450D is it for me?
Discussion
Hi guys, I’ve been reading this section and looking at al the amazing pictures over the last few months and i've come to the conclusion that I want in on the action! That and the likely safari holiday in the summer have got me hankering after a DSLR.
So down to business, I am pretty sure I want to go down the Canon route, and have whittled things down to the 450D, 1000D and 40D (probably in that order).
The 40D looks nice bit of kit, but you start wandering into 4 figures far too easily when you add a lens or 2.
The 1000D looks really good value, and I could afford to get a half decent lens or 2, however, I think id always wish id gone for the 450D!
So the 450D is the choice I've come to in my head (feel free to suggest otherwise). Now all I need to do is figure out if I should get a bundle or spec it myself.
Cheapest prices I can find come in at about £420 for the body, and £470 with a kit lens. Alternatively, I have seen a bundle on warehouse express that caught my eye: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.as...
Canon EOS 450D Digital Camera with 18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS Double Zoom Kit
This deal does seem good value, my only worry is that I get bored of the 18 -55 kit lens quickly, and want another, where I should have just shelled out for the body and a decent lens in the first place. Also, will the 250mm be long enough to get a decent close up of a pesky warthog sniffing round a waterhole at 50M or so?! What exactly is a "Double Zoom Kit"?
As you can probably tell, I’m a bit of a novice in the SLR game, however, I don’t want to end up with a beginner camera once I’ve worked out what all the buttons do!
Thanks for your help and advice in advance.
Nick
So down to business, I am pretty sure I want to go down the Canon route, and have whittled things down to the 450D, 1000D and 40D (probably in that order).
The 40D looks nice bit of kit, but you start wandering into 4 figures far too easily when you add a lens or 2.
The 1000D looks really good value, and I could afford to get a half decent lens or 2, however, I think id always wish id gone for the 450D!
So the 450D is the choice I've come to in my head (feel free to suggest otherwise). Now all I need to do is figure out if I should get a bundle or spec it myself.
Cheapest prices I can find come in at about £420 for the body, and £470 with a kit lens. Alternatively, I have seen a bundle on warehouse express that caught my eye: http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.as...
Canon EOS 450D Digital Camera with 18-55mm IS and 55-250mm IS Double Zoom Kit
This deal does seem good value, my only worry is that I get bored of the 18 -55 kit lens quickly, and want another, where I should have just shelled out for the body and a decent lens in the first place. Also, will the 250mm be long enough to get a decent close up of a pesky warthog sniffing round a waterhole at 50M or so?! What exactly is a "Double Zoom Kit"?
As you can probably tell, I’m a bit of a novice in the SLR game, however, I don’t want to end up with a beginner camera once I’ve worked out what all the buttons do!
Thanks for your help and advice in advance.
Nick
Well, a double zoom kit is exactly what you described! One zoom is the 18-55, and the other is the 55-250 or whatever! 
As for whether it's a good choice, I think the 450D is a superb choice, but then I would say that, as it's exactly what I got last summer.
If you're just starting, the 450D is pretty simple to use, but also pretty powerful, so you're unlikely to outgrow it too soon. One thing worth doing is actually physically trying both it and a 40D. Some people seem to like the physical bulk of the 40D. Personally, I really disliked it, and it would've meant I took it far fewer places, especially if it involved air travel where I'm trying to get everything into carry on luggage.
If I were to go back and do it again though, I think I would be inclined to spec it myself and go the second hand route for the lenses. I started out with the 450D plus the 18-55IS and a Tamron 70-300 zoom bundled in with it. I've just recently sold the 18-55 on Ebay (replaced with a second hand 28-75mm Tamron f2.8), and will be putting the Tamron 70-300 on there shortly, as I'm getting together the cash I need for a better quality second hand 70-200mm lens, ideally also an f2.8.
That's a long-winded way of saying if you get addicted, as you quite possibly will, you'll be wanting better glass anyway, so why not start as you mean to go on! You'll also find that decent quality second-hand lenses seem to hold their value far better than the standard kit lenses, so whilst you might spend a little more at the outset, you'll probably recoup the original extra outlay and more when you next decide to upgrade lens.
As for whether it's a good choice, I think the 450D is a superb choice, but then I would say that, as it's exactly what I got last summer. If you're just starting, the 450D is pretty simple to use, but also pretty powerful, so you're unlikely to outgrow it too soon. One thing worth doing is actually physically trying both it and a 40D. Some people seem to like the physical bulk of the 40D. Personally, I really disliked it, and it would've meant I took it far fewer places, especially if it involved air travel where I'm trying to get everything into carry on luggage.
If I were to go back and do it again though, I think I would be inclined to spec it myself and go the second hand route for the lenses. I started out with the 450D plus the 18-55IS and a Tamron 70-300 zoom bundled in with it. I've just recently sold the 18-55 on Ebay (replaced with a second hand 28-75mm Tamron f2.8), and will be putting the Tamron 70-300 on there shortly, as I'm getting together the cash I need for a better quality second hand 70-200mm lens, ideally also an f2.8.
That's a long-winded way of saying if you get addicted, as you quite possibly will, you'll be wanting better glass anyway, so why not start as you mean to go on!
You'll also find that decent quality second-hand lenses seem to hold their value far better than the standard kit lenses, so whilst you might spend a little more at the outset, you'll probably recoup the original extra outlay and more when you next decide to upgrade lens.
Last week, I was going for much the same kit as you've mentioned, but I had to handle it before buying, so I went to Jessops to cop a feel.....
Anyhoo, out I walked an hour later with the err 40D and 2 lenses, a bag, filter and CF card ! It just felt right for me, a big chunky b**tard and solid.
Oh, and I've bought another 2 lenses since. Thank the Lord the wife has as much interest in what's in my camera bag as she has in what's in my golf bag !
If you know what you want, stick to your guns. If you're stuck between 2, get your mitts on them before deciding.
Les
Anyhoo, out I walked an hour later with the err 40D and 2 lenses, a bag, filter and CF card ! It just felt right for me, a big chunky b**tard and solid.
Oh, and I've bought another 2 lenses since. Thank the Lord the wife has as much interest in what's in my camera bag as she has in what's in my golf bag !
If you know what you want, stick to your guns. If you're stuck between 2, get your mitts on them before deciding.
Les
[quote=LMC]If you're stuck between 2, get your mitts on them before deciding.
Les
[/quote
I didn't like the feel of the 350D and ended up with a refurb'd 20D for the same money, with the same warranty, and with more features / better build-quality.
Now on a 40D and don't regret it for a second...
Les
[/quote
I didn't like the feel of the 350D and ended up with a refurb'd 20D for the same money, with the same warranty, and with more features / better build-quality.
Now on a 40D and don't regret it for a second...
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