Entry on a Budget

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mrcrilly

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Mike
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Hey,

I'm looking to get back into the lovely world of photography once again (second time around now) and, like most people I would imagine, I want to do it on a budget. I'm looking to spend £200-250 on a body, which I know limits me a lot, and then perhaps another £200 on good glass. That's my budget (that hasn't been saved up yet!) and I hope I can make it work for (very) entry level kit.

I've noticed Canon 20Ds and 30Ds are pretty cheap, but I'm worried about their age and whether or not they will offer me a good "service" for at least a year or two. I'm betting they will allow me to get back into the swing of things for now, and they're well within my budget. What do you think? I've also been advised to buy Tolkina lenses. Thoughts on this?

Overall I am looking for something with a good sized sensor (APS-C for example). I am currently using a DSC-H9, but that's what I like to call a "Holiday Camera" (it's actually a Bridge Camera). I've also discovered the negatives of the H9's small censor, but it does have some nice features and will allow me to take decent holiday snaps.

Thanks for reading and I appreciate any and all feed back.

- MC
 
I would try and stretch to a 40D if possible, you don't say what you are going to shoot so lens choice is tricky but even the 18-55 kit lens can produce some decent stuff. My best shot in 2012 was with my old 350D using the original el cheapo kit lens. It's when you start going long that it gets expensive!

Canon 350D with kit lens
I35_G2266.jpg
 
That's a fantastic shot, Ken. Really nice.

Type of photography. Well that's a tough one. I'm actually interested in street photography. I would really like to cover critical events, such as protests and the like, but I know they're rare. It sounds odd, but I want to be there documenting these kinds of events - they're apart of our national history, after all (even if nothing comes of them). I'll kind of point and snap at anything to be honest with you, Ken. If it's interesting it's getting snapped :-)
 
As above would defiantly try and go for the 40d

If you go onto you tube and look at the 40d there's a good few reviews on them!

You can pick them up for about £240 ish that leaves a bit for lens
 
Another vote for the 40D, it's a fantastic body for very little money and will do you very well.
Grab an 18-55 IS and a 55-250 and you're sorted.
You'll easily get both for well under £200. :thumbs:
 
I bought my 20D two years ago for £180 and I've taken around 50k photos and touch wood the body's never given me any problems or anything.
In regards to lenses get the 18-55 is version, 50mm 1.8mm and 55-250mm and that will cover most bases pretty well on a budget.
 
Well it looks like you don't mind buying used, for me i would prefer to spend £200 on a tamron 17-50 which is streets ahead of the canon 18-55 kit lens. Look in the classified prices can be better here than ebay.
 
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Hi All,

Lots of great advice coming in there. Thanks to everyone who has posted.

It seems I have a lot to think about here. Whilst the suggest of a 40D is noted, I've had a colleague in work suggest a Sony Alpha 330, mainly due to the price being the same, but also because, according to him, it can use really old lenses with no built-in stabilisation, so they're high quality but cheap. Thoughts on this?

Thanks again.
 
The A330 is not the same level of camera as the 40D and while old Minolta lenses can be good quality the good ones are not actually that cheap. Take a look on eBay for examples of the prices they go for. With the 40D you have a whole range of lenses from cheap to expensive and the suggested lenses in this thread are what I would be looking at.
 
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