Canon updates its popular Rebel G SLR with the affordable Rebel G II, which offers those experienced with point-and-shoot camera or beginning photography students an easy way to step up to a 35mm SLR camera. This kit comes complete with a high-quality interchangeable Canon EF 35-80mm zoom lens.
Compact and extremely lightweight, the fully automatic Rebel G II features a retractable built-in flash with red-eye reduction, a high-speed selectable 3-point autofocus system, and and settings for multiple exposures and other creative effects. It offers 11 exposure modes (full auto to metered manual with indicator) plus multiple exposure, exposure compensation, and autoexposure bracketing. The new Night Scene mode combines the perfect balance between natural light and flash for stunning portraits at sunset.
Other features include:
- Metered manual mode for creative exposure flexibility
- Partial metering and AE lock
- Shutter speeds of 30 to 1/2000 seconds in 1/2-stop increments
- ISO 25-5000 automatically set in 1/3-stop increments
The EOS Rebel G II is fully compatible with the complete line of Canon EF lenses, as well as a wide variety of optional accessories including a remote controller, a battery grip, viewfinder eyepiece accessories, and a comprehensive line-up of EX-Series Speedlites.
The camera measures 5.7 x 3.6 x 2.5 inches and weighs 12.35 ounces without batteries and 13.45 ounces with batteries loaded. It's powered by two CR123A/DL123A lithium batteries (3v) housed inside the camera grip.
1 I Love This Camera
I started out with a Canon SLR camera from the 70's and over time saved up enough money to buy this one. It's absolutely awesome! I'm desperately in love with my new Canon SLR! It's lightweight and has tons of features.
If you buy this camera, you should also think about buying extra lenses because the lens that comes with it is just your standard lens. Thankfully, Canon makes all different kinds that will work with this camera.
2 Inexpensive fun camera for students and shutterbugs
I had been using digital cameras for about four years (including my current Canon Digital Rebel) before deciding to attend a photo class at a junior college to improve my skills. The class needed a film camera, so I got the least expensive film SLR that Canon makes, which is this Rebel GII. Although it's pretty simplistic, it's more than enough for both students and shutterbugs.
The camera is very light and small. Most importantly, it accepts all Canon EF lenses, which is great. If you are a student and you're wondering whether to buy the camera body only or the camera with a kit lens, I would recommend you get the body only and get a different lens. For my photography classes, all you needed was a 50mm ("normal") lens, and Canon sells an extremely inexpensive but excellent lens, the 50mm f1.8 mkII, for about $75. That lens and this camera go together hand-in-hand; together they are still very inexpensive and light, so you should not have any hesitation to bring your camera everywhere you go. If you are looking for a modestly-priced but excellent zoom, you may want to consider the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 with Canon EF mount instead of Canon's own 24-85mm or 28-105mm (both of those are ok, but neither open up to f2.8, which, believe me, you will want as you progress with your studies).
There are some limitations to this inexpensive camera as you would expect. The autofocus has only 3 focus points (my Digital Rebel has 7 points, and higher-end cameras have 45). The fastest shutter is 1/2000 seconds (my Digital Rebel's fastest is 1/4000), so under sunny-16 conditions, you may not be able to reach your widest apertures because the shutter will not be fast enough. There is no depth-of-field preview. Finally, in manual exposure mode, you control the shutter speed with the top dial, but to control the aperture you must simultaneously hold down a button and turn the dial (similar to my Digital Rebel, but higher-end cameras have two separate dials).
Negatives aside, this is an excellent SLR camera for the price. It is perfect for students and anyone who just wants to have inexpensive fun with an SLR.
3 GREAT GREAT CAMERA
I bought my camera the day I was on my way to Disney World(Magic Kingdom) in less then 1 hour I was taking pictures. this Camera is simple to use and takes great photos. I love my Camera and I have recommended it to all my family and friends. I think that day I took 120 picture (5 rolls) and all of them came out GREAT!!!!! It was GREAT indoors and outdoors. And the motion setting was great for in the car....
4 Great Camera for Everyone!
I bought this camera in the summer of 2003 which was when I started my photography endeavor. This camera has been awesome for everything that I have done from practice portraiture, landscape, close up, and everything that I was able to thow at it. I still constantly use this camera as it still continues to intrigue me with its abilities.
Many, and I say MANY people complain online about the lense that is given in the kit. For the work that I have done, and the work that most amature to "prosumer" photographers do, you will not be so extremely dissapointed about this lense. I do have the EF 50mm f/1.8, which is awesome!
The Rebel GII is also extremely light to carry around, especially when compared to older manual type SLR's. Sure, its not as light as a point and shoot but its NOT a point and shoot, its a great SLR. As I advance more in Photography, by December 2004 I'll be buying the Elan 7Ne to meet all of my photo needs. Due to the weight though, the Rebel will be my more rugged body for those shoots that I don't want to risk ruining the Elan. Great camera overall, go buy it!
5 I love this camera
I just got my camera for Christmas and I love it. The quality is great, and it's so lightweight! Gotta have it if you're into photography...great starter camera.
6 Decent Entry Level Camera
My personal background: I've owned several Point & Shoot cameras, both digital and film, as well as an old SLR back when I was in high school. I'm a decent photographer and since I bought this camera in late August (now early November) I've shot probably around 400+ frames.
If you want to shoot in manual mode, this camera works wonderfully. The only downsides I've found is a tendency to under expose by about 1/3 stop and the 1 fps maximum. If you don't need high speed photography and can learn to compensate for the exposure (or take your film to a lab that does) there isn't a reason to buy any other Rebel.
If you use the various auto modes (landscape, portrait, etc.) you'll find the camera works pretty well. Using these modes I can hand the camera over to a family member and expect the photo to come out reasonably well.
The only serious downfall to this kit is the lens. It is about as crummy as lenses come. The photos look fine at 4x6, but if you blow them up, you'll notice they aren't very sharp. The good news is that when your skill develop enough that you realize this, you can go out and buy that nice 24-85mm zoom and 50mm prime and they'll work wonderfully. Expensive bodies are for people with money burning wholes in their pocket. This one is for you. :)
7 Easy to use! Excellent Pictures
I purchased this camera based on reviews from several different scrapbooking message boards. Scrapbookers know their cameras as their hobby is all about GREAT pictures. I have an old Canon AE-1 Program that I purchased 18 years ago and I am a big fan of digital camera. I have an Olympus C-50.
The Canon Rebel takes awesome shots. I took it to Disney World and did not take one bad shot. I used Kodak High Density film. The camera is so easy to use. The telephoto feature worked really well. In the auto mode it works like a point and shoot, but the pictures cannot be compared to a regular point and shoot camera. I am not the best photographer in the world, but this makes me look like I am. You won't be disappointed.
