What Camera to buy??

Harrysup

Harrysup

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Sam
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Hi guys, i am a new user and i am in the process of deciding which camera to purchase and wouldn't mind some of your thoughts on the matter...

i have a fairly good understanding of photography and know enough to get me by, but i am still not sure on which camera would be right for me.

i am not looking for anything too advanced, at the moment i am looking at purchasing either a 1000d or a 400d, both i have been told are good starter cameras, but still i am not sure??

i would be looking at some new lenses once i got to know my camera, possibly a nifty fifty and eventually i would like to get a macro lens, but only when the funds allow me too ;)

any suggestions on a camera or lenses would be a massive help.


Thanks Sam:)
 
At about £370 including delivery from a UK supplier I think the 1000d is unbeatable. It's your route to gteater things, total lens compatability means you can grab a nifty fifty for under £90 or a 24-105mm F4L is ready for your 5D mk11. I've seen fantastic results from this little wonder which i think is a better bet than grabbing a used 400d.

John www.phototuition.net
 
You could take a look at other brands too, Nikon have some great offerings at the moment for that kind of budget. The D3000 would be my choice anyway. Feels nice to hold, and very easy to get to grips with!

If you just want to stick to Canon, I can vouch for the 400d, didn't understand the controls much but it seemed alright.. And after wrestling with the interface a lot, I got some good shots! But to be honest it felt a bit weird to hold and for me the controls are set up all wrong (but that's just preference..) Have heard bad things about the 1000d build quality, about the mirrors coming loose or something.. Probably happens to a tiny minority though :) You could also look at second hand cams? The bang:buck ratio could be better that way. Who knows.

Sam
 
phototuition said:
At about £370 including delivery from a UK supplier I think the 1000d is unbeatable. It's your route to gteater things, total lens compatability means you can grab a nifty fifty for under £90 or a 24-105mm F4L is ready for your 5D mk11. I've seen fantastic results from this little wonder which i think is a better bet than grabbing a used 400d.

John www.phototuition.net
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Thanks for your help, being kinda new to it you lost me when you mentioned the 5D mk11?:thinking:? and would the 24-105mm be used as just a general all purpose lens?

Sam
 
SamuelHearn said:
You could take a look at other brands too, Nikon have some great offerings at the moment for that kind of budget. The D3000 would be my choice anyway. Feels nice to hold, and very easy to get to grips with!

If you just want to stick to Canon, I can vouch for the 400d, didn't understand the controls much but it seemed alright.. And after wrestling with the interface a lot, I got some good shots! But to be honest it felt a bit weird to hold and for me the controls are set up all wrong (but that's just preference..) Have heard bad things about the 1000d build quality, about the mirrors coming loose or something.. Probably happens to a tiny minority though :) You could also look at second hand cams? The bang:buck ratio could be better that way. Who knows.

Sam
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Thanks for your input, i think i am going to stick with the cannons simply because one of my friends has got one and i have had a little play and find them easy enough to use, and they feel conformable enough for me, however lets just pray whatever i end up getting, the build quality is not the same as what is rumoured... lol

Thanks for your help

Sam
 
on a budget, i'd take a new 1000d over a used 400d (are they even around anymore?) anytime. having said that, if i could afford it, i'd go for the 450d instead.

whatever your choice, if you're getting the 18-55mm kit lens, try to get the IS version.
 
Harrysup said:
Thanks for your help, being kinda new to it you lost me when you mentioned the 5D mk11?:thinking:? and would the 24-105mm be used as just a general all purpose lens?

Sam
Click to expand...

I think John meant that it would be a future - proof lens for any upgrades :)
 
willsphots said:
on a budget, i'd take a new 1000d over a used 400d (are they even around anymore?) anytime. having said that, if i could afford it, i'd go for the 450d instead.

whatever your choice, if you're getting the 18-55mm kit lens, try to get the IS version.
Click to expand...

what would be the advantage of the IS lens? what is better about it exactly? sorry, i just am not totally sure on all the aspects of this yet.:bonk:
 
Here are a few abbreviations applied to Canon lenses that should help you start to understand what the hell people are on about when they mention a "Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS USM" lens.

IS - Image Stabilisation. Which reduces the effect of camera shake therefore allowing you to use a slower shutter speed. Used mostly in low light situations.

L - Stands for "Luxury". The L-series range of lenses often has better build quality and image quality as better materials are used to produce them. (You can identify an "L" lens by the red ring around the barrel. (E.g. 70-200 f/4L USM)

USM - Ultrasonic Motor. The method by which the autofocus in the lens is powered. These motors are much quieter than normal autofocus motors and usually allow full-time manual focus without actually switching the lens to manual focus.

DO - Diffractive Optics. Special DO elements are used in lenses to almost eliminate Chromatic Aberration. Also allows the lens to be much shorter and lighter.

Hope that makes things as clear as mud for you now. ;)

Tom N.
 
1000D comes with the 18-55 lens. Earlier models came with the 18-55IS which is a MUCH better lens. Try and find a kit with the IS lens if you can.
Good starter kit. Perfectly capable, it'll take any EF or EFS lens. If you get hooked be prepared to always want more...and always be poor !
 
TommyPhoto said:
Here are a few abbreviations applied to Canon lenses that should help you start to understand what the hell people are on about when they mention a "Canon 400mm f/4 DO IS USM" lens.

IS - Image Stabilisation. Which reduces the effect of camera shake therefore allowing you to use a slower shutter speed. Used mostly in low light situations.

L - Stands for "Luxury". The L-series range of lenses often has better build quality and image quality as better materials are used to produce them. (You can identify an "L" lens by the red ring around the barrel. (E.g. 70-200 f/4L USM)

USM - Ultrasonic Motor. The method by which the autofocus in the lens is powered. These motors are much quieter than normal autofocus motors and usually allow full-time manual focus without actually switching the lens to manual focus.

DO - Diffractive Optics. Special DO elements are used in lenses to almost eliminate Chromatic Aberration. Also allows the lens to be much shorter and lighter.

Hope that makes things as clear as mud for you now. ;)

Tom N.
Click to expand...

cheers tom, made things much clearer for me now, appreciate it :thumbs:
 
Harrysup said:
Thanks for your input, i think i am going to stick with the cannons simply because one of my friends has got one and i have had a little play and find them easy enough to use, and they feel conformable enough for me, however lets just pray whatever i end up getting, the build quality is not the same as what is rumoured... lol

Thanks for your help

Sam
Click to expand...

Probably as good a reason as any when there is so little to choose between the actual cameras in terms of physicality or performance. This way, your friend can expect to be called upon to lend you the odd lens as and when! :thumbs:
 
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