Canon EOS 100D Get Closer kit

[rich888]

Been looking at an SLR for sometime now as an addition to my compact Sony RX100, and spotted a 'Canon EOS 100D Get Closer kit' deal for £449.95 in the John Lewis Nottingham store which included a 18-55mm and a 75-300mm lens which seems perfect for my needs and within my limited budget.

I've noticed that several more skilled users on PH like the EOS 100D because of its compact size and pure usability/interchangeability, so just wonder whether this package is worth buying, or just buy the body and lenses separately?

Main uses will be photographing static cars at classic car meets, and of course photographing my fast moving and uncontrollable kids as they grow up!

Might also want to take a few pics at some air displays, aka my posts a few months ago regarding the Vulcan bomber, but rarely have the time to attend these events, nevertheless any recommendations for an alternative 300mm zoom lens much appreciated, and would the 100D be up for the job of taking photographs for these three tasks or would something else be more appropriate

As a footnote, have also been taking a very keen interest in the macro photographs posted on PH, so at the other end of the scale what would be most suitable?

And apologies in advance for all the questions asked due to so much choice and affordability on offer nowadays

[Killwilly]

The 100D is a great little camera and would be fine for what you want. However, if it were me, I would forget the 75-300 lens which, in my opinion, is one of Canon's failures.

Get the kit in the link below, which offers the 18-55 STM lens and then get the 55-250 STM when your finances allow. The 55-250 is a superb lens. I have the original, which I have had for six years and it is still one of my favourite lenses.


http://www.johnlewis.com/canon-eos-100d-digital-sl...

[Killwilly]

Update.

This is a better buy than JL and brilliant to deal with.


http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-eos-100d-...

[rich888]

Killwilly said:

Update.

This is a better buy than JL and brilliant to deal with.


http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-canon-eos-100d-...

Hi Killwilly and thank you for the recommendations, looks like the price of the 100D is steadily dropping, may well buy it as an early Christmas present

I also viewed the 55-250 STM lens at Wex but at £225 is something that will have to wait for a bit.

Am sorely tempted to buy from Wex because it's a little cheaper, but the major plus point of buying from John Lewis is the 2 year warranty, and I believe for a small additional charge, will add a 3 year warranty including accidental damage, which is something I need to consider with two young kids charging around the house - nothing is sacred!

[DavieW]

I've heard good reports from these guys. 100D for £260.

http://www.simplyelectronics.net/mainproduct.php?p...

[DibblyDobbler]

100D is a good little bit of kit - possibly soon to be replaced so should be cheap.

Try a 'Raynox' on your 55-250 as cheap way into macro - should give some decent results and will cost you around £40 only

[rich888]

Thanks DavieW for the link, the price of the EOS 100D is now well below the price of a new RX100 which must present a quandary for many potential buyers of both the RX100 and the 100D, sooo many decisions to be made.

DibblyDobbler, thank you for your tip regarding the 'Raynox' adapter for the macro pics, never heard of it before so will have to do a little research, have certainly been very impressed with the macro photos I've seen on here which are quite outstanding.

I had actually written off the 100D as an additional camera to be used alongside my Sony RX100, and was hell bent on buying one of the far more expensive cameras until I read on here just how good it is, then started reconsidering my options and my finances. I'm also sorely tempted to upgrade my old iPhone because it does provide a means to take pics and videos on the spot if nothing else is to hand, and tend to take my RX100 out when we go out on family trips and must confess I do use it a lot, but I think I might possibly take the 100D with me because it appears to be very light, is infinitely more flexible, and possibly provides the ability to take higher quality images.

Years ago I was well into photography and lugged around a Canon A1 which was considered in its day to be the best of the best, but I tired of the weight of the camera plus lens plus the camera bag with the multiple lenses, and the rolls of film, and all the other 'essential' stuff... so it tended to be left at home or in the boot of the car except for the occasional air display, and that's the core problem. No camera no photograph!

Incidentally I read the rumour on PH some months ago about the possible upgrade of the 100D, but no one is saying anything apart from the fact it 'might' get released in the autumn, so prices might yet fall lower ahead of the replacement new and improved model and the pre-Christmas sales which suits me fine, just so long as I have it in time for the Christmas and New Year pics.

[RobDickinson]

The sheer ability of the small slr's like 100d is amazing thesedays.

And yes the 55-250 over the 75-300 certainly.

Theres a few cheap ways to get into macro, a proper macro lens is the best way though, a cosina 90mmf3.5 should be quite cheap on ebay if you find one.

[JustinP1]

rich888 said:

I had actually written off the 100D as an additional camera to be used alongside my Sony RX100, and was hell bent on buying one of the far more expensive cameras until I read on here just how good it is, then started reconsidering my options and my finances. I'm also sorely tempted to upgrade my old iPhone because it does provide a means to take pics and videos on the spot if nothing else is to hand, and tend to take my RX100 out when we go out on family trips and must confess I do use it a lot, but I think I might possibly take the 100D with me because it appears to be very light, is infinitely more flexible, and possibly provides the ability to take higher quality images.

You mentioning that made me type up this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Hope it helps you decide!

Yes, I know the 6D, which is the camera I'm talking about should be superior to the 100D. However, it's a big jump of the way there. The benefit if the 100D is that it's 400g and not 800, and a chunk smaller.

Also, as the sensor on the 100D is 'cropped', you'd be looking at the 24mm Canon 'pancake' lens as oppose to the 40mm to get the same 'reasonably wide' shots.

Edited by JustinP1 on Tuesday 15th September 11:06

[Mr Will]

rich888 said:

Years ago I was well into photography and lugged around a Canon A1 which was considered in its day to be the best of the best, but I tired of the weight of the camera plus lens plus the camera bag with the multiple lenses, and the rolls of film, and all the other 'essential' stuff... so it tended to be left at home or in the boot of the car except for the occasional air display, and that's the core problem. No camera no photograph!

I see so many people fall in to this trap - feeling they need to carry every bit of kit they own on every outing. Learn to leave some of it at home. There's no reason that you cannot go out with just the 100D and a single lens on a shoulder strap when you want to keep the weight down. No bag, no extras, no hassle - save all the extra kit for when photography is the prime purpose of your trip.

Regarding the 50-250mm - there are plenty available second hand if you want to save a bit of cash: http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/search/55-250mm?s...

I'd also recommend the 24mm pancake lens if there is anything left over: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-EF-S-2-8-STM-Lens/dp...

[bullies180]

Sorry to hijack the thread a little, I've got a canon 100d which is great! Really love it and it's size. I was thinking to get the 40m pancake but people on this thread seem to prefer the 24m pancake? What would people recommend for the 100d?

[JustinP1]

bullies180 said:

Sorry to hijack the thread a little, I've got a canon 100d which is great! Really love it and it's size. I was thinking to get the 40m pancake but people on this thread seem to prefer the 24m pancake? What would people recommend for the 100d?

What do you want to take pictures of, and from how far away?

[RobDickinson]

They are both good.

The 24mm is ef-s so no use on ff.

24mm is more useful in general than 40mm on crop but you can make either work

[rich888]

Can I just say thank you to everyone that has taken the time to reply to my questions, and you have certainly provided me with ample advice on what to buy and indeed what not to buy. I appreciate that there are far more expensive cameras on the market, but I can't justify spending that sort of money at this moment in time, especially as it would seem that the 100D does seem to tick all the right boxes, along with the fact that it is so light and so compact.

So have a feeling that the 100D with the 18-55 lens will be a very good start, then perhaps buy the 24mm prime and the 55-250 lens at a later date when finances and the wife permit.

And to justify the purchase I think I will call it an early Christmas present or a late birthday present, and bearing in mind the rumour that a new and improved 100D model is due out anytime soon, I think I will wait a little longer before buying because I already see that prices are dropping. Great stuff

[bullies180]

JustinP1 said:

What do you want to take pictures of, and from how far away?

guess I would use it for street photography, think it could be a good walk around lens, general purpose really.

[bullies180]

JustinP1 said:

What do you want to take pictures of, and from how far away?

guess I would use it for street photography, think it could be a good walk around lens, general purpose really.

[JustinP1]

bullies180 said:

JustinP1 said:

What do you want to take pictures of, and from how far away?

guess I would use it for street photography, think it could be a good walk around lens, general purpose really.

It would because it is so small it's unobtrusive. Whether you go for the 24mm, the 40mm or the 50mm comes down to what your style is. The new 50 is about a cm longer.

The 24mm will be reasonably wide, you might get the whole street in for example, the 40mm will be narrower, and you'd be picking out a particular area, and the 50 would be narrower still.

I find the 40mm perfect on my 6D for my style, if you don't have a full-frame camera though, the 24mm is approximately similar in terms of the shot you will get. If I had the 100D for example, I'd have the 24mm. Remember, with a wider lens you can always walk forward, or failing that, crop later.

If you can get your hands on the kit lens that comes bundled by Canon, that's 18-55mm of something like that, so you can set it at 24, 40 and 50, use it for a day and see what you prefer.

Edited by JustinP1 on Wednesday 16th September 19:45

[threespires]

I have a 100D and 40mm pancake & find it ideal for my daily 365 pix.
It's a convenient partner to my 5D
100D's were on Ebay recently for £190 but they seem a bit pricier today.
Highly recommended...

100D with 25/105 lens, photo taken yesterday

[Tycho]

You may want something a bit wider....

Slightly off topic but I bought one of these form eBay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310910413994?_trksid=p20...

It can fit in my 70-200L and my 500D with the 18-55 kit lens with a few pockets for other bits. Really good value for £10 and quite unobtrusive.

[bullies180]

JustinP1 said:

What do you want to take pictures of, and from how far away?

guess I would use it for street photography, think it could be a good walk around lens, general purpose really.