Canon EOS Rebel T2

A follow-up review after a lot of use. Glad Canon continues the film camera line and you can't beat this one for value. Just love it. Featherweight (both an advantage and disadvantage, but for myself, the former). Excellent film point-and-shoot, providing it doesn't have to be truly pocketable for you. Actually have been using this with 200mm f2.8L. Sounds crazy but it balances well the way I hold it. You can take it anywhere with the 50 1.8 and forget about it if you don't want to take pictures. Not a burden at all. Replaced the 7N I mentioned had been stolen, below, but usually prefer using the T2!

Same as reported below.

Same as in prior review. Handle and store with care. Don't know how many cycles the shutter is rated for and am tempted to buy a second one as insurance, before they discontinue it. Not a rugged camera but not a toy, either. Really wish it had a built-in eyepiece blind. Make one as an accessory, Canon, and I'll buy it. The separate little eyepiece cover provided is not practical.

See review below

Haven't needed it.

This is a good camera. It is durable, and takes a good shot. Invest in the lenses to give you the variety and you won't be disappointed.

The photos are colorful and clear

For film users, this camera provides a great balance between weight and performance. Its ultra reliable and great on battery life.

The built-in ETTL-2 pop up flash gives excellent "fill-flash" for people protraits--it's always dead on accurate and beautifully-filled. The flash-synch speed doesn't go all the way to 1/250th, but 1/125th is quite excellent for entry level SLR. For candle shots during birthdays without flash, the exposure meter is dead accurate (even in auto mode).

What I really love about this T2 is that the exposure of the photos come out really perfect 99 percent of the time (even in auto mode), considering it uses Canon's 35-zone evauating meter system. Using plain old ISO (any) Kodak or Fuji negative film availble at any local store, the included kit lens takes excellent photos. Photos taken with the bundled lens come out sharp and well exposed, with accurate color-rendition. No comparison to L lenses, but good enough for 4x6 photos.

This T2 is accurately capable of taking 3 frames per second in the "One Shot" AF (auto focus) mode, but in "AI Servo" AF mode the frame drops to 1.5-2 fps because it has to track the moving object to get proper focus. HOWEVER, this frame rate dramatically changes with you switch from the kit lens (uses ADF motor inside the lens to focus) to the USM lens (it's so much faster and smoother and focuses rapidly faster than ADF (non-usm) lenses).

In "AI Servo" focus mode, the Canon T2's autofocus is waaaay faster than my Canon A2e's autofocus system (both using the 28-105mm USM Lens). The T2's autofocus system is very, very sensitive to light changes in AI SERVO mode, which I love (USM motor re-focuses rapidly like crazy).

I've used the T2 with my other Canon 28-105 3.5/4.5 USM lens and compared it to the included kit lens bundled with the T2, and I can comfirm that there's virtually no sharpness or color-redition difference. Obviously the weight of the 28-105 is heavier than the bundled lens, considering its superior build quality (both use same filter sizes). Oh, and the front element of the bundled lens kit rotates, so don't even bother buying a polarizing filter for it, unless you get something like the 28-105 f3.5/4.5 canon.

The built-quality is sufficed to bring you a light weight camera. But the dial is strong and firm, and best of all, its got a METAL lens mount (not plastic). Also, eyeglass wearers will love the dioptic eye adjustment on the t2 (which I use).

1/4000th shutter capacity, 1/125th x-sync for fill flash. 7 pt auto focus points (but I use strickly on center point --most sensitive. Accurate ETTL-2 flash and accurate exposure = good photos.

None. Not at this price.

Canon A2e pro SLR. Canon A510 budget digital camera (excellent pocket cam)

The Canon Rebel T2 was basically the only camera that I considered buying when I decided to purchase a camera. I did my research and checked around at local shops and with all the information that I got it seemed that this camera was the way to go. Prior to this camera I had a point and shoot digital Canon that worked very well for very simple things and basically I was looking for something with that ability but with more adjustability and function. Thats when I decided to move to SLR and found that there was a whole new world wait for me there. The body is extreemly light and easy to handle which makes hauling it around all day not a problem. The auto focus is quick and acurate when shooting from a distance, but when you get something less then 3 feet away it has a little bit of trouble in my experience. The lense it came with was ok, just a basic Canon Zoom EF 28-90mm with a 58mm filter mount, gave me alot of crisp clear pictures for the price that I paid. After I straped on a wide angle lense it really showed what this camera can do with the proper motivation so to speak. I know not everyone is looking to use a wide angle lennse but it really made this camera sing. Also with the burst fire being as it is, 3 fps, I'm able to do alot of high speed shots shootting an 800 speed film, well multiple high speed shots. I've run a few tests shooting speed skating and I was able to get alot of good shots basically taking stride after stride. For any photographer this is an amazing camera, pro's can use it for just an inexpensive back up and amatures can use it for a great entry level camera. This camera has everything that you can find in some more expensive pro cameras with the price of a beginners camera, great buy for the money!

Light weight, great functionality, 7 point auto focus for those of us who just want to point and shoot. Pretty good starter lense in the kit.

Fairly slow burst fire, but still not bad. Plastic construction, makes it light weight but a little flimsy

Nikon F50

I thought I should take the time to review this camera - for the 6 or 8 people left in the world who still like working with film -, as it has been said that it's the last film rebel, depending on sales, and judging from the number of reviews here, I imagine it's true. It's really an excellent and capable lightweight tool which can be used for serious work. It replaced an EOS 7e that I had stolen, and is quite an adequate replacement, by far the most advanced rebel, incorporating the usual 3 metering modes, continuous AF, and one feature that improves on the EOS 7's: it is set up for one-hand operation. ALL normal shooting functions can be manipulated with fingers and thumbs of the right hand, which is just great for snapshooting. A wrist strap and a lightweight lens are all you need and you can carry it comfortably all day. Try the 50mm 1.8 with it and you'll be amazed. The manual should be read carefully, to learn how the systems work and interact to get the desired results with ease. If you waste a set of batteries practicing it's worth the expense. Five stars for its class: it's no EOS 1V for durability and speed but just look what I paid.

With few exceptions, it will do everything the popular and more expensive 7N will do. Not limiting for serious workers the way earlier Rebels were. Very lightweight and small.

Cannot leave leader out when rewinding; an annoyance. Cannot select any of the three metering modes in any operating mode, but by understanding the default modes as described in the manual, the problem can be easily worked around. You have two of them available at all times. I don't like having the LCD panel on the back; prefer it on top. Very light plastic construction; not made for punishing pro assignments. Mirror blackout time a bit longer than I'd like, but the fastest of any Rebel. Only 3 FPS, fine for me, adequate for all but the most frantic action.

Lots of plastic SLR's for carrying around without a burden. This is by far the best.

Haven't used.