Thoughts on Canon EOS Rebel T6

[tinekastil2]

Hello guys, I'm looking into buying my first profesional camera and I found this one. I don't have a big budget so I think it might be a good option. Have you used it? Is it good for beginner's photography? I would really appreciate any comment. I'll leave the link to it below. Either way, thank you for your feedback and have a nice day!

[Waddizzle]

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@ryanpandey

 wrote:

Hello guys, I'm looking into buying my first profesional camera and I found this one. I don't have a big budget so I think it might be a good option. Have you used it? Is it good for beginner's photography? I would really appreciate any comment. I'll leave the link to it below. Either way, thank you for your feedback and have a nice day!!

Canon Rebel t6 (Amazon): Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens (Black) [link removed per forum guidelines] Instagram: sebasgzz (almost every photo has been shot with iPhone 5s or 7)

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I do not recommend buying big ticket items on Amazon or eBay.  You cannot always tell who the seller is.  You want to purchase NEW gear only from an authorized Canon dealer.  Many sellers claim to be factory authorized when they are not.  The Canon web site has a list of factory authorized dealers.

Or, you could buy your camera gear direct from Canon.  The Rebel T6 is an entry level DSLR.  It is a far cry from a professional grade camera, and ditto for the lenses in the camera kit.  Here is a link to the Canon Online Refurbished Store.

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-rebel-t6-ef-s-18-55mm-f-35-56-is-ii-kit-refurbished

Your T6 is currently on sale, as are a couple of better Rebel bodies.  Note the last letters of the lens model number.  That is an older version of the lens.  I would suggest a kit that includes an STM version of the 18-55mm lens.  

[Tronhard]

I assume that you are in the United States so you could take advantage of Canon's refurbished sales features and get one that may have been returned for an innocuous reason.  You should get a warranty and you will know it is a fully functional unit.  The Rebel series, while a DSLR is a consumer-level unit but Canon make these as one of their strengths so they can do amazing work and you will certainly be able to learn a lot with them.

Personally I have bought big ticket items from both Amazon and Ebay, but I am careful, as one would be anyway to make sure that the vendor has made a lot of sales and has an approval rating above body temperature i.e. 98.6%.

By doing so I have not been disappointed so far.

Finally if you are just beginning you could consider an older camera body - frankly they still can take amazing photos - and get a decent all-around lens. The three main things to get right are the Aperture, shutter speed and ISO, and all DSLRs give you control over those. Advanced features and big pixel counts are, to me, not necessary for a student.  

Not being aware of your budget I would suggest seeking the Canon EF-S 18-135 IS STM lens for general photography.  Again you can get them from people who got one as a kit but already have a similar lens.

[TCampbell]

One important distinction to be aware of is that there is something called "gray market" cameras.

Canon imports cameras into the USA and these are either sold directly by Canon or by authorized Canon dealers.

But there are also companies who acquire and import their own cameras (that don't come through Canon distribution).  They're real Canon cameras... they just didn't come through the right distribution channels.   Often they are sold at a slight discount (but usually not much).  (There are also the counterfeits to watch for, but gray market cameras actually are real.)

But here's the difference:  Warranty & Serviceability

If you buy an "import" camera (aka "gray market"), you do NOT get a Canon factory warranty and Canon may refuse to service the camera (even outside warranty where you are willing to pay for the service).  Often the stores claim they will provide their own store warranty and provide store service... but that's not really at the same level as Canon factory warranty & service.

Some sellers actually offer both versions but you'll find something in the description that says it's "USA" or "Import" (USA means it was imported by Canon, Import means the store imported it through other methods and it's a gray market camera).

When you receive the camera, a USA camera will have

(a) the serial number of the camera printed on the BOX will match the serial number of the camera printed on the BODY.  

(b) the warranty card in the box will say "USA & Canada only" across the entire form on the card *and* the serial number of the camera body will be pre-printed on the warranty card.

If instead you have a warranty card that says "Canon International Warranty" then you have an import and that's a gray-market camera.   

Usually the savings are too small to interest me in the hassle of having a camera that isn't backed by factory warranty or service.

Canon updates the authorized dealer list every month.  You can find the latest list here:  

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/contactus/where-to-buy/authorized-dealers/

[Stephen]

All of Tim's information above is great and correct, but I just wanted to leave this link, to piggyback and give everyone Canon's official stance on Gray Market: http://Canon.us/lx2b 

I hope this helps! 

[ebiggs1]

"Canon EOS Rebel T6 Digital SLR Camera Kit with EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II Lens (Black)"

Never, ever, ever buy a Amazon amazing camera kit.  It is junk.  Also like others have said never buy gray market if you live in the US.

[Waddizzle]

You can expect a Moderator to delete the Amazon link.  It is against forum policy to post links to something being sold.  They do allow exceptions, like links to Canon’s own online e*store web site.  

Buying big ticket items from Amazon is not something that I would recommend anyone should do.  There are too many unscrupulous sellers on Amazon, selling stuff WITHOUT a real warranty.  You do want a Canon authorized factory warranty, right?

[EDIT] https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/products/groups/gray-market

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The T6 is designed to be a basic entry level camera for someone with no previous experience with a DSLR.  It is also designed for someone who wants a DSLR camera, but only for occasional use.  Most burgeoning photo enthusiasts outgrow entry level cameras within a year or two, frequently within a matter of months.

This is a better deal than almost anything you would see on Amazon.  Do not be drawn into the deal with all of the junk accessories thrown in.

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

The Rebel T6 is not considered to be a professional grade camera.  Canon offers DSLR camera bodies that fall into one of three categories: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.  The T6 falls into the Beginner category, greeting you at the door as you enter the world of DSLR cameras.  All Rebel cameras are entry level cameras, but some are far more advanced than a T6.

If you really want to be a camera hobbyist, then spend a little more than the least expensive camera in the category.  Most hobbyists like the more advanced Rebel bodies like the T7i, which is almost in the Intermediate category with the 77D.

Here is the best value DSLR that Canon currently offers, the 80D.  

https://shop.usa.canon.com/shop/en/catalog/eos-80d-ef-s-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-stm-kit-refurbished

It is a REALLY good camera, packed with many professional grade features.  Just about the only things “not professional” about it are the button layout, and the lack of a full weather sealed body with a magnesium allow chassis.

Buy it right the first time, and you will only buy it once!

[shadowsports]

@Gabrial,

In addition to all of Waddizzle's great advice... 

The 80D is a better buy all the way around.  Not just because it costs more.  The 80D body is a better long term invesment and will give you plenty of room to grow as your skill and experience increases.

Don't be afraid to purchase refurb from Canon's online store.  Canon't refurb products come with the same 1 yr warranty as their new products.  A couple of my Canon lenses are refurbs...  All excellent, all perfect. 5 stars all the way. 

[ebiggs1]

First don't, never ever, buy a camera kit from Amazon or ebay. They generally include a bunch of junk that is nothing but junk and useless.  You want to buy just a camera and lens(s).  All Canon brand not any off brand stuff.  Bad idea for beginners.

The T6 kit from a good retailer is your best choice.  Yo probably have a local camera store or Best Buy? I know BB had a Rebel T6 kit for $400 bucks. The Canon EOS Rebel T6 DSLR Camera with EF-S 18-55mm IS II and EF 75-300mm III lens.  This is about as good as it gets for a starter.  Also going local you can get hands on a big plus even if it is slightly more expensive than mail order.

Being a beginner you don't know what you want, yet.  Hopefully the bug will bite you and you will want to move up later. That kit includes a Canon 18-55mm lens and a Canon 75-300mm lens so that you can cover the full range with your new camera. The T6 has an 18-megapixel sensor, DIGIC 4+ image processing and full 1080p video recording.  That's all a newbie needs to start with that does not want to break the bank right off.

[John_]

I have the T6i with the two lenses after owning Powershot point and shoot models, like the SX50HS. The T6 is loaded with buttons, settings, accessories and all sorts of features a point and shoot camera does not offer. There will be a fairly long learning curve to get the most out of the T6 but if you are willing to devote the time and practice I think it is a good choice. I looked at the link you included and if you can afford the 2 lens kit I would suggest getting that one. I find myself spending a lot more time referring to the manual than with my point and shoot models. In addition, there are books written specifically for the T6 that help to understand it better on Amazon. Of course, there are better Canon models but the budget is the key. If you find learning, exploring, experimenting and investing the time with photography interesting then go for it! Wait for others here to reply, there are professional photographers, professors, teachers, etc. with much more knowledge than I have to give their opinions.