Picking a new camera, and need a little help :O)

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OK, Jessops has a price crash for the next 5 days, and I want to take advantage of it and finally get myself a Canon. I currently have a Kodak Z740, but want to move up to a DSLR.

My question is, do you think I would be better off getting the 350D or the 400D? Are there better settings on the 400D. I am a fast learner, so learning to use the camera is not an issue. I guess I'm trying to justify a reason to spend that much more on the newer model :lol:

Also, I want to get 2 additional lenses. A macro lens and a zoom lens. Both need to be reasonably priced, so I'm looking for the biggest zoom possible for the smallest price. So what lenses would you recommend?

Thanks in advance :love:

ETA: I would also like to know what other bits and pieces I need to get to get started too, like battery grip, bag etc etc...
 
For the zoom lens I doubt I'll be the only one to heartily recommend the Sigma 70-300mm f4-5.6 APO DG. It can be had for under £150 and is a cracking lens for the money. I used it from May last year when I got the 30D and was delighted with it. Does partly depend on what you're going to be shooting though - if you're going to do a lot of low light stuff then others will no doubt tell you to avoid it as it can "hunt" a lot in low light. I never found it a problem though I would have to say.

Good luck with your searching!
 
Thanks Witch! I will have a search around for that one ;)
 
350D is an excellent buy, reviews suggest that the 400D isn't such a significant step-up - adds dust removal which, according to some reports, isn't 100% effective. I'd go with the 350D & spend the extra cash on lenses

simon
 
Don't ignore the secondhand market for your first DSLR body, especially on here, as both the 20D and Nikon D70s can be had for similar or less money to a new 350/400D and will last you a lot longer terms of your photography needs.

Sigma 105mm F2.8 Macro seems to represent pretty good value for money although there are others options that come close.
Search more on this site for lens advice - there's lots of it.

Good luck
 
The 2nd hand point is a very valid one - most notably if you can buy from someone on here who you trust, or from a reputable high stret store who do second hand and will give you some form of warranty as this suggests the kit will have been carefully checked out prior to you taking it away. My first DSLR was 2nd hand and I never regretted going down that route as it gave me the time to find out that I really was going to keep up this photography lark without spending the absolute fortune I have since!

The important thing is that you get yourself into jessops or somewhere first and handle ALL the possibilities. You don't have to end up buying from them, but get to grips with all the cameras that might feature in your plans. I had a play around with a 350D prior to parting with the cash for my 30D and knew immediately it wasn't the camera for me - coming from a second hand early-model DSLR the 350 just felt too small to me - felt like I wasn't holding a "real" camera, and I wasn't happy with that. The 30D felt "right" in my hands pretty much immediately - I've not got the biggest hands or longest fingers in the world but the controls were within easy reach and it all just "fitted" me. Bit like driving a car - there are some that you just don't click with straight away and will never be comfortable to drive - others feel right and make you smile!
 
Hi,

I was in Jessops in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago and they had a Canon 350D, two lenses, something like 18 - 70 and 75 - 200 plus a battery grip for £615, seemed like a good bargain but don't know if the sale is in all Jessops stores or just this one.
 
Can't comment on Canon as, being a Nikon user I am on the dark side!;)

Lens wise .... I use the Tamron 70-300mm Di LD. Not unlike the Sigma listed above. Nice lens IMHO. Like the Sigma, it has a close up setting of 1:2 - both are similar price.

Good luck on the hunting and have fun with the new camera!!

Anth.
 
Thanks everyone!

I went to Jessops in the end and got the 350D + 2GB card and a spare battery for £404 total.

However, I doubt I will ever use my local Jessops again! I sent my husband to fetch it for me after striking a deal over the phone myself. Once I got the camera out and started fiddling around with it, I noticed it was different to the camera pictured in the user book, then it dawned on me that I had a 400D in my hands. I wanted to keep it real bad, but when I called the jessops help desk they told me if I did it would make my guarantee invalid etc etc. plus there was a pixel missing on the display screen. So I packed it all back up again and sent my hubby back. This time with instructions to check everything was right in the box... When he got home this time, the camera was present and correct, but all the software and manuals were missing, ugh. So off he toddled again the next day. This time the flaming USB lead was missing. Nope, I won't be using them again any time soon. The store manager told my husband how sorry she was, and that she thought something 'dodgy' must be going on...Noooo :lol: really?

Anyway, I now have my new camera :clap:
 
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