On December 23, 2008 I wrote these words in Lingua Franca: “On December 16th, I unpacked my birthday present which I gave myself. It was a brand new Canon PowerShot A720 IS. I spent a great deal of time on the Internet before I decided this was the camera I wanted according to my restricted budget. After taking a few preliminary shots, I think I made the right decision. “
At that moment it was the right decision. This device has been my loyal companion for more than three years and has given me the most rewarding feelings and emotions. Now it is time to turn the page and move on to new territory. After studying DSLR cameras for a very long time, I decided to acquire a Canon EOS Rebel T2i. It’s the best camera I can buy with my pensionado budget which as you know, is not very generous.
The time is ripe for a camera upgrade. Even though my Birthday Camera is still coughing out wonderful pictures, I want something better for Lingua Franca. As you probably know, writing Lingua Franca and taking pictures are my passion. They make me joyful and also make me express feeling and emotions I’m otherwise incapable of expressing. I look forward to start dipping my toes into DSLR waters.
When comparing pixel to pixel, a DSLR will always give better quality images compared to a compact, simply because the image sensor is bigger. However, if all you have is just a basic point and shoot or even a camera phone, that doesn’t mean you can’t take great pictures. I proved this point with my Birthday Camera for several years.
Image quality is half the story, good composition is the other half. But if you are serious into going into photography, it’s a good idea to invest in a DSLR. Not only is the image quality better, in addition it gives you the flexibility of switching between different lenses to get the specific look you want. The possibilities are almost limitless—if you have enough cash that is.
I purchased my new camera at MetroMall on February 9, 2012 in a specialized camera store called Camera Zone. The store manager was a lousy camera salesman, but I knew what I wanted and went directly to the point—buying the puppy without beating around the bush. This is what I bought:
- EOS Rebel T2i with a 18-55 IS lens kit: $785.99
- SanDisk Secure Digital SD 4 GB memory card: $9.99
- Zoom storage pack to protect the camera: $29.99
- VAT Tax (7%): $57.82
- Total Expenditure: $883.79
My MasterCard plastic credit card took the hit. I’ll worry how to pay the bill next month. Ouch! How about fundamental technical details? Okay, I have some for ya, if you’re a techie.
- 18.0-megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor; DIGIC 4 image processor for high image quality and speed.
- Kit includes 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens.
- ISO 100-6400 (expandable to 12800) for shooting from bright to dim light; enhanced 63-zone, Dual-layer metering system.
- Improved EOS Movie mode with manual exposure control and expanded recording 1920 x 1080 (Full HD).
- Wide 3.0-inch Clear View LCD monitor; dedicated Live View/Movie shooting button.
- New compatibility with SDXC memory cards, plus new menu status indicator for wireless Eye-Fi support.
There’s a lot more about this darling, but not today, not today. Instead I’ll post my first pictures of unpacking the camera as most people do like some kind of ceremony. I guess I’ll follow the ritual too. Here we go.
Snapshot of a colorful brochure of the Canon EOS Rebel T2i. I thought it would be a good introduction to the camera. Credit: Canon Inc.
Snapshot of the box that housed the Rebel camera. Notice how bright and clear my Birthday Camera captured this colorful box. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
These are the first things you see when you open the box. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Digging deeper inside the box. Canon's wide strap is clearly visible. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
The camera itself with some of its accessories like the charger and the lens. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
What’s inside the box?
- EOS Rebel T2i body
- EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
- Eyecup Ef
- Wide Strap EW-100DBIII
- USB Interface Cable IFC-130U
- AV Cable AVC-DC400ST
- Battery Pack LP-E8
- Battery Charger LC-E8
- EOS Digital Solution Disk and Instruction Manuals
Body of the Canon EOS Rebel T2i DSRL camera. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Snapshot of the Canon EFS 18-55 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
This lens is currently available as part of the DSLR kit. It is designed as a starter/beginner lens that is low cost. It’s mainly made of plastic and weighs only 6.7 ounces. It’s also quite small—2.6 x 2.7 inches.
Snapshot of the SanDisk 4 GB memory card for the new camera. I plan to switch cards to use the wireless memory card which automatically will transfer pictures from the camera to the computer's hard disk and to my PhotoBucket account . It's more convenient to use this Wi-Fi card. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
Picture of the pouch to protect my new camera. It is also manufactured by Canon. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
A closer view of the bottom section of the storage bag of my new Canon DSLR camera. Photo by ©Omar Upegui R.
I don’t plan to start shooting pictures with the DSLR camera immediately. I will probably spend about a week studying the manual before I experiment with the new camera. Today I will charge the battery and start reading the manual. So far, the camera is very similar to my Birthday Camera, so the learning curve will not be too steep. I can’t wait to see the results of my first pictures with this baby. Good Day.
Aperture/shutter priority, depth of field, lighting effects, composure, oh, the list is endless! haha
Congrats, Omar, on the new camera. I was gifted the 2003 version of the EOS when a friend upgraded to the newest version. I bought extra batteries, a 55-250 zoom lens, lens caps (very important), and an 8gig CF card(old technology storage). I shot a Minolta SLR film camera for years but this was my first DSLR.
My one tip with all the new technology to learn, take a photo first, then start experimenting with other settings. I usually shoot program mode to ensure I will get something first; a bad photo is better than missing the opportunity.
Looking forward to a whole new venture in photos from Panama.
jim and nena
fort worth, tx
Hi Jim and Nena:
Yep, I know what you mean. I will be forced to learn the jargon. That’s okay, it comes with the territory.
You are right, that’s exactly what I plan to do. Start with Program Mode and then escalate from there.
A 55-250 zoom lens is a pretty good piece of equipment. The one I have is a lot more modest.
Thanks for your comments.
Omar.-
Read the manual first? NOBODY does that. When all else fails THEN you read the manual. LOL!
Hi Richard:
Not me. I’m an avid manual reader. The first thing I do when I buy something is read the manual. You could damage a product if you don’t use it properly. Cameras are nowadays very complex. Manuals will clear the complexity.
Regards,
Omar.-
I know what Richard means.
I run a yahoo group on fixing sewing machine problems which, as you might guess, is mostly female members. Every time I point out the solution in the manual I get copious amounts of ribbing from the ladies. haha
The manual is the first thing you see when opening the package, I take that out and close the package until I finish reading it. Stuff is too complex nowadays.
The 18-55mm lens is the most common, actually the 55mm fixed lens was the standard for 35mm camera bodies. The 55-250 lets you get distance shots but still allows for close work, it is a good compromise. Years ago I read that something like 80% of the prize winning photos were taken with a 50mm lens, shooting F-8 at 100th of a second. That tells me that it is more about being at the right place at the right time and knowing a good shot when you see it.
jim and nena
fort worth, tx
I have been telling Omar for years that it’s the eye behind the viewfinder that gets the picture, not the camera. Put one of those little throwaways in Ansel Adams or Richard Avadon’s hands and they’d STILL come up with a great photo.
On the other hand, I know Omar’s been Jonesing for this camera for as long as I’ve been reading his blog and knowing him. I’m glad he’s finally scratched the itch.
CONGRATULATIONS Omar! Welcome to the marvelous and incredible world of DSLR. Your photography will now soar new heights. You have a lifetime ahead of you learning new techniques and discovering things you never thought you could do with a camera. Enjoy! Photography is an art.
Hello Rezayas:
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I’ve started to turn the pages of the manual, and indeed I’m moving to a fascinating world of the management of light, shapes, colors and feelings. Evolving from a P&S camera is a challenge. I’m looking forward to learn as much as I can about photography using new technology.
You are right, photography is an art, and more than technical skills, it requires a keen eye to observe the world around us and display it with a touch of class.
Thanks a bunch, once more.
Regards,
Omar.-
Morning!
I watched this last night and noticed the current presidential photographer carries a Canon. You are in good company!
http://www.pbs.org/programs/presidents-photographer/
jim and nena
fort worth, tx
Hello There Jim and Nena:
I just finished viewing the PBS video, “The President’s Photographer”. It’s an authentic professional piece of journalistic work of approximately one hour.
In a sense, this is what I try to do with Lingua Franca. I try to record for the ages, every possible aspect of Panama City. At this moment, I’m documenting for history, the life of the Chinese community in the city. Every day you will see pictures of babies, young women, teens, paper goldfishes, red lanterns, fashion shows, and a lot more of everyday scenes of this vibrant city. It’s a sample of “photo-history”.
I love doing this, and probably will keep on doing it until the Man upstairs turns off the switch.
Thank you for this wonderful link. It’s absolutely remarkable.
Take Care,
Omar.-
Hi, I found your blog while Googling for photos of/from Ancon Hill. Read your recent posts but couldn’t find your post about Ancon. Can you help?
I lived on top of Ancon for several months in 1972 when I was in the Army, “baby-sitting” the SCN transmitter. Made many trips up and down the Hill!
Some day I’d like to travel to Panama to see what things are like now. I live in Tennessee, USA, now. Enjoyed your blog.
Terry Wallick