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First camera and lens help
- Thread starter A[L]C
- Start date
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There is nothing that would lead me to say that a beginner requires IS. It really only provides you with a greater margin for error, and pushes the boundaries of shutter speeds in low light a littler - but it's far from necessary and I'm sure there are some arguments against having IS.
Notwithstanding the above, do be aware that the Canon 18-55IS is different optically from it's non-IS counterpart. My perception is that the non-IS is considered to be a fairly poor lens, whereas the 18-55IS is pretty respectable for it's price point (although not without it's issues!).
Very broadly speaking, a 400D should probably last a few tens of thousands of shutter actuations, if not more. So perhaps look for one with <10k (which I would imagine will be easy enough to find). It's no exact science tho, and you may well get a whole load more comments coming back that say something completely different from this, so just be aware of that.
The 400D and 18-55mm will be just fine to start with. If you can afford it, I'd recommend trying to either get something that comes with an 18-55mm IS, or in the longer term most here will recommend swapping the lens for something of a higher quality (if of course you feel the need to) such as a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 - so an alternative would be to buy a s/h camera body only and a second hand lens such as the above.
Notwithstanding the above, do be aware that the Canon 18-55IS is different optically from it's non-IS counterpart. My perception is that the non-IS is considered to be a fairly poor lens, whereas the 18-55IS is pretty respectable for it's price point (although not without it's issues!).
Very broadly speaking, a 400D should probably last a few tens of thousands of shutter actuations, if not more. So perhaps look for one with <10k (which I would imagine will be easy enough to find). It's no exact science tho, and you may well get a whole load more comments coming back that say something completely different from this, so just be aware of that.
The 400D and 18-55mm will be just fine to start with. If you can afford it, I'd recommend trying to either get something that comes with an 18-55mm IS, or in the longer term most here will recommend swapping the lens for something of a higher quality (if of course you feel the need to) such as a Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 - so an alternative would be to buy a s/h camera body only and a second hand lens such as the above.
I'm going to quote myself 
This is bit of a messy post but you should be able to get a bit from it.
As for the 400D it's a nice camera.
Remember the best camera is the one thats with you.
I'm going to sound wacky here but bear with me.
First of all three questions...
What do you want to take pictures of?
How much do you want to spend?
How often is the camera going to used and will it be used in any specific places (i.e dark/ muddy camp sites/ mountains)?
Assuming the answers to this point to Canon (90% of the time Canikon is the way to go) you have three options open to you.
1 - A 350D/400D - fine for summer pictures or general purpose use. Might be better than other older xxD models at high ISO.
2 - An old 10D/20D. Sounds silly but so long as you won't be printing bigger than A3 and it high ISO sensitivites don't bother you then you'll get a better AF system and better build quality and a higher frame rate.
3 - Finally if your going to push the camera harder in several directions you will have to look at getting more funds together 450/500D or 30/40D.
Now then, now you have to pair the body with a lens. I would recommend getting one of three lenses and then pairing it will another if applicable.
Tamron 17-50mm or similar. Good general purpose and should be fine in lowish light conditions, be great if the body works well at high ISO.
Kit lens - 18-55 slow lens but fine outdoors from spring till autmn.
A prime lens (cheapest and highest IQ) - 50mm f1.8/30mm f1.4. Say you photography is based around landscapes or sport but you want something for indoors and portraits, this is probably your best bet especially if your wanting to take images after 9 o'clock of people.
Then to finish your kit on a budget.
Look at either the 11-18 tamron or sigma 10-20 if your more lanscapey.
Get either a 70-300 or 55-250 if your more into sports or stuff further away.
Or if you didn't opt for a zoom in the first catorgory you could consider getting one now like the 17-50/17-70 and so on.
Then accesories are simple 8gb memory card plus 4gb back-up card. A bag (shoulder if you like to blend in more, backpack if you want to carry more). Spare battery.
Then the more optional things are (these are more likley to be seen in landscape kit) -tripod perhaps the manfrotto M-Y series or if you can stretch to it the 190's. A circular polariser. Then if you want to complete everything some ND and ND grads. If your more into portraits/indoors get a flashgun.
Hopefully that helps, the forumers are probably going to be able to give you more informed advice if you can give us a few more details.
Oh and sorry to th other photogs who I may upset with my very generalised gear list. I know some impressive landscapes are taken on telephoto's and likewise great shots of sport on ultra-wides. But as a general rule of whats popular I thinks I've made fair sterotypes.
This is bit of a messy post but you should be able to get a bit from it.
As for the 400D it's a nice camera.
Remember the best camera is the one thats with you.
Associate
- Joined
- 4 Jun 2009
- Posts
- 1,675
- Location
- Solihull/Cardiff
Just to let you know my 400d did about 16k actuations possibly more [I'll check and edit this post with a correct figure] before I finally dropped it and killed it 
It wasn't with problems at that point however [The focus system was slightly out, and the viewfinder was full of dust], it'd suffered some serious abuse [From the Atacama desert to the Rocky Mountains and everything in between]
I'd say the number of actuations isn't the most important aspect when looking for a used examples - heavily used examples take on a shine to the matte-finish body, and obviously scratches and dents and the like will also indicate its had a hard life.
The Canon 50mm f1.8 prime is another option - it's very cheap new [~£80] and much better optically than either of the 18-55's IMO. The fact it doesn't zoom may cause issues initially, but I find it helps make me think about my shot's first, rather than just pointing and clicking
Various used camera specialists offer warranties as piece of mind, and I find their stock isn't much more expensive than you'll find on the online auction site. If there's one near you, it means you can also try before you buy, which I would definitely recommend
Good luck
It wasn't with problems at that point however [The focus system was slightly out, and the viewfinder was full of dust], it'd suffered some serious abuse [From the Atacama desert to the Rocky Mountains and everything in between]
I'd say the number of actuations isn't the most important aspect when looking for a used examples - heavily used examples take on a shine to the matte-finish body, and obviously scratches and dents and the like will also indicate its had a hard life.
The Canon 50mm f1.8 prime is another option - it's very cheap new [~£80] and much better optically than either of the 18-55's IMO. The fact it doesn't zoom may cause issues initially, but I find it helps make me think about my shot's first, rather than just pointing and clicking
Various used camera specialists offer warranties as piece of mind, and I find their stock isn't much more expensive than you'll find on the online auction site. If there's one near you, it means you can also try before you buy, which I would definitely recommend
Good luck
I'd be tempted by a 450D body with an 18-55mm IS kit lens. SD cards are cheaper these days than CF, 12.2 mp sensor (not that it's all about size y'know!) against 10.1 and it's a newer body too. I got my 400D at a steal, so I'm happy, but I'd go for a 450D over a 400D now...
Soldato
- Joined
- 13 Jan 2004
- Posts
- 23,993
- Location
- South East
I had a 400D as my first camera and it did me very proud. It will allow you to learn the basics, and when you're ready (ie. when the camera is limiting you), then you should look to upgrade.
Im looking at the 400D... what price do you guys think is fair for:
Canon 400D Digital
EFS 18-55mm IS Lens (Brand New)
Hoya Pro 52mm Digital Protector (suitable for above lens)
Canon BG - E3 Battery Grip (takes two batteries)
2 X Canon NB-2LH 7.4V Batteries
2 X Compatible 7.2V Batteries
16GB 133x Kingston Elite Pro CF Card
2GB 50x Kingston Elite Pro CF Card
Welmy Lens Cleaning Brush
Delkin DC400D-P Pop Up screen Protector
Charger and mains cable
USB Cable
English Instruction Manual + Pocket Guide
EOS Digital Solution CD V13.1
EOS Digital Software Instructions CD
Canon 400D Digital
EFS 18-55mm IS Lens (Brand New)
Hoya Pro 52mm Digital Protector (suitable for above lens)
Canon BG - E3 Battery Grip (takes two batteries)
2 X Canon NB-2LH 7.4V Batteries
2 X Compatible 7.2V Batteries
16GB 133x Kingston Elite Pro CF Card
2GB 50x Kingston Elite Pro CF Card
Welmy Lens Cleaning Brush
Delkin DC400D-P Pop Up screen Protector
Charger and mains cable
USB Cable
English Instruction Manual + Pocket Guide
EOS Digital Solution CD V13.1
EOS Digital Software Instructions CD