Good second hand starter setup for ~£500

[FussyFez]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to get my first proper DSLR in the next few weeks before a family holiday.

I have had a hankering for a proper camera for years now and had a good few opportunities to have a prolonged fiddle with 1100d/400d/7d canons.

Over the years, my research has focused mainly on canons, and the majority of my hands on experience is also with canons.

I've wanted a 60d, but couldn't justify the price for my purely amateur interests. I then settled on the 550d for its impressive specs at that price point, but I wanted the flip out swivel screen of the 60d.

Now, I've been browsing MPB Photographic, and they have the 600d on offer, at ~£15 less than the 550d, so that's a no brainer, 600d it is.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us...

Now this is where I'm stumbling.

I want a telephoto for nature photography, but I'm well aware that I'll get alot more use out of a shorter focal range, especially considering alot of my shots will be of my son in family holiday type scenes.

I'm willing to compromise on the shorter option and I'm pretty sure that the 18-55mm 3.5-5.6 IS II will suffice until I get back from the holiday and look into somthing faster that I'll have to save up for.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us...


Now the tele, I think the 70-300mm 4-5.6 is a safe bet.

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/used-equipment/us...




What do we think? I've used the 18-55mm on a 400d and was more than happy with its range and daytime performance to use it as a general lens, but I've never used the 70-300mm or a 600d.

I'm pretty set on the 600d, but is there another lens combination, covering the same sort of range that I'm missing that could be a better option?


I'll be saving up for a couple of fast primes in time, I just want a couple of lenses to get me through the holiday whilst keeping costs to ~£500-£550.


Thanks in advance.

Edited by FussyFez on Sunday 13th July 20:54

[DibblyDobbler]

I think you are pretty much on the money - just a couple of suggestions: the 55-250 is decent and is cheap, or try for a second hand Tamron 18-270 and do it all with one lens (I had one for a while and it's not bad at all considering the range - there are a few on eBay).

[Golaboots]

For around £500 with Canon I would look at the following.

Canon 5d, £300 or so if patient. 50mm 1.8 £60. 70-200 f4 £100. Cheapy 19-35 af £40.

If you can spring another £50 you could get off camera flash too.

[FussyFez]

Thanks guys I'll have a look.

[FussyFez]

So I've just placed my order with MPB for a 600d + 18-55mm + 55-250mm


I went for the 55-250 so I don't have the gap between the 18-55 and 70-300.

Also had to re - jig the budget slightly and the £120 saving is nice.

Can't wait for my box of goodies to turn up tomorrow.

Excited doesn't quite cover it.



Once back from the holiday I'll look at saving up and swapping the 18-55mm 3.5 for somthing faster and some sort of prime Macro at 65 or 100mm. Plus obviously the nifty fifty 50mm 1.8...


I can see already that I'm going to be constantly drooling over glass now.

[outnumbered]

I've got the 55-250, and am constantly surprised by how good it is. You can get some very sharp results, albeit the autofocus is a bit creaky compared to the higher end lenses.

[matt3001]

I have posted these in the F1 thread as well. But I treated myself to a s/h 55-250 to use with my 600d.

These are the shots I took on its 2nd outing at the German GP last weekend.













P.S - I have no idea how to use Lightroom so these are straight as they came off the camera.

[Simpo Two]

Excellent crash photos - nothing a bit of levels and curves won't fix

You did the hard part by pointing the camera in the right direction at the, having the settings roughly right and holding the trigger down!

[matt3001]

Simpo Two said:

Excellent crash photos - nothing a bit of levels and curves won't fix

You did the hard part by pointing the camera in the right direction at the, having the settings roughly right and holding the trigger down!

Thanks!

Any tips on what to do smarten them up even more would be most appreciated.... always willing to learn!