New member needs help

[lurechunker]

I am new to the forum and asking for help. Our granddaughter plays basketball and I would like to photograph her. I kayak and would like to photograph birds. Is the EOS 760D the camera for me? Other? What lens or lenses? How can I protect my equipment form damage from saltwater? Thank you.

[Waddizzle]

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@RobertTheFat wrote:

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@lurechunker wrote:
How about a T6 with a 75-300 for backyard birding?

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If by "backyard birding" you mean that you set up a feeder and then hang out until the birds get used to you sitting there in a lawn chair and taking their pictures, that rig would probably be sufficient. But for anything beyond that, I think you'd be seriously under-equipped.

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Setting up a feeder is actually a good way to attract birds for photos.  Hummingbirds are one good example, who seem to like sugar water, I think.  But, you will need a blind of some kind to hide yourself.  Some folks set up the feeder near a window, so that they can set up a camera mounted tripod to take pictures.

I would recommend that you stay away from the budget priced 75-300mm lenses.  The 55-250mm budget lenses are much better.  The T6 is the bottom rung DSLR, designed for new users.  It has a menu system that describes what many settings do.  But, the camera itself has been purposely crippled, in order to cut the selling price.  I would advise a Rebel T5i, T6i, or T6s.  This advice does not supersede my prior advice regarding the 80D, which I think is the best buy in the Canon lineup.

[lurechunker]

Refurbished by Cannon seems to be the best option. I like the idea of a good product at a reduced cost. In looking at the Canon ad for the T6 bundle, I did not see "EF" associated with the 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses. Should I be concerned? Is there a contact number to call for verification? Should I buy a protective filter? Any filter? What tripod do you recommend? What memory card? Anything else? Thanks.

[lurechunker]

I am now looking at a refurbished T6s with two refurbished lenses. Thoughts?

[jrhoffman75]

T6s is great camera. Even though it is a Rebel it has upper level features like top LCD panel and 19 focus points.

A T6s with two STM lenses covering 18-250mm would be a great kit. 

Hereis a screen shot of a frame with the 55-250 STM.

Here's a screen shot of a 1:1 section of the image showing level of detail.

[Waddizzle]

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@jrhoffman75 wrote:

T6s is great camera. Even though it is a Rebel it has upper level features like top LCD panel and 19 focus points.

A T6s with two STM lenses covering 18-250mm would be a great kit. 

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That is an awesome package.  Just don't get it wet.

[Waddizzle]

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@lurechunker wrote:
Refurbished by Cannon seems to be the best option. I like the idea of a good product at a reduced cost. In looking at the Canon ad for the T6 bundle, I did not see "EF" associated with the 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses. Should I be concerned? Is there a contact number to call for verification? Should I buy a protective filter? Any filter? What tripod do you recommend? What memory card? Anything else? Thanks.

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The Canon Onlne Store has links that appear, which connect you to a sales expert.

I, for one, believe in using protective filters.  They are not a "must have" accessory, though.  

As far as tripods go, I have yet to see a quality tripod being offered at the Big Blue Box store.  You co not want a plastic tripod, because they tend to shake and break too easily.  A quality tripod is made of metal, or carbon fiber.  A quality tripod has a detachable, interchangeable head.  Look for a tripod that has a maximum load capacity of at least 4-5 times the combined weight of your camera and heaviest lens.  Tripods are most stable with their center columns fully retracted, not extended.

[lurechunker]

Please give specifics on an acceptable tripod...make, model and a place to buy. Must be compatible with T6s.

[jrhoffman75]

Waddizzle is right. A tripod is one item where you don't want to go "entry level". MeFoto and Induro make mike products. The carbon fiber MeFoto is lightweight; sturdy and stable with Rebel series kits. Its in the $400 dollar price range, if i recall correctly.

Besides not being durable, cheap tripods are flimsy and don't hold the camera steady. I think they are actually worse than no tripod, becasue if you are holding the camera you can steady it. If you put it on a trripod you are removed from the body and can't really tell that it is moving..

Forum rules limit what we can post, but Amazon, B&H, Adorama are all reputable stores that I have used.

[Waddizzle]

I like Benro tripods, which is another brand name for Induro and MeFoto.  I like Benro brands because all of them come with cases, and the tripod heads are better quality than most other brands.  

I own a Benro monopod, and a medium duty video tripod.  I own an Induro travel tripod, which is similar to the above MeFoto model, and a very HEAVY duty video tripod.  All of the tripods are as solid as oak trees, and I bought all of them when they were on sale at B&H.  I literally waited for the clearance sales.  

I like video tripods because they lack center columns, which tend to destabilize a tripod when you raise them.  Look for a tripod  kit with a ball head.  A ball head with a friction adjustment is more desireable than one without a friction adjustment.

[John_SD]

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@lurechunker wrote:
Refurbished by Cannon seems to be the best option. I like the idea of a good product at a reduced cost. In looking at the Canon ad for the T6 bundle, I did not see "EF" associated with the 18-55mm and 75-300mm lenses. Should I be concerned? Is there a contact number to call for verification? Should I buy a protective filter? Any filter? What tripod do you recommend? What memory card? Anything else? Thanks.

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Not quite sure what you were looking at, but the refurbished kit lenses that come with the T6 package are listed as:

"EOS Rebel T6 EF-S 18-55 with EF 75-300MM f/4-5.6 III Refurbished'

See https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t6-ef-s-18-55-with-ef-75-300mm-f-4-56-iii-refur...

I use a UV filter on my lens, due to the environments I shoot in, such as the California desert and various spots along the seashore. I will also be getting a polarizing filter shortly. I haven't experienced any of the flare issues that others report with the UV filter. I don't shoot into the sun.

I use a Sandisk 32GB SDXC card in my T6. Works great. As for a tripod, I have the Manfrotto 290 Light Tripod with Ball Head. I paid $79.99 for it a member store. It's plenty stable for my T6. 

Whether you go with the refurbished T6 or T6s, you'll be getting a great deal without overspending.