550d Or Not 550d??

danny_bhoy

danny_bhoy

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,894
Name
Danny
Edit My Images
No
Hi all,

Up until a few days ago I was set on getting a Canon 550d. However, after reading (probably too many) reviews, I've sorta come to the conclusion that I'd probably be paying extra for something I'm never ever going to use....the full HD video capability.

I was going to pick one up for £400 ish - body only and maybe a Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM for £200 to go with it.

Any advice on what other makes/models I should be going for that maybe lean more towards semi-pro capabilities but sacrifice the video side of things?

Obviously it'll mean buying an older model but I'm all about the retro :)

Cheers,

Danny
 
Slightly off topic but coming from a film maker background I wouldn't say the 550d has great video potential anyway. You would need magic lantern firmware to make it viable.

Not that any of this rambling helps you of course, sorry!

Although, with many of the EOS range (600d, 5d and 7d in particular) you will be paying extra because DSLR's are really getting popular in the video industry. At uni we primarily use DSLR's for all of our film making. The 'standard' camera we use for filming is the 600d, then we use the 5d for special stuff and the 7d for over-cranking the fps. So basically, yes you probably will end up paying a little extra for the video capabilities. that's not to they that they aren't fantastic stills cameras too.
 
Thanks, that's probably helped me more than you realise, as in I didn't know that DSLR cameras where so widely used for primarily for their video capabilities. Therefore i am definitely paying for something that, to me anyway, will be a wasted facet of the 550d.

So, the issue still remains as to which make/model to turn to instead. Don't even mind something considerably older with no video mode!
 
You would be hard pushed to find a better deal than this. ( I have no connection with the seller)

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=402437

Add a lens and you have a great kit. This body is a massive step up in quality compared to the 550d.

You could even add an 18-55is mkii and a 55-250is with the £200 you have left for a great start up.
 
Last edited:
I'll back gary on his suggestion, the 50D would be a better buy for the money
 
Thanks for the suggestion guys. Unfortunately, being new here I don't have the forum privileges to access the classified adds yet so I can't view that.

I had been considering the 50D, kinda hard to find one that fits my rigid budget though.

I'm much clearer on what I'm after now thanks to you guys though, so cheers for that :)
 
Not sure if its a rule break but maybe a mod could help?
Could we point the seller in the classifieds in dannys direction as a potential buyer. ?
 
If you don't manage to grab that 50D you might want to look at 40Ds. They seem to have fallen in price to around the £300 mark or below.

Or if you really don't mind retro (small screen etc) then you may even want to consider the 5D mark 1. They seem to be going for around £500 at the moment. Combine that with a 50mm prime lens and you may quickly fall in love with full frame cameras.

The older you buy, the less % you lose on depreciation.
 
Yeah I've owned quite a few Canon bodies (1000d, 350d, 10d, 5d, 5d2, 1d2) and there is a massive jump in build quality to the point that I'd take a 40d over a 550d even if they cost the same and you only get 10mp, no video etc etc. I'd even go as far to say I'd pay more for a 40d because it's just so much more pleasant to take photos with.

I suggest you go into a camera shop and have a play.
 
danny_bhoy said:
Thanks, that's probably helped me more than you realise, as in I didn't know that DSLR cameras where so widely used for primarily for their video capabilities. Therefore i am definitely paying for something that, to me anyway, will be a wasted facet of the 550d.

So, the issue still remains as to which make/model to turn to instead. Don't even mind something considerably older with no video mode!
Click to expand...

People love them because compared to professional video cameras it is a lot cheaper to get a really decent lens and really shallow DOF which is very desirable in film making. They are also a lot smaller so they allow you to get into smaller places with the camera (of course once you have it on a rail system with a focus and zoom assist, a long lens and a large lens hood it is still pretty big but again, compared to film cameras it is pretty small.

In fact, the 2011 season finale of House was filmed entirely on a 5D MkII. A clear indication that DSLR's are going to be rivalling video cameras in the future.

Of course, there's still no way a DSLR could compete with a RED 5K camera for example; That is what they are filming The Hobbit with.
 
I'm quickly realising I've dodged a bullet by not snapping up the 550d with kit lenses when I first saw it.

So glad I came here for advice first!!!

I've pretty much got my heart set on a 50D so if any of you kind chaps could give the guy who's selling one in the classifieds a quiet nudge and point him I'm my direction (direct message me etc) that would be some awesome karma coming your way :)

Of course I don't want to bend any rules with me being new here, so, even if a mod could maybe step in and help me out that'd be great.

Thanks again guys.
 
:plusone: For the 50d. I picked up one on here with four batteries and a grip for a bit over £400.
Great camera, I love the feel of the bigger body compared to the xxxds and it's build quality compared to my 1100d is streets ahead.
 
Bondy said:
:plusone: For the 50d. I picked up one on here with four batteries and a grip for a bit over £400.
Great camera, I love the feel of the bigger body compared to the xxxds and it's build quality compared to my 1100d is streets ahead.
Click to expand...

£400-£450 for the body is my kinda price range seeing as I'll be forking out for a lens as well.

Taken me months of dithering to settle on a body, now it's just a matter of finding one! :)
 
Slightly changing the subject, but what it the real world difference in image quality between a 350d, 550d, and 50D. Also how does the best of them compare to something like a 5D3?
 
Fotografia said:
Slightly changing the subject, but what it the real world difference in image quality between a 350d, 550d, and 50D. Also how does the best of them compare to something like a 5D3?
Click to expand...

It depends....
 
Fotografia said:
Slightly changing the subject, but what it the real world difference in image quality between a 350d, 550d, and 50D. Also how does the best of them compare to something like a 5D3?
Click to expand...

That's a whole new thread I'm afraid and a big one at that, I'm sure if you do a search in this section you will find lots of info. Basically comparing the 350d or anything from that era is pointless. The build quality is better on the xxD series as opposed to the xxxD series and the image quality needs to be taken on a body by body basis and is dependant on what's important in your shots e.g. Large prints,good low light performance to name just a few.
The 5D mkiii is a professional high end full frame camera which is akin to comparing an Audi A3 to an Aston Martin DB9. Both will get you from A to B but that's where comparisons would end. It's a pointless debate.
 
Gazamonk said:
That's a whole new thread I'm afraid and a big one at that, I'm sure if you do a search in this section you will find lots of info. Basically comparing the 350d or anything from that era is pointless. The build quality is better on the xxD series as opposed to the xxxD series and the image quality needs to be taken on a body by body basis and is dependant on what's important in your shots e.g. Large prints,good low light performance to name just a few.
The 5D mkiii is a professional high end full frame camera which is akin to comparing an Audi A3 to an Aston Martin DB9. Both will get you from A to B but that's where comparisons would end. It's a pointless debate.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply, I was hoping somebody would say something like that. It confirms my suspicions.
 
can you post in the wanted section, if so give it a go, another vote for the 50D and the kit lens 17-85, I have had some great results with this set up and it even withstood a fall, with only a minor crack in the base plate on the corner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top