Camera Advice

[Play3r]

Looking to buy my first DSLR.

im thinking i will buy a Canon EOS 550D / Rebel T2i or a EOS 500D / Rebel T1i, but im not really sure what im looking for. can anyone shed some light on this subject.

Also im not sure what kind of tripod.

Please Help.

[Fourstaff]

Right, how much do you like photography? If you have been using point and shoot for some time and decided that its not enough anymore, then I would heartily say that the 550D is a very good starting point, its much more powerful than its sibling the 500D and yet only *slightly* more expensive. You might want to consider "prosumer" cameras like the Canon G11. What should you be looking for when it comes to buying a DSLR? Lots. almost an art. If you are planning to enjoy DSLR photography for many years, you should be looking at different brands first: Nikon? Canon? Or perhaps the relatively newcomer Pentax? Or maybe the underdog Olympus? Or perhaps, the Konica in disguise Sony? Choosing a brand is of paramount importance because all lenses are interchangable with different body from the same manufacturers but you will need adapters if you want to use lenses of different manufacturer on a particular body. And lenses last "forever". You can upgrade a few body and still use the same lens. The best advice I can offer is to read many reviews about the product, both professionally written and written by the average Joe. After deciding on what you like, go to a camera store and try. Its important that you try using the camera before buying, because you will end up using the camera for a few years and a "wrong" camera can hamper your enthusiasm for photography.

Posting here might help:http://forums.techpowerup.com/showth...=76565&page=17

Edit: Sorry for the wall of text.

[King Wookie]

Fourstaff is quite right.
What do you want to use your camera for? How often do you take photos now? How much you thinking of spending?

And yes, the camera is actually less an issue in the long run than the manufacturer. Lenses are often a bigger factor. Those cameras are both quite good. I went with Nikon because it has better backup in my country.

Maybe look at:
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.digicambuyer.co.uk/

As a start.