Spec me an SLR

MikeHiow · 22 Jun 2011 at 20:07

I currently have a Canon SX1 and want to make the jump (back) to an SLR.

I have a 400D a few years ago, which I was more than happy with, but sold it when I failed to find time to use it properly.

My only real criteria is that it is Canon (unless there is a good case and significant saving by going with another manufacturer) and has video recording capabilities - I've become quite accustom to the 1080P recording capability of my SX1.

Thanks in advance!

Edit: I guess I should probably mention a budget - around the £500 mark, but it could be increased for the right deal. I'm more than willing to go second hand as well.

MikeHiow · 23 Jun 2011 at 10:08

I've just noticed that the 5D MK1 second hand is similar money to the 550D, anyone know how the full frame, but old tech compares to the newer cropped 550?

mcc49 · 23 Jun 2011 at 10:30

Noise control would be better on the 5D classic due to larger sensor, depth of field will be shallower and the body is more solid.

It doesnt have any video capability though

MikeHiow · 23 Jun 2011 at 10:35

I'd probably be willing to sacrifice video for something Full Frame.

Paul11 · 23 Jun 2011 at 10:45

IQ would be better on the 5D

(infact there might be one for sale on the MM soon)

edit:

anyone know how i can find out the shutter count on a 5D ?

MikeHiow · 23 Jun 2011 at 14:35

FWIW, I settled on the 550D in the end.

Video was just too important to me

Tomsk · 23 Jun 2011 at 14:43

Paul11 said:
IQ would be better on the 5D

(infact there might be one for sale on the MM soon)

edit:

anyone know how i can find out the shutter count on a 5D ?

Try EOSinfo

Paul11 · 23 Jun 2011 at 14:52

Tomsk said:
Try EOSinfo

apparantly doesnt work on the 5D, unless im mistaken

Tomsk · 23 Jun 2011 at 14:57

Paul11 said:
apparantly doesnt work on the 5D, unless im mistaken

TBH I wouldn't know. I never owned a 5D nor have I ever tried the application. Just one those (useless) bits of information in my head.

MikeHiow · 23 Jun 2011 at 21:35

Picked up my 550D earlier and I'm most impressed with it.

I'm also quite impressed with how much an improvement the kit lens is over the one that was supplied with my 400D.

Now I just need to find me a 28/30mm and a nice sharp zoom. Any recommendations on the latter would be extremely useful, as I'm not really sure what I want, I just want something general purpose as it were.

explicit4u · 23 Jun 2011 at 21:59

The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is a nice walkabout lens!

Alpherah · 23 Jun 2011 at 22:12

explicit4u said:
The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 is a nice walkabout lens!

^ this.
Borrowed it on multiple occasions (nikon mount) and its really nice. Thinking of buying my own soon

MikeHiow · 23 Jun 2011 at 22:22

I'm not sure that this offers enough focal range for what I'd like (I'm used to my SX1 which offers me something like 28-560mm 35mm equiv. ).

Does the Tamron offer a significant improvement on IQ over the newer Canon kit lens? If this is the case, then it may be worth looking at, I'm not sure how much benefit it being a little faster will be to me, to be honest.

I need to try some, but I think I need something up around 80mm - does anyone make a decent 17-85 or somewhere around that?

Alpherah · 23 Jun 2011 at 22:38

According to a mate who shoots Canon, its dramatically superior to the base canon kit lens.

Ill leave someone else to nominate a telephoto .. since i dont use Canon

MikeHiow · 24 Jun 2011 at 18:36

I've just found a Sigma 30mm for £260, so that is on it's way, and I think for now I am just going to opt for a Canon 55-250mm IS (£150 at Tesco, currently) which should see me at least able to take some longer range shots.