Recommend me a camera! Budget digital SLR, 400D perhaps?

[peteruk]

Hey everyone,

My interest in photography has been growing for some time, and I've always contemplated the idea of grabbing a camera. I'm off travelling on some political and engineering related placements in the new year, so I don't think I'll come across a better stimulus to grab one than now, so I can capture the memories.

A friend of mine has a Canon 400D that I've always been impressed by. I know a lot of mass-market digital cameras are available these days, but I've got a few spare notes at the moment so would very much like to jump in at the budget digital SLR end of the market.

Also, the price he paid for his a few years ago (£250-£300), would be around my price range.

So my question to you pros is: would this be the best piece of kit for my price range? Or has something else jumped into its place? I've read several comprehensive reviews that praise the product highly, and the next step up (450D I believe) seems to be a significant increase in cost.

I'm happy to buy used in order to get better value.

I'm also concious there is the lens to consider, what are your views here? I distinctly remember my friend purchasing a new lens and the improvement on an already phenomenal camera was shocking.

Any advice you can dish out would be extremely appreciated!

Thanks,
Peter.

 

[benjo]

I'm also looking at a 400D. Theres a few on canon's refurbished outlet on the auction site. I've been comparing the 400D and the 20D. They both come under the same budget, but each have their pro's and cons.

I have no idea though

 

[w311zy]

I'm also looking at a 400D. Theres a few on canon's refurbished outlet on the auction site. I've been comparing the 400D and the 20D. They both come under the same budget, but each have their pro's and cons.

I have no idea though

I have a 400D as my 1st DSLR and it seems very good....just need to learn to use it

 

[w311zy]

I'm also concious there is the lens to consider, what are your views here? I distinctly remember my friend purchasing a new lens and the improvement on an already phenomenal camera was shocking.

Any advice you can dish out would be extremely appreciated!

I would also like to know about this as i have just got the lens that comes with it.

 

[thesubstitute]

I guess if you're on a budget, the 400D's the good choice if you can pick it up from the auction site. I'd recommend you look into researching the 1000D as well, which as I understand, is the cheapest entry level Canon DSLR. There're a good few results when you google comparison for 400D, 20D and the 1000D.

You're on the spot with the lens as well - you might also want to think about a couple of filters (skylight or UV filter for each lens).

What lenses to get depends entirely on what photos you'll be taking naturally. I'd recommend the f1.8 50mm to anyone - I've had the most fun with this lens for portraits and some still photos.

The modern Canon kit lens seems alright on first impression - the Image Stabiliser's definitely a nice addition, and for a few quid extra on top of the body it's a steal really.

I've lived on the kit lens and the 50mm for 4 years with no complain. I would only recommend a telephoto lens as an additional if you're definitely interested in taking candid shots, animals (I used my pro-sumer Nikon's 8x optical zoom for those type of photos myself).

Can't say I can make good recommendations but a good telephoto lens will probably set you back a bit. I did buy a Sigma 75-300mm lens, but the lens wasn't really up to the task towards the 300mm end unfortunately.

Hope my rambling is semi-useful, sorry I don't have any practical advice.

 

[w311zy]

I guess if you're on a budget, the 400D's the good choice if you can pick it up from the auction site. I'd recommend you look into researching the 1000D as well, which as I understand, is the cheapest entry level Canon DSLR. There're a good few results when you google comparison for 400D, 20D and the 1000D.

You're on the spot with the lens as well - you might also want to think about a couple of filters (skylight or UV filter for each lens).

What lenses to get depends entirely on what photos you'll be taking naturally. I'd recommend the f1.8 50mm to anyone - I've had the most fun with this lens for portraits and some still photos.

The modern Canon kit lens seems alright on first impression - the Image Stabiliser's definitely a nice addition, and for a few quid extra on top of the body it's a steal really.

I've lived on the kit lens and the 50mm for 4 years with no complain. I would only recommend a telephoto lens as an additional if you're definitely interested in taking candid shots, animals (I used my pro-sumer Nikon's 8x optical zoom for those type of photos myself).

Can't say I can make good recommendations but a good telephoto lens will probably set you back a bit. I did buy a Sigma 75-300mm lens, but the lens wasn't really up to the task towards the 300mm end unfortunately.

Hope my rambling is semi-useful, sorry I don't have any practical advice.

Well i have just sent my application off for OU course in digital photography so hopefully it will help a lot on my understanding and hopefully the 400D should do me well.