BUDGET of £2000 - Please help spec a Canon setup!

Moos3h

Moos3h

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James
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Hi folks,

A friend of mine is going to be doing some shooting with me and wants to update his kit. He's a canonite (boo!) and already has Flashguns and a nifty fifty.

What will he be shooting? General stuff, but a lot of theatre performances, some wedding bits as 2nd shooter and some events. I've recruited him as a bit of help at some things I'm covering.

He has a budget of £2k and for that needs:

1). An excellent c18-50mm zoom - 17-55 maybe?
2). A cracking camera body capable of great low light performance
3). A 70-c200 (or 300) lens, ideally with IS
4). Memory cards

What do you guys think?

Part of me says go for a used 40D and splurge the rest on the glass, but would he be happy with the low light? Another bit of me says go used 5D mk1 and ANOTHER bit of me says go new 550D!

Any help would be appreciated, I've taken my eye off the ball when it comes to kit at the moment so have no experience of the latest lineup, especially when it comes to Canon!

Cheers,
James
 
Used 5D2 plus 24-70 or 24-105.

Get the 70-200 when funds allow.
 
600D, 17-55mm and 70-200mm f/4 IS plus cards would be in his budget if lenses are bought s/hand
 
Thanks guys - some good suggestions so far, but you can see why I was at a loss as to exactly what to prescribe!

We went to Jessops today though and he hated the 60D (he's coming from a 20D) but oddly didn't mind the dinky 550d!

Cheers
James
 
You may find this useful in comparing cameras:

5630405857_65f1ba3b1f_b.jpg


Of those, the 5D2 has the best ISO performance (just because the cheaper cameras auto-ISO to higher than the 5D2, it doesn't mean they provide a better image quality ;))
 
Cheers for that - I've used a 5Dmk2 before and loved it so would have no hesitation in recommending one. The only downside is the price leaving no money for glass, and I have that maxim 'spend the money on glass' rattling around in my head!

I feel some pressure on me, as he's totally happy for me to sort it ;)
 
Moos3h said:
Cheers for that - I've used a 5Dmk2 before and loved it so would have no hesitation in recommending one. The only downside is the price leaving no money for glass
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I bought my 5D2/24-105 for less than £2k second hand. It really does take better pictures than the 7D (which has the same sensor as the 600D/60D/550D).

Pick up a 70-200 F4 non IS for £350 when funds allow would be what I'd do (even though a 5D3 will appear at sometime).
 
If image quality is top of the priority list then the 5dii is the way to go, especially for low light/noise. it really is a step up over the other cameras in that price range.
 
My question is why isn't your friend sorting this out as it's his cash and will be his kit?

Surely it would be wise for him to know what he is after?

If it were me...

Used kit:

5D mk I
17-40 f4 L
70-200 f4 IS L
50mm 1.4

Covers all focal lengths for most of the stuff he is after.

Would be great if he could get a 5D mkII but there would be no monies left for glass.

5D mk I is perfectly capable of shooting low light, especially with the 50mm 1.4 on it.
 
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mrjames said:
This is perfect, add a macro and this is all 99% of people would ever need for any situation in good light
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Why add a macro lens? Just get a Hoya +4 up close filter and save a few hundred £££.

Works for me. Of course, the 100mm 2.8 macro is perfect and I do regret selling mine.
 
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John Doran said:
Why add a macro lens? Just get a Hoya +4 up close filter and save a few hundred £££.

Works for me. Of course, the 100mm 2.8 macro is perfect and I do regret selling mine.
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I've not had very possitive experiences with close up filters. Macro lenses make good portrait lenses too. The tamron 90mm macro would be my choice, although I would strongly recommend saving extra for the canon 100mm

using some extension tubes on the 50mm will be great for macro too
 
I agree 110% that the 100mm 2.8 macro is stunning as I had one. Sold it due to not using it often...

I regret selling it every day. I will be replacing it but in the mean time, £45.00 (ish) for the Hoya +4 will do me just fine. You have to nail the focus point but other than that it's fine.

Works for all sorts. I also have a extension tube for the 50mm 1.4 which is great.

For the record, I use the canon 24-70 2.8 L with the Hoya and it's fine.... Not as good as the macro but it does what I need it to for now.
 
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itsdavedotnet said:
the 5D is an oooold camera...

7D, and second hand canon 17-55 and sigma 70-200 2.8 lenses...
Click to expand...

It might be an old camera but I still get great shots from my 10D which is ALOT older....
 
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Dull suggestion I know, but a 50mm is never a bad choice. Even on an APS-H body is still works as a fantastic all-rounder.
Also if he's doing theatre photography, he'll want a nice fast lens because d lighting. Too much ISO ruins :/
 
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