Reply To: Fauxtogs who should end up on the main page…

[cameraclicker]

That Lightscoop looks neat!  I like the more advanced one that can tilt and swivel.  I don’t think I will get one thought.  I usually use a 430 EX II with my Rebel.  It has a lot more power than the pop-up.

Going through her page I see she got a new lens, too.  She got a 35-80 mm, which I had not heard of.  This is what Ken Rockwell had to say about it:

This Canon 35-80mm lens is currently under review. It’s an all-plastic lens with iffy performance if you’re picky, however it’s a weightless lens that covers the important focal lengths and focuses fast and super close.

Resolution is sloppy compared to the 24-70mm f/2.8 L II, and there is no lens correction profile available, but for actual shooting as you can see, it’s fine.

I guess if you are going to be a low price leader, you should keep your costs low.  The sample photo on Ken’s page looked pretty good.

I have a Rebel T2i.  I loved it the moment I saw it, and it takes excellent photos.  Canon is up to the T5i now, though the performance that really matters has not changed enough to cause me to upgrade.  I lost track of the shutter count around 40 thousand shots.   The body is not as rugged as a 7D or even a 60D, but if you take care of it, it will serve well and the photos should be just as good as from either more expensive body.   It is not as good in low light as the 1Dx, 5D Mk III or 6D, but then neither is the 5D Mk II and those are still being used to take lots of excellent portrait and wedding photos.

In her blog, she says she upgraded her gear!  It sounds like it is still all entry level stuff.  It should still produce better photos than she has in her portfolio and on Facebook.  I think you are correct, it would help if she got a decent speedlight or two and learned how to use all her gear.