450D OR Digital Rebel XSi - One Or The Other?

Gumbo

Guys, sorry if its the wrong thread but i have a question.
Im currently on the hunt for a 450d/500d or similar, depending on price/condition etc.

I have an option of getting a 500d brand new from the USA for approx 500e and was just wondering if theres any issues with buying the USA version over the euro version, ie. Does it make any difference when i say :

i have a 450d or i have a Rebel XSi, either resale or pricing extras etc?

Thanks.

Promac

They're the exact same camera, just named different for the US. My wife has one and it's a great little camera. I'd go for a 550D though as it's not that much more expensive, has a better sensor and it'll do video.

Gumbo

Promac wrote: »

They're the exact same camera, just named different for the US. My wife has one and it's a great little camera. I'd go for a 550D though as it's not that much more expensive, has a better sensor and it'll do video.

thanks, just trying to get my hands on a decent camera at the moment.
550d is 799 in store in city centre, 450d can be got for approx 400e second hand.

mind is melted looking into it

the_syco

kceire wrote: »

thanks, just trying to get my hands on a decent camera at the moment.
550d is 799 in store in city centre, 450d can be got for approx 400e second hand.

mind is melted looking into it

When I was looking for my 450D just under 2 years ago, it was €700 in the stores in town. I got it for €510 (including shipping) off a ebay power seller who's base in Scotland. Email him at kerso1123@msn.com

I just checked his facebook page. Canon 500D body £395 (no lense). It'll come with a UK warranty, as he pays the vat when it comes in Scotland. If you buy from the States yourself, you leave yourself open to customs. He's selling a "Canon 600D (T3i) 18-55mm IS kit" for £599 which after converting it to euros is still probably €100 cheaper than getting it in the store you speak of. Shipping was €50 to get it shipped to me. I paid by bank transfer, and got it about a week later, I think.

DoBhrionn

I was in the same boat as yourself a while back. I had a go of both cameras from friends and family, also reading many hundreds of reviews. I settled on the 550D, the sensor is much better.
Save up a little more, it's worth every cent.

hbr

kceire wrote: »

thanks, just trying to get my hands on a decent camera at the moment.
550d is 799 in store in city centre, 450d can be got for approx 400e second hand.

mind is melted looking into it

The 450D is a very fine camera. I don't think I would pay €400 for a SH one.
The 550D with kit lens is around €550 from Simply Electronics. The 1100D
is €440. These are 'grey imports' with questionable warranty, but this is
still better than a used camera with no warranty at all.

Gumbo

the_syco wrote: »

When I was looking for my 450D just under 2 years ago, it was €700 in the stores in town. I got it for €510 (including shipping) off a ebay power seller who's base in Scotland. Email him at kerso1123@msn.com

I just checked his facebook page. Canon 500D body £395 (no lense). It'll come with a UK warranty, as he pays the vat when it comes in Scotland. If you buy from the States yourself, you leave yourself open to customs. He's selling a "Canon 600D (T3i) 18-55mm IS kit" for £599 which after converting it to euros is still probably €100 cheaper than getting it in the store you speak of. Shipping was €50 to get it shipped to me. I paid by bank transfer, and got it about a week later, I think.

Thanks, ive emailed Ian last week as he had sent me a price list. but i replied asking for a direct quote for the 500D including postage to Dublin, and still waiting on reply. He could be up to his eyes, so i'll give him a few more days.

DoBhrionn wrote: »

I was in the same boat as yourself a while back. I had a go of both cameras from friends and family, also reading many hundreds of reviews. I settled on the 550D, the sensor is much better.
Save up a little more, it's worth every cent.

I was bidding on a 550d on adverts/ebay too, but i dont think these sellers realise that they can be got new online for so near the second hand prices and, they are reluctant to move on their pricing!

hbr wrote: »

The 450D is a very fine camera. I don't think I would pay €400 for a SH one.
The 550D with kit lens is around €550 from Simply Electronics. The 1100D
is €440. These are 'grey imports' with questionable warranty, but this is
still better than a used camera with no warranty at all.

yeah ive came to that conclusion myself too, i think i will stretch for the 550d as some are saying it will be an investment as such as i can grow into it more, does that make sense?

Guys, i have a basic 35-80mm Canon lens, so would you recommend this 550d new from Simply Electronics, body only - http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?pid=10023

edit - with promotional code, its 472 delivered.

Gumbo

Sorry guys, for more questions!!!
But can simply electronics be trusted?????????

http://www.simplyelectronics.net/cat.php?cid=1

hbr

kceire wrote: »

Sorry guys, for more questions!!!
But can simply electronics be trusted?????????

http://www.simplyelectronics.net/cat.php?cid=1

This is my own recent experience.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=74286264&postcount=1414

Gumbo

hbr wrote: »

This is my own recent experience.
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=74286264&postcount=1414

would you advise against buying a body from them?
If i buy through paypal i seem to have more power for refund if anything goes wrong, it seems.

most of the issues out there seem to be people that paid directly with credit cards?

hbr

kceire wrote: »

would you advise against buying a body from them?

I would have some reservations. However, If I was in your exact situation where
I was trying to choose between a new camera from SE or a used camera at
almost the same price, I would definitely go for the new camera.

If i buy through paypal i seem to have more power for refund if anything goes wrong, it seems.

most of the issues out there seem to be people that paid directly with credit cards?

I only bought one item from them, I paid by PayPal and I didn't have any problems.
The payment was made to paypal.hk The funds were paid to my PayPal account
from a normal credit card. I felt this gave me two layers of protection. Limited protection
maybe, but better than nothing.

gstar

kceire wrote: »

thanks, just trying to get my hands on a decent camera at the moment.
550d is 799 in store in city centre, 450d can be got for approx 400e second hand.

mind is melted looking into it

I bought a new 550D back in april. Saved about €150 on the City Centre retail price by buying from Amazon UK. so it might be worth checking the online stores.

Like yourself I started looking for second hand cameras, but i couldnt find anything reasonable at the time and really i didnt know enough about cameras to tell a peach from a lemon, hence me buying new!

Gumbo

OK, so Ian Kerr is completely sold out.
Amazon works out at 570e including shipping.
Simplyelectronics is 472 delivered.

All body only on Canon 550d.

Decisions, decisions decisions

First Focus

Sorry for butting in, i'm in the same conundrum as you, as what to buy, someone suggested to me on a thread on this that if i was thinking of getting the 550d then i may as well go the extra mile and get the 600d, so then i said, why not, its not everyday i turn 40, looking everywhere online for them and the best offer with the least risk, oriced off one on amazon and not bad price over €100 cheaper than ireland but it isn't sporting the 600d on it only t3i and i wonder am i risking my money or is it exactly the same but with a diff logo, please heeeeelp

Gumbo

First Focus wrote: »

Sorry for butting in, i'm in the same conundrum as you, as what to buy, someone suggested to me on a thread on this that if i was thinking of getting the 550d then i may as well go the extra mile and get the 600d, so then i said, why not, its not everyday i turn 40, looking everywhere online for them and the best offer with the least risk, oriced off one on amazon and not bad price over €100 cheaper than ireland but it isn't sporting the 600d on it only t3i and i wonder am i risking my money or is it exactly the same but with a diff logo, please heeeeelp

yes, the 600d and t3i are the exact same camera, just different logo for EU and USA markets.

hbr

First Focus wrote: »

.... €100 cheaper than ireland but it isn't sporting the 600d on it only t3i and i wonder am i risking my money or is it exactly the same but with a diff logo, please heeeeelp

The T3i is the US model. The cameras are exactly the same. Canon Europe won't
provide warranty service for the US Rebel and Asian Kiss models.

Did you order from a US seller on amazon.com? If so, you will probably have
to pay VAT.

First Focus

hbr wrote: »

The T3i is the US model. The cameras are exactly the same. Canon Europe won't
provide warranty service for the US Rebel and Asian Kiss models.

Did you order from a US seller on amazon.com? If so, you will probably have
to pay VAT.

I haven't i tordered yet from anyone yet, i'm a very cagey buyer and lways fear i'm making a mistake, i messaged the amazon seller about the warranty and he/she said this "we provide a 3 year warranty which is honored through Local canon authorized dealers". its a £10 delivery cost, ooooooh, why can't it be straightforward without paying an arm and a leg

Gumbo

OK, just took the plunge.
Ordered a Canon 550d Body Only from Simply Electronics.
I have a Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III Lens which im hoping will do me to get started before i realise what lens i need want.

Got it delivered for €472.95 and its coming from their UK Distribution Centre, and will have it in 2-7 working days.

All of the above will be fruitless if it doesnt come :mad:
But i will update on the progress.

I paid by paypal so im oping the 2 layers of protection from paypal and also the fraud protection on my credit card also will surfice.

Can anybody shed any light on the lens i currently have - Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III Lens - Is it sufficient to get started?

First Focus

Best of Luck, hope it is all good, i'm nervous to order with them , so can't wait to see how you get on

Promac

That lens will be ok to start with as you get the hang of the camera itself but you'll want to get something better fairly soon. If you're strapped for cash you should have a look around the second hand market for an 18-55mm kit lens (the one that comes with the 450D) or the 18-135mm (the kit lens with the 550D/600D). Either of these will be better as a learning lens.

You're going to be quite limited with the 35mm "wide" end of that lens on your cropped body. Probably frustrated too if you're planning on doing any landscape stuff (as people generally do when they get started). If you can find an 18-55/135 you'll feel a lot less restricted and most likely enjoy the early days of your photography a lot more.

A very nice second lens is the canon 50mm "Nifty Fifty". It's sharp, has great image quality and is very cheap - you can get them for under 100 euro these days.

Gumbo

Promac wrote: »

That lens will be ok to start with as you get the hang of the camera itself but you'll want to get something better fairly soon. If you're strapped for cash you should have a look around the second hand market for an 18-55mm kit lens (the one that comes with the 450D) or the 18-135mm (the kit lens with the 550D/600D). Either of these will be better as a learning lens.

You're going to be quite limited with the 35mm "wide" end of that lens on your cropped body. Probably frustrated too if you're planning on doing any landscape stuff (as people generally do when they get started). If you can find an 18-55/135 you'll feel a lot less restricted and most likely enjoy the early days of your photography a lot more.

A very nice second lens is the canon 50mm "Nifty Fifty". It's sharp, has great image quality and is very cheap - you can get them for under 100 euro these days.

Thanks Promac.

Had considered buying a kit 18-55 lens as theres one or two on adverts and also while instore the other day, Camera Exchange had a special on the 50mm f1.8 lens and the guy in the shop mentioned that the photos from it are fantastic, but i think i'd miss the zoom capabilities.

I think long term goal will be to get maybe an 18-135 and 50 as you mention, but also as you say, i will be strapped for cash too Hopefully done the right think by spending extra on the body now.

Promac

Yeah don't worry about it. The 550 is a nice camera and you won't be disappointed.

Don't knock the lack of zoom on the 50mm though - the image quality more than makes up for it and on a cropped body camera it's already zoomed in anyway.

hbr

kceire wrote: »

OK, just took the plunge.
Ordered a Canon 550d Body Only from Simply Electronics.

The 550D is a great camera. I'm sure you will enjoy using it.

I have a Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III Lens which im hoping will do me to get started before i realise what lens i need want.

That sounds like a good plan. You can pick up some used lenses
later.

Got it delivered for €472.95 and its coming from their UK Distribution Centre, and will have it in 2-7 working days.

It will probably come by DHL from the UK. SE will send you
a tracking number as soon as it is sent from the UK.

All of the above will be fruitless if it doesnt come :mad:
But i will update on the progress.

It will turn up. It might take a bit longer in the very likely
event that it has to come from HK to the UK.

I paid by paypal so im oping the 2 layers of protection from paypal and also the fraud protection on my credit card also will surfice.

That should give you some extra security. I don't think you are likely
to need it.

Can anybody shed any light on the lens i currently have - Canon EF 35-80mm f/4-5.6 III Lens - Is it sufficient to get started?

I think they were supplied as a kit lens with some Canon film SLRs
back in the good old days. It should be a good lens to get you started.

Gumbo

Promac wrote: »

the image quality more than makes up for it and on a cropped body camera it's already zoomed in anyway.

i have a sort of limited knowledge on a cropped body camera as in the sensor size is smaller than something, but can you explain it in laymans terms? if there is a laymans term available

Sorry, but its my first DSLR, and im nervous that i bought the wrong body, or the wrong kit etc

Promac

Yeah it's the sensor size. A "Full frame" digital camera has a sensor that is 35mm - or the same as a full frame of 35mm film. Most cameras have a smaller sensor. The effect this has on your is like in the image below - your 550D will be a crop factor of 1.6. It's like taking a picture with a full frame camera and then cropping it to the green line.

You can look at this like a limitation but you can also look at it like free zoom. If you're shooting sports or wildlife it'll safe you a few quid on telephoto lenses.




Edit: And the 550D can use any of the EF or EF-S lenses so don't worry about having bought the wrong one. Ironically, the more expensive full-frame camera, the 5D, can only use EF lenses but you can use all of them.

Gumbo

just to keep the order updated, i got an email from SE today, part of which stated :

Please be advised that your order has been released from verification and I have contacted our dispatch team to ship out your order as soon as possible.

Gumbo

just a further update, got an email during the night :

I am delighted to inform you that your order, order number: XXXX has been dispatched and you should receive it by next working day via via DHL.

Now i rang DHL, and they said it will be Thursday before i get it, so hopefully its Thursday at the latest.

hbr

kceire wrote: »

Now i rang DHL, and they said it will be Thursday before i get it, so hopefully its Thursday at the latest.

"next working day" is probably for UK customers. DHL from UK usually
takes two days. The tracking page will say "With delivery courier" on the
day it is delivered.

Kenny Logins

kceire wrote: »

just a further update, got an email during the night :



Now i rang DHL, and they said it will be Thursday before i get it, so hopefully its Thursday at the latest.

Did you get any indication of VAT and duty etc.? I'm looking for a 600D and have found great prices, but almost all have the hidden charges...

Gumbo

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Did you get any indication of VAT and duty etc.? I'm looking for a 600D and have found great prices, but almost all have the hidden charges...

See, technically its comming from the UK, so there "shouldnt" be any VAT costs, but i wont know for sure until Thursday.

Kenny Logins

kceire wrote: »

See, technically its comming from the UK, so there "shouldnt" be any VAT costs, but i wont know for sure until Thursday.

Cool. Great price if that is the case. Cheers.

Gumbo

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Cool. Great price if that is the case. Cheers.

Fingers crossed man!
I'll update when/if it arrives

Gumbo

OK, im getting excited now :d
Just have to sort lens out, or make do with my 35-80 for the time being.

9/21/2011 6:43 pm Transit through DHL facility Dublin, Ireland, Republic Of

leche solara

I have bought lots of stuff including Canon 60D from Simply Electronics, and just ordered a flash gun from them the other day. Everything I ordered arrived at prices far cheaper than any shops in Ireland and many other online stores. The only frustrating thing is their site says ships in 1-2 days, but it actually takes about 12 days. For the savings involved its worth the wait though. As its source into Ireland is from UK (Reading I think) there are no vat, excise or customs - so the price quoted on the SE site is all you pay.

Gumbo

Another Update :

Thursday, September 22, 2011 Location Time
10 Delivered - Signed for by : PAMELA DUBLIN - IRELAND, REPUBLIC OF 08:24

its at home now, cant wait to finish Work

Ordered last Thursday and delivered today, so one full week in total.

hbr

kceire wrote: »

Another Update :

its at home now, cant wait to finish Work

Ordered last Thursday and delivered today, so one full week in total.

Best of luck with it.

Gumbo

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Cool. Great price if that is the case. Cheers.

Kenny, arrived today, no VAT or customs etc etc

hbr wrote: »

Best of luck with it.

Cheers hbr, just sold my older 35-80 lens and picked up an 18-55 IS lens today. Gona open it and have a mess around

Kenny Logins

Nice one.

All good, no issues? Is it Rebel or EOS branded?

Promac

Have fun with that! Put it in P mode until you get to know the theory behind the other ones and don't be discouraged by any bad pictures you take. These cameras allow you to take some stunning shots but they're also great for taking absolutely abysmal ones and it's easy to become disheartened. Have a read of the FAQ section in here and you should be on a good footing.

Gumbo

Kenny Logins wrote: »

Nice one.

All good, no issues? Is it Rebel or EOS branded?

Genuine EOS 550d branded.

Promac wrote: »

Have fun with that! Put it in P mode until you get to know the theory behind the other ones and don't be discouraged by any bad pictures you take. These cameras allow you to take some stunning shots but they're also great for taking absolutely abysmal ones and it's easy to become disheartened. Have a read of the FAQ section in here and you should be on a good footing.

havent left the house as of yet, baby is gone to bed so gona have a tinker about and read a bit now

I got 2 CD's with it :

1. EOS Digital Software Instruction Manual
2. EOS Digital Solution Disc

Do i need to load these? Are they useful?

leche solara

If you don't already have photo editing software the Digital Photo Professional on the disk isn't bad. It will also handle raw files which you should be using.

Gumbo

Guys, so my kit lens, 18-55 IS came with a UV lens, its a Fotga UV 58mm.
Is this needed? Will it affect the shots in anyway?

leche solara

kceire wrote: »

Guys, so my kit lens, 18-55 IS came with a UV lens, its a Fotga UV 58mm.
Is this needed? Will it affect the shots in anyway?

Thats a UV filter. It stops UV light getting into the lens. Some people will say anything over the lens will impact on pictures, others will never leave home without a filter. The effect, in my opinion will be negligible, and a filter will act as protection for your lens.

Promac

Load up the software kc - at the very least it's a handy way to load the pics off your camera and onto the PC. It also minimises the risk of missing driver problems in windows (happened to me on a couple of computers but installing all the software from the disk fixed it).

And yeah, the UV filter won't make any real difference to your pics. I don't like them because if you ever did drop the lens, the filter would probably get stuck in the threads of the lens and would probably smash, potentially scratching your lens and leaving you with a black metal ring of broken glass stuck to the end of your lens.

Get a lens hood and you won't have any issues, but it will improve photo quality (in sunlight) and will protect the lens if you drop it.