alam_khan1

<p>Does Canon even make a 16-35 mm 2.8 with IS? I just looked at their site and also at B&H and could not find one. They do have one without "IS" though!</p>

<p>Thanks, everyone, for all the wonderful responses and a great discussion. All the ideas seem to have merit but they appear to start with different premises: For example, the size and ability of niece's hands. <br>

I think I will take everyone's advice but implement each at an appropriate time as my niece develops her skills. I like Pierre Lachaine's advice the best, and will first get her a basic point and shoot such as a Panasonic Lumix. Then introduce her to Picasa, and see where she takes them.<br>

Once she develops her interest and gets curious (Why is this picture so terrible?), we will introduce basic understanding of photons, aperture, ISO, shutter speed, etc.<br>

Thanks, for helping me develop an intelligent and stepwise plan for my favorite niece.<br>

Alam</p>

<p>My very excited 9-year old niece called me yesterday. She wants to start taking "pictures", and has $200 (this sum can be supplemented). She would like my advice about which camera to buy. I told her to let me do some research and that I would get back to her. So consider this to be my research.<br>

Obviously, simply giving her a camera is not sufficient. She would also need some idea about photography. Fortunately, she is an avid reader and quite self-motivated. So, my questions are:<br>

1. Is there a good book, or books, to introduce kids to photography, something like "Photography for Kids" that is clear and readable?<br>

2. She wants a digital camera (surprise!). What would be a decent introductory camera that would have automatic modes and also allow some manual exposures? Is this a realistic request, or one would have to start with a camera with all automatic modes and then later graduate to something which allows manual exposures?<br>

3. At what point should one introduce photo processing software, and which one?<br>

4. Answers to any other questions I should have asked but did not.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance<br>

Alam</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for the wonderful replies. Unfortunately, in my OP I made a grave error. I actually have a 550EX. So the question really refers to if it is worth upgrading to 580EX II. I apologize for this error. My only excuse is that I am undergoing some very difficult medical treatment currently. Sorry again.</p>

<p>I have 5D2 with 24-105mm f/4L kit lens. I also have a few other sundry lens. I take family photos, landscapes, and some close-ups.<br>

In view of the recent heated discussion here between the pros and cons of Cannon Speedlites and Nikon flashlights, where the majority seemed to have given the thumbs up to the Nikon flashes, I am left very confused.<br>

I have the older 580EX. Are there any reasons that should compel me to upgrade to 580EXII?<br>

Also, are there any sources that resolve, in a logical manner, the controversy of the Nikon flash (good overall) and Canon flash (good for fill)? Thank you.</p>

<p>Thank you Alex B. and Mr. Posner. Your comments have been helpful. Hopefully, more people with actual experience with this insurance will share their experiences.</p>

<p>Alam</p>

<p>I noticed on some websites (B&H for example) that they sell three and five year extended warranties with

Canon 5D Mk2 with and without the kit lens. These warranties claim to cover accidental damage etc.,

with full repair or complete refund. I would appreciate input/ideas/experience to the following

questions:<br>

1. Do people here on the forum buy these extended warranties and are they fairly priced?<br>

2. Is it better to buy the warranty for the 5D with the kit lens or just the body?<br>

3. Do these warranties actually cover what they advertise or are they like the car insurance companies and try to

make excuses?<br>

4. Do these warranties use Canon certified shops for repair or do they have their own repair shops?<br>

5. What are the implications for the Canon's warranty that comes with the camera?<br>

6. Any other caveats or pitfalls I should be aware of?<br>

Thanks<br>

Alam</p>

Thanks to everyone for their contribution to this discussion. I truly appreciate the detailed and thoughtful notes people have written here. I tend to agree that there will be almost no hardware issues in Canon or Nikon products. Software issues will always be there, and will be fixed over time.

 

The purpose of this topic was to get an idea about camera hardware problems in early production samples as compared to similar problems in other manufacturing industries, e.g. larger wafers with higher resolution in semiconductors, automobiles, etc.

 

By the time I can convince my wife to buy me 5Dmkii, I think most of the bugs, if any, will have been worked out.

 

Thanks again for your input.

Bob,

Thanks for the response. However, has it historically been true that early production models of complex cameras had quality problems from the production line that have improved over time?

When buying an automobile, it is commonly stressed, that it is better to avoid the earliest samples of a new model

production, because it takes a while for the factory line to be optimized and the initial bugs to be worked out. This is

especially true of a platform change in an automobile.

 

Since 5DMkII is a new model and essentially a new platform, would the automobile analogy hold true for the newest

Canon full-frame camera?

 

Any comments, especially from personal experience with 5D or other cameras, would be greatly appreciated.

 

I thank you all in advance for your time and effort.