Decided on a camera... but still need some advice

tywy

Ok, so I recently got a sweet temp job I didn't think I'd get and can now afford a DSLR...

I've decided on the Canon 400D, the decision is which package to get?

This:

http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/7856/groupID/8/categoryID/38/v/80946ae7-c968-4883-874b-2a9d04b6e315

or

This

http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/4897/groupID/8/categoryID/38/v/80946ae7-c968-4883-874b-2a9d04b6e315

So the 400D with the standard lens is ~€445

And the 400D with the IS lens is ~€750.

If I got the standard lens I'd probably buy a nifty fifty aswell.

I'm just wondering is the 17-85 lens worth the extra money? Or am I stupid to spend the money when it's my first DSLR?

TelePaul

What sort of things do you see yourself shooting? The nifty fifty is superb for portrait work and gig shots. The stabilising features of the 18-85 will let you shoot handheld, but with a maximum zoom of 85mm you will probably have enough light to work with.

It's much of a muchness really, but if I were you, I'd go with the kit lens for now, get the nifty fifty then look at a decent length zoom - you could probably buy both the nifty fifty and sigma's 70-300mm zoom for less than the cost of the 400D with the 18-55 IS.

With the 400D, which is an excellent camera, you'd have all the bases covered. Great starting point for any amateur.

AnimalRights

I'd go for A too, the 17-85 reviews I read are so so.
Pity it's not the kit lens IS version 18-55....
I had both and the IS version is a wee bit better and thats not even taken IS into account.
If it's your 1st SLR I do think the kit lens will def saisfy ya until you feel you are ready to progress.

Ninja_scrotum

Have you thought about maybe buying a body and lens separate?

My friend has the 18-55mm kit lens, I've used it and it's not great. I'm speaking as an amateur by the way. I'd get bored of it pretty quick. It's a slow, average range lens with no macro. It has nothing special really. Bear in mind I've only used it for about half an hour. How about getting a zoom lens that has a macro (real close up) feature? You'll have great fun with it.

I got the 400d body and the sigma 17-70 macro. It's like a 3-in-1 lens! it's pretty wide at 17mm, has a daycent zoom to 70mm, and is a good macro lens. Also pretty fast at the wide end with f2.8

I'm not tryin to advertise the sigma lens here by the way, it's the only example I know as a good all round lens.

TelePaul

I think the 18-55 gets a bad rep. Shoot around f11 and you're grand.

Ninja_scrotum

TelePaul wrote: »

I think the 18-55 gets a bad rep. Shoot around f11 and you're grand.

I think it has a bad rep for a reason...

tywy

Ninja_scrotum wrote: »

Have you thought about maybe buying a body and lens separate?

My friend has the 18-55mm kit lens, I've used it and it's not great. I'm speaking as an amateur by the way. I'd get bored of it pretty quick. It's a slow, average range lens with no macro. It has nothing special really. Bear in mind I've only used it for about half an hour. How about getting a zoom lens that has a macro (real close up) feature? You'll have great fun with it.

I got the 400d body and the sigma 17-70 macro. It's like a 3-in-1 lens! it's pretty wide at 17mm, has a daycent zoom to 70mm, and is a good macro lens. Also pretty fast at the wide end with f2.8

I'm not tryin to advertise the sigma lens here by the way, it's the only example I know as a good all round lens.

How much did that cost you as a matter of interest, I'm open to all suggestions!

Freddie59

tywy wrote: »

Ok, so I recently got a sweet temp job I didn't think I'd get and can now afford a DSLR...

I've decided on the Canon 400D, the decision is which package to get?

This:

http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/7856/groupID/8/categoryID/38/v/80946ae7-c968-4883-874b-2a9d04b6e315

or

This

http://www.parkcameras.com/ProductDetails/mcs/productID/4897/groupID/8/categoryID/38/v/80946ae7-c968-4883-874b-2a9d04b6e315

So the 400D with the standard lens is ~€445

And the 400D with the IS lens is ~€750.

If I got the standard lens I'd probably buy a nifty fifty aswell.

I'm just wondering is the 17-85 lens worth the extra money? Or am I stupid to spend the money when it's my first DSLR?

Buy the Eos 450D from www.komplett.ie for €660 and the 17-55 IS lens comes as standard.;):)

You'll get the nifty fifty delivered from here for €90.

Check your PMs.

AnimalRights

Yep I'd go for Freddies suggestions.
The 18-55IS kit lens is decent enough and I've shot Pub gigs with it.

Anouilh

A reminder to buy a Graphics Card might be of use here. We forgot to order one when buying the digital rebel, which delayed using it by a few days.

Viking Direct do a good deal.

Anouilh

Ninja_scrotum wrote: »

I think it has a bad rep for a reason...

There are a lot of angry posters who seem to have become fixated on the shortcomings of this lens. I worked out how to use it well, but am much more pleased with the Sigma zoom 70-300 apo macro, bought recently. Any kit lens is just to get one started off.

I found the Canon kit lens OK, BTW.

Ricky91t

Freddie59 wrote: »

You'll get the nifty fifty delivered from here for €90.

I can recommend that ebayer greatly had alot of trouble with paypal and he cancelled it all and let me collect it(was in london at the time)hes very helpfull

Ninja_scrotum

Anouilh wrote: »

There are a lot of angry posters who seem to have become fixated on the shortcomings of this lens.

I found the Canon kit lens OK, BTW.

It's a good lens to start off with, but after a while you will definitely want a different one.

And you only found the canon lens ok? Why would you want an ok lens? I think the OP would like a good lens.

Mr. OP, the camera and lens that I mentioned cost me about 600 from ebay.

Here's a few quotes from various reviewers about the lens, the most important one comes first...

''This is the kit lens that Canon SHOULD have made'' pbase.com

''I can’t think of another Zoom lens with the same range, speed and optical quality for the same money'' pbase.com

''The Sigma 17-70 is an outstanding performer'' pbase.com

''revolutionary'' digital photography review

''An impressive achievement'' digital photography review

''very impressive'' photozone.de

All I'm trying to say is: the kit lens isn't great, you should get a different one.

Freddie59

AnimalRights wrote: »

Yep I'd go for Freddies suggestions.
The 18-55IS kit lens is decent enough and I've shot Pub gigs with it.

Interesting one AR.

Any links?:)