So I have £390 to spend

Devrij · 11 Jan 2012 at 01:27

Just sold all my paintball kit tonight, so I have money to spend on an SLR of my own (no more borrowing off the missus!). I'm looking at a 550D, has to be canon as the other half has an 1100D, but my main aim is something that handles higher ISO with less noise than the 1100D did. Anything above 1600 is just horrible on it, so I'm hoping the 550D would be better? I shoot RAW so no noise reduction really happens in camera, so it's all about the sensor for me. I've seen a 550D going from digigood on fleabay for about £340, is this a good idea? Obviously I'll need a lens as well, but seeing as I have a kit lens already I was tempted to pick up a body and then a nifty 50mm instead. Thoughts?

EDIT: I also have a decent xmas bonus coming up so the £390 is just for the body really.

theheyes · 11 Jan 2012 at 16:47

Sounds a decent buy. Regarding the ISO, with a fast prime like the 50 1.8 you'd have to be practically shooting in the dark to need 3200+ ISO so you needn't worry too much on that count.

Hodders · 11 Jan 2012 at 17:13

But, a big aperture is not the panacea to high ISO. You are shooting a group of people and the light is not great. Cool, I'll use f1.8 and ISO 800. OK, but where do you put your 5cm of depth of field.

In many cases a well composed, focussed and exposed noisy image is far preferable to a less noisy image where only the front row are in focus.

Equally there are times when f1.8 is exactly what you want to make the subject pop.

Photography (and getting better) is all about knowing your equipment inside out.

Having said all that the 50mm f1.8 is a stunning lens for the money. Everybody with a canon body should have one, unless they have the 1.4 or 1.2 !

Most importantly - enjoy it !

Devrij · 11 Jan 2012 at 19:28

I went with the IS kit lens in the end (after agonising over it for a while

). It was closer to budget and I find myself doing more wide stuff these days, indoors mostly. I'll pick up a 50mm when summer is closer and I can start doing more floral work (too bloody cold out!). Can't wait to have my own camera!