First DSLR question

Phal

Phal

Phal

Soldato
Joined
19 Jul 2004
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Location
Shoreham by Sea
So I keep thinking about splashing out on a half decent starter camera but other than the choice of brand to consider, I also wonder what to do about lenses!

If I was going to start with just one lens, would people recommend just getting the basic lens sold with the camera? Or would people say that buying the body with a better separate lens is the way to go (if you're not limited by the cost)?

I guess those starter lenses are there to be cheap and versatile but I figure I might as well skip the cheap lense if it's going to get replaced eventually anyway and I know what I'm like so it probably would lol.
 
If you don't want to upgrade later on and can afford it then go straight to the L glass and/Nikon equvilant.

You would be looking at way into 4 figures though !
 
Buy a body and a decent lens, and if you know anyone who also has a dslr the go for the same system manufacturers that way u can share knowledge and lenses :-)
 
I guess I would probably spend up to 1k for the body/lens or lenses and other bits etc.

Ultimately I would like a half decent macro lens too but before that it would be sensible to get some kind of allrounder lens first I imagine!

Currently leaning towards a Canon 650d despite the slightly inflated prices due to being new. I see some places offering the Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM with the body instead of the normal 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS II. Would that 18-135mm be the kind of thing to look for in a better allrounder?

Also like the sound of that new Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens but not sure how that would perform as an allrounder when compared to other stuff.
 
Strange way to look at it, but the body is the disposable part of the equation.
For a first dslr, Id recomend getting a 2nd hand body and use the money saved on decent glass, and then when you have a good idea on what you like, invest/upgrade your camera.
You can learn how to take good pictures on a cheap 200 quid second hand body with good glass.
 
@ Op
I was scared you might say that. Anyway, your probably better off saving some money and getting a 550D (maybe used) + 17-40L if your inclined towards Canon. Unless you want the flippy screen and added video features, I don't wouldn't spend the extra personally.
 
I guess the reason I was asking more about the lenses rather than the cameras is that I know I can buy any of the Canon EOS XXX cameras and get reasonable results. The choice seems to come down to budget and preference but you can't really go too far wrong.

The lens part is where I'm not sure what would make a half decent first lens to be used in most situations.

I guess I just want to know whether to stick with the standard lens until I can afford to spend more than £200-300 on a replacement or if something in that price range would be significantly better and able to last me a while.
 
Buy a cheap 2nd hand body with the 18-55mm kit lens. Get out and take lots of photo's - the more the better. Spend a couple of months shooting absolutely everything, did I mention, take lots of photo's :D

once you have done that, there are programs that will analyse your collection and you will be able to see what focal lengths you tend to shoot at more. Once you have this, you can then make a more informed choice at what lens to get, and know that you are not wasting money?

I cant remember the name of the software, but someone on here will know it.

This way, you will learn what you like to shoot, develop an understanding of where the kit lens isn't doing it for you and then take your first steps into lens buying addiction..
 
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