Been using the GFs 400d and really enjoying it, first DSLR kit?

413x · 27 Jul 2013 at 19:47

New to photography but being able to use the GFs DSLR im really enjoying it.
I like technical hobbies and the satisfaction of using it on manual. Ive always liked photography but have never made a good go of it.

so im looking to purchase one for myself

Price range i would say up to 700D

should i stick with canon as that's what my partner has and be able to share lenses etc? (i have never used a nikon)

I like wildlife, particularly birds and insects/butterflies etc, which means both close up and distance! Im not the sort to take landscapes or indoor shots.

I understand these threads probably come up a lot!

Genoma · 27 Jul 2013 at 20:39

Stick with Canon if you want to share lenses.

If £50 matters to you have a look at the differences between the 650D and the 700D. Main one is the 700D can do video at 60 FPS opposed to 30 if that matters. I have the 650 and find it well suited, fast and I love the ergonomics.

Have a look at prices on DigitalRev, HDEW, One Stop Digital. I can recommend DigitalRev from HK but watch for any gotchas on warranty. Not used the other 2.

Depending on budget you can think about lenses. If it's a starter kit lens I'm really having fun with the Canon EF 18-135 IS which will give you some zoom for distance and is cheap. Don't expect miracles but I would choose this over the stock 18-55.

If your budget is wider let people here know to give you a better choice of lenses.

King Damager · 27 Jul 2013 at 21:41

Genoma said:
Stick with Canon if you want to share lenses.

If £50 matters to you have a look at the differences between the 650D and the 700D. Main one is the 700D can do video at 60 FPS opposed to 30 if that matters. I have the 650 and find it well suited, fast and I love the ergonomics.

Have a look at prices on DigitalRev, HDEW, One Stop Digital. I can recommend DigitalRev from HK but watch for any gotchas on warranty. Not used the other 2.

Depending on budget you can think about lenses. If it's a starter kit lens I'm really having fun with the Canon EF 18-135 IS which will give you some zoom for distance and is cheap. Don't expect miracles but I would choose this over the stock 18-55.

If your budget is wider let people here know to give you a better choice of lenses.

I'd stay with canon due to the sharing lenses benefit myself as well.

Just a note on the above. Be wary of buying from HK. Whilst Lens warranties are often global for Canon (not sure if that's only L stuff), it's not on Canon bodies.

kd

413x · 27 Jul 2013 at 21:49

King Damager said:
I'd stay with canon due to the sharing lenses benefit myself as well.

Just a note on the above. Be wary of buying from HK. Whilst Lens warranties are often global for Canon (not sure if that's only L stuff), it's not on Canon bodies.

kd

Thats quite important. i can see the temptation, the savings are pretty hefty

413x · 27 Jul 2013 at 21:52

no real point in getting the standard starter kit as due to sharing lenses we have that one already

Genoma · 28 Jul 2013 at 00:26

What lens(es) do you have and what is your budget al4x?

413x · 28 Jul 2013 at 11:28

budget is probably around 500 ish for the body alone and just one lens to start that is usable.

just basic lenses.. ef 75-300 f/4-5.6 iii
and efs 18-55mm that came with it

King Damager · 28 Jul 2013 at 12:10

Add a nifty fifty as the lens (50mm 1.8). It's cheap, and is a good introduction to the prime world on a crop camera.

kd

413x · 28 Jul 2013 at 12:17

King Damager said:
Add a nifty fifty as the lens (50mm 1.8). It's cheap, and is a good introduction to the prime world on a crop camera.

kd

ah yes, i think the gf is going to get that one,

is it worth getting a starter kit with the lenses we have?

i will probably want to take a lot of close ups (for creppy crawlys) and distance shots of birds

looking at the cameras i think the body would be a 65od or 700d, i understand the 700 is the newer model and theres not much between them

King Damager · 28 Jul 2013 at 12:43

al4x said:
ah yes, i think the gf is going to get that one,

is it worth getting a starter kit with the lenses we have?

i will probably want to take a lot of close ups (for creppy crawlys) and distance shots of birds

looking at the cameras i think the body would be a 650d or 700d, i understand the 700 is the newer model and theres not much between them

If you both like the same stuff, then it might be worth getting a starter kit.

For example, if you're both going out for the day to shoot landscapes, you don't want to be arguing over the lenses to use.

The 70-300 that you have for now, will do on a crop body as a tele. It's not actually a great one in my opinion. But better stuff get's stupidly expensive.

The 650D and 700D are very similar, the only real benefit to the 700D is it's newer, I think Canon may have discontinued making the 650D but apart from that it doesn't matter too much. Especially if you're on photo stuff.

Long Term, the lens for close ups you'll probably want is one of the Canon 100mm Macro lenses (L or non-L), but for now, most kit lenses have a 'macro' mode, including I think the 18-55 you already have. Plus, the 100mm Macro's are often part of Canon's cashback offers. Personally I'm waiting for the next cashback offer to pick up a 100mm Macro probably. For bird shots, well, come back when you want another one of those, as the longer lenses can start getting expensive xD

To be honest, you can kind of do what you want, at the budget option for what you want, with the lenses your gf has. The only reason you may want to pick up another lens is if you're going to be battling over using them!

As a side point, have you considered the 600D?

kd

413x · 28 Jul 2013 at 14:28

actually i hadnt looked at the 600d

ah yes i was looking at a 100mm canon L

my gf is looking at a 70-200mm f2.8 IS, but the canon version is too muchso its between
70-200 f2.8 canon non IS
70-200 f4 canon IS
or ..non canon..
tamron 2.8 IS
sigma 2.8 IS

King Damager · 28 Jul 2013 at 15:12

al4x said:
actually i hadnt looked at the 600d

ah yes i was looking at a 100mm canon L

my gf is looking at a 70-200mm f2.8 IS, but the canon version is too muchso its between
70-200 f2.8 canon non IS
70-200 f4 canon IS
or ..non canon..
tamron 2.8 IS
sigma 2.8 IS

Take a look at the Canon 70-200 F4 Non IS as well. Cheapest L lens (cheaper than those you're looking at), and really very good from what I've heard.

As a side point, I believe (but may be wrong) that optically there's not actually that much between the 100mm 2.8 Macro and the 100 2.8 Macro L. I think the major difference is weather sealing (but can't quite remember right now)

kd

413x · 28 Jul 2013 at 15:45

Is the IS on the sigma/tamron worth it over the non is canon L f4?

when weather sealing is mentioned, what sort of severity are we talking about for ones that arent sealed?

also, some people mention the 60D as an alternative to 700d

413x · 29 Jul 2013 at 01:47

Gah, the d7000 is tempting :-\

413x · 29 Jul 2013 at 19:27

I think i need to choose between the canon 60d, 7d and nikon d7000

it seems from reading the d7000 is superior to the 60d. that seems to be the overwhelming opinion.
the 7D is marginally better than the 7000d but MUCH more expensive.

i would get the nikon (pending a hands on) but
if sharing lenses is a viable idea it would definitely offset the cost, but then i expect if we were going somewhere together we would be using the same type of lens anyway!

im really in a predicament