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Postie90

Postie90

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Steve
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im starting out in the realm of what i call proper camera (dslr) ive been looking at the canon EOS 650d which on wex has 3 different packages off lenses
18-55, 18-135, 18-55 55-250
not sure which would be best for me so this is where i ask for some help, first the money side this camera seems great for the money and highly recomended but is there an alternative i should consider, a friend has recomended canon...
now for the camera package.... my wife is expecting a baby in july so this is the reason for the new purchase,
lots of baby shots and usual holiday snaps but i also race Rc Cars (radio controlled) would be good to get some action shots if possible with this camera... i welcome anyone advise and thoughts on what i should go for..... regards steve.
 
The 650D is an excellent bit of kit for the money. The standard "kit" lens, the 18-55 is OK but built down to a price. It is more than capable of shooting good baby shots so that combination would be suitable.

The thing is, is not to rush in. Go to a good camera shop and handle cameras within your budget as they all handle differently. There is no point buying a camera which you find uncomfortable using.
 
The 18-55 is fine to start with.
The 55-250 is a cracker of a lens, it is pretty much unbeatable even at twice the price.

I'd say that you might like to think about a 50mm 1.8 for the baby pictures. It has a much wider aperture than the 18-55, which would be useful in low light (I'm thinking of indoors).

The 55-250 would be good for the radio control cars.

I'd say get the 18-55 for now, add the 50mm 1.8 and then the 55-250. If you bide your time you can probably pick up the lenses second hand on here and save a few quid :)
 
Craft said:
The 18-55 is fine to start with.
The 55-250 is a cracker of a lens, it is pretty much unbeatable even at twice the price.

I'd say that you might like to think about a 50mm 1.8 for the baby pictures. It has a much wider aperture than the 18-55, which would be useful in low light (I'm thinking of indoors).

The 55-250 would be good for the radio control cars.

I'd say get the 18-55 for now, add the 50mm 1.8 and then the 55-250. If you bide your time you can probably pick up the lenses second hand on here and save a few quid :)
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Thanks for your advice....
 
Looking at wex and came across another canon the 600d and the 60d for around the same price... Which is the newer camera 650 or the above, which is better.
 
Steve, did anything I suggested help?

Go to WEX or somewhere which stocks cameras and try them. Don't just take someone else's recommendations. I use Canon, but I didn't just recommend them. You need to find out for yourself.

If you take the top makers, say Canon, Nikon, Sony, etc. they do not make poor cameras. However one of the brands will feel best for you.
 
650d and 60d are different animals, its not just a case of which is newer. "Better" is subjective, depends on your needs. Ultimately you may consider a 1DX at £4500 is a "better" camera, but its expensive, you won't use half the features and its going to be bigger and bulkier than a 650D - not ideal for travelling for example.

I'd echo what Bob says, get to a shop and have a play, at the lower end there isn't much to choose between brands technically, its more what you are comfortable with.
 
Thanks guys... I will pop to my local currys over the weekend and have a look....
 
Curry's ... ?
 
Yellowbelly said:
Curry's ... ?
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In fairness, their isn't a vast number of photography stores left in the high st. I don't know where you live. But I've always found London Camera Exchange helpful, alternately if your in the North West there is Harrison Cameras, there are lots around London, I like Camera World, for Norwich area there is Wex Photographic. They all have web sites so can check on exact locations.
 
If your Curry's is anything like ours, the range of cameras is, shall we say a tad bereft.

Where are you based? Perhaps I could suggest a retailer near you?
 
Yellowbelly said:
If your Curry's is anything like ours, the range of cameras is, shall we say a tad bereft.

Where are you based? Perhaps I could suggest a retailer near you?
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The midlands Walsall to exact.... :)
 
It seems you are in a photographic desert, as am I in Lincolnshire!

However, you do have Calumet reasonably near at

100 Hagley Road
Birmingham, B16 8LT
0121 326 7636

They are quite good with their prices and carry excellent stock. it would be well worth a trip.
 
Postie90 said:
Looking at wex and came across another canon the 600d and the 60d for around the same price... Which is the newer camera 650 or the above, which is better.
Click to expand...

The 60D is a fantastic camera, I loved mine but upgraded to full frame. I miss it's speed and perfect dimensions for me.

As for your initial query, I bought my first DSLR for the same reason and now I'm hooked. Go for an 18-55mm package with whichever body you choose but the 50mm 1.8 is a must for getting really good baby shots on a budget.
 
Your other option is a John Lewis last time I went in had most canon cameras up to the 5dmk111
 
Wow.
This is the retail marketplace.

And most people spent years thinking they were smart talking Jessops down.

Congratulations, you wrecked the retail camera market, now what does a newcomer do to 'feel' a camera?
 
Phil V said:
Wow.
This is the retail marketplace.

And most people spent years thinking they were smart talking Jessops down.

Congratulations, you wrecked the retail camera market, now what does a newcomer do to 'feel' a camera?
Click to expand...

When I first saw the OP I wanted to suggest going and handling different systems but couldn't think of a way to say it without 'but you can't because Jessops is closed'

Re the OP, if you can, do as suggested and see what feels right... It's the only proper way of knowing if you'll get on with it.

Perhaps if you can justify the outlay, rent a system from (someone correct me) lensesforhire.co.uk, then you can see the end result as well.
Not the most practical idea, but a direction to look at at least.
 
Phil V said:
Wow.
This is the retail marketplace.

And most people spent years thinking they were smart talking Jessops down.

Congratulations, you wrecked the retail camera market, now what does a newcomer do to 'feel' a camera?
Click to expand...

I don't think that was the only reason Phil. A lot could have been to do with people using them to get a feel for what they want and then shopping online because the level of service didn't justify paying more. If I'm honest I found them unhelpful so use LCE
 
I had 2 Jessops branches that were friendly and knowledgeable. In later years they couldn't really afford to keep staff like that everywhere. And their margins were so squeezed that sloppy practices crept in.

Jessops went bus because we demand the lowest price possible. People are even prepared to sail close to the wind legally to get the cheapest prices.

It's a bit like girls want boys to have a sense of humour;)

Ask photographers what's important and they'll tell you, great customer service, stock levels, choice of gear etc. but give them the option to buy from Hong Kong and save 20% and they're off like a beauty queen chasing a quarterback (no sense of humour, but great abs).
 
The Currys close to me has a better range of DSLRs than the Jessops store used to. And the guys in the two Jessops in my area were as equally clueless as Currys.

I will happily pay a bit more in a shop that gives really good advice and service but I am probably in the minority here and the shops that actually fit that are few and far between.
 
I would of bought at Jessops in the past but the selection of stock they had meant I couldn't handle anything I wanted. I went in one day with £2000 cash in my pocket to buy a 100 L macro and a 100-400 L. They had neither in stock and didn't seem too interested in getting them in for me and that was 2011 before their financial troubles set in. So I had to walk about half a mile up the road to LCE where I handled both of the lenses from their display, received both from stock and paid and walked away with them. Most helpful compared with 'can't be bothered'.

In answer to the OP's question, the 650D is a great camera to start with. It's got a great set of features and the kit lenses you've mentioned will all be good to start with. Depending on your budget and needs have a look at the 18-135 STM lens as it's designed to go with the video features of the 650D and gives better IQ for stills that the non STM 18-135.

Have a look at Hdew Cameras as well as they have some good deals on the 650D http://www.hdewcameras.co.uk/canon-eos-650d-double-kit-18-5555-250-ii-1014-p.asp and it comes with a 3 year warranty. The cameras are imports but the company are UK based and the warranty work is done by Canon approved service centres. If you are anywhere near Lincoln and want to come and have a look and feel of a 650D you are welcome, drop me a PM if you do, that way you wont be part of the high street meltdown.
 
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Hdew do a pro starter kit including the canon 60d and all the lenses mentioned... Think I'm going to consider this to....
 
Postie90 said:
Hdew do a pro starter kit including the canon 60d and all the lenses mentioned... Think I'm going to consider this to....
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All what lenses mentioned?

Whoops! I've seen it. That's not a pro starter kit. The only lens on that list a pro might use would be the 50mm, and it'd be the worst/ cheapest lens they'd own.

A pro standard zoom is more expensive than that entire kit.
 
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Phil, my first Dslr was bought from a Jessops store about 6 years ago and as you said, at that time they were very helpful, however the levels of service I myself received over recent years from stores near me coupled with the lack of stock and knowledge, stopped me from purchasing from them and using the likes of Wex or LCE, whose service has always been great.

To the OP, you won't go wrong with any of the cameras you've mentioned. When I last upgraded I was looking at the 60d and the 650d. The main differences I found was.
60d felt more solid, larger body, 2nd dial for adjusting settings. Generally a better feel.

The 650d was better for video due to the AF system being able to refocus during recording.

As others have said get your hands on them and decide for yourself
 
Looking at memory cards..... What size memory card should I go for? How many pictures would a 8gb card hold.....
 
How about finding a local camera club , if its like mine you get a friendly group willing to share experiences.views and let you try their kit.
 
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