Canon EOS 550D (Rebel T2i)...

Here are the first test shots.

This is a jpeg shot hand-held, EF-S 18-55 IS; 20mm focal length, 1/30 sec at f3.5 (wide open) at ISO 800. The only lighting was the CFL lamp shown in the pic. Fair amount of digital noise is apparent, but not objectionable; highlights very well handled. Native size of images is about 21.5" x 14.5" @ 240dpi or about 5184x3450 pixels.
Attachment 3966

This is a detail from the center showing that the keys are surprisingly sharp for hand-holding at 1/30. The "kit" lens is not the best, but far from the worst I have seen, and the IS seems to work fairly well. I ain't the steadiest hand on the shutter, for sure.
Attachment 3965

If the damned wind here drops to hurricane force or less tomorrow, I plan to take it out for a spin with a few other odd bits of glass. Need to get some time with this thing before taking it out for real; but for a few really esoteric menu items, it seems pretty straight-forward.

I have large hands, and the camera is a bit small; I added a cheap-ass battery grip (from China) just to give me something more to hang onto. I used one on the previous camera, and I got used to it. Instead of paying an additional $165 for the Canon grip, I bought this one for $30! Damn if it isn't pretty well made -- almost as good as the Canon model I can no longer use. We shall see how it holds up.

Holy sheet man... I feel like I can reach out and feel the wood grain in those pics :O

The heck with the camera, how's that single-malt?

Hands off the private stock. Why do you think I need image stabilization?

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Originally Posted by W3MIV

Hands off the private stock. Why do you think I need image stabilization?

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And I see you've got the cover-up mints handy! ;)

And about noise in low-light. I rationalize that that's there on purpose to simulate grain from high ASA film!

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Originally Posted by W1GUH

And about noise in low-light. I rationalize that that's there on purpose to simulate grain from high ASA film!

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I've found that setting the ASA on my digital camera (a high-end Panasonic with Leica optics, but a not DSLR) to 200 or less minimizes digital noise.

But you cannot take many photos in available light at an ISO of 200 or less.

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Originally Posted by W3MIV

But you cannot take many photos in available light at an ISO of 200 or less.

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It's a trade-off. Personally, I'd rather drag out the tripod or monopod than have a lot of digital noise in my photos. YMMV, of course, and if it's something important enough I'll just say "eff the noise" and dial up the ISO if that's what it takes.

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Originally Posted by KJ6BSO

It's a trade-off. Personally, I'd rather drag out the tripod or monopod than have a lot of digital noise in my photos. YMMV, of course, and if it's something important enough I'll just say "eff the noise" and dial up the ISO if that's what it takes.

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Now there's something that pretty much goes with me everywhere. I'm wondering if a tripod can go as carry on?

Somehow I can't see TSA permitting either a monopod or tripod to go into the passenger compartment as carry-on. I could be wrong (stranger things have happened ;) ), but if I cannot carry a tiny nail-clipper on board, I can't imagine being premitted to board with a virtual bludgeon.