Which DSLR?

wba31

I understand that most the value is in the lens and not so much the body, but my intention was always to end up buying myself something new, i bought the 10D just to get used to using a DSLR and to see if it would be worth spending the money. The major issue for me is the weight of the body, I have had problems with my neck over the past number of years (rugby injury) which means it impossible for me to carry the 10D around my neck for too long. I borrowed a friends lighter Nikon a few weeks back and had no issues. The 10D is also very slow in transferring the photos onto my mac, something a friend has assured me would be much quicker with a new body. the lens will become my long term purchase goal, but i need to start with a body. my basic zoom lens is that, basic, which is why i am looking at these purchase kits. still torn between the 550 and 600, and not sure what lens kit to buy, either the 18-135mm kit, or the 550 comes with a 18-55 and a 55-250 lens as seen on camerapricebuster, out of those two options, what would you guys (who clearly know more about this stuff than me) recommend?

wba31

moonrakerz wrote: »

You are far better off with a number of smaller SD cards than one big one and if you want video buy a video camera !

the video mode is a cheeky bonus... wouldnt be used a great deal, but my recent wedding was filmed on a canon 5d and canon 7d and looks incredible.

danothy

wba31 wrote: »

I understand that most the value is in the lens and not so much the body, but my intention was always to end up buying myself something new, i bought the 10D just to get used to using a DSLR and to see if it would be worth spending the money. The major issue for me is the weight of the body, I have had problems with my neck over the past number of years (rugby injury) which means it impossible for me to carry the 10D around my neck for too long. I borrowed a friends lighter Nikon a few weeks back and had no issues. The 10D is also very slow in transferring the photos onto my mac, something a friend has assured me would be much quicker with a new body. the lens will become my long term purchase goal, but i need to start with a body. my basic zoom lens is that, basic, which is why i am looking at these purchase kits. still torn between the 550 and 600, and not sure what lens kit to buy, either the 18-135mm kit, or the 550 comes with a 18-55 and a 55-250 lens as seen on camerapricebuster, out of those two options, what would you guys (who clearly know more about this stuff than me) recommend?

Honestly I would echo the sentiment about lenses. Kit lenses are a false economy, in that when you do upgrade to a decent lens they become paper weights as you're unlikely to find someone who will buy them from you and you are unlikely to go back to using them.

Also, a focal length range from 18-250 mm is nice, but the more broadly catering a lens, the less well it tends to perform in comparison to non-kit lenses in any given situation.

I should also point out that the good lenses (with large apertures) tend to be heavy, and in particular heavier than the bodies, so if weight is a concern then you will need to pick your kit carefully and limit yourself to what you are actually going to use (i.e. don't carry around a lens you aren't certain you are going to put on the body). An over the shoulder type strap might be a good idea if your neck hurts from using the strap that comes with it. Also, if you replace the strap you won't have a substantial "I have an expensive Canon, please mug me" label on the back of your neck.

In terms of functionality, apart from the video and some toys (like the flip out screen) the 450/500/550/600 are basically iterations of the same camera and will (in general) perform in a very similar manner to each other. In terms of weight, the XXXD series is smaller than the XXD series (so a 600D should be less of a burden than the 60D) and only lacks some pro-esq features like a top LCD readout etc.

Personally I went for the 600D with no kit lens (maybe I'm a mug for buying the new model) and I picked a specific lens I wanted with it (17-55 mm f/2.8). I suggest you do the same to be honest (i.e. decide of a body and a lens independently from each other rather than looking for a bundle).

If your can't be dissuaded from the kit lenses, then of the two options you have asked between I would go for the 18-135, as you'll only have one obsolete lens if you do upgrade, it will be lighter than carrying round two lenses and you won't be risking your sensor changing the lens between wide angle and telephoto. This will be at the cost of the top end of the focal range, but in my opinion when you get to those lengths the lens needs a bit more quality to be worth it.

peteb23

moonrakerz wrote: »

...and if you want video buy a video camera !

I disagree, the video quality on these DSLR is fantastic and far superior than a video camera (IMO). The 550 and 600 are both basically the 7d in a cheaper body when it comes to video.

wba31

danothy wrote: »

Honestly I would echo the sentiment about lenses. Kit lenses are a false economy, in that when you do upgrade to a decent lens they become paper weights as you're unlikely to find someone who will buy them from you and you are unlikely to go back to using them.

Also, a focal length range from 18-250 mm is nice, but the more broadly catering a lens, the less well it tends to perform in comparison to non-kit lenses in any given situation.

I should also point out that the good lenses (with large apertures) tend to be heavy, and in particular heavier than the bodies, so if weight is a concern then you will need to pick your kit carefully and limit yourself to what you are actually going to use (i.e. don't carry around a lens you aren't certain you are going to put on the body). An over the shoulder type strap might be a good idea if your neck hurts from using the strap that comes with it. Also, if you replace the strap you won't have a substantial "I have an expensive Canon, please mug me" label on the back of your neck.

In terms of functionality, apart from the video and some toys (like the flip out screen) the 450/500/550/600 are basically iterations of of the same camera and will (in general) perform in a very similar manner to each other. In terms of weight, the XXXD series is smaller than the XXD series (so a 600D should be less of a burden than the 60D) and only lacks some pro-esq features like a top LCD readout etc.

Personally I went for the 600D with no kit lens (maybe I'm a mug for buying the new model) and I picked a specific lens I wanted with it (17-55 mm f/2.8). I suggest you do the same to be honest (i.e. decide of a body and a lens independently from each other rather than looking for a bundle).

If your can't be dissuaded from the kit lenses, then of the two options you have asked between I would go for the 18-135, as you'll only have one obsolete lens if you do upgrade, it will be lighter than carrying round two lenses and you won't be risking your sensor changing the lens between wide angle and telephoto. This will be at the cost of the top end of the focal range, but in my opinion when you get to those lengths the lens needs a bit more quality to be worth it.

what you say completely makes sense... hardest thing is getting shops to allow me to handle the kit to feel the weight, they always seem to be locked in cabinets...

danothy

wba31 wrote: »

what you say completely makes sense... hardest thing is getting shops to allow me to handle the kit to feel the weight, they always seem to be locked in cabinets...

I completely understand, unless you appear to be a serious candidate for purchasing there and then most places don't seem to want to know, and I don't really blame them to be honest. Why would an independent camera shop want someone fondling their high value items only to make a decision and subsequently buy online?

http://www.dpreview.com/ is pretty thorough in its reviews, and it includes weights (e.g. my lense is listed at 645 grams http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses/canon_17-55_2p8_is). If you've got kitchen scales and some flour or similar you can weigh out then you might be able to make a more informed choice based on specs.

Lirin

I'd actually advocate staying with a heavier body. This is for a couple of reasons- I used to repair Canons. The heavier cameras are usually (some exceptions) in the semi-pro/pro ranges for a reason. A heavier body will allow much lower hand-held rates, plus the construction of the lens mount in the heavier bodies is much much more stable and can carry a heavier lens.
Kit lenses are generally useful as a backup, starter, spare etc- lens quality is tbh, fairly rubbish. If I had the choice between a decent camera with an excellent lens, and an excellent camera with a decent lens- I'd choose the first.
Go to www.dpreview.com- they will allow you to compare/comtrast cameras on there, and are generally fairly accurate.
Kit's aren't always the cheapest option- I've managed to get cheaper before by buying body only and a separate lens- a lot of places will give a discount if you're buying a couple of things.
The 10d is a little outdated now, and is slow- I know they did software upgrades to compensate later on, which has sped them up a little, but you do still have memory limiters. You also had complaints about the weight affecting a rugby injury- if you're wearing the strap solely around your neck, you'll place the bulk of the weight across the back of your neck. Get a longer strap, and wear the camera tucked through your arm and neck- you'll take the weight on your shoulders then, should make it easier.

wba31

danothy wrote: »

I completely understand, unless you appear to be a serious candidate for purchasing there and then most places don't seem to want to know, and I don't really blame them to be honest. Why would an independent camera shop want someone fondling their high value items only to make a decision and subsequently buy online?

http://www.dpreview.com/ is pretty thorough in its reviews, and it includes weights (e.g. my lense is listed at 645 grams http://www.dpreview.com/products/canon/lenses/canon_17-55_2p8_is). If you've got kitchen scales and some flour or similar you can weigh out then you might be able to make a more informed choice based on specs.

My wife will love that when she gets home, flour all over the kitchen and in my hair and on my clothes, the kitchen scales and various pots scattered around, and the response to her enquiry of "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" will be "camera shopping dear..."

Lirin

Whoops, sorry, my pc hadn't refreshed and didn't realise I was giving same advice as danothy!

As for the flour suggestion- good idea. My husband doesn't raise an eyebrow anymore when he sees me doing something like that- I've made quick fixes etc before using bits from my house! Jessops are always useful for trying out cameras for weight, etc- not necessarily the best on price, but handy for trials! Do your own research, as I've found more than a few shops know the basic of spec in each model- they do have quite a bit to sell, wouldn't be easy remembering all the spec.

lilac_rainbow

What did you go for in the end op?

Would just like to echo what was said about kit lenses. The lens that came with my 500D has barely been out of the bag since I bought a 50mm prime lens last month, I get better pictures, a shallower death of field and the build quality is much better. My new 10mm lens is on it's way now