A few Newbie DSLR questions

Yellow Snow

Hey all,

I'm hoping to buy my first Digital SLR soon and need all the help I can get.

I'm pretty much a complete newbie to photography, never progressed passed the old point and click world. At a wedding last year I was messing around with a friends EOS 30D and I was blown away by it. Finally decided to make the move up and buy something decent. So...

I've been reading a ton of reviews / opinions online but i'm still not sure what's the best option for me. I want to get one of the following EOS 400d / 40d / 450d

If money was no issue i'd just get the 40d and off I go.... but it is

Really I don't want to go much over €1000-€1200... and even typing that much makes me a bit nervous

Would I be better off buying the 400d (Conns is selling ex demo units for €400) and then spending a good amount on a few decent lenses? Or should I just go for the 40d and get extra glass as I progress in the future??

The 40d sounds more impressive but i'm not sure if all the extra bits and bobs will be wasted on a total newb.

400d and 450d... Is there much difference or just a few extra bells and whistles??

Oh and I'll be using the camera mainly for wildlife / landscape shots.

Thanks guys

(Apologies for the rambling post )

Fajitas!

I'm just about to hit the hay here, but check out the 450D, the Sigma 70-300, the Canon Kit lens with IS, and the Canon 50mm 1.8 as an extra option - That should still weigh in at under 1200 - don't forget to get a bag and memory cards

Oh, and buy online... Is much much cheaper.

I'm sure the other lovely members will fill you in on the rest, because I need my beauty sleep. And lots of it.

Yellow Snow

Thanks Fajitas. Sleep well

Ricky91t

For you the 400D seems perfect leaves you plaenty of money to buy entree level lenses and see what suits your needs.If you go out and buy a 40D you'll be happy for the frist few monthes then you'll start cursing it saying "if i just had an extra 100mm that shot would of been pefect* and "if only my lens was a little wider" for what a beginner will be using these camera for the 400D will be fine you'll get the better functions out of the 40D when you get used to the settings etc and become more skilled

Ricky91t

Another thing the 450D has live view which is like marmite i think,some will love it others will hate it.I used to find myself on my digicam using the 2" screen about 4 monthes before i got a dslr i moved to the electronic viewfinder i found it much better as ther were no reflections.I don't think i could ever see myself using live view unless it was an absolute must ..But thats a question only you can answer


Edit:Sorry if i make no sense what so ever i'v been at the pc all evening processing pics and im about to fall asleep

Yellow Snow

Thanks ricky,

So is live view the main difference between 400d and 450d then? (From a beginners point of view that is?) I assume it would only be useful for macro type shots??

Also, just had a quick look online. Found this package...

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=102544

Works out at aound €1100. Good deal? Or in general, is it better to buy the body on its own and lenses seperate?

CabanSail

You would probably get the best price when you go for a package deal like the one you have shown above. 7 Day Shop do have good prices. You can't go too far wrong selecting either Canon or Nikon gear. As you have friends with Canon stuff already then that may be the way to go.
Remember that with that package you have to add on a Memory Card (or two) & I would also grab some filters for the lenses too. Personally I would get a good quality UV filter for each lens & if the budget allows a CPL too.

There are some other deals going too. A quick trawl.

Canon/EOS-450D-Twin-Lens-Bundle

nilhg

Yellow Snow wrote: »

Thanks ricky,



Also, just had a quick look online. Found this package...

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=102544

Works out at aound €1100. Good deal? Or in general, is it better to buy the body on its own and lenses seperate?

Be careful with 7dayshop before you spend that sort of money, the VAT included price applies to the UK only, they are based in the Channel Islands and you could be liable for Irish VAT at 21% and Duty on that price. At the very least email them for a price guarantee similar to the UK one first.

BTW, other companies make cameras too, if you want to do landscape/nature you should at least have a look at a combo made up of the Olympus e510/520 with the kit 14-42 and the 70-300 lenses.
Edit: found this, don't forget it has in body IS

AnimalRights

The 450D has a lot of features over the 400D.
3" LCD screen being the main one in my book, makes it so much better.
The only thing that ever tempts me on the 40D is the 6fps on it compared to the 3.5 on the 450D.
But it's bigger and I'm in a minority here were I like the smaller Camera size, also the 450D is a far newer model, maybe when the 40D is replaced with a newer model and it has the extra features I will upgrade, I'll be far more experienced too by then.

Ricky91t

Yellow Snow wrote: »

Thanks ricky,

So is live view the main difference between 400d and 450d then? (From a beginners point of view that is?) I assume it would only be useful for macro type shots??

Also, just had a quick look online. Found this package...

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=777_1&products_id=102544

Works out at aound €1100. Good deal? Or in general, is it better to buy the body on its own and lenses seperate?

That kit you posted is very good
17-85 €330 inc p&p from hk
70-300 €440 inc p&p
400D body €430 inc p&p
€1200

thah camera is refurbished and comes with a 4gb card
So the 7dayshop deal looks very good as its only in the uk anyway

Ricky91t

nilhg wrote: »

Be careful with 7dayshop before you spend that sort of money, the VAT included price applies to the UK only, they are based in the Channel Islands and you could be liable for Irish VAT at 21% and Duty on that price. At the very least email them for a price guarantee similar to the UK one first.

BTW, other companies make cameras too, if you want to do landscape/nature you should at least have a look at a combo made up of the Olympus e510/520 with the kit 14-42 and the 70-300 lenses.
Edit: found this, don't forget it has in body IS

If olympus is the 2xmultipclication body that means your kit is basically 30mm
where as the 17-85 on the canon is 23

I wouldn't recommend going for olympus you've allready played with a canon dslr your friend might let you use some of his better lenses so you can get a fell of them before you buy

jackdaw

Hi OP

If you're gonna spend money spend it on glass .. spent the least on body (for now ) ... you can upgrade the body later .. and lenses will still work ..
(EF)

City-Exile

If you're a complete noob, as you say, then you won't get any benefit from spending more on your first body. There are people on here who have their camera for a year & are still using the auto settings. When you switch to a SLR camera, you will need to learn about exposure, aperture, ISO, White Balance, etc. The same rules apply to the 1000D as the 1Ds MkIII

I'd advise you to save on the body & spend on the glass. As has been said before, you can keep the glass, when you upgrade the body.

Paulw

You can always use the Canon website to compare the tech specs of each camera.

It's a very useful tool to compare two Canon SLRs.

Yellow Snow

Thanks for all the replies lads. Definitely a big help!!

nilhg wrote: »

Be careful with 7dayshop before you spend that sort of money, the VAT included price applies to the UK only, they are based in the Channel Islands and you could be liable for Irish VAT at 21% and Duty on that price. At the very least email them for a price guarantee similar to the UK one first.

BTW, other companies make cameras too, if you want to do landscape/nature you should at least have a look at a combo made up of the Olympus e510/520 with the kit 14-42 and the 70-300 lenses.
Edit: found this, don't forget it has in body IS

Thanks for the tip about VAT, never would've thought about that. And the main reason I want to go with Canon is that my friend (who owns a 30d) said he'll sell on the cheap / lend me stuff as I need it. Every little helps

ricky91t wrote: »

If olympus is the 2xmultipclication body that means your kit is basically 30mm
where as the 17-85 on the canon is 23

I wouldn't recommend going for olympus you've allready played with a canon dslr your friend might let you use some of his better lenses so you can get a fell of them before you buy

Spot on I really liked the look / feel of the 30d. I know the 400d/450d are smaller but i'll make sure to check them in a shop before I buy

jackdaw wrote: »

Hi OP

If you're gonna spend money spend it on glass .. spent the least on body (for now ) ... you can upgrade the body later .. and lenses will still work ..
(EF)

City-Exile wrote: »

I'd advise you to save on the body & spend on the glass. As has been said before, you can keep the glass, when you upgrade the body.

Thanks lads, I think thats the way to go alright

Paulw wrote: »

You can always use the Canon website to compare the tech specs of each camera.

It's a very useful tool to compare two Canon SLRs.

Thanks Paul, very useful and helpful site. Now i'll I need to do is figure out what all the different things are

Paulw

Yellow Snow wrote: »

Thanks Paul, very useful and helpful site. Now i'll I need to do is figure out what all the different things are

Now those questions we can answer here. But, as well as that, Google is your friend.

Yellow Snow

Paulw wrote: »

Now those questions we can answer here. But, as well as that, Google is your friend.

Thanks Paul I'm sure i'll be back hounding ya's with questions when I get going. So much to learn and so little time

(Just had a nose around your site. Some great shots. )

CabanSail

If you have friends with a System then it makes sense to follow them. You will be able to borrow/exchange items & pick up tips from them.

As for the VAT from the UK, I have bought loads of stuff from there online & as long as the UK VAT was paid then there has been no issue. As far as I can work out it would work like this. The UK VAT rate is 17.5%, so if they did come after you it would be for 3.5% of the Pre VAT price & not the full 21%

nilhg

CabanSail wrote: »

As for the VAT from the UK, I have bought loads of stuff from there online & as long as the UK VAT was paid then there has been no issue. As far as I can work out it would work like this. The UK VAT rate is 17.5%, so if they did come after you it would be for 3.5% of the Pre VAT price & not the full 21%

True but the OP quoted a price from 7dayshop, which is based in the Channell Islands, which for tax purposes at least is not part of the UK or even the EU. Full details are in their website (in very small print) if you want to go dig.

Rule one of buying on the net, never assume

Freddie59

Yellow Snow wrote: »

Hey all,

I'm hoping to buy my first Digital SLR soon and need all the help I can get.

I'm pretty much a complete newbie to photography, never progressed passed the old point and click world. At a wedding last year I was messing around with a friends EOS 30D and I was blown away by it. Finally decided to make the move up and buy something decent. So...

I've been reading a ton of reviews / opinions online but i'm still not sure what's the best option for me. I want to get one of the following EOS 400d / 40d / 450d

If money was no issue i'd just get the 40d and off I go.... but it is

Really I don't want to go much over €1000-€1200... and even typing that much makes me a bit nervous

Would I be better off buying the 400d (Conns is selling ex demo units for €400) and then spending a good amount on a few decent lenses? Or should I just go for the 40d and get extra glass as I progress in the future??

The 40d sounds more impressive but i'm not sure if all the extra bits and bobs will be wasted on a total newb.

400d and 450d... Is there much difference or just a few extra bells and whistles??

Oh and I'll be using the camera mainly for wildlife / landscape shots.

Thanks guys

(Apologies for the rambling post )

PM sent Yellow Snow. BTW I talked to someone who ordered an Eos 450D from 7dayshop on Tuesday of last week. Arrived on Monday. No duty issues apparently.:)

Paulw

Freddie59 wrote: »

PM sent Yellow Snow. BTW I talked to someone who ordered an Eos 450D from 7dayshop on Tuesday of last week. Arrived on Monday. No duty issues apparently.:)

Don't forget that many delivery agents send your duty invoice AFTER the product is delivered. So, the invoice may come a week or so after you have the product and you may not even be aware that it's coming.

City-Exile

CabanSail wrote: »

If you have friends with a System then it makes sense to follow them. You will be able to borrow/exchange items & pick up tips from them.

If you have a Canon, you'll make more friends.
Nikon users never get invited to the good events.
Olympus users never get invited to anything!

melekalikimaka

City-Exile wrote: »

If you have a Canon, you'll make more friends.
Nikon users never get invited to the good events.
Olympus users never get invited to anything!

:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:

rgiller

ricky91t wrote: »

If olympus is the 2xmultipclication body that means your kit is basically 30mm
where as the 17-85 on the canon is 23

I wouldn't recommend going for olympus you've allready played with a canon dslr your friend might let you use some of his better lenses so you can get a fell of them before you buy

For the record (and my sanity ) 17 x 1.6 != 23

These lenses on these bodies both have almost exactly the same length at widest angle

Rant over :P

nilhg

City-Exile wrote: »

If you have a Canon, you'll make more friends.
Nikon users never get invited to the good events.
Olympus users never get invited to anything!

Quality before quantity, I always thought, anyway I never did mind standing out from the herd crowd. :P

Ricky91t

rgiller wrote: »

For the record (and my sanity ) 17 x 1.6 != 23

These lenses on these bodies both have almost exactly the same length at widest angle

Rant over :P

Yeah my bad forgot to edit this i did say i was very tired =P
i multiplied by 1.4

Yellow Snow

Thanks for all the replies lads. Think i've decided on the camera, now to find the best deal. If I do go with 7dayshop i'll e-mail them beforehand to double check the VAT situation. Will let you all know how I get on either way. Hopefully I can find a bargain

CabanSail

nilhg wrote: »

True but the OP quoted a price from 7dayshop, which is based in the Channell Islands, which for tax purposes at least is not part of the UK or even the EU. Full details are in their website (in very small print) if you want to go dig.

Rule one of buying on the net, never assume

The 7 Day Shop do not charge VAT on items under £18, if it's over that amount they charge VAT at normal UK Rates (They do have a lot of items at £17.99 on specials) I have purchased from them many times, both with VAT & VAT free items & it has always been OK. I have never heard of anyone getting a bill for VAT here. I have heard of people getting stung for VAT on items they purchased in the USA though.

Nikon users never get invited to the good events.

We do .... but we keep quiet about them to keep the Riff Raff out

nilhg

CabanSail wrote: »

The 7 Day Shop do not charge VAT on items under £18, if it's over that amount they charge VAT at normal UK Rates (They do have a lot of items at £17.99 on specials) I have purchased from them many times, both with VAT & VAT free items & it has always been OK. I have never heard of anyone getting a bill for VAT here. I have heard of people getting stung for VAT on items they purchased in the USA though.

Just to be clear, I did not say that the OP would be caught, just that he could be, from the about us page of their website,

7dayshop wrote:

If the delivery address for your order is in the United Kingdom, all prices shown are FULLY INCLUSIVE of UK VAT where applicable and all goods are in FREE CIRCULATION within the EU. No further duties or taxes are payable upon receipt of your order - we pay these for you.

For all deliveries which are made outside of the UK, you may be asked to pay Sales Tax at the correct rate for your delivery country. This may be charged on top of the price paid to us, and is collected by your Post Office when your goods are delivered.

We cannot discount any of our prices for whatever reason but would like you to note that all items in our catalogue with an individual value of under £18 are exempt from any Sales Tax (VAT).

I suppose it comes down to how certain any individual buyer wants to be and the price difference between getting it from mainland UK or the continent.

daycent

CabanSail wrote: »

You would probably get the best price when you go for a package deal like the one you have shown above. 7 Day Shop do have good prices. You can't go too far wrong selecting either Canon or Nikon gear. As you have friends with Canon stuff already then that may be the way to go.
Remember that with that package you have to add on a Memory Card (or two) & I would also grab some filters for the lenses too. Personally I would get a good quality UV filter for each lens & if the budget allows a CPL too.

There are some other deals going too. A quick trawl.

Canon/EOS-450D-Twin-Lens-Bundle

Hi all,

Just on a different note, I'm seriously thinking of getting the bundle suggested by Cabansail above. Do yis think the Tamron lens is okay? For the money like?? It would be my first DSLR.