First dslr, what to go for??

Chris G

Chris G

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Chris
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Hi all

I'm thinking about upgrading from my lumix fz28 more due to desire than actual need. I mainly shoot landscapes and friends, but wouldn't mind trying a bit of macro at some point.

I think I have narrowed it down to the canon 550d but am open to other suggestions. But like the fact this is fairly small and lightweight and good from what I've read.
Been looking on eBay and the whole lens situation is confusing me, ie what to go for.

I have listed what I have seen below, do these represent good value, what would be a good option, will I quickly want to upgrade to faster lenses??
Any tips/suggestions will be really appreciated.
So the deals seen so far
18-135, f3.5-5.6 canon ef £810

Canon EOS 550D EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Kit **
Canon EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM*
£800

Canon EOS 550D DSLR Body
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS f4-5.6 IS
£800

Canon EOS 550D Body*
Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS
Canon EF-S 55-250mm IS
Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 Mk II*
£823

Canon 550D 18-55mm IS Kit
+ Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II
+ Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III USM
£830

Or just a 550d and kit lens for £635 plus a decent grad nd and polarising filter and tripod.
 
whats your budgt?
 
i'd go for the:-

Canon 550D 18-55mm IS Kit
+ Canon EF 50mm f1.8 II
+ Canon EF 75-300mm f4.0-5.6 III USM
£830
check out camerapricebuster, if u already havent.
 
How about the 450d if you don't want to shoot video? the IQ is great and it's quick and superb value, we just got one for about £370 from the excellent Digigood on ebay.

You could then grab some better glass perhaps a 50mm f1.4 which is much better built than the 1.8, and perhaps check out the reviews at www.fredmiranda.com for your general purpose lens. I'd avoid the long tele as it doesn't seem appropriate for you needs.

You're right to keep your gear light as heavy cameras reaally get left at home.

perhaps also consider the Panny G1, we have one with the 14-45 and 45-200, the IQ is xlnt and It's the camera I normally grab for a weekend away rather than the canon or Nikon due to size and weight.

John
 
Ok the 75-300 is not worth it, that's good to know

those who said nikon, I don't really know anything about nikons any suggestions on the models I should consider??
 
Small and lightweight and DSLR don't go together really. Even if you buy something relatively small now you will soon get the upgrade urge for big glass. Just be sure size doesn't matter before you plunge in. Maybe consider used so you can sell on with little loss if you decide it is not for you.
 
Chris G said:
Ok the 75-300 is not worth it, that's good to know

those who said nikon, I don't really know anything about nikons any suggestions on the models I should consider??
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For your budget, a new D5000 or 2nd hand D90 I'd think (they're about £800 new - £60 cashback currently with 1 lens). There are other older models people like too but I'm not all clued up!

In all seriousness the advice seems a bit clique, however it is worth having a feel of both makes and see which you find better. I did however feel the need to point out the dark side to you :lol:

Agreed small and lightweight doesn't work, my 1st non kit lens I've bought weighs a fair bit more than my D90 does :lol: According to the sites the basic D90 weighs 620g, my big lens weighs in at 1245g!
 
Ive just upgraded to a D90 but you really cant go wrong with with a D5000 its a great camera, kit lens is excellent and the 55-200 is excellent for the price. My brother in law just sold his 350d and picked up a D5000 on the strength of playing with mine.

The canon and nikon are so close its really all down to which one handles best for you
 
Another vote for D90/D5000 - it'll be the first step up I make when I have the cash. HD video is a bonus, too.
 
Hi

I would advise to look on the forums here, there are lots of cameras for sale. Canon 40d's going for less than £400. And there are plenty of good lenses getting sold daily.
 
General consensus is the lenses have more impact than the body, so if you can buy second hand I would go with an earlier version of the body like a 400/450D and get these lenses (personally I'd get the bigger 20d ~£200):

Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non VC. Can be used for friends and landscapes

Canon 70-200L f4 non IS for longer distance portraits and different landscape shots OR

Tamron 90mm, Sigma 105mm, Canon 100mm if you want to do Macro (or you could try Kenko extension tubes etc)

I you buy second hand, as long as you don't break them those lenses are unlikely to lose value.

If you wanted to start with a general walkaround lens my wife has the Canon 28-135 IS and it's pretty good and has a good focal range.

As an alternative for the body you might be able to get a (full frame) 5D, which will blow most of your budget but I imagine for portraits, landscapes and macro this would be better than a 1.6 crop xxd or xxxd camera.

Good luck and enjoy.
 
Chris G said:
Hi all

I'm thinking about upgrading from my lumix fz28 more due to desire than actual need.
Click to expand...


doubly be sure its what you want to do, desire can be a begger sometimes, at the mo you have a range of 27-486mm (f2.8-4.4), to get those lengths and speeds on a DSLR wont be cheap and youll be carrying around a lot more kit..

that aside youll love the creative options froma DSLR, my lad has a long zoom Lumix and as superb as it is it always frustrates me when I have a go.

another vote from me for the D5000/D90 route, I moved from a 450d to a D5000 and its been the best camera choice I ever made, but you need to have a feel for yourself, you might hate the feel of the Nikons and love the Canons and vice versa. go shopping have some fun :thumbs:
 
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