Which Camera for beginner - landscapes, wildlife and macro

siuko

siuko

siuko

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Hi All,

A spec me a camera thread :D

I have been looking at getting a Canon DSLR camera to start getting into photography a little more (I have a Fuji E900 at present). (Mainly looking at the 1000D, 450D cameras)

What would people recommend I go for if I am quite a beginner but would like to start concentrating on Landscape, Wildlife and Macro photography.

Initially I have possibly upto about £500-600 for the body plus a variable use lense (if you get my meaning)

After that if I get into it enough - I guess from the areas I am interested in each one will have a best lense for its use - so if you could mention which lenses you would recommend for them that would be great too.

Thanks for any help :D
 
You're probably looking at the kit lens (landscapes and general purpose lens) and adding something with a bit of length (for wildlife and very basic macro). Sigma 70-300 APO perhaps. It has 'macro' capabilities, but it's not true macro. Around £570 for the 1000D, kit lens and 70-300 APO. You'll need a bag, memory cards and perhaps a circular polariser too (useful for basic landscape work).

If you can live without proper macro for now then grab a decent macro lens at some point in the future - something like the Sigma 150mm f2.8 or Tamron 90mm f2.8 - then that would be ideal.
 
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400D has done me proud for 2+ years now and probably won't upgrade until there is a new model in the Canon XXD range (60D?).

I would say a 450D would be a perfect starting point for you.

The kit lens will get you started, and you could do some macro work using some teleconvertors. It will be fine for landscape work as well, but for wildlife you're probably going to want something with a range of 200mm+
 
Hehe I just dont want to confuse myself to much with too many options! :D

I am already getting a little confused between the 1000D 450D and now also looking at the 500D.

If I did go for something other than Canon, like the Nixon D60 - are they supported lense-wise as much as the canons etc?

And (coming from pc terms) - which is the best bang for the buck? :D

Would anyone recommend I get a 1000D with more choice of lenses in my price range (like a 2 lense deal - with a Tamron 70-300mm - would this do for wildlife?) or spend more on the body and go for the 500D with one basic lense and wait for more lenses later? :confused:
 
I'd try dipping into the 2nd market mate. You might pick up a decent 400D body for £200 - £250 leaving you a decent amount for say 3 lenses.

Deffo gotta include a 50mm f1.8 in whatever brand you pick though..
 
Personally I'd look at a used 40D, they seem to go for around £450 right now in very good condition plus a Sigma 18-200 OS (£199) and some macro tubes until you can afford to get dedicated lenses.

Or a used 400D/450D (~£225-350), 18-55 IS (~£80 used) and 55-250IS (£170 new) plus some macro tubes again (£5-80 depending on what version you get).
 
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Raikiri said:
Personally I'd look at a used 40D, they seem to go for around £450 right now in very good condition plus a Sigma 18-200 OS (£199) and some macro tubes until you can afford to get dedicated lenses.

Or a used 400D/450D (~£225-350), 18-55 IS (~£80 used) and 55-250IS (£170 new) plus some macro tubes again (£5-80 depending on what version you get).
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+1 on the 40D :) It's a lot of camera for the money!
 
I bagged a 350D with a battery grip (with the 2 batteries) and the kit lens and cable shutter release for £160, this left me funds to get a Canon 55-250mm IS, Canon 50mm ƒ/1.8, Tamron 90mm ƒ/2.8 Macro, a camera backpack and memory cards. All in all i've spent £665 :D - the bargains are out there ;)

The reason i'm saying this is that the 350D which is now absolutely cheap as chips is (imo) every bit as capable as the 450D/500D - put the extra to lenses I say ;)

however, if you want more than the XXXD range offers, yes the 40D is a real beauty :)
 
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siuko said:
Hehe I just dont want to confuse myself to much with too many options! :D

I am already getting a little confused between the 1000D 450D and now also looking at the 500D.

If I did go for something other than Canon, like the Nixon D60 - are they supported lense-wise as much as the canons etc?

And (coming from pc terms) - which is the best bang for the buck? :D

Would anyone recommend I get a 1000D with more choice of lenses in my price range (like a 2 lense deal - with a Tamron 70-300mm - would this do for wildlife?) or spend more on the body and go for the 500D with one basic lense and wait for more lenses later? :confused:
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Canon have the most lenses, Nikon are almost as good but do have less, the other brands are considerably far behind due to market share. This may or may not be a problem.

I would recommend buying a cheaper camera body from either Canon or Nikon and more or better lenses. This way you can't go wrong.

Remember you are buying into a system, not just a once off item. This purchase could dictate a lifetime of lens choices. Other camera systems outside the main 2 Can-Nikon can work very well for some people, but you wont know if those systems are appropriate until after a few years of photography.
 
Thanks everyone for the responses... keep them coming...

Mugen where did you get the 350D at that price? If you are able to say without it being a competitor that is :D
 
it was from a good friend of mine :) - looking at ebay though i did get a very good price as that is not far off the price you should be paying without the battery grip - so the bargains are out there if you look :)
 
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