Canon 60D - Which lens for a complete beginner?

Noggerwood

Noggerwood

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I’ve finally decided to spend some money and take the step up from a compact to a DSLR.

After weeks of researching and reading various reviews, I got my finalist list down to the Canon 60D, Canon 550D or Nikon D90. After spending over an hour in Jessop’s handling all the contenders, I’ve decided to go for the 60D. I’m aware this maybe a bit of overkill with me only being a complete beginner but the 60D just felt a lot more comfortable to hold in my (big) hands.

My next decision is what lens to get with the camera, and this is where I’m looking for a bit of advice, as I don’t fully understand all the different lens options (yet).

I’m stepping up from my trusty Panasonic TZ-7, so I’m used to having 12x zoom. I’ll mainly be photographing kids, weddings, gigs and maybe a few when I’m at Twickenham for the rugby.
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Do I go for one of the kit lenses - 18-55, 18-135 or 17-85. Or do I just get the body on its own and get a separate lens, if separate, which lens would be best for a beginner for type of photography I’m going to be doing? Also do I go for Canon or a 3rd party lens?
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From reading all the forums, I’ve decided that I’m going to get a ‘nifty fifty’ no matter what; it’s just a case of what other lens to get as well.
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Also, any advice or websites that could educate me about the different type of lenses, how focus length affect the image and how to figure out which type of lens I need would be much appreciated.

Thanks
 
body only and seperate lens!

ive had and sold the 18-55 IS lens .. whilst its good and cheap - it is exactly that - not enough zoom for me and not wide enough - plus ona 60D you want some nice glass ..

17-85 i have one atm and i want to sell it .. dont like it ..

if i were you id buy a 50 1.8, and a tele lens of some sort for your zooms
 
Noggerwood said:
I’ll mainly be photographing kids, weddings, gigs and maybe a few when I’m at Twickenham for the rugby.
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sorry, can't help hearing alarm bells here. Be very careful about getting into wedding photography, you need suitable equipment (fast lenses, probably full frame body, flash set up) and experience because there are no retakes.

Can we get some idea of budget? Can't really make recommendations without knowing how much you're willing to spend.

A 'nifty fifty' is a good idea for a starter portrait lens, cheap and sharp (stopped down anyway)
You asked about 3rd party vs canon lenses, this is very much dependant on what specific lenses you are looking at. But in general, canon lenses are better but more expensive, and 3rd party aren't quite as good, but are cheaper and offer better value if you're on a tighter budget. There are exceptions to this, but it holds true in general.
 
Sorry, should have pointed out that I'm just an amateur, taking pictures for fun, so no need to worry me spoiling a happy couples big day with some bad snaps. A lot of my friends are getting married in the next 24 months, so id like to be able to take some nice shots while attending.

With regards to the budget, I've got about £1100 to spend, I could probably wait a month and get £200 to put towards it that is my maximum limit. I've have seen the body only for around £720 & £75 for a 50 1.8 from kurso.
 
I would go for a used body, like a 40D, which can be had for around £350-£400.

I have one and I love it, and many people will probably recommend the same, as this is the advice that I was given 6 months ago.

This would leave you with around £700 for glass, which again, I am sure many others will also suggest.

You could go for a nice fast walk about lens, such as the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non vc which a lot of people have, and also a Canon 70-200 F4 L. If you bought both of these used, you would still probably have £100 left over and a nice beginner set up!

Craig.
 
Noggerwood said:
Sorry, should have pointed out that I'm just an amateur, taking pictures for fun, so no need to worry me spoiling a happy couples big day with some bad snaps. A lot of my friends are getting married in the next 24 months, so id like to be able to take some nice shots while attending.

With regards to the budget, I've got about £1100 to spend, I could probably wait a month and get £200 to put towards it that is my maximum limit. I've have seen the body only for around £720 & £75 for a 50 1.8 from kurso.
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Leaving you with £300-500 for other lenses?

Personally I'd go for a used tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 non VC (VC= tamrons image stabilisation, the non VC version is generally considered to be sharper), covers wide angle up to stand zoom length on an APS-C body, and you get great sharpness.

And a canon EF-s 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS for medium to telephoto, i.e. stuff further away. Should just about fit in your budget, and you cover all the ranges from 17-250mm, plus you have the fast 50mm prime for low light.

Then I'd start saving for a flash gun and 70-200 f/4L sometime in the future, because you're going to end up wanting one. Or get a cheaper body and buy those now.
 
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Reckon the Canon 17-55mm IS would be an ideal companion to the 60D, its definitely the nicest lens in that sort of focal range
 
MrCraigBerry said:
I would go for a used body, like a 40D, which can be had for around £350-£400.

I have one and I love it, and many people will probably recommend the same, as this is the advice that I was given 6 months ago.

This would leave you with around £700 for glass, which again, I am sure many others will also suggest.

You could go for a nice fast walk about lens, such as the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non vc which a lot of people have, and also a Canon 70-200 F4 L. If you bought both of these used, you would still probably have £100 left over and a nice beginner set up!

Craig.
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Hehe, I posted while you were posting. Great minds think alike :lol:
 
Noggerwood said:
I’m stepping up from my trusty Panasonic TZ-7, so I’m used to having 12x zoom. I’ll mainly be photographing kids, weddings, gigs and maybe a few when I’m at Twickenham for the rugby.
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I assume you just mean taking pics. at a wedding as a guest and not as the official photographer. :)

Why not go for a good deal on the body with one of the kit Lens to get going and then see what you feel you need for glass as you get on.

The 18-135mm would be a good starter for a walk about lens as it can be had for a good price and you can always trade later when you know your requirements more.

60D about £750
+18-55 about £860 :thumbsdown:
+17-85 about £1,010 (not everyones favourite lens)
+18-135 about £960

The 60D & 18-135 is available from Bestbuy at £989.99 with 14.89% Quidco cash back which makes it more like £850 net for the kit.

You could use this for a while then see what you need and change your glass later.
 
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pmcgsmurf said:
+17-85 about £1,010 (not everyones favourite lens)
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er!!! 17-85 about £1,010 ? Surely a typo, either that myself and many others on TP who have sold that lens will be having kittens :'(;)

I'm sure you meant £110.00.... hope
 
whoops! need to stop having a tot or two of rum in the afternoon :D
 
frank said:
er!!! 17-85 about £1,010 ? Surely a typo, either that myself and many others on TP who have sold that lens will be having kittens :'(;)

I'm sure you meant £110.00.... hope
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No, "+", I was meaning the 60D plus the appropriate Lens. :D
 
I think for a beginner, take the 50mm f1.8. It's cheap, great optic, great image for the price. Much better than the 18-55 kit lens. I am currently using the 50mm f1.8 with my 60D, and I am loving it. And to be honest, after I compared the f1.4 and f1.8, I think the difference is not that much. The reason why 1.8 is much cheaper than 1.4 is because the build quality. 1.8 uses plastic and 1.4 uses most metal and it is coupled with USM. But for a beginner 1.8 is the way to go.
 
MrCraigBerry said:
I would go for a used body, like a 40D, which can be had for around £350-£400.

I have one and I love it, and many people will probably recommend the same, as this is the advice that I was given 6 months ago.

This would leave you with around £700 for glass, which again, I am sure many others will also suggest.

You could go for a nice fast walk about lens, such as the Tamron 17-50 2.8 non vc which a lot of people have, and also a Canon 70-200 F4 L. If you bought both of these used, you would still probably have £100 left over and a nice beginner set up!

Craig.
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I agree with above! Really happy with mine. 40D is new enough that it doesn't feel obsolete (10MP, nice big LCD), yet old enough you can get it dirt cheap. Solidly built and fast burst mode as well.

I started out few months ago with a used Canon 40D, 50mm 1.8, 18-55 IS and Sigma 70-300. It was a good combo but would have been better if I had bought the 55-250 IS instead of the 70-300mm. The Sigma I got very cheap from a mate and while ok wasn't as sharp as I'd have liked.

Now I'm nearly complete with my first round of upgrades.
- I found I shoot a lot of landscape so got a Sigma 10-20
- I wasn't happy with the telephoto so got a 70-200 f/4L to replace the 70-300.
- For now 18-55 IS is good enough, but not sure whether to get a f/2.8 fast standard zoom e.g. Tamron 17-50mm, or a ~30mm fast prime (Sigma 30mm f/1.4 maybe)

For cheapest, good quality combo I'd go for
Canon 40D (£320)
Canon 18-55 IS (£60)
Canon 50 f/1.8 (£70)
Canon 55-250 IS (£130)
Total = £580

Nice combo within your budget
Canon 40D (£320)
Tamron 17-50 non VC (£200)
Canon 50mm f/1.8 (£70)
Canon 70-200 f/4 L (£380)
Total = £970

Slightly over your budget but a really nice set up
Canon 60D (£630)
Tamron 17-50 non VC (£200)
Canon 50mm f/1.8 (£70)
Canon 70-200 f/4 L (£380)
Total = £1280

If you'd rather not change lenses too often, 15-85mm IS is supposed to be very sharp, but is kinda expensive for what it is imo at around £500.

Mix and match, considering your priorities :)
 
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Just to throw a spanner into the works - Canon 24-105mm f/4L IS may be an excellent single lens solution (till you decide to get an extra ultra wide or a long one). IQ is wonderful and good range.

50/1.8 may seem like a cheap and excellent lens, but it is not really that good optically or mechanically. Mine lasted 2 days with me - hated it. f/1.4 version is now in my bag and gets used once every two months, while 24-70 is nearly everyday.
 
Thanks for all your comments, I went for the 18-135 kit lens in the end.

I thought that would be best for me as a beginner upgrading from a P&S. Although some people may think it is not be the best optically, to my beginners eyes, it is amazing! I'm really happy with it.

I'm sure that once I'm a bit more experienced and I've been shooting for a few months I'll have a better idea of which lenses i need to meet my style. Then it'll be a case of trying to convince the better half it's a good idea to spend £xxx's again :@)
 
Don't worry about the choice, it's a good lens for the money and handy as a "walk about" with a good range.

Optically it may not be the same as a 70-200 but until you have the confidence to move up the 18-135 will do just fine.

I often fit my 18-135 and go out with this and the body only and love the quality/convenience.
 
I'm new to photography but having read alot of threads on here the Sigma 17-70mm f2.8-4.5 Macro Lens HSM would seem to be a good contender also. ;)
 
I would suggest the 60d+the 18-200/18-135+50mm 1.8. This is because if u r more use to the zoom lenght your compact can offer, the extra zoom range can come in handy. And to me the prime is a must. Well that's just my opinion..
 
Noggerwood said:
Thanks for all your comments, I went for the 18-135 kit lens in the end.

I thought that would be best for me as a beginner upgrading from a P&S. Although some people may think it is not be the best optically, to my beginners eyes, it is amazing! I'm really happy with it.

I'm sure that once I'm a bit more experienced and I've been shooting for a few months I'll have a better idea of which lenses i need to meet my style. Then it'll be a case of trying to convince the better half it's a good idea to spend £xxx's again :@)
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Its a good choice, I have the 18-135 and as a walk about/beginner lens you cant go wrong really.
 
i got the 18-135 kit lens with wines good range to start off with id say and its a pretty good lens check out the reviews on the web from ken rockwell , dpreview , lenstip theres plenty information and help out there :D
 
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