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.
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. :)
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