New to DSLR - Help me please guys

[-Mike-]

Hey all,

I'm looking at getting a SLR - probably of the canon variety as the sample shots look pretty nice. I've managed to get some ok pictures on cheap digital cameras before now but I want to learn how to get great pictures, and I also want nice quality pictures of my little man before he gets old too fast!

I don't want to be spending 1k odd on a camera, something reasonably priced to get me into it. If I manage to become some sort of camera pro then I'll look at upgrading further down the line.

Many thanks

 

[An Exception]

5d classic 50mm 1.8

 

[mithrandir]

What is your budget?

 

[-Mike-]

Personally a maximum of £4-500. I know its not a lot but I don't have a great deal spare at the minute.

From looking on the MM, and ebay etc it appears second hand makes for good value for money? How good or bad is the eos 500d?

 

[mithrandir]

£4-500 is enough to get decent kit.

I got a 450D (one step below the 500D). It's a good starter camera coupled with the 50mm f1.8, is a winning combo.
You should be able to get the 500D with kit lens + the 50mm for under £500 and worth looking at a cheap flash too for indoor shots.

 

[-Mike-]

Hey,

Thanks for taking the time to educate me there! Cheap flash in addition to the built in flash or does the 500d not have a pop up jobbie?

I've found one cheapish but not too sure if its a good deal! Is the EF-S 18-55 lens any good ?

Initially I'm looking to get close up shots and some landscape bits and pieces at work over the summer (not sure if that helps with lense selection!)

Thanks

 

[mithrandir]

The 500D does have a popup flash, though a dedicated [external] flash will provide more control of the light.

The 18-55 IS lens is a good starter lens (IS = image stabiliser), this will be good enough for landscape shots, but close up shots will depend of how close you want to be. If say you want to take pics of your boy playing in the park/garden then the 50mm prime lens will be good especially as its a 'fast' lens (f1.8, etc) and will give you fantastic quality pics.

 

[-Mike-]

Hey,

Thanks again for the reply. He currently doesn't even crawl yet, but the shots I get from my el cheapo samsung camera don't even manage to capture that well indoors. Infact, my k800i camera phone takes better blur free pictures

I will try and find the lense you are talking about

 

[DcD]

Don't ask people "Is the X lens any good?". You need to be asking "Is the X lens any good for what I need to do with it?".

All lenses obviously serve different purposes. When I bought my camera (I first bought a 450d but now use a 5d MKII because of film work) I didn't even opt to get the 50mm stock lens. I went straight for an 18-125mm and 10-20mm Sigma, purely because the first gives me a more varied ability, and the latter because I'm a landscape photographer.

Before you part with your cash, learn exactly what you need, what you want to photograph (or specialise in) and then see what's in your range.

 

[-Mike-]

Hey mate,

I want to take nice scenery // sunset type shots at work and whilst out walking. I also want to get the best shots possible of my little man before he gets old and I miss the chance to do so!

From what I've read and the really helpful guy above, the 18-55 and the 50mm lense coupled would do well for my current needs? Should I go for an eos 500d at around the £300 mark or look for something else?

 

[DcD]

I'd say get a 450d. The body isn't going to affect your photography as much as a nicer lens will.

By getting that, you'll open your budget up to getting a couple of lenses. Personally, I'd say go for the Sigma 18-125mm and Sigma 10-20mm. The 18-55mm wouldn't be all that necessary, it has a wider aperture, but I don't think you're going to be photographing your kid in ridiculously dark rooms anyway, and you can use a flash.

On that note, the flash. I've never even bothered getting a flash personally. You can get some cheapish flashes, but really I'd say hold the money back for lenses (I'm lens crazy, I know). Or, get yourself a Cokin filter set up (Google this to learn more). Once you've sussed the camera, it opens up a whole new level of being able to significantly alter your photographs without the use of digital software, such as BULB shutter speeds and making water milky Examples here and here.

 

[-Mike-]

I've not seen any 450d's up on here. The 500d tempted me as it does 720p at 60fps also. I'd quite like to able to get some action shots and footage of my friends on trials bikes.

 

[Lunawolfy]

Don't rule out buying 2nd hand. I dunno about nikon but my second hand canon bodies have been phenomenal =]

 

[-Mike-]

I am more than happy with second hand, just can't see a lot about at the minute. Really want to avoid ebay if possible. The MM here looks favourable.

 

[pecnarf]

well i've seen the Canon EOS 500D + 18-55mm + 75-300mm Twin Lens Kit plus a Sandisk 8GB Extreme HD Video SDHC Memory Card for £500.43 if you want a flash too i've also seen a 360AFD Digital Flashgun for Canon for £69. i would post links to it but im not too sure if it allow or not in this selection of the forums as i know it againts the rules to post links to other companies. but if you do a google search, you should find it.

ps you have to buy memory card as the camera doesn't come with one unless the place you buy it from does a deal to add a one for little bit more or offer that has camera + lens + memory card + bag + uv filter

 

[Razor-BladE]

I know you said you want to avoid the bay, but if you don't mind buying import stuff, you can get a 550D + kit lens for £370.

 

[-Mike-]

Thanks for the replies guys. Razor, is it risky importing? I'm guessing 20% duty on that too. Could you trust message me an item no for that?

 

[Dunky]

If you can get a 500D + kit lens new or 2nd hand, it's a great place to start. It's what I started with and I loved it (the 500D IS kit lens which was the mkii version of the 18-55mm IS was pretty decent for a kit lens).

What I would say is that while certainly your second lens should be a 50mm 1.8, I don't see the need to rush out and buy it at the same time. Use the kit lens to get used to the camera, taking pictures, nailing focus, etc. first. The 50mm is a great second lens but I feel that if you're not used to a DSLR then it can be a little frustrating (fixed focal length and depth of field are both things that require a little more thought if you want good pictures).

 

[pecnarf]

my father imported the usa version of the canon 600d with kit lens plus few extra i think it came to £600 when rrp had same deal at £850. but as he mention the other day the company he got it from has gone into administration as he check the website to how much they did a len he after. so there the add risk of company going belly up when you import.

 

[Razor-BladE]

The only thing risky about importing is if you have any warranty issues. Because you wouldn't be able to get it serviced here (under warranty) in the UK.
You would have to send it back to wherever you bought it from which could be pricey.
In terms of functionality and such, it's exactly the same, just a different name (xxxD->UK, Rebel->USA, Kiss->Asia).

What they say about electronics is that, generally, if it works fine for the first few months it will be fine for it's lifetime, because any obvious problems will show within the first few months of use.

If you're ok with taking the risk with that then you save a lot of money.

It's what I'm going to be 'upgrading' to from 450D hopefully in a couple of months or so because I want to dabble in video and it's the cheapest way of doing that after selling my 450D.

Sent you a message.