first DSLR for beginner

aerobandit

aerobandit

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Piotr
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My brother is going to buy his first DSLR. because canons are in our family for years, he'll probably get one of them. what would you recommend? he wants to take pictures of his family mostly but he likes all sorts of aircrafts and he's attending air shows regularly. his budget is around £500 and camera preferably new or almost new. my choice would be 550d or 50d. movie recording "not essential but nice to have". what do you think?
 
I think he's going to be hardpressed to get a body and a lens suitable for airshows within that budget. Most use the Canon 100-400, which is over a grand, the Sigma 120-400 as an alternative would take about the whole budget.
 
I think I'll give him something non-L but with USM as a gift. I'm wondering which body would be good for him. As I said, mostly family because air shows are 3-4 times a year. Anyway it would be his first DSLR so it doesn't have to be pro. Two years ago I would said 350d as it was my first body and I was really happy with results.
 
550d would be a good choice, of if he want's to spend a little less the 500d is still a great camera
 
Either of the two cameras mentioned by Mark, together with a kit lens. For a one-off airshow he could always hire a decent long lens.
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sthwild said:
My brother is going to buy his first DSLR. because canons are in our family for years, he'll probably get one of them. what would you recommend? he wants to take pictures of his family mostly but he likes all sorts of aircrafts and he's attending air shows regularly. his budget is around £500 and camera preferably new or almost new. my choice would be 550d or 50d. movie recording "not essential but nice to have". what do you think?
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EOS-550...Cameras_DigitalCameras_JN&hash=item43a4ce6d17

or

http://photography.shop.ebay.co.uk/...igitalCameras_JN&_fln=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m283
 
Lots of great deals out there if prepared to go 2nd hand. Have seen 40D for around £350 and I just bought my 50D mint and still under manufacturers warranty for £485
 
The 40d is still a great camera and can be had for under £400 these days.

Rosie
 
The 40D should not be faster.
They have the same 9 point AF system, and if anything the 50D should be faster with newer processing technology.
 
I always recommend 40D for sheer allround ability-per-pound spent.

With the cash left over maybe a 70-300 IS USM (non-L) ?

Quite a nice combo this for not crazy cash.
 
sthwild said:
Is it true that 40d is performing better than 50d? Which one has got better AF? I thought it should be similar but again somebody told me 40d is faster and more accurate. Shame I dont know anybody who's got one of them.
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40D has better high ISO IQ than the 50D
 
POAH said:
40D has better high ISO IQ than the 50D
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A highly debated point.

It's not that clear cut that the 40D is better.

I'm sure Odd Jim will be along in a minute to tell you his experience regarding ISO performance on the 40/50D
 
There's a nice 40D for sale in the ads section going for £350, can't see it lasting there more than a day. A well regarded model with a low shutter count, you can't go wrong really.
 
I fail to see how they drew this conclusion though. They don't include the 40D in the ISO comparison, and don't do a RAW iso comparison.

http://www.imaging-resource.com/IMCOMP/COMPS01.HTM

Compare the 50 to the 40D on there (you have to click the little option that says compare all cameras (not just current models).

The 50D certainly does not look worse, even at 100%. From looking at those comparisons, I would expect the 50D to be at least as good as the 40D, if not slightly better.
 
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Honestly what about a 1000D with better glass? Lenses make far more difference than bodies, and I cant tell you what I'd of given for a faster lens when I first started out with a 1000D and a kit lens. Much more useful than a more expensive DSLR with a shoddy lens.
 
IMHO a 40D for 350 GBP is insanelly cheap and worth you considering.

I'm not selling it but for that price and given the specification it is a steal.

The 40D is just such a well-sorted camera. I picked up a 1D3 to replace it and to be honest the 1D is not that much better in any way (it is probably 10 percent better in lots of ways though which add up).

I'm guessing if 1000 people on this forum pickedup and played wth the 1000D v 40D that 90+ percent would get the 40D.

Just my 2p.

Good luck with your choice.
 
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