Canon 500d good first purchase?

Paul870

Paul870

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Hi all, first timer here, be gentle :p

I'm looking for a camera+lens around the £500-£600 mark, I've visited the Jacobs nearest me and I've become attracted to the Canon 500D, it comes with a standard 18-55mm lens and easily fits my above budget.

I've some very light previous experience from an old friend who does some excellent photography, using a Nikon D3X which I was lucky enough to have a try off and caught the bug!

I'm visiting Egypt next month and see this as the perfect time to get my self a good ( within budget ) DSLR camera.

Now i've next to no experience with the 500D im looking at, other than I know the lens it comes with.
I'm not looking to use this just for a holiday camera, i'd like to do some action-life/wildlife/close up/motion work in the future, would this be a good base to start from?

I've very little knowledge on cameras, and would appreciate some solid advice on my first purchase!

Very much appreciated! Paul.
 
Hi Paul,

Im relatively new around here myself - but i can vouch for the 400-500D series, awesome cameras.

If you are going to want to shoot 1080p vids on it, then the 500D is the one to start with i reckon.

However, if you just want to take pics, it might be worth getting something cheaper (and/or second hand) to start with, get some lenses too because you will never be satisfied with the 18-55mm.

Then, once you've had a taster for a year or so, sell it and put a few more quid to it for something newer, your lenses will still fit....

I would honestly say for a bit of variation and being able to cover the basics, i would get a 400, or 450D and a 50mm Prime, a 75-300mm ish zoom lens, and you will be VERY VERY happy.

Otherwise, get the 500D that you fancy, and get the other lenses when you can afford it!

Nick
 
hi paul and welcome, firstly i cant comment on the camera as i have not used one (but i would expect it to be great), secondly you have to try them and see if they feel right in your hand,then you can see if they feel well built and feel nice in the hand, also the 18-55mm kit lens wont give much scope for your holiday. are you plaining in th future to invest more money, ie for a wildlife lens and a macro lens(for close up)
one thing for sure is the 500d is no d3x
 
Thanks guys!

Exactly the reason im posting really, the 500d felt good, but from looking around it seems, as you have said its all in the lens!
I'll be looking to put some money in to it in the future thats for sure, however nothing silly, unless i get truely addicted :)

What would i be loosing/gaining by going to a 400/450d over the 500d? other than as you say getting a couple lens by having the savings. I'm not too sure on the video side of things yet, it'd be nice for the future if I was to sway that way, but its not too much of a priority at the moment.

How do you mean not much scoping? i'll be honest i'm very new and looking to learn so if you dont mind bearing with me :thinking:
Is the standard lens useful for much, if anything for what i'm after? Even if its just for some nice holiday pictures till I get back and invest in more if needed?

Definately no D3X, I think he was on something to give me a few shots with it, or very trusting!!
 
the 500d has bit more mp over the 450d, wont see much in the image quality with that though. The 500 has a bit fast processor and a higher iso range which can be useful at time. tbh, with the standard 18-55 or most other glass you probably wont see anything difference in the image quality of the 450 and 500d.

I always dread the thought of getting a camera with video in it, your paying for it, that money could go towards glass or a higher spec camera with no video...but if its somthing your after.....

I would say the 450 and 500 both great cameras, my suggestion would be to buy second hand and put the rest into glass....if your like the rest of us you will be hooked and alot of people come back and say..I wish i done that I wish i done this etc.

The standard lens is good little lens for portraits and scenery etc, but you will run out of style of pictures if you want to do wildlife/sports etc. ....
 
I see where your coming from and im thinking the same regarding the video feature, i'm actually unsure when i'd use it, but keep thinking what if I'd find it useful later on - Although the extra cash saved would be nice for another lens.

However primary objective now is a camera with a lens that will produce quality images of the holiday. Other areas, atmosphere, styles etc i'll be looking in to once im back and have funds to look in to it further as i'm looking to be around for a good while with the amount of money im putting in to it :)

Might sound silly, but when is video on a camera like the 500D useful, other than family videos? Or is that its main use?
 
Tbh I have no idea lol

if I ever needed a quick video I would use my phone lol

I just can't see a camera designed to be held nicely or used as a video camera, I would rather buy a HD camera for 150-200 pound and use it properly.... Each to their own though but I only use my camera as a camera.

You lookin in the sale section on here? There a few 450 for sale with lenses might be worth a look for you, I am selling a 450 but no len with it.
 
Well im heading to town tommorrow to get some more info and get a feel for some more body + lens.
I've seen the section and some pretty good deals, including yours! however im looking to buy new with a full warrenty for my first buy, especially as i've no idea what to look out for!

Definately swayed to the 450 and the 500 d, will just have to see what they offer me if I feel the times right to buy :)
 
Paul870 said:
What would i be loosing/gaining by going to a 400/450d over the 500d? other than as you say getting a couple lens by having the savings. I'm not too sure on the video side of things yet, it'd be nice for the future if I was to sway that way, but its not too much of a priority at the moment.
Click to expand...

Image quality is not going to be awfully noticeable between the three cameras, unless ofcourse you're pixel peeping. What the 500D offers over the previous incarnations is better ISO performance, in terms of better IQ at higher ISO levels as well as going up to 6400 and 12000 when you extend it, however they are virtually unusuable as they're far too grainy, but it's there if you do need it.

You get movie mode on the 500D, in both 720 and 1080, however the 1080 is limited to 21fps.

The LCD display on the back of the 500D is also much sharper, clearer and brighter, 920,000 pixels vs 230,000 pixels on both the 450D and 400D. Also, the 400D only accepts CF cards, whereas the 450D and 500D both accept SD cards.

In other terms of performance, the 500D offers 3.4sec continuous shooting mode holdoing up to 9 RAW files in the buffer, the 450D has a slightly faster continuous shooting speed at 3.5 seconds, however only holds up to 6 RAW files in the buffer and the 400D is 3 seconds with space for 10 RAW files in the buffer.

Also, the 400D doesn't offer live view mode whereas both the 450D and 500D do.

I'd say rule out the 400D, it's lagging quite a bit behind now, but you should still be able to pick up a 500D or 450D second hand and still have some money left over for another lens, hopefully!
 
I just bought 400D, should be arrive on monday hopefully. I better off 400D so i can buy many lens much i can with rest of money and help to learning to use SLR for few months or so then i upgrade to 500D hopefully :) You say you going to Egypt? If i were you, i will get second hand 400D/450D to take to Egypt, tbh.
 
It all depends on how much you want to spend. I have a 500d and is a terrific camera. I had the chance to buy it much cheaper in the US on Christmas.

However if I were buying now with your budget and I wasn't interested in video. I'd get a seconf hand 450D from the classifieds here. The kit lens (18-55is) is a great lens for the money and you still would have money to get a 50mm 1.8 or a 55-250is (or maybe both).

Don't worry about the quality of the kit lens(18-55is). It's good and to have something better you'd have to spend over £200 in the lens alone.
 
I love my 500d but then I am a rare breed because I REALLY love the video side of it. Most of the stuff I use my camera for now is video so it's great for me. Do be aware that you gotta find the get arounds to make the video more manual and also the 1080 is pointless because it's only 20fps so stick with the 30fps 720.

If you're not interested in video then get as kmiragaya has said, get a cheaper body and better glass.
 
I'm not a photographer I just like to take photos and try to do something other than the snap shots most people do.

I have both a 450D and a 500D, I bought the 500D first and the 450D as a backup and to save swapping lenses while out and about if possible. I also let my Dad use the 450D occasionally he seems to be able to use it pretty well after a few hours showing him what does what. The main advantage of having these 2 is that they use all the same bits, batteries, battery grip, memory cards so it just made a lot of sense to me to go for the the 450D as a cheaper alternative to a 2nd 500D or upgrading to a 50D or a 7D.

I did want to upgrade from the 500D when buying the 2nd camera but I have been very happy with the purchase, the rear screen is the main difference for me the 500D is a lot better and the controls on the 500D allow you to move around the settings on the screen where on the 450D you press the different buttons that jump to the different settings. Once your used to to the way the 450D works then it is a lot faster and it has improved the way I use the 500D as before I would move to the different things rather than using the "shortcut" buttons.

Image quality wise not much in it really both are good, I am sure if I had the use of a 1d or a 5d I would be able to say the quality isn't as good but I don't so I'm not able to make that comparison. High ISO performance isn't great but it is a huge improvement over point and shoot cameras I haven't used the 450D at higher ISO so can't comment on that.

The video function, its good but I have only used it a few times and not really taken that much notice of it to be honest, the 550D does look a better option if your going to want to make use of the video feature more just seems easier to use. I do like the ability to shoot stills while video is recording on the 500D shame you get the shutter noise on the video. But the video is an extra feature that is nice to have if you ever need to use it.

I guess the main thing is the price, the 450D is pretty much discontinued now since the 550D release so places are selling them cheaper I hope, the 500D is still reasonably new ok 12 months and the prices have started to drop again due to the 550D. You can pick up 2nd hand 450D's pretty cheap now there are a few in the classifieds for less than £300.

Which ever you choose you will be happy with just due to the improvements offered by DSLR over point and shoot, just watch out for lens envy, you can easily spend a fortune on extra lenses and now need to buy a cheap long zoom for the 450D when my Dad uses it he complained the 18-55mm kit lens wasn't long enough.
 
i would never tell anyone ,to buy canon ,after my 2 cameras messing up . i have had error 99 , on my 350d and 1000d that was 2 weeks old , my 350d was 6 years or so and well used befroe i got it , but looking into this problem , showed it has effected every canon digital slr from day 1 and that it still effects every model to day , and they have done **** all to fix it .i lost lot of money , on canons and will never by one again . ill stick with my sonys or nikon.love the new nikon d5000 top camera id recomend one of those ofver unreliable canons. you may think i never had a problem with mine , you might be lucky and never do but its the thing in the back of the mind wondering if its going to happen next time your doing a wedding or on holiday and about to take theshot of a lifetime like i was, and lost it because the camera wasnt as good as it should be.

thats my opinion on it anyway lol current canon owners wont agree untill they get it happen .
 
I'd personally go for a second hand 40D (approx £400-£425). Plenty on here for sale. Get yourself a 50mm 1:1.8 for £50-£60 and you'll be laughing.
 
Just to let the OP know error 99 is the canon unknown error code, it appears when the camera senses a problem and this is on all canon digital EOS cameras, sometimes it may be a bad connection between lens and body, cleaning the contacts, remove and replace the lens will usually sort that problem other time err99 can be more serious and require canon service to repair. What would you rather happen the camera never tell you there is a problem so you carry on trying to shoot to discover a fault resulted in no images captured or saved to the memory card.

Yes canon should improve their errorr code system but most people will try the troubleshooting of clean the contacts, try without memory card try with no lens do this and that till they either find the cause of the problem or send it to canon for it to be repaired. The erro 99 is very well documented on the net.

Just remember you never read lots of people posting that their camera is working flawlessly, we just expect that to happen we only moan when things go wrong.
 
If you are buying it with the kit lens (18-55mm) they changed it from the 400D to the 450D by adding Image Stabilisation. The IS version has better image quality over the non-IS version so if you do go as far back as the 400D try and get it with the newer lens.
 
I know it's pretty much all been said but as another 500D owner would most definately give it a thumbs up. I bought it as my first DSLR as it ticked all the boxes, felt good in my hands and had the lens options further down the line.

The first thing I did (after joining here of course) I bought an aftermarket grip for the camera which made the camera feel alot more substantial in my hands and much better balanced.

The 18-55mm IS lens is a great little lens, I've added to it with the 50mm 1.8 which is tac sharp and very cheap (especially from Kerson on here) and have had a couple of zoom lenses (wish I had just bought the decent one first time!) and can't fault the camera at all :D

Only thing I would advise from my brief experience is save to buy the right lens first time rather than swap and change. If you want a decent zoom save and get a decent zoom, theres plenty of advise on here as to which ones would be good for a specific purpose and plenty of examples of shots that will have been taken with the combo your looking at :D

Most importantly have fun and don't forget to post photo's on here no matter how bad, if your tryingto learn the only way to get advise is to post what your doing :D :D
 
My OH got the 550D and she loves it. Higher ISO is much better than the 500D and HD video is full FPS unlike the 500D which has slow FPS HD capabilities.

After cashback the 550D is not much more expensive than the 500D so, if you can afford it, go with it.
 
hi Paul
nice to see you on here :)
funny thing is i replied to you on facebook thismorning & even sent you a link to this forum as a source of information & find you already on here :lol:

are you still sure you want to buy new? you get more bang for your buck second hand & you generally find camera gear has been well looked after & is often in as new condition anyway :thumbs:

i was considering a 40d or 50d before i got a blinding deal on my D200
they are worth a look if you fancy dabbling with used kit ;)
 
I have the 500D, and I'm very pleased with it. Yes, of course, the 550D is much better, but it still kicks some ass. I'm using the 18-55 Is, and it is very sharp. Also using the 100-300 USM, which isn't bad, but I'm definitely looking for a better long zoom for it.
 
I had a 500D. I then got my hands on a friends 40D & realised I had made a mistake. The quality of the construction & the larger size of the 40 makes it a more pleasant camera to use. It feels like a class bit of kit whilst the 500 was a bit small & plastic

I bought my 40D body from a seller on this forum for £425 which seems the going rate at the mo. It was absolutely as new. I then sold my 500D body for £471 - result!

I would suggest you try & get a 40D in your hand before you spend.
 
Thank you all for the overwelming help and information! :eek:

I went back to my local Jacobs over the weekend and held a few more different bodies, some felt ok, some seemed difficult to navigate but I found my self going back to the 500D regularly.
The sales guy I was dealing with was completely useless, I was asking genuine questions which i'd researched over this forum and google etc to see if the camera was the right one for me and he didnt seem fussed at all in helping, in fact I'm not sure he wanted to be talking to me! Not the friendlyest of welcomes!

Luckily enough someone else came over and answered what I was looking for, after reading on here to buy second hand, or possibly go to the 450D I'd already fallen in love with the 500D and took the plunge! Managed to knock a few quid off the asking price, and picked up a decent bag that was on sale reduced by £20!

The controls all seemed to fall easily to my hand/thumb/finger, the menus are easily useable and self explanatry.
As my first proper DSLR my initial thoughts on image quality is absolutely amazing, however im sure this is the case with any decent model!

I had a little time to play with it this evening and trying to get to grips with it, using the creative auto shooting trying to contrast objects with backgrounds etc.
I seem to be finding it hard to get really vivid colours, taking some shots outside and outside I either find the picture comes out too bright, or too dark.. finding that inbetween sweet spot is prooving hard.. is this normal to find when starting out?

The images I've seen in the studio section are great! but putting some doubt in my mind wether I can do similar quality hehe! Hopefully with abit of dabbling ill get there!

Again, I appreciate all the comments and help, i'd kept my eye on this thread when I was out looking to see what i'd fancy and it helped, even if I did buy new :gag:
 
Practice practice practice.

It will come with time and as most will admit here, you'll never stop trying to get it right so just have fun. Don't worry too much about the colours, you're either shooting in RAW or you can adjust the amount of saturation, contrast, etc in camera for the jpegs, just read the manual it should be in there. Happy togging :D.
 
Hi Tirpitz (Adam)

If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose a D200 over a 50D? Cheers

I bought a used 40D and a used D200 and need to sell one but am having major trouble deciding which!
 
Paul870 said:
The sales guy I was dealing with was completely useless
Click to expand...

been there with jessops before. There was a guy from canon there (jessops canon expert) I was asking him questions about a 50d.....didnt have a ****ing clue! got 3 answer off him which were totally wrong!
 
Well I'll have to keep going, off work early so fingers crossed the sun will play ball!
Are Jacobs/jessops all like that? I'm not sure if there are any other camera shops near me but I'd like to put my money in to somewhere who'd actually throw some decent advice my way, but thinking more after all the help I've recieved on here future investments will be put toward the for sale section!

I'll put up some pictures later on, wether they're good or not I'll let you decide!
 
Not all Jessops are that bad, my local one is actually very good :D

Grats on the 500D, a cracking camera which I am sure you'll enjoy :D
 
Hi Paul, pleased to hear you're happy with your new purchase. I remember the excitement of getting my first SLR! I bought a 500D myself about 6 months ago after using a 400d and it's served me very well.

Contrary to the message from some posters, I like having the video function; it's great if you're at events where you want to capture the action a little more fully (birthday speeches/shows etc). I would advise against using the highest video setting as the frame rate drops very noticeably, the resultant files are enormous and my computer even struggles to play it back smoothly.

Before you go on holiday try it out as much as possible to become completely familiar with what all the buttons/switches and settings do. The last thing you want is any stress on holiday because you can't get it to do what you want. It's as grey.squirrel said, practice practice practice ;) That being said, you've only got a month, so perhaps focus on understanding the basics such as aperture/shutter speeds and iso's in everything from sunshine to low light (that's the really important bit!), then move on to the other technical bits if you have time.

Looking forward to seeing your pics anyway, best of luck! :thumbs:
 
Now if you still have funds, try to get a Canon 50mm f/1.8 here in the forums. They run for 50 to 60 used and 75 new from Kerso.
 
They run for 50 to 60 used
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You've got to be the fastest gun in the west to get a 50mm f1.8 when someone post's one for sale on this forum!
Best just get a new one from Kerso, even if you want to sell it after a year or so you'll have only lost £15-£20 in depreciation
 
Reckon you made the right choice if its the camera that feels comfortable to use.

Bought one myself last summer and been very pleased indeed with it, splashed out on a Canon 17-55 IS and that certainly makes full use of the 15mp

You will continually be told that you should have got a secondhand 40D and how much better it is, not much good if you didn't feel happy using it
Do agree its got a sturdier body, but not at all convinced that it gives better picture quality. Apart from being very subjective, cannot see any reason technically for an increase in IQ

Enjoy!!
 
Thank you all for the posts :)

I've been out today over to the far end of crosby beach and took about 100 photos, im slightly dissopointed with the end results, but it seems to be a repeated problem which I hope to solve with some guidance!

The weather wasnt the best, cloudy with gloomy light. Maybe this played some part in it, but im sure it could of been compensated for? or not?!

Here are some shots, i'll add some words with what Id of liked, or what I expect. None of these images have been tampered with, I use photoshop CS2 and have only resized them for forum use!
I'd not like to do too much image tampering, however if this is normal maybe its what I need! But I'd much prefer the shots to be right from the camera.

rockside.jpg

Shot seems too dark, however the focusing is what I was aiming for.

rocksideaperature.jpg

Had a play with shutter speed and aperature but wasnt too sure what I was doing, managed to brighten it up slightly although the colours are not as vivid as I want.

seaweed.jpg


Tried playing with the creative auto shooting here, blurring the background abit and trying to fiddle with brightness, again the colour - as in the green area doesnt seem to 'jump' out at me which is what i was hopeing to acheive.

closebolt.jpg


Played with depth of feild, it worked exactly how I wanted it but it comes over too dark like the problems i've had on the other shots.

iron.jpg

Focusing worked good, but not enough colour
 
landscape.jpg


landscape2.jpg

I like this, but it seem too dark again!

A few of the car, had to be done :)

car.jpg

mirrorcap.jpg


Is what I'm looking for achievable, was it to do with me, or more down to groggy conditions?
I love pictures with colour thats jumping out, the shots above seem bland to me, or am I being too harsh? :thinking:

Can some one give me a quick run down on the following, if its what i need to look in to!

Shutter speed - whats the effect when I higher or lower the number? is there a rough number I need to be around?

Aperature - same again, what happens and whats a starting point?

ISO - not got a clue on this what so ever! What does it do, and what happens when i lower/higher the number?

Sorry for all the questions! hopefully I can get what I'm after :)
 
ramccann said:
Hi Tirpitz (Adam)

If you don't mind me asking, why did you choose a D200 over a 50D? Cheers

I bought a used 40D and a used D200 and need to sell one but am having major trouble deciding which!
Click to expand...

i'll send you a PM explaining why i went the way i did. dont want to ruin Pauls thread :)

Paul

have a play with the setings on this page here - http://www.kamerasimulator.se/eng/?page_id=2

should give you a feel for what difference each adjustment makes :thumbs:

as for your pics it looks like a grey old day & sometimes natural light just wont give us what we want. with experience you'll be able to get the best from any situation. as for your colours you might have to dig into your menus & turn the saturation up. a canon user should be able to tell you where those settings will be ;)
of course you could tweak them with your CS2 ;)
 
Thats fantastic! bookmarked that one :) explains alot, sooner!

id appreciate if someone could point me in the direction of saturation adjustments for my camera as Lewis mentioned.. will give the manual a look over too but claification would be nice :)
 
If your shooting in raw (definately recommended) have a play in DPP (software that came with the camera), the tool palette can be opened up with Alt+T on the ketboard and you'll be able to play with exposure, colour saturation and change the white balance used etc. It can be a life saviour on those dull days...
 
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