4 and 85 1.8 are in my opinion, simply the best prime lens on the market. They are able to give you the best image quality, end of story.

Even when you see the reviews on dpreview and image-resource, they will still widely recommend this camera. Neither said that this was a bad camera, nor did they blast it, they said that when you compare it to others, certain features were better.

For more information about Canon's EOS Body Only range then click here