Canon EOS 50D SLR Digital Camera Kit with 18-200mm IS Lens Review

GREAT and EASY to learn camera

"I bought this camera to satisfy my passion for equestrian photography and arty shots. I needed a camera with speed, and this camera delivers! I used to shoot manually about 20 years ago with a film camera. I wanted to learn to do that again. I am taking a class in equestrian photography and the class demands that we not shoot in auto modes. The very same week that I got my camera I started shooting in Aperture and Shutter priorities. I read and tried various settings in the manual and creative ideas, and within a week, I have taught myself to really use this camera manually. It's amazing. What is TRULY amazing is the support you get from Canon. they have a 24/7 support line for technical issues. I have called them about three times over the last two weeks to get help learning to operate the camera to its full potential. They answered right away, and helped me to understand everything I had questions about very quickly each time.



I took this camera to a cutting horse event inside a dark arena with bright outdoor lighting behind the main area of activity for the shots, which is very problematic lighting situation. I hand held this camera for 3200 ISO shooting and tried out the Al Servo feature. That feature let me shoot six frames a second to capture amazing action very clearly and with surprisingly little noise. This feature alone makes it a Godsend. The Al Servo function keeps everything in focus, even while it is moving, like a cutting horse! I find the camera controls EASY to see, and very intuitive to understand. I honestly did not start out with manual shooting skills at all...it had been 20 years since I shot manually and I had forgotten everything. At the end of two weeks I am making creative and effective decisions about shooting in various lighting situations and focus conditions.



I saved my money for a long time for this camera and lens. I bought the 18-200 mm kit lens. Someday I will sell that lens and move on to an L series lens for the increased optical qualities of those lenses. But for now, it is suiting me quite well and I am honestly thinking that following the skills I am learning in my course I will be able to begin shooting portraits as well as farm and ranch photography. I can't believe I am turning my passion for photography into something that is so wonderful via this camera. It's speed and endless creative capacity are perfect for anything you would ever need to do with a camera.



I have a friend who bought the new Nikon DSLR two weeks before I got my camera. She is envious of my camera and wishes she had bought the Canon. She says (and I agree) that the printing on the camera controls is larger, and that the controls are set up more sensibly, and that this camera (EOS 50D) is much more intuitive camera.



Yes, you would have to PRY this camera from me! I love it and recommend it to anyone, pro or serious amateur.



(PS...I snuck in a few auto shots and they were great too! I used auto to give me SOME idea of how to set my camera manually when I went into new lighting situations. I love the creative potential of choosing aperture or shutter speed for my shots, but the auto settings DO work really well, color is great, focus great.



Thank you, and AMEN to Canon!"

Mares and Foals

• Using Product
• Shot with 18-200 mm lens
• Made with Product

Little Flyer at the Water's Edge

• Made with Product
• Using Product
• 200 mm lens 500thsecond
• Used Al Servo setting