Reddit mentions of Canon EOS Rebel T2i DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens (OLD MODEL)

Canon Rebel T2I.

I'd say get the Canon t2i kit with the 18-135mm and a nifty fifty.

That's $970 so far, but he'll probably want a bag that can hold the camera and extra lens. Tamrac makes great bags.

So you've got a great kit with a lot of range and a sharp prime that rocks at low light.

Additional recommended purchases would be the book Understanding Exposure and Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4.

Edit: To be fair, maybe have him check out a Nikon DSLR (D5100 would be a comparable choice) along with a Canon to determine which one feels better. Both companies make great cameras of similar quality and performance—it really does come down to personal preference. And as a side note, I personally shoot a Nikon.

I use a Canon T2i DSLR that shoots 1080p24. I convert the H.264 footage to Apple ProRes 422 using MPEG Streamclip. I can edit the 1080p24 ProRes 422 footage in real time from Final Cut Pro 7 using an external Firewire 400 Hardrive at 5400rpm on a 3 year old MacBook (MB062LL/A) with 2GB RAM.

Unfortunately, there's no easy answer because there's simply so many options available. Consider this as well: just buying a DSLR doesn't give you solid audio, and lighting.

You can pick up a used t2i/t3i, which are regarded as viable prosumer cameras. Used t2i body only is about $300 (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0035FZJHQ)

Then you'd need a lens. The Canon Nifty Fifty is a solid choice (keep in mind with crop factor though, it'll be tighter than 50mm) which is 100 bucks. We're around 400 now. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/12142-USA/Canon_2514A002_Normal_EF_50mm_f_1_8.html

This is where you have a choice- could buy another zoom lens or something, but I'd recommend grabbing a Rode Video Mic Go to solve your audio situation. This is another $100, and it is a cheaper solution (the video mic pro is a better mic for sure.) http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=1012003&gclid=CLqMrLTvvckCFQoqHwodvWgFGg&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&Q=&A=details

Now we're at 500ish. You can spend the remaining budget on a tripod and memories cards.

Keep in mind, you'll need some sort of lighting too! Really hope that helped.

Check slickdeals.net, that is how I got mine.

Right now, if you buy the T2i from amazon with the 55-250mm IS, you get $200 off instantly (so the lens is almost free). Plus, if you buy a Pixma Pro9000 mkII with the camera, you can get a $400 AMEX card by mail. I did this and just sold the printer on CL for $250. I did a slightly different deal through newegg, but when it was all said and done, I ended up paying $420 for a T2i.

I'd suggest the Canon Rebel T2i. That is just the body, and I suggest to invest in a high quality lens. They also offer packages that come with lens that might interest you.

I'd recommend the new Canon EOS Rebel T2i. I think it has all of the features you are looking for.

Canon page:
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/slr_cameras/eos_rebel_t2i_ef_s_18_55mm_is_kit#Features

Review:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10020806canoneos550d.asp

On Amazon w/ kit:
http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Digital-3-0-Inch-18-55mm/dp/B0035FZJHQ


Yea, it's a little more than your budget, but it is an excellent camera.

Yes, that would be a good start. Although the price is a little suspect. You can buy this from Amazon.com:

• $589: Canon EOS Rebel T2i, EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Lens
  
• $199: Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4.0-5.6 IS
  
  So $88 for New Vs. Used, plus maybe better warranty on the new stuff? Interestingly the bundle cost more on Amazon than buying the two separately.
  
  PS - As a completely random note: When shopping look out for two "tricks:"
  
  
• Camera bundled with an "off-brand" lens (e.g. Sigma, Tamron, etc). While there is nothing wrong with off-brand lenses, you really need to be able to spot the jewels from the duds. Canon lenses typically cost more but are generally all at least reasonable (excluding the 75-300, which is just trash).
  
• "Accessories packs." No exceptions, these are all trash. Don't buy an accessories pack along with your camera. If you want the contents buy it all individually (E.g. SD Cards, Batteries, Cloths, etc).

If price is a concern, look into getting used or refurbished equipment. The T2i or T3i will give you similar quality to the T4i for less cash.

• Amazon Used
  
• http://www.keh.com/
  
• Canon refurb
  
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Nikon:

D3100 single lens kit for $499, then I'd try to get a 50mm f1.8 for about $100. I don't think you can get it off of Amazon for $100, so perhaps try craigslist or ebay or something for a second hand one. If you want to spend a bit more money, the 35mm f1.8 would be better.

For Canon:

You'll have to go for an older model T2i for $599.

In my opinion the Nikon is much better. It is preferable to get a prime lens (the 50mm f1.8 or 35mm f1.8) and a normal zoom lens (the kit lens).

I don't like twin lens kits, because they give you a normal zoom lens, and a long telephoto zoom lens. The telephoto lens is useless most of the time. It is mainly useful for taking photos of wild animals, birds, etc. or spying on people like a creep.

The prime lens is great because it is much sharper than a zoom lens, and you can use it in lower light. (It has a bigger opening, and lets more light in)
***
For $600, I would actually prefer to buy a mirrorless camera like an Olympus EPL-1 kit for $270 and then buy an extra 20mm f1.7 lens to go with it.

Or if you wanted a slightly bigger mirrorless camera, the Panasonic G3 is great and only $549.

Don't let anyone tell you that mirrorless cameras have worse quality. In daylight they'll be exactly as good, and even at night time micro four thirds cameras give excellent performance if you know what you're doing. I shot these photos on a Panasonic G2.

Calumet is the big camera store that serves San Diego. I've never actually been there myself but I've been told it's competitive, at least as far as retail is concerned. In the US, ordering online tends to be quite a bit cheaper than retail almost without exception.

Cursory search (kit):

• Calumet ($650)
  
  
• Amazon ($600)
  
  
• Canon Refurbished ($560 no CLP, $448 w/CLP)

Thanks for some solid recommendations. So you are recommending something like t2i or t3i What do I get jumping up to the t3i? Also at $830, is there a better camera to upgrade to for another couple hundred dollars that would be worth the price increase?

Using a phone could work, but it will only take you so far depending on what kind of phone you have. So you have two choices: Use your phone, practice with it, use its strengths and weaknesses to your advantage, and master filming with it, or you could just save up to buy a Canon T2i. You can get one with an 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS lens for under $300. For an aspiring filmmaker, learning to use a camera like that will further your learning experience much farther than using a phone will.

For the tripod, you could take the cheap route and get something like this.

following up: here's the Amazon listing

Seems a little pricey, but like I said, find it used and save $$$. If you can find a pro photographer selling one on craigslist, you can pretty much be sure it's been taken care of.

The Xsi/450D does not record video without 3rd party hacks. A much better idea is to go with a t2i ($520 used on Amazon with the 18-55mm kit lens). Also, the t2i has a microphone jack, where as the Xsi/450D does not.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i with a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 lens.

I know nearly nothing about photography but this body and lens make it look like I'm competent. It's great!

Get a t2i with ML, 50mm 1.8 lens, zoom h1, or if your budget can afford it, zoom h4n. Check eBay for cheapest prices. That's everything you need and in your budget. Good luck.

The Canon T2i is going for $715 on amazon right now. Here's an example of the kind of stuff it can do. Yes it is a DSLR and as such will need some workarounds for primary use as a video camera but if you're willing to work for it you can get some great footage with it. The lens that comes with it is ok, mostly sufficient for video in my opinion. You can get a 50mm f1.8 for it for about $100, that will get some fantastic shallow depth of field, if you search "Canon T2i 50mm 1.8" on youtube there's a bunch of great examples. Its on board mic is pretty crappy, for about 60 or 70 dollars you can get a decent mic with a flash shoe mount like this that will net you much better audio quality. Lastly you'll almost definitely want some kind of stabilization rig as hangheld footage will be hopelessly shaky. These can be quite expensive, professional quality ones usually start at 400 dollars, a lot of people are actually shooting indie films and such with DSLR's so there's a demand for them. If you look on ebay you can usually find something for about 200, I built my own out of square aluminum tubing for 70.

So this one?

Canon T2i

and its predecessor the T1i.

Amazon still has steep pricing, even used, but I buy and sell camera gear daily. Look for Canon T2i, T1i, T3, XSi - NikonD40x, D60, D3000, D3100, D5000

I've purchased all of the above at just about your price range, and all are great starter cams. You may have to look for a while, but they are out there at these prices.

For $300 and it includes a lens I think I can do this.

The canon t2i (or the newer [t3i] (http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T3i-Digital-Imaging-18-55mm/dp/B004J3V90Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1321728959&sr=1-1) ) is awesome. I own it myself and it's a great camera for beginners and more serious photographers. (A bit expensive though!)

Canon EOS Rebel T2i is the only camera that even approaches that range. And you'll still need lenses.
Or you do the more cost effective route, but a cheap handicam, and ignore the fact that it looks like shit. But you'll need some REALLY good story telling to make up for it.
Here are a couple handy-dandy links:

Canon Rebel T2i with one 4x zoom lens

A cheap samsung handicam

Best of luck whichever way you go.

Get the T2i. Pretty similar, but slightly cheaper. Amazon currently has a pretty good deal on them: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Digital-3-0-Inch-18-55mm/dp/B0035FZJHQ

Amazon currently has some decent deals on the T2i and T3i with 18-55 kit lens - both about $80 or so off from other retailers at the moment.

Well, most others; B&H seems to have the same deals: T2i and T3i

I just purchased a T2i on Amazon. Dropped $50 last week, so it's now under $700 for the body with the 18-55mm lens http://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Digital-3-0-Inch-18-55mm/dp/B0035FZJHQ/ref=lh_ni_t

Thanks. I use a Canon Rebel T2i that I got in 2010. You can get them cheap now less than $300 on Amazon or get one of the newer models.

This is the only DSLR I've owned so I don't have much insight on other options. Good luck with the search and the trip.

A T2I is only $280 here https://www.amazon.com/Canon-T2i-Camera-18-55mm-3-5-5-6/dp/B0035FZJHQ. What makes you say maybe?

I dont know about where to start but this product is one the highest rated products on amazon. It would be great to start from there IMO.

Canon EOS Rebel T2i