considering getting a canon 500D, comments please?

ThyJones

ThyJones

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Hi there.

I've never owned a DSLR, but I'm going on holiday to America in a few weeks and some of the places we're going to mean it would be a shame to not have a nice camera.

My mates just got this same camera, and its the Canon 500D.

There is a deal on at the moment meaning I can get a few extras too:

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/products/80640/show.html

Canon EOS 500D + 18-55mm + 75-300mm Twin Lens Kit.

Would that be ok for a budding dslr want to be?

My budget is not huge as i'm getting married in < 4 weeks, so this is £579.

My reasoning for Canon is theyre good from what i've read, plus as I said, my mate has one, therefore could eventually share lenses/tips etc.

Any comments please?

Thanks
 
The Canon 500D is a decent all round camera. But so are the cameras in the similar price bracket that are made by the other companies.

Good pictures don't just come from a camera that is deemed to be good.
Its more like a 30/70 split between camera+lens and user ability.

The kit you have linked to includes the basic 18-55 kit lens which is ok and the 75-300mm which I believe is a Tamron lens which is ok but won't blow you away.
The kit is essentially a good way to get you started in photography with a focus range from wide angle to telephoto.

It would make a good starter camera but it could be had for cheaper than that I reckon.
 
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I have a 500d and though it may be an entry level dslr, it's more than capable :) Enjoy!
 
stupar said:
The Canon 500D is a decent all round camera. But so are the cameras in the similar price bracket that are made by the other companies.

Good pictures don't just come from a camera that is deemed to be good.
Its more like a 30/70 split between camera+lens and user ability.

The kit you have linked to includes the basic 18-55 kit lens which is ok and the 75-300mm which I believe is a Tamron lens which is ok but won't blow you away.
The kit is essentially a good way to get you started in photography with a focus range from wide angle to telephoto.

It would make a good starter camera but it could be had for cheaper than that I reckon.
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Thanks for the info, and i agree about the split.. A picture is only as good as its taker.

I have a feeling any lenses that are decent for that model camera are going to be a fair bit of money anyway?

Do you mean could be had cheaper elsewhere, or with a different camera/lens?

Thanks
 
All crop sensor camera's take both crop and full frame designed lens. Full frame camera's only take full frame lens, so within those constraints lens price does not change depending upon the camera model you have.

If that was the camera you had your heart set on you could get it cheaper than what Jessops will sell it to you for.
Give 2nd consideration too.
Places like MPB photographic will do a 2nd hand body with a 6 month warrentw I believe. They also tell you condition and shutter count too.
 
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I've had my 500d for two years now and have had some great shots from it.
It should do you just fine:thumbs:
 
Alan Sandham said:
I've had my 500d for two years now and have had some great shots from it.
It should do you just fine:thumbs:
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What lenses do you have for yours?

Thanks
 
I have a 500D and its a great camera, no two ways about it and perfe3ct as a first DSLR.

As for lenses, mine are laid out in my signature at the bottom but I suspect you would want to get a 50MM f/1.8 if you can (which is a good, low cost first time lens).

As has been previously said MPB are selling a few 500D's at the moment so its worth taking a look.

All in all it's a good place to start. Get the camera, then build yup your lenses so you can upgrade your bosy if need be some time in the future but the 500D should keep you well occupied for a wee while
 
That is a very good starter camera, especially as it has some quite good video capabilities.
The 15mp sensor is quite good and allows a good amount of cropping.

I would say to go for it, a very good all-round model to start with.
 
I'm a little bit confused still, im totally open to the idea of a 2nd hand one, that mpb looks good. The camera package from jessops included 2 x lenses: 18-55mm + 75-300mm

what in basic terms does that mean, because the ones from mpb dont include lenses from what I can see. I know they sell them seperately but I have no idea what I would be looking for..

Any suggestions please?

Here is a link to all their lenses for canon:
http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/used-lenses/used-canon-fit-lenses/?viewall=1
 
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I would suggest a 18/55 and 55-250 and buy a used 500d, the 55-250 is a cracking lens and I think would be alot better than a 70-3""
 
sounds like you are in the same position as me about 2 months ago. holiday to america and wanted to get a D-slr. i went for the 500d from jessops aswell :) really good camera! im new to photography so dont have anything to compare it to but i dont regret it at all. it really is an awsome beginner d - slr. myn came with the 18 - 55 lens which is really good for shots around the parks and close ups of the mrs but i missed the range when it came to the shows. was a little frustrating. but if yours comes with 70 - 300mm that will be exactly what you need. go for it mate, u wont regret it! :) cant wait to go back in march armed with my 70 - 200 F4 L
 
D-pearce92 said:
I would suggest a 18/55 and 55-250 and buy a used 500d, the 55-250 is a cracking lens and I think would be alot better than a 70-3""
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Any suggestions where to get the 55-250 lens from? Can't see it on that site, and do you know a rough price estimate?

Thanks for the info, much appreciated :)
 
AdamsCanon said:
sounds like you are in the same position as me about 2 months ago. holiday to america and wanted to get a D-slr. i went for the 500d from jessops aswell :) really good camera! im new to photography so dont have anything to compare it to but i dont regret it at all. it really is an awsome beginner d - slr. myn came with the 18 - 55 lens which is really good for shots around the parks and close ups of the mrs but i missed the range when it came to the shows. was a little frustrating. but if yours comes with 70 - 300mm that will be exactly what you need. go for it mate, u wont regret it! :) cant wait to go back in march armed with my 70 - 200 F4 L
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Always good to hear good personal reviews so thanks for that mate!! Cant wait to get started! Where in america did you go out of interest?
 
haha sorry just realised i presumed you were staying in disney! we stayed in disney, orlando. was a really good holiday, hence the quick return. what about yourself?
 
144 on amazon plus extra for a lens hood or I think they go for 120 on mpbphoto Inc lens hood
 
amazon is really good for lenses by the way. best price and really well packaged
 
AdamsCanon said:
haha sorry just realised i presumed you were staying in disney! we stayed in disney, orlando. was a really good holiday, hence the quick return. what about yourself?
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lol, no worries, we're off to the west coast, land in los angeles and basically travel around for 3 weeks wherever and go wherever takes our fancy so should be good. Thanks again for the help!

Is the 500D easy enough to use for someone without dslr experience? I.e i may only have a week or so or a bit of time to have a play around with the camera, or worst case can i just use auto and still get some decent shots?

Cheers
 
ThyJones said:
What lenses do you have for yours?

Thanks
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Sorry, switched off last night.

I started out with the kit lens but wanted longer reach, so I got the 75-3mm IS, which was quite good. But reading the threads on here makes you want to join in and upgrade-mania sets in!!

I now have the Canon 17-40F4L and 70-200 F4L with the 1.4 extender for longer reach. For me, this is a great combination as I am just an enthusiastic amateur.
I keep getting the urge to upgrade the camera to the 60d, but really there is no need as the 500d gives such good results.

I agree with the others, you should be able to pick one up a bit cheaper, good luck:thumbs:
 
I was looking at this deal couple of weeks ago and asked on here but the two lenses in the offer are not IS so therefore i am going to get the 550D with 18-55mm IS lens from jessops at £600. And then i am going to get the 55-250 IS lens as these would be better lenses than the 18-55 and 70-300 non IS lenses that come with the 500D. I am a newbie though and still haven't had a dslr before but that is how i decided on the 550D as i was set on the deal you are looking at.
 
ThyJones said:
lol, no worries, we're off to the west coast, land in los angeles and basically travel around for 3 weeks wherever and go wherever takes our fancy so should be good. Thanks again for the help!

Is the 500D easy enough to use for someone without dslr experience? I.e i may only have a week or so or a bit of time to have a play around with the camera, or worst case can i just use auto and still get some decent shots?

Cheers
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I did exactly that last year, we did 1800 miles around California in a convertable mustang in two weeks. I also bought a 500D before going!

You'll learn as you go along, the camera has a full auto mode as well as priortiy modes so you can experiment.
Buy more memory cards than you think you need and take lots of pictures.

If you can, go to Bodie, it's a deserted mining town and well worth a look.


Bodie mineworks by Brent Leport, on Flickr


Bellagio fountains by Brent Leport, on Flickr

These pictures were taken within a couple of weeks of getting the camera.
 
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Thanks for the information, and especially the pics, we cant wait :)

So, the 2 lenses I keep hearing about are the 55-250 IS and the 18 - 55. Firstly, whats the IS bit? also, what do the numbers represent? Sorry if this is basic stuff but never come across this before. Cheers!!
 
The IS is image stabilisation. It stops your shaky hands from ruining pictures and allows you to use slower shutter speeds as a result (worth having).
The 18-55 is a the focal length of the lens.

So a normal walk about and take pictures of people or scenery is usually around the 18mm at the wide angle end, 55mm being the zoomed in end.
I replaced my 18-55 with a sigma 17-70 to get a bit more reach on the zoom.

So if you have the 18-55 (usualy supplied with the camera) and a 55-250 you have a total of a good zoom range, from quite wide to quite zoomed in.

The F number is the apeture, this controls how much light you let in, so a lower F number is a bigger hole in the front of the lens and is usually more expensive. This also controls depth of field so at large apetures (low F number) you'll only be able to focus on a small area.
 
speed addicted said:
The IS is image stabilisation. It stops your shaky hands from ruining pictures and allows you to use slower shutter speeds as a result (worth having).
The 18-55 is a the focal length of the lens.

So a normal walk about and take pictures of people or scenery is usually around the 18mm at the wide angle end, 55mm being the zoomed in end.
I replaced my 18-55 with a sigma 17-70 to get a bit more reach on the zoom.

So if you have the 18-55 (usualy supplied with the camera) and a 55-250 you have a total of a good zoom range, from quite wide to quite zoomed in.

The F number is the apeture, this controls how much light you let in, so a lower F number is a bigger hole in the front of the lens and is usually more expensive. This also controls depth of field so at large apetures (low F number) you'll only be able to focus on a small area.
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Awesome info, thanks loads for that, helped me understand a little more!

Cheers
 
Shame you cant access classified as someone is selling a 500d plus 18-55 and 55-250 plus other accessories for £450.
 
D-pearce92 said:
Shame you cant access classified as someone is selling a 500d plus 18-55 and 55-250 plus other accessories for £450.
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Could you ask them to give me their email or post their email n the thread if its available, plus the details if u wouldnt mind?
 
on mpbphotographic, there is a 500D with Battery Grip. Is this simply extra battery power, or does this do something else as well?

Thanks
 
it says:

The Canon BG-E5 battery grip provides a vertical shutter release, control dial, AE/FE lock, exposure compensation, and AF point selector.

What exactly does that mean lol?

Also, can you still attach a tripod to it?
 
alrite mate, ive not long been on this website but i have taken a few pictures with the 500d and i have found it pretty awesome for a ameture lol its so easy to use and takes a fantasic photo, here is where i got mine from

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/UK-CANON-...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item43a8a9e180

then i brought one of theses lens is well which makes the whole package awesome great zoom and great all round

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....Name=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l26497

let me know what you think
 
Hi mate, thanks for the input! I borrowed my mates camera last night(same one 500D) to have a little play.. I spent a few hrs looking at vids etc(i didnt have the manual) and it looks pretty cool, if somewhat confusing but thats because i'm new to it, but im sure ill pick it up ok.. I couldnt work out why i couldnt see anything on the view finder but my mate said you can't when viewing on auto lol.

If I buy a the 500D, the 18-55 lens and then a 55-250 from mpb, it will probably be close to £535. If i buy it from ebay (the ebay one comes with the camera and 18-55) then it comes to £589, so not much in it, but its new rather than 2nd hand from ebay so thanks for the info.

My only other things are batteries, and then a bag, just looked at some of the big bags and theyre quite pricey which i didnt think about
 
cam1986 said:
Is the 500D a better bet than the older 40D?
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No.

You're not still on about this are you? You've been offered some great deals, please don't tell me you're still ummming and aahing?!
 
odd jim said:
No.

You're not still on about this are you? You've been offered some great deals, please don't tell me you're still ummming and aahing?!
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D90 fell through as i hated how it felt. Used one for half an hour and that was too much!!

What makes the 40D better then?
 
cam1986 said:
D90 fell through as i hated how it felt. Used one for half an hour and that was too much!!

What makes the 40D better then?
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Well I won't go into detail (I typed a long reply on my iPhone and someone called and wiped it all off!!) but the xxd is pro-sumer so it comes with all those benefits. The xxxd is consumer.

Didn't you google the 40d in your last thread? Compare the two.

Get out there and buy a camera today!!
 
Better frame rate, I think the Af is better. I think your looking at the sensor size, and being honest, if your looking and thinking the extra 3mp will make a difference, it won't be that visible. Save the money, buy a 40D and get some half decent lens on it! Thats what I wish I had done.
 
John Mc said:
Better frame rate, I think the Af is better. I think your looking at the sensor size, and being honest, if your looking and thinking the extra 3mp will make a difference, it won't be that visible. Save the money, buy a 40D and get some half decent lens on it! Thats what I wish I had done.
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Sensor size is the same (1.6 crop). If you mean mp the 500d has 15.x mp so it's more of an increae than 3mp over the 40d's 10.2 but you wouldn't notice unless you crop heavily.
 
odd jim said:
Sensor size is the same (1.6 crop). If you mean mp the 500d has 15.x mp so it's more of an increae than 3mp over the 40d's 10.2 but you wouldn't notice unless you crop heavily.
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Yes! That's what I Ment in sensor size:) I don't know why I thought the 40D was 12mp :/
 
been pricing up some bits today, and im basically considering doing:

Canon 500D with the 18-55kit lens £449
Battery grip,lcd, 2 batteries, wireless remote control £50ish
2 x 8gb class 10 sdhc cards £26
Lowepro 160AW bag £30ish
Charger £7.99
All in all its about £570ish with postage etc..

But the problem is, thats through like loads of different suppliers, can anyone recommend a company that are likely to do a deal for stuff like this? i know you can do deals with jessops etc, but then it goes up a few hundred pounds which isn't really worth it.

Thanks for all the help and advice so far
 
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