Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3i 18MP SLR Camera

 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTuCRh8xUmk Canon EOS Digital Rebel T3i 18MP SLR Camera] 

I purchased this  [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTuCRh8xUmk Canon T3i]  bundle based 100% on customer feedback and price. I couldn't be more happy with it. This is my first SLR camera and I have zero experience with still photography.

First, you will NOT find a better price anywhere. After receiving my bundle, I went to best buy to compare and verify the deal and I have to say I was surprised as I was relieved... Here are the prices from Best Buy.

$599.99 Canon EOS Rebel T3i
$199.99 Canon EF 75-300 Zoom Lens

Already saved $100 right there, but it doesn't stop with that...

$15.00 Extra battery
$30.00 Wireless Remote
$35.00 16 or 32 GB HD SD Card (I picked up a 32 on sale but camera comes with 16)
$10.00 UV Filter
$20.00 Circular Polarized Filter
$20.00 Florescent Light Filter
$10.00 LCD cut to size screen protector pack

I'm not sure if the instructional DVD is included with the camera at Best Buy, but I saw the exact same DVD for sale on its own for $30.00. The Tri-pod and carry case are crap / cheap and will need to be replaced so I give them $0 value, but hey they do work and you can use them until you save up to buy better ones. I bought a real nice back pack case for $40.

So not even including the cheap case and tripod there's an extra $140 in accessories. So all in all this bundle saves you $240 over buying in retail at Best Buy.

Now for the camera... WOW what a lot of fun. Spent the entire paswt weekend in my back yard taking pictures of everything I could think of in manual mode. I watched some youtube videos on how to use an SLR and I'm finding it a fun challenge. I spent my Sunday out on the front lawn practicing taking pics of passing car license plates. Within an hour I noticed a huge improvement in my focus ability as well as speed. Like anything in this world, if you wanna be good at something you got to practice. I would not suggest using this camera for the first time at your daughter's wedding. Practice before you need it. After a few days of using the manual mode I tried the Automatic and found it worked pretty good. Pictures were taken super fast and the automatic settings were spot on in some cases. My goal is to learn how to use it on manual 24/7.

The built in flash is nice. Provides a lot of light but from what I've been told, I will probably end up buying an external down the road when my skills improve. But for simple party / dinner time use, the flash works great for me.

The camera battery life is also very good. I think I took upwards of 1,000 pictures on a single charge. Over the weekend I only replaced the battery pack once. I will say I did not spend much time reviewing the pictures on the LCD.

In conclusion, as my first DSLR I couldn't be more happy with this Canon T3i and the bundle here on amazon.com. In just the first hour I was taking some of the best pictures I have ever taken on any camera I have ever had before. With all the accessories and things to add onto the camera in addition to an overwhelming (at this time) number of options and settings on the camera... I believe the camera will be all I ever need as an amateur / recreational photographer.

I highly recommend the camera to anyone. I also highly suggest that you practice, practice and practice. "RTFM" Read The %&*@? Manual and/or watch the DVD and/or watch youtube. I had 2 co-workers try and talk me out of purchasing an SLR due to their poor experiences, thank god I did not listen. Now I have shown my co-workers a couple of the simple tips and tricks I learned (Like having both the Lens AND the Camera in AF or MF mode) and they are now enjoying their cameras as well.