This is my first post to this forum. Nice to meet all of you. I have many, many questions and I hope that someone will have the time to answer as much of what I ask as possible.

First some Background

Never owned a SLR or DSLR. I currently own a Canon G6 Powershot point-and-shoot camera. Being that I am not a serious photographer one would think that such a simple camera would suit my needs.

However, I do run my own website and forum and as PRESS I go out to conventions every year where I take photographs for the website.

What made me decide an DSLR was right for me was because I was with three friends that had DSLR cameras. We were at Comic-Con this year and herded into large auditoriums where we had to take pictures from the back of the room. These guys were snapping on telephoto lenses and getting really tight close-ups of the speakers on stage while with my point-and-shoot I couldn't even get in nearly as close.

....and then there is picture quality. Seems to be a significant difference in picture quality from a DSLR (even with kit lenses) compared to a point-and-shoot.

After much research on entry DSLR cameras I am down to two choices: The Canon Rebel T2i or the Nikon d5000. The Nikon seems to be the better deal. However, I own a Canon Speedlight that I use on my G6 and I would rather not have to buy a new speedlight for the Nikon.

Can't really tell which of the two cameras is better. The Nikon is highly rated and comes close to the more expensive D90. The Canon has more megapixels but I hear more megapixels bring out flaws in the lenses that come with the kit.

I decided to purchase KITS from either Best Buy or One Call. The reason I chose these outlets is financing. I can finance purchases made from these sites.

So, I have questions about the following two cameras....


Nikon d5000

Looking at the Nikon d5000 kits at Best Buy.

There seems to be two body/lens kits at a rather significant price difference.

The first kit, the lower priced one is here:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+D5...5000&lp=2&cp=1

It features camera and extra 55-200mm Vibration reduction zoom lens for $950


The second kit is much pricier:


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Nikon+D5...5000&lp=1&cp=1

It features camera and extra 70-300mm AF-S VR Telephoto lens for $1270

Would you recommend the pricier kit?


Canon Rebel T2i

Canon doesn't have as an elaborate kit as the Nikon.

Their kit is located here:

Canon - EOS Rebel T2i 18.0-Megapixel Digital SLR Camera - Black - Rebel T2i Kit

I would need a telephoto lens as well. I would suppose that this is the one that I should opt to purchase:

Canon - 55-250mm f/4-5.6 Telephoto Zoom Lens for Select Canon Cameras - 2044B002

What do you think of this Canon Package?


Realize, this is my first DSLR. I want to take impressive photos but I'm not looking to buy the most expensive lenses out there, that is, unless you guys feel these lenses would not suit me well at all.

Look forward to your advice. Thank you in advance.