Today’s question comes from Bri:

I am finally ready to “upgrade” to a DSLR camera after feeling limited by my point and shoot.  I am a complete amateur but plan to learn as much as I can to improve on my everyday shots.  So, what kind of DSLR would you recommend to someone like me?  I’ve been trying to read consumer reports to find out which is rated the highest but would prefer some feedback from a fellow Momtog!  Also, would you recommend that I go ahead and buy an additional lense or is that too over the top for me right now?

My first DSLR was the Canon Rebel and I loved it.  Of course, I didn’t know any different.  But, I shot (at a professional capacity) with that camera for over 6 months.  Through my paying jobs I was able to save up enough money pretty fast to buy the 30D.  The Rebel was a great camera.  In fact, I gave it to my Dad last year and he is still using it and getting great images.  I personally think the lens that you use affects the image more than the actual camera body, but let’s take a look at the DSLR camera bodies that are out on the market right now.  To make this a little easier I’m only going to look at Canon.  Besides, Canon better than Nikon anyways

Digital Rebel XS (aka 1000D) 10 MP – $599 (with stock lens)

Digital Rebel XSi (aka 450D) 12.2 MP – $749 (just the camera body for $649)

Digital Rebel T1i 15.1 MP – $899 (just the camera body for $799)

EOS 15.1 MP Digital SLR – $1399.99 (just the camera body for $1199.99)

40D 10.1 MP – $889.95 no lens included

50D 15.1 MP – $1199.95 no lens included

5D Mark II – $2699.99 – no lens

I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the mega pixels.  When you get over 10 mega pixels that’s large enough.   More mega pixels just means larger files on your computer!  I always tell people to buy what they can afford.  If you are not a professional photographer and have no interest in being a professional photographer here is my suggestion to you.  Why not buy a cheaper camera body and buy a nicer lens?  If you just want to take pictures of your own kids you don’t need a 50D or a 5D.  Going from a point and shoot to a DSLR you will be ecstatic with the Rebel.  Trust me!  And if you treat your equipment like most Moms I know you will probably be pretty rough on it.  If you’re only spending $600 on a camera you won’t feel so guilty if you drop it or lose it or if little Jimmy drops it in the pool.  Why buy a nice camera if you’re going to be scared to use it?

But, if I you have a little more money to spend I would go with the 40D camera body.  Why?  Well, the 40D is just a little more expensive, but you get more frames per second (meaning your camera will keep shooting when you’re trying to get those action shots) and it has a higher ISO so you can shoot in lower light situations.  Just my two cents.

Whatever camera you decide to buy PLEASE buy it from a reputable company.  I know when searching online you can find some amazing “deals”, but make sure you know where you’re buying it from.  If it looks too good to be true it probably is.  Getting your money or credit card number stolen sucks.  I buy all of my equipment online from B & H.  They usually have some of the best prices and they are totally legit.

I don’t like the stock lenses that come with cameras.  I always encourage people to buy just the camera body and purchase a lens separately.  I’ve gotten a lot of emails about lenses so I will write a separate blog post about that tomorrow.  Stay tuned!

I’m in the middle of another Mom*tog Pro session and we’re having so much fun!   This session is with Erin who is a super talented up and coming photographer in Texas and the mother of two adorable kiddos!

At the beginning of each session I ask the photographer to send over what they think are a few of their best images.  Here are two that Erin sent over:

Wait until you see the images she took during our session!  I absolutely love to see how much these photographers improve in just a matter of a few days!  

I just adore these images we worked on tonight.  We discussed shooting last week and these images are from her assignments over the weekend.  I went through today and showed her how to edit them step by step.  I think the originals are pretty darn good!

The original

The finished product

The original

The original

Aren’t they awesome?  I love them!  Thanks for doing the session, Erin!  I’m so impressed by how far you’ve come!

*  I’ve decided that I can only take one Mom*tog Pro session per month at the most.  I love doing them, but they are rather time consuming.  If you are thinking about booking one please do so early!  I am booking up very, very fast!  Remember these sessions are for people located OUTSIDE of Southern California.  They are done online, for 4 days, 3 hours a day.  The cost of the session is $500 and we cover anything and everything!  Contact me for more info!

Before I had a kid I was adamant that he or she was not going to watch TV.  No child of mine was going to spend their day watching TV when they could be playing outside or reading books or learning about the world.  But, then I had a kid.  And I got kind of lazy.  I could really use a half an hour of laying in bed while Brayden watched Mickey Mouse Club House or Little Einsteins (which by the way is my favorite and I’m pissed that lame Agent Oso replaced!).  And then there are those days where I just need to get 1 or 2 more things done and I turn on the TV for him.  Just for a few minutes.  Well, Brayden has found a new obsession.  Madagascar.  He’s obsessed.  It’s like crack for babies.  He stands there like this for the whole 86 (glorious) minutes swaying back and forth slightly, laughing at all of the appropriate parts.  

How does he know what’s funny?  And speaking of funny, he’s not the only one who thinks it’s funny.  When we were in Hawaii Brayden was watching it in his grandparents room and I could hear them cracking up through the wall.  My  mom was over this weekend and she was cracking up too.  I guess it’s better than my obsession when I was a kid.  I apparently watched Snow White and the Seven Giants (yes, Seven Giants, not Dwarfs) over and over again.  At least kids movies are funny for adults to watch too.  Although I’m getting a little sick of my husband reciting lines to Madagascar.  I think we’ll have to move onto Madagascar 2 now.  

So, what are your favorite movies to watch with your kids?

And, by the way, there are a couple more new pictures of Brayden’s modeling session over on my DrewB blog!