canon lens question

thebaz

i was going to get the nikon d50 with a 18-70 lens , hard to get at the moment.
Pixmania are doing a package with the Canon eos 350 d for 800 euros, which i am now considering , my question is :-
is the EF-S 18-55 II lens that is bundled with it , good ?


Thanks.

Fionn

I don't think it's a great lens see review
might suit for starting off, but if you want sharper images you'll probably want to get something a little better
I tried to sell mine without any luck, so that might be an indication of what people think of it.

Morlar

Not sure if you would buy second hand but last I checked there was a 20d going for €800 on adverts.ie.

I think €800 for a 350d + kit lens is a bit much - it might be the going rate though (not sure) I suppose it depends on if your comfortable buying a 2nd hand one.

Roen

You can get some great shots with the kit lens, just stay away from the wide and long end of the zoom, get close to your subject and stop down to f8, but not past f11. It's limited in it's uses but don't be afraid of it either. It's better than nowt!

rymus

Considering how much you'll have paid for it if you get it in the kit, it's a grand lens. You get what you pay for at the end of the day. I used mine for a while before I got the sigma 24-70. As Roen says, it's better than a kick in the balls. Wait, that's not what he said...

PurpleFistMixer

800 is a bit much if you're only getting the 350d kit. I spent that much a year ago on mine...

Still using the kit lens as well, I don't have any problems with it. Probably not immensely high quality but it does the job.

davmigil

If you want the D50 with the kit lens (18-55) both Dixons and Argos are selling it for 580. Comparable to the Canon kit lens. I would expect 350D price to fall soon with announcement of 400D?!

thebaz

PurpleFistMixer wrote:

800 is a bit much if you're only getting the 350d kit. I spent that much a year ago on mine...

Still using the kit lens as well, I don't have any problems with it. Probably not immensely high quality but it does the job.

The 800 euros incluse a bag and i gb flash mem
http://www.pixmania.com/ie/uk/127669/art/canon/eos-350d-ef-s-18-55-ii-co.html?itag=4577

The nikon d 50 kit lens (18 - 55) has got poor reviews here , and i was wondering was the corresponding canon kit lens as bad ?

thebaz

i am also considering going over my budget and spashing out 950 euros on the Nikon d70 along with the 18 - 70 lens and 1 gb of memory from technidirekt.de
http://www.technikdirekt.de/main/en/foto/fotodigital/digitale-slr/775227/-/Article.html?fillspace=1

Maybe worth paying the extra few bob for a higher spec ... want to get the decision right , apologies for my dithering

digitalage

thebaz I just got one off the potn website from a guy called 'stuv' straight from canon uk 350d + kit lens for 550euro includes 12 months warranty, has dust on the mirror, I'll give a clean with a pec pad when I recieve it or else I'll just send it into canon Ireland for a clean.

darragh o meara

I recently got another canon eos 350d and paid 749 in dixons it came with the usual lens kit. If I might add I took out the optional insurance first time around. It cost about 180 and in my eyes is very worthwhile. they'll cover accidental damage for three years and theft in the first year very handy if like me and you drop it from a height... Got a new one in a matter of days. could be worth a look.

joe_elway

Bought the 350D with kit lens in Munich last year for 780 while it was costing 1000+ in Ireland last year. Great camera. Worked a treat for me in Tanzania.

The kit lens is OK. Keep it around F8 and it's not too bad. Considering cost/value it's pretty good. The same goes for Nikon/Sigma equivilents. You have to cough up 500+ to get something pretty good.

I'm looking at the EF 17-40L at the mo. It costs 900+ in Ireland and 690 in Germany. Starting to see a trend here?

As for insurance... I got my house insurance extended to cover all of my gear across all of Europe. It includes theft and damage.

dazftw

PurpleFistMixer wrote:

Still using the kit lens as well, I don't have any problems with it. Probably not immensely high quality but it does the job.

I agree I have it too and its ok.. but I havnt used any other lense so I wouldnt know 100%

Flipflip

in Practical Photographer this month, they rate the canon kit lens as the wordt kit lens available.

melekalikimaka

thebaz wrote:

i was going to get the nikon d50 with a 18-70 lens

why not get the kit lens? the 18 - 70 is amazing but the 18 - 55 is great too, what level are you at in photography?

thebaz

melekalikimaka wrote:

why not get the kit lens? the 18 - 70 is amazing but the 18 - 55 is great too, what level are you at in photography?

this will be my first slr, so still learning the ropes , but am a keen amateur for a few years.
To save money , i am actually thinking of just going ahead and buying the nikon d50 and the kit lens !
later on i can buy better lenses, along with other accessories, serious photography can be an expensive past time !

punchdrunk

in the biz we call the canon 18-55 a "jamjar lens"

elven

Youll regret getting the Nikon 18-55, itsd a horrible plastic lens.
D70 and the 18-70 is a very nivre option.

melekalikimaka

elven wrote:

Youll regret getting the Nikon 18-55, itsd a horrible plastic lens.
D70 and the 18-70 is a very nivre option.

I'd have to disagree, the 18 - 55 is grand, spend another 100 on a second hand 75 - 300 and your alot better covered than ther 300 plus for the18 - 70. ithe 18 - 70 has a nicer feel and its a better glass but really if someones starting out why go for that.

thebaz

elven wrote:

Youll regret getting the Nikon 18-55, itsd a horrible plastic lens.
D70 and the 18-70 is a very nivre option.

was in Argos today and they have the Nikon d50 with the kit lens (18 -55) for 580 euros.
An extra 350/400 euros for the d 70 seams a bit excessive for now!
if my photography takes off, as i hope, i can always purchase the 18 -70 lens , along with a longer zoom for the d 50 .
i have also to buy a decent printer and some decent lighting.