Just splashed out on a 450d!

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Trick

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Soldato
Joined
7 Oct 2003
Posts
3,910
Location
York
Hi,

I've wanted a decent camera for years and years but have never had the time to do something about it. I'd been thinking about a dslr more seriously for a few months after reading numerous reviews and, for no particular reason, bought a 450d today on impulse! :)

I havent had chance to have a proper play with it yet but first impressions are good if a little bewildering! I'm reading my way through Jodie Coston's online photography course which, combined with some serious manual delving, is making the myriad of options and terminology a little more familiar.

Tomorrow I plan to be up at the crack of sparrows into the Peaks to grab some shots - probably up to Longshore Estate to get some woodland/stream winter shots and then onto the moors overlooking the Hope valley for some sweeping panoramas.

Whilst I realise I've not even scraped the surface, what do people suggest as the first few things I should look into getting to complement my purchase?

1) Ideally, I'd like a decent lens for landscapes - nothing flash, just servicable.

2) A good bag! I've got nothing to carry the camera in at the moment other than my hands and an old rucksack - I think something a little more specialised is in order!

3) Some good filters to help those landscape shots.

Any suggestions are happily received! :D
 
1) For landscapes I'd recommend a wide angle lens.

2) Perhaps a Canon Semi Hard Case EH-19L?

3) Circular Polarization is a must in my opinion, basically it allows you to greatly reduce reflections in your photos which is near impossible to do digitally. You'd be better off just searching it up yourself and looking at some example shots.


To get the most out of your camera, read the manual. I was shocked at how great the manual actually is for Canon's DSLR's, well it was pretty great for me anyway :p
 
Hoya Pro-1d Circular polariser. Does magic things with landscapes :)
I got a 450 a while back, its a great introduction to the world of slr, enjoy :)
If you have the cash then get the 10-22mm Ef-S its pretty cool.
 
for wide angle there are a few choices

canon 10-22mm
sigma 10-20mm
Tokina 12-24mm

as for a bag i backback is good as usually they come with a tripod mount, they spread the load evenly across your back. there are plenty of different bags there for you to choose. might as well geet one that can accomadate a few more lenses and possible essentials like food, water jackets etc if you like going on for walks.

a circular polariser is a must. Be careful with wide angle lenses as can since they cover a massive filed of view the effect may notbe constant across the frame.
 
absolutely gutted i missed the 450D boots deal... 297 smackers for a brand new one and lens kit! :eek:
 
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Damn I wish I spotted a deal like that. I paid much much more than that from another highstreet shop. :eek: Still haven't got around to claiming my cashback either!
 
the 450d isnt discontinued......:s

for landscapes id give the 18-55 a good workout and see what you think first, the IS version that comes with the camea is actually half decent lens especially when stopped down like you need for landscapes anyway. Look at getting a sigma 10-20 at some point though to add a bit of drama to the shots :)

For a bag, it's totalyl personal preference, i personally have two bags, a large rucksack that holds EVERYTHING in it but isnt terribly conveniant to get things in and out of on the go, and also a shoulder bag that looks more like a laptop/document kinda thing (thin man bag :p) that i prefer for using out and about. Anything by lowepro or crumpler will look after the camera well.


Tom.
 
Thanks for all the replies! It never ceases to amaze me just how useful the denizens of ocuk are and that's probably the reason I still frequent the place after 5 or so years!

Anyway, I think I'll get a 4gb SD card this afternoon - I'm making do with an already busy 1gb card that normally lives in my ipaq at the moment and it's just not big enough.

Bag-wise - I've got a non-descript satchel that I'll use if I'm in and around town as it's got plenty of space and doesn't attract any attention. I'm probably going to pick up a cheap Lowepro Apex 100 shoulder bag - if I get any more lenses I'll get a seperate lense bag which can live in my rucksack when I'm out walking/climbing.

I think I'll hold off on buying any other lenses for a few months until I feel comfortable with the one I've got. It's nice to hear that the included kit lense is half decent, and I'm sure I'll not even come close to maxing it out for a few years yet! Whilst we're on the subject of lenses - how do the smaller manufacturers' lenses stack up against the Canon ones? The Tamron and Sigma ones seem very good value but do they include the IS gizmos of the Canon range? Is it generally regarded as safe to go second hand?

A spare battery seems like a good idea - shame they're £40! Anyone know if a car-charger is available for the 450d battery?

£300 from Boots! Crikey, that's a good deal. When I claim my cashback I think mine will come in at the £380ish mark.

Oh, I've already got a cheap tripod - I was given a Velbon CX440 which is in perfect nick. It's only worth about £25 but it'll do the trick for the time-being.
 
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the tripod will be fine - i used a cx 640 on my 400D and wasnt too bad.
look on the bay fro third party batteries cost no morethan fiver a peice.
I know you can get car chargers for batteries so again probably hunt round the bay again for a cheapo.
 
£40 for a battery? lol. go 3rd party batteries, cheaper and higher mAh.

re: memory - go for sandisk CF cards, far more robust than SD imo.

tbh with landscapes it depends what youre after but you dont necessarily need a wide angle. something like an 18-50 would be fine. i use the sigma f2.8, i love it but im thinking of switching to the new HSM 24-70 released next year.
 
neil_g said:
re: memory - go for sandisk CF cards, far more robust than SD imo.
Click to expand...

450D Uses SD cards not CF.

I always use the fastest sandisk cards I can find and never have problems. If you go to google and search for 'camera price compare' and you will find 2gb Sandisk Extreme III cards for less than £10. The place that has them for £9.97 also sell the batteries.
 
swyllie2000 said:
450D Uses SD cards not CF.

I always use the fastest sandisk cards I can find and never have problems. If you go to google and search for 'camera price compare' and you will find 2gb Sandisk Extreme III cards for less than £10. The place that has them for £9.97 also sell the batteries.
Click to expand...

crap, my bad. not paying attention.. works xmas party last night.. :D
 
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