What Camera

[Julietbravo]

Son has a 2 yr long Film and Media module, and needs a DSLR with video capability. (He doesn't, he can borrow one of the pool ones, but having his own would be useful).

I have always dabbled with photography and have a Canon 350D that must be 10 years old and, whilst it still takes reasonable pictures has no video capability. It came with a Rebel XT/350D instruction manual so I'm guessing it had two names for different markets. I also have a Canon 55-80 lens, as well as a 70-300.

I am thinking about an upgrade that would allow him to do what he needs, and get me an updated 'family camera'. My question is would the newer Canons fit the 70-300 lens? Or would you go for another brand all together?

[_Hoppers]

IIRC if the lens has the 'EF' prefix it will fit on current bodies.

[Julietbravo]

Thank you. I'll have a look tonight. We both quite like/understand the Canon - I'm guessing that Canon and Nikon are like Shimano/Campag or BMW/Audi? Everyone has a view and a preference - but is there a clear winner? If possible, I would like to stick with Canon and then go for the most affordable in the Jan sales.

[craig1912]

If video is important I’d be tempted by the Sony A7 range. A Sigma MC11 adapter will let you use the Canon lenses if they are EF. What’s the budget?
Refurbed one here
https://www.cameracentreuk.com/a-sony-alpha-a7-ful...

Edited by craig1912 on Monday 9th December 12:18

[_Hoppers]

Julietbravo said:

Thank you. I'll have a look tonight. We both quite like/understand the Canon - I'm guessing that Canon and Nikon are like Shimano/Campag or BMW/Audi? Everyone has a view and a preference - but is there a clear winner? If possible, I would like to stick with Canon and then go for the most affordable in the Jan sales.

Nikon have the better sensors at the moment (they use Sony apparently) so I think they have the edge in that respect.

[Andy M]

Julietbravo said:

Thank you. I'll have a look tonight. We both quite like/understand the Canon - I'm guessing that Canon and Nikon are like Shimano/Campag or BMW/Audi?

Not quite, today Canon and Nikon dSLR's would be more akin to a horse and kart. I still own a Nikon D800e, but only because it is worth practically nothing and not worth selling.

Nikon are under a mountain of debt and may be close to going bust, Canon panicked after years of ignoring mirrorless and released products which were pretty unremarkable compared to the competition.

Look to Sony and Fuji mirrorless (Panasonic too). I'd choose Sony for full-frame (I shoot the Sony a7R4), and Fuji for crop-frame.

There are some good deals to be had currently: Fuji offer the Fujifilm X-H1 which offers unbelievably good video files with the Eterna profile (have a look on YouTube). This time last year is was £1,600 now it's nearly half that: https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Fujifilm/Fujif... their 18-55 kit lens is excellent too.

Edited by Andy M on Monday 9th December 12:30

[Julietbravo]

Andy M said:

Julietbravo said:

Thank you. I'll have a look tonight. We both quite like/understand the Canon - I'm guessing that Canon and Nikon are like Shimano/Campag or BMW/Audi?

Not quite, today Canon and Nikon dSLR's would be more akin to a horse and kart. I still own a Nikon D800e, but only because it is worth practically nothing and not worth selling.

Nikon are under a mountain of debt and may be close to going bust, Canon panicked after years of ignoring mirrorless and released products which were pretty unremarkable compared to the competition.

Look to Sony and Fuji mirrorless (Panasonic too). I'd choose Sony for full-frame (I shoot the Sony a7R4), and Fuji for crop-frame.

There are some good deals to be had currently: Fuji offer the Fujifilm X-H1 which offers unbelievably good video files with the Eterna profile (have a look on YouTube). This time last year is was £1,600 now it's nearly half that: https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Fujifilm/Fujif... their 18-55 kit lens is excellent too.

Edited by Andy M on Monday 9th December 12:30

That's great to know - thank you. I want something that will get him through the course and rekindle my enthusiasm.

[thebraketester]

A second hand Canon 5dii would be nice....

[vetrof]

With a replacement on the horizon, the Nikon D750 is pretty good value at the moment. Still a great camera.

[some bloke]

I got a 2nd hand Canon 60D body for £200 that films 1080 HD. The lenses off my 350D work fine on it.

[Simpo Two]

Julietbravo said:

Thank you. I'll have a look tonight. We both quite like/understand the Canon - I'm guessing that Canon and Nikon are like Shimano/Campag or BMW/Audi?

Yes, other than control layout/ergonomics, it's the user that makes the difference not the gear. I've used Nikon for 20 years, half of that for a living, and can't figure out Canons at all!

There are many new pretenders to the throne but Nikon and Canon have been at the top for decades which means shops, eBay etc are rammed with a massive choice of lenses, flashguns etc so you can build a comprehensive set-up it at a competitive price.

('Digital Rebel' was the 350D in America)

[steveatesh]

Andy M said:

Not quite, today Canon and Nikon dSLR's would be more akin to a horse and kart. I still own a Nikon D800e, but only because it is worth practically nothing and not worth selling.

Nikon are under a mountain of debt and may be close to going bust, Canon panicked after years of ignoring mirrorless and released products which were pretty unremarkable compared to the competition.

Look to Sony and Fuji mirrorless (Panasonic too). I'd choose Sony for full-frame (I shoot the Sony a7R4), and Fuji for crop-frame.

There are some good deals to be had currently: Fuji offer the Fujifilm X-H1 which offers unbelievably good video files with the Eterna profile (have a look on YouTube). This time last year is was £1,600 now it's nearly half that: https://www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/Fujifilm/Fujif... their 18-55 kit lens is excellent too.

Edited by Andy M on Monday 9th December 12:30

Another one for moving to mirrorless and i too recommend the Sony A7iii if you’re budget allows it (I moved from Nikon crop to A7iii last year) or the A7Riv as above, budget allowing. My colleague has the D750 and after seeing how good the Sony is is going to make the leap too.

[DailyHack]

Simpo Two said:

Yes, other than control layout/ergonomics, it's the user that makes the difference not the gear. I've used Nikon for 20 years, half of that for a living, and can't figure out Canons at all!

There are many new pretenders to the throne but Nikon and Canon have been at the top for decades which means shops, eBay etc are rammed with a massive choice of lenses, flashguns etc so you can build a comprehensive set-up it at a competitive price.

('Digital Rebel' was the 350D in America)

Yep, I'm quite firmly in the Canon camp from my personal ergonomics point of view. The 5d family just feels so right in my lanky skeletal hands Been with them for years, still pays my bills so quite happy to stick with Canon DSLRs for years yet, still perform amazingly.

Learnt on a 350d, was my first proper DSLR, loved that thing to death! Good camera to learn on.

Good shout on the 60d aswell, still have this body chucked in my bag as a backup, very capable camera still and good value, look at WEX photo or Park Cameras for second hand bodies.

[C&C]

Only point I'd make is that if you stick with Canon, the 350D was a crop sensor, so would work fine with EF lenses (full frame compatible) and EF-S lenses (specifically for cropped sensor).

If the lenses you have are EF-S (likely if bought with a 350D, as they are cheaper than the equivalent EF lens), then if you got a full-frame body (such as a 5D mark 2, or 3), although the lenses may work, you will get vignetting (severe darkening to the corners), as the circle of light cast by the lens isn't wide enough to cover the entire sensor. So probably better to stick with a crop sensor body. ETA - Such as a 60D, or 70D.

Edited by C&C on Monday 9th December 20:50

[DavidY]

I bought my son a Panasonic G80 for his film/media course, (s/h now these are a bargain), really good little camera with great video capabilities. In built IBIS as well as 4K video recording, and has enough ports to handle plenty of video accessories. He is now doing a film-making degree and not outgrown it yet!!!

And buy one camera for him and a camera of your choice for you, that way you can go out shooting together, my son and I often go out, I shoot stills, he shoots video, its really interesting to see from another perspective.

Edited by DavidY on Wednesday 11th December 08:47

[Craikeybaby]

DavidY said:

I bought my son a Panasonic G80 for his film/media course, (s/h now these are a bargain), really good little camera with great video capabilities. In built IBIS as well as 4K video recording, and has enough ports to handle plenty of video accessories. He is now doing a film-making degree and not outgrown it yet!!!

And buy one camera for him and a camera of your choice for you, that way you can go out shooting together, my son and I often go out, I shoot stills, he shoots video, its really interesting to see from another perspective.

Edited by DavidY on Wednesday 11th December 08:47

This was my initial thought on reading the original post.

With regards to being familiar with Canon/any particular brand, changing isn't that difficult. I swapped from Canon to Fuji last year, about 6 months after switching I borrowed a 5D, like the one I had traded in, and it felt completely alien.

[Escapegoat]

If he'll have access to bigger stuff via the course's gear, then go small: a Panasonic GHn plus that new $590 anamorphic lens in M43 version?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYgYhzSl0S4

[Julietbravo]

Purchase made. Thank you for all of your advice. After all considerations, I went for another Canon. Turns out the school use higher end Canons, so there is familiarity with the system and my lenses fit so that's another couple of hundred euros saved. Means we have two similar cameras to go out and shoot with. Thanks again for all of the advice.