Canon 1000d - too basic to start with?

SlowSteve

SlowSteve

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Steve
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Hi,

Just looking for a bit of advice please.

I would like to move up from my point and shoot coolpix and get some better family pictures - my kiddie playing in the garden, holidays etc. It would be nice to get further into photography as I get better with a "grown up" camera as well - macro and landscapes appeal a lot.


I very much like the small size of the Samsung NX-10, but the lens are so limited in range that I don't want to take that route - I think Nikon or Canon would be a better route.

I like the size and feel of the Canon 1000d - and now that the 1100d is coming out, I think might be able to get a bargin soon.

But my question is - I am rapidily going to find this camera too limiting? I would prefer to not spend a lot - but equally, I don't want to upgrade in 6 months.

WOuld the 1000D fit the bill, or should i be looking one step up the budget range - at either the canon 1100d or the Nikon 3100?

Many thanks indeed.

Steve
 
I started out on a 400D and ok whilst I only had it for about 6 months I would have had it alot longer had someone not offered me such a good deal on my 50D+ 100-400 lens.

If i was just starting out again now I would look at what sort of photography i really wanted to do and do a search on here and see what results come up, I did not have a clue as to what sort of photogrphy I wanted to do at the time as everything appeals to me, so my camera does what i want it too, my 400D would probably have still been fine for the sorts of pics I do.

spike
 
Hi Steve,

I currently have the 1000D. I've had it for about 2-3 months. I want to upgrade already. Not really because I think it is not cutting the mustard but because I know I want more.

Many times I have heard "I wish I had bought the good stuff straight off". So for me personally, if I was in your shoes I would look at something better. The main reason is because I think you will be like me. Once you pick up an SLR, you're hooked !! :)

Good luck, you will love it when you start.
 
I am a canon 1000d user.Started about a year ago.
Still learning what the camera will do but my point is Iv'e joined a club and I feel if I want to keep up with my contemparies I will have to upgrade because the canon 500d or 550d does so much more, but where does it stop?
Once you make the choice on model its more difficult to change than upgrade
 
What you have to remember is though yes camera's do have limitations BUT nine times out of ten the new to photography person will never find the limits of the camera, I have learned that you will find the limits if the lens long before the camera9all depending on what you are shooting of course)
 
Very good point Spike. I definitely am unsure at this early point in my photography.
 
I have a 1000d and love it,I used to have a finepix5700 and this in my opinion is miles better the problem I found was when I started asking what camera do people recomend I was told that you'll need; followed by a hugh list of items and phrases that meant nothing to me and my reason for picking the 1000d was it has features I still dont understand and I think it will last me a few years at least until I feel that something more expensive will push me further hope this helps
 
Im also a 1000d user and have been pleased with the results. Ive owned it for 2Years and I'm on the lookout for a 40D/50D as we speak.

I found learning the features easy to pick up, I was a good introduction to Photography :)
 
I often muse that the need to upgrade is manufacturer driven, rather than needs driven. In turn, this leads to peer driven. In the heat of the moment, it's not easy to separate 'want' from 'need' :) Flashy Tarquin at the camera club has the latest tera-pixel with f1.0 500mm lens. His pics are still as crap as mine lol.
I suppose it's human nature to compete, though, and if money is no object and owning the greatest make you happy, then why not. Pro's, I can understand, they need the best to remain competitive.
I'm too practical to be in that camp. When I chose mine, it's limitations were of no consequence to me for what I normally shoot. It performs below extremes very well and that's all I wanted.
I have to say, though, I couldn't be without spot-metering ;)
 
I bought a second hand 1000D and thought it was a great camera to start with. I've got lots to learn about photography in general and have to say I dont see the camera holding me back at any point in the near future.

Mind you I've just had my nicked so may have to try something else.....
 
latercomer2 said:
I bought a second hand 1000D and thought it was a great camera to start with. I've got lots to learn about photography in general and have to say I dont see the camera holding me back at any point in the near future.

Mind you I've just had my nicked so may have to try something else.....
Click to expand...

450D has spot-metering :)
 
I started with a 1000D. I produced a photobook with it that sells for £16.99 RRP in local bookshops & in Amazon (NOT self-published...) If it's good enough for that... :P

I've upgraded to a 40D only because I wanted spot metering and a few other tweaks, but the 1000D is a very nice bit of kit to start on.
 
Spot metering is great for your kids in the garden etc. The 1000D is a fine camera, but lacks spot metering. As for kids, meter for faces and eyes. Oh and don't worry about technicalities :p
It's a bit more costly than 1000D, about 60-90 squid so. 450D. I'm a erm, grand parent. U gotta get those shots :)
 
I would look at getting a 450/500/550D. I started with a 40D and that was probably a too steeper step up from P&S. If you use it lots I fell you would want to upgrade to a xxxD camera within 6 months. Still remember lenes are a more limiting factor, and where my money would go. However, if you like the feel of the 1000D, go for it. :)
 
I started on a 350D and moved up to a 40D within 6 months or so. I don't know if a 40D (or similar in that range) would be too much for you to begin with or not. As with most things it depends on how much time you're willing to put into reading the manual and other books to learn (as well as, of course, getting out there and "doing it").

The one big difference I find is the fps is much higher with the 40D meaning I can capture much more of my son (18 months) when he's on the go all the time. I've recently got a couple of nice shots of him on a swing which I wouldn't have got with the fps on the 350D. Might just be something to bear in mind if you specifically want to shoot kiddies on the move (and lets face it, when do they do anything else BUT move :D )
 
If you can afford a used 450D, I would opt for one over the 1000D.
I've read a few posts similar to NOJ75's and in the long run you will be more content with it and you will probably keep it longer before wanting to upgrade.
The 1000D is a great entry level camera but most people soon get bitten by the bug and decide they need / want more from the body.
 
By the time I have mastered the 1000d, I will be so mentaly exhausted and worn out, I won't know anyway.
 
Hey! I started off with a 1000D, and pretty much exactly 6 months on upgraded to a 5d2... not too sure whther that says its good or not! For me I found it a bit slow in low light but otherwise a great starter cam. You get what you pay for at the end of the day so you will definitely have fun with it :)
 
thanks for all the input so far guys.

The desire to upgade will, I know, be a big one, but I'm not sure if it will be a justified one - I susepct I need to put in a lot of practise before I *actually* reach the limits of a camera.

If I don't go for the 1000d, does anyone have any other suggestions in the same price bracket - £300 to £400 and ideally not a physically huge camera as well?
 
with that budget you will get a refurb 450d w/ warranty from places like Currys outlet. or a 500d US refurb again with warranty from Digigood, comes with 18-55 IS lens and 4gb card..

is it Canon you want? Olympus are super cameras for the money and the best kit lenses, and something like the E450 will meet your small criteria and leave you enough budget left for another lens.
 
I've had my 1000d for well over 18 months now and its a great starter camera even with the stock kit lens with a bit of practise you can get sone good shots from this little camera.

see the link in my signature .
I only upgraded to the 50d as one came up at an offer I couldn't refuse .


Keep you eye on the classified on here get a second hand one and you will still have money left for other things like a second lens or a bag.

Hth.
 
When you say that the canon 1000d is not competitive enough to what features of the camera do you refer?

I am a bit of a newbie when it comes to the topic.. and have lately been considering this camera since it has some good specs for a budget d-slr.

thanks in advance 4 any help :)
 
Guys,

I just wanted to say thanks for all of the advice.

I think I have got to the following position - I have a three different models in mind now, and it's just a case of making a choice - they all sit within the same budget range.


NEW Samsung Nx-5
Pros:
Lovely and small
very user friendly for a first timer

Cons:
very limited lenses
NX-5 only available from Jessops - worries me.
Quite limited in terms of ability to advance


NEW canon 1000d
Pros:
Still pretty small
Wide availability of lenses
Fully warrentied
Lots of people have them - makes for easier advice

Cons:
Slow focusing + seemingly issues in low light
Getting old now
Looks like I will be tempted to upgrade very quickly


USED Canon 450d
Pros
It's in the xxx series, and seems to be pretty popular
Generally seen as a step up from the 1000d - may last me longer
Wide availability of lenses

Cons
now 4 years old
Unknown quality buying second hand/used
most reviews say that AF is so slow it's essentially unusable
most reviews say it is poor under incandesent light.
 
RE the 450 and low light, you may find that a lens like the Canon 50mm sorts out the low light issue. I got some great shots in low light using my 50mm and my 350d.

If it helps I started on a 350d knowing NOTHING about photography and I didn't find it too steep a learning curve.
 
I use a 1000d as well, and have to say never had any issues with it, Works really well gets the shots really crisply (with the right lens on), only thing i'd say about it is the low ISO of 1600 is the only thing letting it down for low light shooting, but as second camera choice for the future i can't see me getting rid of mine in a hurry, it fits my purpose nicely, however the 40d option as mentioned earlier would be an appealing one to go for me thinks, as that i something i might upgrade to eventually or a 600d hopefully
 
SlowSteve said:
most reviews say that AF is so slow it's essentially unusable
most reviews say it is poor under incandesent light.
Click to expand...

Most Canons are like that, even the 60D which is a current model.
The best bang for buck at the moment would be a 40D or 50D for a little more. You could always shoot in the green mode :thumbs: until you grow into the camera. The 40/50D is way better than the 450D in a lot of ways.

What is your budget ? bearing in mind you have to account for the price of a lens / lenses.
 
Last edited:
I've just upgraded from a 350D to a 40D and I have to say I'm loving the 40D so far. But it's a heavy camera and didn't you say you wanted a light one somewhere on this thread? (Sorry am on phone so just going from memory).
 
SlowSteve said:
Guys,

I just wanted to say thanks for all of the advice.

I think I have got to the following position - I have a three different models in mind now, and it's just a case of making a choice - they all sit within the same budget range.


NEW Samsung Nx-5
Pros:
Lovely and small
very user friendly for a first timer

Cons:
very limited lenses
NX-5 only available from Jessops - worries me.
Quite limited in terms of ability to advance


NEW canon 1000d
Pros:
Still pretty small
Wide availability of lenses
Fully warrentied
Lots of people have them - makes for easier advice

Cons:
Slow focusing + seemingly issues in low light
Getting old now
Looks like I will be tempted to upgrade very quickly


USED Canon 450d
Pros
It's in the xxx series, and seems to be pretty popular
Generally seen as a step up from the 1000d - may last me longer
Wide availability of lenses

Cons
now 4 years old
Unknown quality buying second hand/used
most reviews say that AF is so slow it's essentially unusable
most reviews say it is poor under incandesent light.
Click to expand...



What about a Nikon D3100 ?
Go and see what Ken Rockwell has to say!
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d3100.htm
 
i have a 1000d and can.t see me changing it anytime soon robust thing thats had more than its fair share of knocks an bumps an still produces the goods for me
if i were you i.d got to a camera shop where you can get hands on them
regards ian
 
I got the canon 350D back in October 2006 and I am still using it, don't feel the need to upgrade, this camera does everything I need it to and I have used it mainly for birds, wildlife, family and landscapes.

Age of a camera is not that important, I still use a T90 (1986) and an F1 (1981) almost everyday and they work just fine.


John:)
 
I don't think that its to basic to learn with. I started with a 350D which I still use and it is a really nice camera, but as many others have said, its very easy with photography to feel that you 'need' to upgrade when in fact you often don't, you just 'want' to.
 
You really need to look at what you want from the camera . I bought a 40d over 3 years ago and still have it ,the main reason for buying it was I wanted something that was a little bit more robust than a xxxD . I'm am only now starting to consider upgrading as I now feel that I'm starting to out grow it , but would no doubt keep the 40D as a back up . I also bought the wife a used 30D thats great for her uses , which in general is just snap shots and learning the basics .
 
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