Birthday present suggestions

_Kaiser_

Evening all

First off. I know zero about cameras, hence why I'm here

I bought the missus a used 450D last year as a starter which she's gotten great usage out of, and she has a real eye for a good picture (not just my biased opinion ). It came with a 50mm lens (f/1.8') and a 18-55mm zoom lens, plus l've since also gotten her a 55-200mm (f/4.5-5.6) lens as well.

But as her birthday is coming up in a few months I'm thinking about an upgrade for her, and as my expertise is in IT, I thought I'd ask what might be a good addition to what she has, or perhaps a decent upgrade.
Budget... let's say around the €500ish mark and I'm OK with used if ye tell me what to look out for.

Thanks in advance!

CabanSail

It all depends on what she likes to shoot and if the gear she has now is limiting her in any way.

If the 450D is doing a good job then best to wait for a reason to upgrade.

If she is doing landscapes then maybe wide lens with and/or a reasonable tripod. If it's nature or sports then a fast lens with some more reach would be good but may blow that budget.

How is her post production equipment and software?

Spending €500 is easily done.

Tiriel

A suggestion from me would be membership of a club.. or beginners classes. I don't know where you are based but look at what's available in your area. A couple of hours a week and spending time expanding her knowledge

_Kaiser_

Evening folks,

Sorry for the delay getting back - for some reason the thread sub didn't take, so only seeing your replies now...
Anyway, as an update, shes reaching the limits of what she can do with the 450D.. low-light is an issue and a full-frame would be better too (remember, this may as well be Greek to me... now I know how non-IT folk feel! )

She's looking at an original 5D as an upgrade to let her get familiar with the extra functions and then another upgrade down the line, but a brief search on my part suggests a 5D-II or a 6D, though more expensive, might be the better value/longer-term option?
She mostly does landscape shots and ones of the little fella, and has started a monthly class as well which she's enjoying. Hardware wise she has a DELL Precision M4700 with 16GB and a FHD display and a Photoshop/lightroom sub.

Again, appreciate your thoughts and advice... cheers

CabanSail

Making a move to Full Frame often does not mean just buying the body. It usually involves new lenses too, as those for the cropped sensor will not be suitable for the full frame sensor. This is getting into serious money.

It is only a few years ago that all we had was cropped sensor bodies and we all coped with the low light performance.

I am still with a good tripod. Maybe a screen calibrator would be handy? (it creates a profile so the screen is calibrated.) A full gamut slave monitor may also be an idea.

JackieChang

I'm also in the same situation, looking for a €500 ish camera for the missus. (second hand is fine).

Was looking at the Canon 700D. Is this decent enough by today's standards?