Canon users,help please.

fracster

fracster

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A mate of mine has his heart set on a 550, I have mentioned the fact that if he chose Nikon he could borrow my lenses, but he has his heart set on one.He has been to Wilkinsons and handled it, he likes it.

Are there any faults with this camera?

Are there any inherent weaknesses?

Which would be the best Lens to get as a bundle?

He has no intention of turning pro, he just wants a decent camera to take pictures of his little girl growing up and to use when he spends time at his house in Dubai.

Please,please, lets not start a Nikon v Canon debate......:)
 
I don`t know anything about Canon stuff,lenses or bodies, just need some advice from people who use it.
 
I've been using the 550D since the 2nd of last June. It is a great value for the money ($800.00 U.S.) with the kit lens. I wanted to buy the camera without the kit lens but it wasn't available. The kit lens is now on an old 350D that my wife uses. I originally purchased the Tamron 18 - 200mm lens for the 350D and have switched it over to the 550D.
For me the ideal "grab n go" generally good all around lens would be the Tamron 18 - 270mm VR that I mounted on my D300. The lens is big because of all the extra gadgetry surrounding the glass. The vibration reduction works very well once you get used to the sensation that something is happening in the lens body. My wish for Canon would be to have focus confirmation in the viewfinder when using non Canon lenses mounted to the camera using a lens adapter. Both my Nikon D70 and D300 have the feature built-in. I solved the problem by buying a "Chipped" M42 to Canon lens adapter from Fotodiox for $40.00 U.S.. They also have an adapter that allows me to use the Nikon lenses on the Canon but the desire for one would set me back $139.00 to $169.00 depending on what model I chose.

I've been using Nikon 35mm SLRs for many years yet I think the 550D is a great way to get involved in digital photography. Your friends intention of being just a casual user won't last long. It just keeps getting better.
 
Thanks for taking the time to answer,just the sort of response I was after........:thumbs:

Keep them coming folks.
 
The 550 has the latest focusing & metering systems, similar to the 7D, tie that in with video, and it should be perfect for a "family" camera.

Depending on budget, I would recommend the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS as a standard lens - it's absolutely brilliant, almost "L" class. The addition of something a little longer and he should have a half decent kit - maybe one of the 70-300's that are about.

My brother has the 550 and he's getting really into his photography, but loves it for the short pieces of video he can grab of his grandchildren. He's also into landscape and finds it great for that too.

If I were to buy a body for my Mrs it would be a 550.

Hope that helps

Steve
 
Jelster said:
The 550 has the latest focusing & metering systems, similar to the 7D, tie that in with video, and it should be perfect for a "family" camera.

Depending on budget, I would recommend the Canon 17-55 f2.8 IS as a standard lens - it's absolutely brilliant, almost "L" class. The addition of something a little longer and he should have a half decent kit - maybe one of the 70-300's that are about.

My brother has the 550 and he's getting really into his photography, but loves it for the short pieces of video he can grab of his grandchildren. He's also into landscape and finds it great for that too.

If I were to buy a body for my Mrs it would be a 550.

Hope that helps

Steve
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Thanks Steve,appreciated.

jerry12953 said:
If he's going to Dubai, how are you going to get your lenses back, Mr Frac?:thinking:
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He has homes in both countries, he could borrow my lenses whilst making up his mind what he wanted,anyway, that is moot now as he wants the 550......:)
 
alastairb said:
well i have never used it but my concern with the 550d would be 18mpix and consumer glass, as even most pro glass struggles to resolve 18mpix and even if you are not doing hard crops it affects overall sharpness
the canon 18-55 IS is a good lens for the price, i assume this is the kit lens for this camera.
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Even if the sensor out-res's the so called 'consumer glass' it'll still be completely pin sharp - it wont affect sharpness one bit.
 
I have a 550D and it's a cracking camera. Very compact but with great image quality and features.

I've just bought a 5D as well so I might actually be selling the 550D in the next week or so, not 100% sure yet (I don't need 2 bodies).
 
I love my Canon camera and I have three lenses. The one it came with as part of the kit 18-55mm. I then needed a telephoto which I bought 55-200mm. It's a great starter kit. Then because I'm into macro, I got myself a macro lens, although learnt a lot taking macros photos with my telephoto lens.

Some of my friends have a lens which goes from 18 - 150mm or something like that! (I don't have the numbers quite right!) I think this is a good lens for a beginner as it does for most type of photos without having to change it.
 
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