Buying a DSLR... some advice please!

[xyphic]

Of late I've become disillusioned with my Fuji S7000. It was a good camera for the most part, but I found it increasingly frustrating to capture the shot I wanted (especially with subjects that didn't want to keep still). It's also got a dust or grease spot on the sensor, which doesn't make me any more inclined to use it -- having to clone out the spot on every picture is annoying, and I don't fancy trying to take it apart to clean the sensor.

Anyway, reasoning aside, I'm intent on stepping up to the next level of camera and getting myself a 'proper' DSLR. I've got my eye on the 350D, and would get it with the stock 18-55 kit lens. Because I have an interest in macro photography I'm also looking at the Canon EF-S 60mm f2.8 Macro. Not cheap, but gets good reviews. It's either that or get a zoom lens with a macro mode (e.g. Sigma 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO Macro DG), though obviously that wouldn't be as good for the macro, but would be more flexible.

I currently don't do much in the way of landscape photography so I'm thinking the zoom would be less use than the macro.

Given that I'm a complete amateur about to enter the grown-up world of DSLRs, I'd appreciate any thoughts or alternative suggestions. I'm looking at around £700 as budget. I'm also looking for a backpack style case so I can go out and about on my bike with the camera. Currently looking at the Tamrac Adventure 7 -- anyone have any experience with this bag?

So anyway, would appreciate any thoughts.

 

[rpstewart]

OK, starting from the top...

The spot you're seeing is unlikely to be on the sensor as the camera is a sealed unit, the front element of the lens is likely to be where you may have marks.

If you do a lot of macro work then a dedicated macro lens is always a good investment, it might be worth looking at all the available true macros because I'm not sure what the working distance is going to be like with a 60mm. A similar thing holds for macro zooms - some will only operate in macro mode at one end of the zoom range.

There are plenty of backpack type bags out there, I use a Lowepro Mini Trekker which can comfortably take a 1DMkII, 100-400, 24-70 f2.8, a flash and all the wee bit and pieces. The only problem I find is that you need to put it down and use both hands to open it and get anything out, that's fine for some things but I've been increasingly using a shoulder bag instead as I find it easier to get stuff in and out in a hurry.

 

[brocksta]

some of the guys have said on here that the downfall with the 350d is that it is quite small compared to other dslr cameras. I would suggest going down to your local camera shop to have a feel of the camera and see if it is confortable for you.

Personally i find it absolutely fine and i love the camera to bits

 

[xyphic]

some of the guys have said on here that the downfall with the 350d is that it is quite small compared to other dslr cameras. I would suggest going down to your local camera shop to have a feel of the camera and see if it is confortable for you.

Personally i find it absolutely fine and i love the camera to bits

I've used my dad's, which has pretty much sold me on it! It's one of the reasons I find it depressing to go back to the S7000...

 

[bigredshark]

I've used my dad's, which has pretty much sold me on it! It's one of the reasons I find it depressing to go back to the S7000...

Oh, it's good, thats for sure, I'd have bought one but i tried a Nikon too and the build feels better and it's more comfortable, i also prefer the controls i think. I'd try a Nikon before you commit to the 350D to see how you get on, either will serve you well, though it has to be said canon has a wider range of lenses (not better mind you)

 

[xyphic]

I played around with both, and went for the 350D in the end... I think mainly because I'm already a bit used to it. I didn't have any trouble with the size.

Anyway, I've not had much chance to play with it yet... but from what I have, it's a big step up from the S7000. A couple from out in the garden with the Canon 60mm macro:

 

[xyphic]

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for good macro photography? I don't yet have a tripod, so everything is done hand-held, and obviously shake is a problem. I found that at ISO 100 in full sunshine, even with the lens fully open I struggled to get a short enough exposure that the picture stood up to close inspection.

Moving up to ISO 200 helped a lot. Will I see any large degradation by moving even further up to ISO 400 for macro photography? I'm used to my old camera having huge amounts of noise at anything above ISO 200!

The pictures earlier in this thread are under a third of their original size. My aim is to get as close to a 100% crop as possible without the subject appearing blurred. So any insights will be most welcome!

 

[robertgilbert86]

Well you won't get amazing results without a macro lens, but I've found with my D50 noise is rarely a problem. You won't get super sharp images because the lens can't focus close enough. If you do get noise 'Noiseware' is very good at removing it.

 

[SDK^]

Does anyone have any tips or tricks for good macro photography?
Moving up to ISO 200 helped a lot. Will I see any large degradation by moving even further up to ISO 400 for macro photography? I'm used to my old camera having huge amounts of noise at anything above ISO 200!

You don't need a tripod for sharp macro photos and you can push ISO up to 800 and still get decent results. This is one the advantages of a D-SLR - low noise
If you can get your hands of a Flash then it will help add more lighting to your subject and thus you and then use a faster shutter speed.

Well you won't get amazing results without a macro lens

He has a Macro lens, read his posts above

 

[danza]

I'd have thought that ISO 400 would be no prob for the 350D, surprised in fact if it was.

Give it a go!

If you have the inclination/funds try looking into ring flashes, that would help you no end. Sigma does a cheap alternative to the Canon range, but I'm not sure how it stands up spec/performance wise.

I think of the 2 images posted, the butterfly is the best. There's less detracting from the subject and the lighting is better. Also the colour seems just right.

 

[xyphic]

Ta. I'll force myself out of the mindset of "high ISO = bad" and give it a go at some higher settings. The next time there's any sun...