Is it still ok to learn on a DSLR?

[FilmCanister]

I would like to learn more about photography. I’ve used point and shoot (film and digital) cameras in the past but I’ve been exclusively using my iPhone for the past 7 years. I’ve mostly convinced myself to buy a Rebel t7i, as the $775 price for camera + kit lens that I see fits my budget well. My plan is to learn on the Rebel and kit lens for as many years as I can and buy EF or EF-S lenses if I need them. If I feel the need to upgrade the camera in the future, I’ll likely buy a Canon R series to continue using any EF lenses I’ve accumulated.

Have I missed something important? Should I be considering a mirrorless option more strongly? I’ll probably keep whatever I buy for 5+ years. If it matters, I’ll primarily take pictures of family, urban life (buildings, architectural features, people) and landscapes. I don’t anticipate shooting a lot of video.

Edit 11/1: I appreciate the replies I've received. I've been doing my best to understand the equipment and what it does and ignore marketing hype.

Edit 11/3: For anyone following this thread I decided the solution for me was to look for a mirrorless option. While I agree that someone can learn photography on any camera, I don't currently have any cameras or lenses so it makes sense to me to choose an R series camera as my first. Thank you to all who offered their helpful opinions.

[FilmCanister]

Thanks, I'm sure I'll be able to learn plenty with a DSLR, but I was worried that I was missing out on something by avoiding the mirrorless option. There is a lot of marketing hype out there that I've been trying to wade through. Half of the mirrorless camera reviews I read seem to be aimed at people who want to make YouTube videos anyway.

[normadel]

Camera makers thrive on people who fear they're missing out on something if they don't have the latest and "best". So do smartphone makers, car makers, appliance makers and every other kind of maker.

No matter what camera you get and use, you will think you are missing out on something, so please don't succumb to it. Enjoy what you have, learn it, and only upgrade when there's REALLY something you need.

[Waddizzle]

If you find the deal for the Refurbished T8i, then I suggest you do not wait too long to pull the trigger.  Many listed are items are not always in stock, this hot potato is one of them.

[shadowsports]

@FilmCanister,

You are correct about EF-M format cameras.  They are already on their way out.  So are DSLRs to some extent, but they have a much larger following and it will be some time before they are gone.  Like what normadel referred to above.

We want to remain sensitive to your budget, so the T8i kit we referenced above will be a great starter camera for you.  Do be aware that APS-C body's have smaller image sensors.  So when paired with a full frame EF lens, the field of view (FOV) is more narrow, but the focal length remains the same.  APS-C lenses on the other hand have a smaller image circle designed specifically for the smaller sensor.  The goal here is to empower you with as much information as possible so you can make an informed decision.

[krahe]

About six months ago I was right where you're at. I came very close to pulling the trigger on getting a T8i. But then I decided to look a little closer at the differences between a DSLR and a mirrorless, and found that auto-focus works differently on a DSLR when you're using the viewfinder vs. a live view screen. That pushed me into a mirrorless - specifically the M50 Mark II - as I wanted to use the best auto-focus mechanism available regardless of what screen I was using to take the shot. Since then it's become even more apparent that the center of gravity in the market is quickly shifting from DSLR to mirrorless, so I believe I've made the right choice. I have four EF-M lenses plus an EF lens that I use with an adapter.

[amfoto1]

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@FilmCanister wrote:.If it matters, I’ll primarily take pictures of family, urban life (buildings, architectural features, people) and landscapes. I don’t anticipate shooting a lot of video.

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It matters a lot, what you plan to shoot. And for those types of subjects you would be just fine with a DSLR.

That said, the previous recommendation to consider refurbished is good. In the US Canon refurbished are only available via the Canon USA website. Those can be a really good deal. I've bought a couple items from them and the only difference from new that I could see was that they box was plain cardboard, rather than the fancier graphics. Aside from that and the money I saved, everything else about the items I bought was EXACTLY like buying brand new! It did take about a week or 10 days to receive the items, if I recall correctly. 

Something to consider... for the type of photography you plan to do a 24MP T8i would be fine and the EF-S 18-55mm lens can serve most purposes. You eventually may want an EF 50mm f/1.8 STM for family portraits and/or an EF-S 10-18mm IS STM for landscape photography, but the kit lens will get you started.

Whatever lens you get, also buy the lens hood for it. That's the best physical protection for it while out shooting and a lens hood can only improve your images as well. Just be careful to get the correct, matched hood for any lens that you get (for example, there have been something like six different Canon EF-S 18-55mm lenses, and I don't think they all use the same lens hood).]

One of the advantages of a Canon DSLR is that they have been selling lenses to fit them for 30+ years, so there are literally millions of them around on the used market. While there can be some risk buying used, with reasonable care such as only buying from reputable dealers who back up what they sell, you can extend your kit without breaking the bank.  As you know, with an adapter those EF and EF-S lenses can be use on an R-series mirrorless camera if you decide to upgrade to that type of camera sometime in the future. While they are excellent and innovative, there simply isn't the selection of RF lenses for mirrorless yet and the system is so new that there are almost none on the used market so far. 

***********

Alan Myers
San Jose, Calif., USA
"Walk softly and carry a big lens."
GEAR: 5DII, 7DII (x2), 7D(x2), EOS M5, some other cameras, various lenses & accessories
FLICKR

[pxbradley1]

A lot of good information here. You can learn photography on any camera. It all depends on your budget. I race sailboats (well used too) and one of my partners said It's not always the boat.

[Tronhard]

Exactly. The question I answered was

' Is it still allright to learn on a DSLR?

The answer is still yes. The rest boils down to budget, subject, output and commitment.

[FilmCanister]

Thank you, this was helpful information, especially the part about the kit lens. I'm glad to know that the T8i and kit lens will be adequate for what I hope to photograph. I am somewhat interested in the nifty fifty, but I'm not a fan of bokeh, and I understand that a 50 mm will make that more common. I plan to spend plenty of time with the kit lens first to figure out what I'm doing. 

I also hadn't seen the recommendation about the lens hood, so thanks for that. I probably will buy refurbished from Canon since people seem to have good experiences with that and I'll be able to take my budget farther.

[FilmCanister]

I relate strongly to this comment. In the 90s, I bought a 70s era Buick with a Chevy engine that was my primary vehicle for 15+ years. My wife used to say that another person wouldn't have gotten the same experience out of the car. 

I also saw one of your posts about being an engineer. I also have an engineering background and it seems that I'm questioning some of the hype around mirrorless more than the average person.