Canon EOS 500D good for a beginner?

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Xenoxide

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Howdy guys and gals,

I've been thinking about getting into "serious" photography for a few months now. I've always enjoyed taking photos with whatever subpar camera I've had on me at the time (Usually mobile phones; iPhone, and a crappy Kodak digital camera I had a while back), and I even like to sometimes get up early and take a few "atmospheric" shots on the way to work in the morning.

I know virtually nothing about photography other than what I think a good photo looks like. I'd like a DSLR, something which will keep me going for a long while, and give me plenty of options to experiment with (So I can jump in the deep end). There's a local photography group I'm thinking of joining too to give me a head start.

Having spent a wee while looking at the options, I like the look of the Canon EOS 500D with the kit lens that comes with it, perhaps buying a tele zoom (Is that the right term?) somewhere down the line.

Is this a good choice?

Ta muchly! :)
 
Best idea is to pop to Curry's or jessops and try a few different models and a few different brands.
 
The xxxD range of cameras are very good but if your budget can stretch to it then go for a 40D or 50D if you can. Prices are not much more (in fact cheaper if you can get a second hand one) and it will last you much longer in terms of more functions to play with as your confidence builds. I've just bought a 50D myself this week after my wife stole my 400D that has served me well for 2 years :D
 
defiantly try the cameras out, what i thoght was a good fit in my hand has now turned out to feel like a toy. battery grip has sorted that
also think about what type of photography you are going to do. you mite need a faster shutter speed or higher iso or faster auto focus.
im a year into my DSLR ownership and i already think 'if only id got the....'
 
There are no "bad" choices in the DSLR world, but most people find that one brand/model suits them best.

DSLRs are system cameras. Have a look at the lens line up from each manufacturer (Canon and Nikon offer the greatest choice), based on what you might want down the track. http://www.photozone.de/ is a good independent review site and is written in straightforward language.

Conventional wisdom is save on the body and spend on the lenses, which are the main component determining image quality. I agree, with a small caveat. Handle a few cameras before you decide, because you want to feel comfortable with the body and the controls/ergonomics.
 
Try them out is the best advice...

I decided on a camera based on reviews and specs... but had looked at 3-4 choices. (make sure you understand best price around)

I then wandered into my local Jessops "for a look"

I am so glad I did....

I spent about 90 minutes playing with all the camera's on my list.

Needless to say I changed my mind :-)

I bought my camera because I could figure out pretty much how to use it in about 2 minutes flat, it was simple, easy, felt good in m y hand (really important) and of course it was part of a bigger system so I could expand from there...

They were offering a good deal and I actually bought it from them on the spot as I still see its more expensive in most places even now. :thumbs:

Cheers

MIP
 
nikon and sony also make really good DSLR's so dont exclude them, i was going to get the 450D which is perfect for my smallish hands but i went for the sony a300 because it was cheaper and more robust. so feel is definitely an issue but dont go for the most compact SLR unless you know it can take a beating, ive bumped my a300 loads of times and it hasn't damaged, if i had a 450D it wold probably be dead by now.
 
I'm a beginner and I just bought one, not sure if that counts for much though... Reading all reviews I narrowed it down to the 450d, 500d and the d5000. I went and had a look at them and to be honest made the carnal mistake of looking at a camera out of my budget, the d90. In the end I went for the 500d over the d5000 as I preferred the menu system and screen. In the hand (feel) I didn't particularly prefer either.

I do still wonder if I should've bought the d5000 with a view to upgrading to the d90 next year, but then again I haven't played with a higher spec Canon so maybe I'll like that too!

edit: I should add that I am very happy with my purchase. Although I already have the"lens" bug, so keep looking at my kit lens\Tamron 70-300 combo with a little bit of regret. I need to learn how to use them first though before I go spending!
 
Plus points
Feels right in the hand and has enough of the most used functions easily available on buttons without going through loads of menus.
Great screen, seems pretty good on battery life and plenty of custom options

Minus points
Main one would be the quality of jpegs straight from the camera, still not found the best combination of sharpening,contrast yet and maybe 15mp is just too much
Lack of AF assist apart from the pop up flash and a minor niggle now, hard to clean nose prints from the screen

I now use use RAW+jpeg and getting good results, but if you are coming from a point and shoot the jpegs might dissappoint a bit without any post processing

Always really been a Pentax man and like the look of the new K-x very much, wouldn't be that surprised if the Canon appears on the classifieds around Christmas
 
the 500d is a good newbie camera and you can do everything like a 50d
however the feeling is different and would go for a 50d
you can still find a 450d , or 40/50d second hand. they are not too old on the market so interesting to purchased as an used one.
 
I like mine i bought it in August so not had it too long, I did try a few out and just prefered the way it fits my pretty small chubby hands, the buttons are easily accessable and the screen is nice. Head down to Jessops and have a play.
It is very light weight with the kit lens on can be good.

A few diapointing things
Nose smears yes they are a problem but I bought an anti glare screen protector from boxwave and it has made the cleaning thing a lot easier just a thumb swipe now clears it.
Again jpegs are not great so you will start to shoot raw and process yourself.
The light weight has a bad side, I have a few L glass lenses and it is totaly unballenced, I have a grip on the way which will hopfully help with the situation, but start adding things like the 580EXII flash and it feels a hole lot different and very top heavy.

I was intent on buying the 50D but I decided to hold back, buy the lower one in the range to save cash for extra bits like lenses and the flash and build up to an upgrade but my upgrade will be to a 5Dmkxx not the 50D.
 
I'm not sure about which XXD's have it but I wish my 400D could record HD video like the 500D!!!!! It's also the only thing stopping me from buying a 40D to replace my 400D...
 
Excellent guys, thanks for all the tips!

Never actually thought about going into Jessops and trying them out beforehand, will definitely do that first. My heart is pretty much set on the 500D but like someone said, anything can happen...

Does the 50D do HD video recording like the 500D? If so, does it record at more than 20fps? It's probably a bit out of my price range, but maybe if I do a bit more overtime at work...hehe.

And one more question, is the "Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS Telephoto Zoom AF" a decent enough lens for the price? I'd probably get the 18-55mm kit lens with the 500D, but is this worth it as a second lens, or is there a better alternative?

(I've been reading up on focal lengths, "f" numbers/aperture sizes, IS/AF/USM/EF-S acronyms, depth of field etc, it's completely fascinating me!)
 
Hi Folks:wave:. Like Xenoxide I'm new to the DSLR scene and am moving up from Point and Shoot. I have always used Canon and so I was also going to go for the 500D. Really appreciate everyone's comments and feel better informed already. My Dad has some lenses he's going to give me that are 500D compatible:thumbs: so I'm looking at the body only. Can anyone find a better price than £490 from Camera Price Buster at the moment? I've also started reading up on the basics and am hoping to do a night class to get up to speed:shrug:. Any books that people recommend?? Thanks in advance.
 
Just been reading the thread about the 40d rather than 500d. Confused again although i'm now thinking the 40d would be a better option - same price but more advanced options should I get the bug bad!! Any good prices on the 40d??
 
Are jpegs from the D40 better than those from the 500D or is this a Canon thing ?
 
500d is a great beginers camera with the added benefit of being able to capture video. You can be proficient with a 500d straight out of the box and learn the basics. The 40d starts on a higher level and requires a bit more knoweledge but will take you further before you feel you need to move up in the world. If you know your going to take it seriously the 40d is a great camera if you just want excellent photos and the odd bit of video then the 500d is perfect.


C
 
Well i've got a 450D so i'm quite biased but my reasoning was,
it had to canon/nikon due to the range of lenses and accessories
canon seemed to have a larger and slightly cheaper range of lenses....... and my 3rd point is part of 2, cheap nikon bodies cant AF with lenses that dont have a built in motor, so you are limited to your choice of lenses. Also the motor versions tend to be more expensive.

So although the canon offerings (the 500d wasnt out at the time) are probably the most expensive of the entry-level range, it seemed like the obvious choice, for the long term.
 
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