Full kit? Your recommendations please

CandidCamera

CandidCamera

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Stephanie
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Oh my goodness, I have been lurking on this forum for a few days now (officially joined yesterday) and my head is swimming!

Okay, in brief: I am currently a hobby photographer, mostly capturing family and days out etc, using my Canon Ixus (on auto usually no less). I have been bitten by the photography bug and find myself in a position to be able to buy a better camera and probably some equipment too. I kind of want to 'set myself up' with a kit because I won't have this money again (although don't be fooled into thinking I have won the lottery - just enough to buy a camera, haha) and knowing me, if I don't buy a kit now, the money will be spent on ........ shoes or some other girlie thing that I absolutely have to have :D

So, question is: What would you recommend someone buy as a start up 'kit'? The camera, the lens(es), flash guns etc, tripods. I see all these bits and pieces being discussed and I am lost. Once I get to grips with my new camera, I would hate to find that my journey is limited by missing out on some vital piece of equipment that would make my photos have that 'something' else to them, you know?

Also, Photoshop? I see people talking about this aaaaaall the time. Is this the software I should be looking at getting?

Yes, you are correct in thinking "This girl literally has no clue" :bonk: But I am eager to learn :)

Edited: Budget up to £1,500

Pleeeeease help me. Thank you!
 
CandidCamera said:
Also, Photoshop? I see people talking about this aaaaaall the time. Is this the software I should be looking at getting?
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Photoshop covers a wide range of software. Photoshop CS3 or CS4 (creative suite, everything you could possibly ever need) will cost you big time, most people usually go for Photoshop Elements which, as the name suggests, is elements of the full creative suites.
 
Have edited original post but in response to Jamie, my budget is up to £1,500 although I would really like to spend a lot less :)
 
My first tip would be don't buy photoshop. Take a class locally and someone will give you a copy that will save you hundreds of pounds. Depending on what you want to spend you could buy a decent camera body like 400D or 450D or even 40D if you want something a bit better then pair it with a good lens with a decent coverage like a 28-135 IS or a 17-85 IS for all your day's out. Flash could be 430 ex or 430 ex mk11. The guys on this forum seem to like redsnapper tripods so one of them might do you. There is another thread about them just a couple down from yours. The stuff i mentioned on my thread would probably cost you about £500-£600 which means you could be a few pairs of shoes. I use a lowpro bag which if i remember corrrectly is a Lowpro aw 3. It's nioce and everything seems safe in there from bumps and bangs.
 
Firstly on the photoshop front, Elements will do everything you need and a bit more until you get really quite high end.

As for the gear. I think it might be a mistake to spend all your money at once, because you may find that you want to shoot certain things over others. For example if you decide you want to do portraits then you would want fast sharp prime lenses, whilst of you shoot wildlife you would want a long telephoto.

Given that you do have a decent budget, I would buy a 40D as a body, (its way better value for money than the newer 50D in my opinion), and then just pick up a couple of lenses. I would start with a good wideangle zoom in the 17-50 mm range as a standard walkaround lens. The tamron 17-50 2,8 is excellent value. I would also buy a fast prime lens, the 'nifty fifty' canon 50mm 1.8 or 'plastic fantastic' is outrageously good value for money. Even if the build isnt the best and the autofocus could be better it takes wonderful imges.

As for other stuff, I would get a 430EX flash. If you want to shoot landscape then you have to have a tripod. I would go with a 190XPROB with a basic pan-tilt head. You can find these as kits at places like warehouseexpress I think. Then you just need something to carry ti all in. I have a bag for just the camera, and then I throw everything in a hiking rucksack, but thats up to you really.
 
Go into your local Jessops and have a look.

I'd be looking at the low end Canon 1000d or Canon 450d and the Nikon D60 and the Nikon D5000. If they're competent, they should be able to tell you the pros and cons of each.

Have a feel and see which you like.

That should be around £500.

If it were me, starting out with Canon, I'd go like this.

Canon 450d with 18-55mm IS kit - £500.
Canon EF-S 55-250 IS lens - £230
Bag to hold it all, I have a Centon BP500 - around £50
A decent tripod - £100
A flashgun, probably a Canon 430ex - £200
Memory cards - £30
The book "Understanding Exposure" - £15
The book "450d Field Guide" - £15

That's all you need to be fully started out.
If you have no idea what you want to take photos of, do this:
Canon 450d, memory cards and a case, the books I mentioned.

Then come on here when you know something new:
"I want to take photos of landscapes but it's too blurry" and we'd suggest a tripod
"I want to zoom further in" and we'd suggest a new lens
"I want to take photos in low light" and we'd suggest what's called a nifty fifty.
 
Some good advice there from the guys but one thing i would say is that i used to have the 450d and the 450d book for dummies is far easier to understand for a novice than the field guide book. Also you can get a refurbished 450d from ebay for just under £400 so that will save you a further £100.
 
Thanks for your replies so far. Gosh, I can't wait until I actually understand what you lot are talking about :lol:

Seriously though, you've all been very helpful. I will have a look at the types of kits/cameras you have suggested.

I do have a rough idea of what I like to photograph and the way I want to go BUT I totally understand that my 'bug' will develop over time and I may change my field of interest. Currently, I just love to capture what I would call 'beauty' and 'real'. And yes, I know that is very broad. This can range to a bowl of fresh vegetables glistening with water that my mother has just picked and washed from our allotment, or my nieces pulling sweet/crazy faces, or even just a rustic street sign abroad. I'm constantly stopping and snapping (friends think I'm mad). I don't think I'll ever be focused on one thing - just 'life' really :)

Thanks again!
 
There are a lot worse things in life that photographing everything that moves or doesn't move i suppose. Good luck with your search and remember second hand items will save you a lot of money. Just make sure the people selling have positive feedback.
 
Go into a camera shop and have a look at several different bodies, have a play but make sure you get to the camera shop avoiding all contact with shoe shops or any shop selling cute bags.

It might be worth looking at Nikon or Canon due to the amounts of cheaper accessories that you can pick up and the number of second hand items.

For Nikon my advice would be to go for a D90 if you are buying new. This would give you a body that would have an on board motor and allow you to use any lenses including older film ones.

So looking for a D90 kit.....

Nikon D90 with 18-105mm ED VR Lens = £825

Now if you buy this from a pro or premier dealer (such as digital depot who are one of our advertisers) you will get free membership to the Nikon plus scheme with will give you the following vouchers....

£20 off a grip
£10 off a battery
£30 off a 35mm f1.8
£75 off 70-300mm
£125 off 10-24mm

So you would have around £650-700 left for other lenses and accessories.

£89 for a AF 50mm f1.8 (Argos)

£80 for a tripod

£375 for 70-300 (with the voucher)

leaves money for a bag, filters, remote etc

There might even be enough money for a pair of shoes.....
 
Oh my goodness! How could I forget??? My absolute all time favourite thing in the world to photograph is ............... feet! No joke. I have quite a large collection of feet shots and my friends don't even bat an eyelid when I point my camera at their feet anymore. I always take pics of people in flip flops, always always. Never closed-toe shoes. I think it's the toes and general shape of feet I like. Contrary to what you probably now believe, I promise I'm not weird!!!
 
Not sure there is a dedicated gallery section for feet.... :)

Like the others said, get yourself to Jessops, have a play with all the cameras.....and then buy a Nikon. ;)
 
CandidCamera said:
Oh my goodness! How could I forget??? My absolute all time favourite thing in the world to photograph is ............... feet! No joke. I have quite a large collection of feet shots and my friends don't even bat an eyelid when I point my camera at their feet anymore. I always take pics of people in flip flops, always always. Never closed-toe shoes. I think it's the toes and general shape of feet I like. Contrary to what you probably now believe, I promise I'm not weird!!!
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:cuckoo:

:D I was going to suggest D90...I finished typing my reply and clicked the wrong button and couldn't get it back :bang:
 
What's not to like? :love:

Barbados
Feet1.jpg


Isles of Scilly
Feet2.jpg
 
CandidCamera said:
Oh my goodness! How could I forget??? My absolute all time favourite thing in the world to photograph is ............... feet! No joke. I have quite a large collection of feet shots and my friends don't even bat an eyelid when I point my camera at their feet anymore. I always take pics of people in flip flops, always always. Never closed-toe shoes. I think it's the toes and general shape of feet I like. Contrary to what you probably now believe, I promise I'm not weird!!!
Click to expand...

If you carry on along this line you might break the forum record for "speed of title change" and end up as "foot fetishist" or something like that. :)

ADMIN !!!! :lol:
 
Candit camera are you sure you are not on brighton beach or somewhere? You could have just painted your toes and put milan on the next photo. I used to watch a show on tv called The Shield and there were a gang of Armenians who loved feet too although they chopped them off and didn't photograph them. Your not part Armenian are you? Only joking good luck with the search
 
What might be an idea would be buying a 450d (canon) or d60 (nikon) with its kit lens and putting the rest of the money aside to see what you end up wanting in a few months when you understand what you want to do and where you want to go with photography a bit more.

Also where are you based in the southwest as someone who knows whichever camera you buy might run you through how it works. There's a meet being organised for exeter at the weekend (I think) have a look in the meetings section for more details
 
Scott - Funny you should say that as I actually come from Brighton originally but I can assure you that the 2nd shot was taken on the Isles of Scilly (Tresco) visiting my sister who was living there at the time. How I wish I had a decent camera during that period - so much to photograph!! And no, not Armenian as far as I know :p

David - Have been looking at the 450d reviews this morning and am thinking along the same lines as you actually. I'm going to take my time with my decision but this camera option (so far) does seem the best for my current needs. Will look into meets for the future but am away this weekend (Brighton in fact) attending a family funeral.

Thanks again for all your replies! I appreciate every response!
 
I had a 450d it is a great camera, theres one in the for sale section atm.

Do go play with the 'inferior' (kidding before the flame war hits) Nikon equivalent before spending anything though
 
Yes, just saw the thread on the importance of handling a camera before buying so I think that is what I need to do initially. I will go and play with a few, come back here and report on what I thought was best and see what you lot recommend from there. Don't want to end up buying one that I think feels great to hold but then gets a resounding thumbs down from the experts now do I?! Yikes.
 
Reading "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson will help your knowledge increase rapidly.
 
Scott - Funny you should say that as I actually come from Brighton originally
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Ahh! that explains it all now:) I should know, I'm a Brighton boy.

on the importance of handling a camera before buying
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Very true, if you stick with the big manufacturers, you're unlikely to buy anything duff. Unless you get a Canon of course:razz:
 
Hi, me again :)

So if I go for the Canon EOS 450d, what can I expect to get with the standard camera? And what can I do with it? Having only bought basic compact P&S before (one Samsung which I adored but was stolen, and my current Canon), I have no idea whether going into a shop and asking for a 450d will result in the person behind the counter handing me simply the body and then waiting for instructions as to what kit I need etc etc (and no doubt having a good giggle at my confusion). Would I be able to walk out of the shop and start taking pics? Or would I have to buy at least one lens? Don't laugh! I genuinely have no idea.

My thought process is this: I am liking the sound of Foodpoison's package above. Well within budget (would leave me with room to buy more bits in a few months) and seems simple enough to get my head around in time. It has become glaringly obvious to me after reading this forum for 48 hrs that I am definitely not ready to handle a full kit - it would melt my poor blonde brain. But if I was to just start off with the 450d on it's own (minus the package above), what could I do with that? Could I play with that well enough to then know more about what accessories/lenses I want? Or go for the package because - and you guys know more about this than me obviously - that is the basic kit that I will need and I will use it all. Hmmmmm. Confused. And tired. Bedtime.
 
you can buy body only or kit with 18-55 IS or maybe other kit lenses depends on shop really.

The box has a body a lens (or not or more depending) and a battery and a charger and some cables and a manual and cds. All you will need is an SD car and you're ready to roll.

Might wanna buy a bag or cleaning cloths but tbh nothing but a card is immediately essential

once you're settled on what you want check out www.camerapricebuster.com for the best price, or if you settle on the canon PM kerso on here for a better price
 
CandidCamera said:
Hi, me again :)

So if I go for the Canon EOS 450d, what can I expect to get with the standard camera? And what can I do with it? Having only bought basic compact P&S before (one Samsung which I adored but was stolen, and my current Canon), I have no idea whether going into a shop and asking for a 450d will result in the person behind the counter handing me simply the body and then waiting for instructions as to what kit I need etc etc (and no doubt having a good giggle at my confusion). Would I be able to walk out of the shop and start taking pics? Or would I have to buy at least one lens? Don't laugh! I genuinely have no idea.

My thought process is this: I am liking the sound of Foodpoison's package above. Well within budget (would leave me with room to buy more bits in a few months) and seems simple enough to get my head around in time. It has become glaringly obvious to me after reading this forum for 48 hrs that I am definitely not ready to handle a full kit - it would melt my poor blonde brain. But if I was to just start off with the 450d on it's own (minus the package above), what could I do with that? Could I play with that well enough to then know more about what accessories/lenses I want? Or go for the package because - and you guys know more about this than me obviously - that is the basic kit that I will need and I will use it all. Hmmmmm. Confused. And tired. Bedtime.
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If you buy the 450d kit (which i would recommend) you get the camera, all the software and the standard 18-55 is kit which is pretty good for a general purpose lens. Remember buy second hand or better still buy a refurbished camera from ebay and you'll get it for under £400. Put the rest of the money towards a flash or tripod or better still a bag. This camera is easy to use on full auto and produces great results right from the off. Get a canon 50 mm f1.8 for portraits and you'll be amazed at how a cheap lens can produce great results. It costs about £70-80 new.
 
To go back a few threads aswell, Photoshop elements is good and will probably do more than you'll need in this early stage - not sure about Nikon, but if you do get a Canon, you also get free DPP software, which although not as in depth / comprehensive as the PE software is still very good and allows a lot of adjustments / manipulations etc.

Good luck with your search, don't think you would be disappointed with either the Canon or Nikon cameras :thumbs:
 
At that price-point there's very little to choose between Canon or Nikon (though of course we're all biased towards our marque of choice)...handling and ease-of-use will be a far higher priority for you at this stage, so handle before you buy, as others have suggested.
Elements is OK, but again as others have suggested, enrol in an evening class for basic digital photography and someone will 'gift' you a copy of CS3 or 4 (I do on the courses I teach)...no-one buys Photoshop...

Memory cards are cheap, so buy at least two decent-sized ones - there's nothing worse than running out of space while shooting...
 
Okay, decided on a Canon EOS 450d.

Went into the store this morning and held both the Canon and the Nikon and found that, apart from Nikon being a bit heavier, the 'grip' didn't feel all that different. Maybe I just have average sized hands :shrug: Have gone for the Canon ultimately because I have used Canon cameras before and everyone and their dog seems to have one - might be able to borrow lenses from friends in the future :thumbs:

On that note, I have been offered a second hand 450d which has had very little use and comes with its original packaging and everything that came in the box (inc. IS 18-55mm kit lens) and the person is throwing in a remote shutter release for free, all for under £450.

I have also been offered a Red Snapper tripod and ball head for £100. Again, hardly used so practically new.

Good deal? :)

Now for lenses ...... I have been reading with interest this article: http://gizmodo.com/5331109/the-3-dslr-lenses-you-need-and-2-more-youll-crave

Seems to me that I need/would find useful to have:

1. 55-200mm
2. 10-20mm ultra wide angle
3. f/1.8 50mm OR f/1.4 30mm
4. Possibly a 50mm OR 24-70mm macro

Any comments/advice on the lenses above? Good selection or waste of money? Have a duplicated lens ability anywhere? Remember, I'm a total newbie when it comes to DSLRs but I believe I will be a quick (and eager) pupil :)

Many thanks.

Stephanie
 
I got the 450D recently and really like it so I'd say you've made a good decision :)

I got a really good deal from ebay, the 450D twin lens kit (18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS) brand new for £495. Having used the 55-250mm recently at Newmarket, I'd recommend you try it as it seems to be pretty decent for the money (about £160-170 I think).

I also got a couple of books from Amazon that are proving to be very helpful:

Canon 450D for Dummies - very useful if this is your first DSLR, it explains all the functions & buttons in a simple, easy to follow manner.

Understanding Exposure - as recommended by everyone here as far as I can tell :)

I also bought a Crumpler Muffintop 5500 bag to hold everything, although I'd go for the 7500 if you are planning on buying more lenses. While I still have room in the 5500, I could only fit 2-3 lenses at most in there.
 
Hmmmm, interesting. I thought that the price offered was pretty darn good but from what you have both said, I could get a brand new one for around the same price :thinking: Oh the confusion.

r1skbreak3r - You got the camera and the lenses for that price?? Was this an ebay dealer or just a one off sale? If the former, do you have a link for the ebay seller that you could PM me so I can have a look please?
 
CandidCamera said:
What's not to like? :love:

Barbados
Feet1.jpg
Click to expand...

LOL
an acquaintance of mine has two photoblogs...one for his shots and another for sneaks!
so you are not alone!

decent choice with the canon kit
I've always been a bit confused by the low end nikon kit needing expensive lenses to have them autofocus!?!

it think starting off slowly is good instead of plunging in head first.
good luck
 
DizMatt - Loving your friend's Blog :lol: It's such a relief to know that there are 'other crazies' out there and I am not alone, hehehe.
 
CandidCamera said:
Okay, decided on a Canon EOS 450d.

1. 55-200mm
2. 10-20mm ultra wide angle
3. f/1.8 50mm OR f/1.4 30mm
4. Possibly a 50mm OR 24-70mm macro
Click to expand...

well to start off....
the kit IS lens is pretty good, but depending upon what you like to shoot, the 3rd party f2.8 lenses are nice
I would go kit lens to start with and then see what you really want.
ultra wide...do you do a lot of landscapes or need this width?
f1.8...lovely lens, a bit close up for some. 50mm becomes 85mm ish on a cropped body like the 450D. I have a 50mm and the 30mm which makes a great pub lens but it's more expensive.
macro? a lot of fun. if you can get a macro, a 2nd hand one that does 1:1 stuff would be more fun if you like insects... for feet, any of your lenses will be fine :)
the 55-200 IS is a nice lens too for the money

one last thing, don't get a cheap SD card for your camera. make sure you get a well branded fast card. the speed difference when reviewing your shots is very noticeable. sandisk extreme's are a good start
 
CandidCamera said:
I have also been offered a Red Snapper tripod and ball head for £100. Again, hardly used so practically new.


Stephanie
Click to expand...

I would check the model number to be honest, not so sure that is such a good deal, as a member on here you get a 10% discount on Redsnapper stuff and their tripod outfits are not that expensive to start with.

Redsnapper
 
CandidCamera said:
1. 55-200mm
Click to expand...

You want the 55-250mm IS not the older 55-200. You may also wish to consider a flash gun as they are incredibly verstatile and useful.


Before ordering to much gear though I would just shoot, shoot, shoot. You will find the limitations of your gear as you use it and can then adapt your equipment to suit you. :)
 
This whole lens business is 10 x more confusing than the actual camera decision. I am so confused about mm and f-this&that.

The type of pics I take are:

1. Top of the list - my family and friends (recent shots from this weekend here: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=155388)

2. I travel quite a bit (raised abroad and have lots of visiting to do regularly) so I am always trying to capture interesting people/places/beach & street scenes/signs/objects etc etc. Basically, I just like to photograph "LIFE" I guess. As some of you know, I lived in Barbados for a while and I have thousands of photos of 'island life'. I just photograph anything and everything that makes me 'feel' something in the hope that other people will get something from it too.

3. My mom loves going for random drives over Dartmoor and I usually grab my camera and go with her because the light and shadows at sunset are gorgeous. So probably quite a bit of those kind of shots. Wide angle? I tend to end up taking photos of interesting gates/walls and such like on these drives too.

4. It looks as though my travelling will be taking me to New York in the near future. Possibly for an extended period so I will be focusing on architecture and people at first until I know my way around and get a bit more 'crazy' with my ideas out there.

5. Feet. We mustn't forget the feet :D

Does this help??
 
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