First DSLR: Canon EOS 60D + 18-135mm lens?
Discussion
Thinking about getting a new camera, planning to do a mix of urban landscapes, automotive & general family stuff.
I was thinking about the Canon EOS 60D + 18-135mm lens kit as a starter (plus usual accessories).
I can have it shipped to me in the Middle East from B&H for the equivalent of £800 - which seems a decent price (compared to £950 for UK internet retailers).
Would this be a good choice, or would anyone recommend something different?
What about 'essential' accessories (bag etc)?
I was thinking about the Canon EOS 60D + 18-135mm lens kit as a starter (plus usual accessories).
I can have it shipped to me in the Middle East from B&H for the equivalent of £800 - which seems a decent price (compared to £950 for UK internet retailers).
Would this be a good choice, or would anyone recommend something different?
What about 'essential' accessories (bag etc)?
If you've never used an SLR before, it's quite an outlay. It takes some effort to get to grips with taking a good photo with an SLR - and practise to get past the stage of taking five photos just to get one that's properly exposed and sharp. Of course, you can just leave it all on auto, but why spend so much if that's all you need?
Alternatively, you could save about £150 and get the 600D which has a very similar spec and won't disappoint you.
On the whole, the rule is spend on the lenses, not the camera.
Alternatively, you could save about £150 and get the 600D which has a very similar spec and won't disappoint you.
On the whole, the rule is spend on the lenses, not the camera.
After doing some more research, I was considering buying the 60D body only and getting a 15-85mm IS USM lens instead.
The comparison shots I've seen just look much sharper:
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EF-S_15-85...
As for budget, no real set budget - but I always like to buy right first time, rather than buy cheap then upgrade later.
I'd see how I get on with one lens first, then I can always buy more later if (when) needed.
The comparison shots I've seen just look much sharper:
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Canon_EF-S_15-85...
As for budget, no real set budget - but I always like to buy right first time, rather than buy cheap then upgrade later.
I'd see how I get on with one lens first, then I can always buy more later if (when) needed.
The wider angle will help for 'family stuff' (usually inside where you don't have so much space) and landscapes. It's always worth putting more into the lenses, but I'll confess I'm never quite sure about buying second hand.
As I said, the 60D and 600D have almost identical specs for most of the things you'll be worrying about - don't get caught up in numbers when the results are going to be much more dependent on your skill and the glass you're using than on the body. If you got serious about it, you'd quite possibly want to consider the 7D or equivalen in the future. I'd not worry too much about getting the perfect body first time round - any DSLR is capable of producing dramatically better photos than a point and shoot, and it's relatively easy to upgrade a body in a year or so if you're really doing well with it.
As I said, the 60D and 600D have almost identical specs for most of the things you'll be worrying about - don't get caught up in numbers when the results are going to be much more dependent on your skill and the glass you're using than on the body. If you got serious about it, you'd quite possibly want to consider the 7D or equivalen in the future. I'd not worry too much about getting the perfect body first time round - any DSLR is capable of producing dramatically better photos than a point and shoot, and it's relatively easy to upgrade a body in a year or so if you're really doing well with it.
I know what you're saying about the bodies, but from what I've seen I like the 60D over the 600D (for the relatively small price difference). The two main advantages for me are the higher FPS and general bulk of the camera.
So, planning to put in an order tomorrow (once B&H open again from their internet shopping Saturday closure
) for:
Canon 60D body
EF-S 15-85mm IS USM lens
16GB Sandisk Extreme Pro Class 10
Canon Lens Hood
Canon 200 EG Backback
So, planning to put in an order tomorrow (once B&H open again from their internet shopping Saturday closure
) for:Canon 60D body
EF-S 15-85mm IS USM lens
16GB Sandisk Extreme Pro Class 10
Canon Lens Hood
Canon 200 EG Backback
Tuna said:
The wider angle will help for 'family stuff' (usually inside where you don't have so much space) and landscapes. It's always worth putting more into the lenses, but I'll confess I'm never quite sure about buying second hand.
As I said, the 60D and 600D have almost identical specs for most of the things you'll be worrying about - don't get caught up in numbers when the results are going to be much more dependent on your skill and the glass you're using than on the body. If you got serious about it, you'd quite possibly want to consider the 7D or equivalen in the future. I'd not worry too much about getting the perfect body first time round - any DSLR is capable of producing dramatically better photos than a point and shoot, and it's relatively easy to upgrade a body in a year or so if you're really doing well with it.
I own a 60D for over a year and can't see a reason why 7d would be an upgrade. As I said, the 60D and 600D have almost identical specs for most of the things you'll be worrying about - don't get caught up in numbers when the results are going to be much more dependent on your skill and the glass you're using than on the body. If you got serious about it, you'd quite possibly want to consider the 7D or equivalen in the future. I'd not worry too much about getting the perfect body first time round - any DSLR is capable of producing dramatically better photos than a point and shoot, and it's relatively easy to upgrade a body in a year or so if you're really doing well with it.
60D is a brilliant camera, go for it!
Don't get me wrong - the 60D is probably my next choice of camera when I upgrade. The only reason for suggesting an alternative was that you've not had a DSLR before. There is a learning curve, and the 'higher end' the camera is, the steeper the curve. Some people just never get along with DSLRs either because they don't have the time to invest to learn the techniques, or because they don't use it often enough for the handling to become intuitive.
Have fun with it - it's immensely satisfying when you get an excellent photo.
Have fun with it - it's immensely satisfying when you get an excellent photo.
Tuna said:
Don't get me wrong - the 60D is probably my next choice of camera when I upgrade. The only reason for suggesting an alternative was that you've not had a DSLR before. There is a learning curve, and the 'higher end' the camera is, the steeper the curve. Some people just never get along with DSLRs either because they don't have the time to invest to learn the techniques, or because they don't use it often enough for the handling to become intuitive.
Have fun with it - it's immensely satisfying when you get an excellent photo.
Absolutely agree, I moved from a micro 4/3rds system about a month ago and dslr is definately a tougher ask to get a decent picture out of. But when it comes together you really feel like you've earned it!!! Have fun with it - it's immensely satisfying when you get an excellent photo.
I had a look at the 60d when I cut over and it really is a nice bit of kit. But as has been said before probably most dslr bodies at that end of the market will do a great job - it comes down to learning about the camera and the lens you stick in front of it more than the body.
Also be prepared to sink money as the draw of a better lense, more flexible tripod, set of filters etc etc...will just pull you in.
Brilliant fun whatever you choose - good luck.
Matt if you ever make to Dubai I can point you in the direction of the cheapest place to buy gear locally, was where I held a number of bodies prior to deciding what to buy.
All you have to do now is wait until October when all the s
t has done from the air and allows you to take nice photos outside! (I assume Qatar has been had bloody windy as Dubai for the last 2 months!)
All you have to do now is wait until October when all the s
t has done from the air and allows you to take nice photos outside! (I assume Qatar has been had bloody windy as Dubai for the last 2 months!)Mattt said:
Had my first play with it tonight, just shot on full auto to get ued to the buttons/menus etc.
IMG_0045 by M@IQ, on Flickr
I'm impressed by the low light performance (compared to a camera phone!).
Congrats on the new kit! One of the (numerous) benefits of the larger sensor on your new SLR is much better low light performanceIMG_0045 by M@IQ, on Flickr
I'm impressed by the low light performance (compared to a camera phone!).
If you have any questions while learning how to use your 60D then I'm sure the pleasant folk in here can help out
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