next Step??

[Flashy Deano]

Hi all
i've been using a Canon SX10IS for the last 4 years, i mainly focus on close up photography using close up filters or raynox 250.
I'd like to buy a new camera, i've got my eye on the canon 600D.
My problem is that because the SX10 doesnt have an optical viewfinder ive been composing all my photos in live view, where what i see throuh the viewfinder is altered when adjusting ISO, etc.
would i be better off getting a Sony SLT camera? would composing shots with an optical viewfinder be a whole new method and take a lot of getting used to.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Deleted member 67219]

Most modern cameras have live view which is using the screen on the back of the camera. However it eats battery.

You want to buy into a system that sells a good lens range in the areas you are interested in. Canon's lens range is better across pretty much the entire spectrums than Sony, so it's a good bet. Plus lots of people use it so you can very often pick up good second hand bargains.

 

[MWHCVT]

If close up and specifically Macro is your interest then Canon offers you one thing that to my knowledge no other manufacture comes close to and that is the MP-E 65

 

[Flashy Deano]

i'll never be able to afford one of those!

 

[Deleted member 67219]

i'll never be able to afford one of those!

No, but you could pick up a 100mm f2.8 macro for about £200 or so I eBay I reckon.

 

[Flashy Deano]

would i be better off getting a brand new canon 600D or something second hand like a 450D?

 

[Deleted member 67219]

would i be better off getting a brand new canon 600D or something second hand like a 450D?

It really depends on your budget and what you think you need from a camera. Personally I'd probably buy second hand and invest the spare money in lenses.

 

[ancient_mariner]

Just to put a slightly different spin on things, lens range is important IF you will need unusual and high end lenses: 300mm f2.8, 85mm f1.2 etc. If you will use fairly typical lenses or intend not to buy any additional lenses past the standard kit lenses then it makes no practical difference at all. However have recently bought a Sony in order to be able to use my old Minolta lenses, as a general observation I'd say sony A mount lenses are cheaper used than their Canon & Nikon equivalents and about the same price new.

And for comparison a Tamron 90mm f2.8 Macro lens in Sony A mounts sells for £100-£150 used.

I recently bought a Sony a58, and having live view through the viewfinder is good - I picked that over an optical viewfinder, although I hope later on to acquire another camera body with OVF too. Go try some in a shop & see what feels best to you, because handling is as important as functions most of the time.

 

[gerryrys]

would i be better off getting a brand new canon 600D or something second hand like a 450D?

We have a 450D which together with a Canon 60mm EF-S macro lens is capable of producing spectacularly sharp results. I think the 450D is also the first Canon in this range to have the live view facility. You can pick up both of these items on fleabay for not very much money. The combination is also nice and light to carry around so will probably be not too dramatic a transition from a bridge camera.

Good Luck

Gerry