Buying my first DSLR

[charlieharper]

Hi.

I'm considering buying the Canon 600D Twin lens kit soon. Is that the cheapest that I'll currently get it?


It's going to be my first ever DSLR camera. Not only going to use it for photos, but video as well. (Canon DSLR's shoot amazing quality videos, and I'm a keen video editor as well)


I'm mostly going to use it to shoot surfing and some random. Been playing around with a friend's Nikon D3000 with a 250mm lens and found the zoom to be fairly sufficient for a starter like me. And a 55mm seems to be the best "general use" lens.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Rosaudio]

Seems like an excellent deal for a first DSLR. I'd go for that if I was looking for an upgrade to my 400D.

 

[russellO]

Hey, do you really want a DSLR? Reason I ask is because there are a few articles about how they are becoming a dying breed.

Check out Trey Ratcliff, he is a pro photographer. He has a post about DSLRs and why he thinks they are a dying breed, here. And a follow up, here.

There are new mirrorless cameras that are a 1/4 of the bulky size of a DSLR and you can change lenses the same as a DSLR. Take the Nikon V1 for example. $899.95.

 

[froot]

@ronald911
The 600D twin lens is a brilliant buy. It's good enough for a starter and for a novice.

You can go cheaper, ie the 1000D, but the 600D would be a better buy.

 

[bwana]

@ronald911
The 600D twin lens is a brilliant buy. It's good enough for a starter and for a novice.

You can go cheaper, ie the 1000D, but the 600D would be a better buy.

And beyond. Many people overspend and never fully utilise all the features even the lower end consumer bodies have.

 

[froot]

And beyond. Many people overspend and never fully utilise all the features even the lower end consumer bodies have.

Very true.

 

[charlieharper]

@ronald911
The 600D twin lens is a brilliant buy. It's good enough for a starter and for a novice.

You can go cheaper, ie the 1000D, but the 600D would be a better buy.

Thanks. I had a look at the 1100D, but it doesn't quite have the features compared to the 600D, to make it worth the "investment".
I'd rather spend a little more and have a camera that's a little more "future proof". Also the HD video quality is amazing.

 

[charlieharper]

Hey, do you really want a DSLR? Reason I ask is because there are a few articles about how they are becoming a dying breed.

Check out Trey Ratcliff, he is a pro photographer. He has a post about DSLRs and why he thinks they are a dying breed, here. And a follow up, here.

There are new mirrorless cameras that are a 1/4 of the bulky size of a DSLR and you can change lenses the same as a DSLR. Take the Nikon V1 for example. $899.95.

At the moment I'll stick to a DSLR... Maybe in a few years when the compact camera's become more advanced.

 

[Edduck]

Hey, do you really want a DSLR? Reason I ask is because there are a few articles about how they are becoming a dying breed.

Check out Trey Ratcliff, he is a pro photographer. He has a post about DSLRs and why he thinks they are a dying breed, here. And a follow up, here.

There are new mirrorless cameras that are a 1/4 of the bulky size of a DSLR and you can change lenses the same as a DSLR. Take the Nikon V1 for example. $899.95.

I don't listen to any of these 'pros' that say anything about the future of any tech. A camera is a tool and like any tool you have to find the right tool for a job. DSLRs are still in their early 20s and the technology is only starting to mature now. M4/3 and other mirrorless systems are great and all BUT only for what they are designed to do. A Nikon J/V1 is a fantastic camera but you are not going to take it to the rugby world cup final to shoot lowlight fast-paced and AF demanding images.

What I suggest is go to a BIG camera store such as ORMS or ODP and try all the camera systems. Find out what suits your styles.

The only thing mirrorless has given photographers is more choice of tools to capture the right image.

I for one LOVE my Canon 50D and it captures amazing images but alot of times I wish I had a high quality point & shoot such as the new Canon G1x when I don't require the performance of the 50D.

In the end of the day, don't take a knife to a gunfight

 

[charlieharper]

Thanks Edduck.

I also stumbled across the Nikon D5100 and found it to be a solid camera - well very, very similar to the 600D for an extra R1k. My budget with a lens or 2 is around R9000.

 

[CorneN]

Thanks Edduck.

I also stumbled across the Nikon D5100 and found it to be a solid camera - well very, very similar to the 600D for an extra R1k. My budget with a lens or 2 is around R9000.

I am planning an upgrade in the next month or two and its between those two as well. Leaning towards the D5100.

See: http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-600d-vs-Nikon-D5100
And: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf7jkU1zclo

ORMS has the D5100 on special for R9300 with 2 kit lenses. 18-55 and 55-200.
See: https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/photog...8-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-af-s-vr-55-200mm-vr-lens-kit

 

[charlieharper]

Very tempting, both of them. I still like the Canon EOS 600D.

 

[Edduck]

Very tempting, both of them. I still like the Canon EOS 600D.

I wish there would be a convergence of nikon & canon, there are so many perfect elements in both cameras that could create the ultimate frankenstein hybrid!

Things I love bout canon:
Simple and clean body layout
Great ergonomics
Joystick/clickwheel combo on xxD and xD range
Greater lens choice and cheaper prices

Things I love about nikon:
Excellent quick info display system
Low light low noise capabilities
Superior AF on entry/midrange systems
Compatibility with old Nikon lenses
Customer service and marketing

 

[bwana]

I wish there would be a convergence of nikon & canon, there are so many perfect elements in both cameras that could create the ultimate frankenstein hybrid!

Things I love bout canon:
Simple and clean body layout
Great ergonomics
Joystick/clickwheel combo on xxD and xD range
Greater lens choice and cheaper prices

Things I love about nikon:
Excellent quick info display system
Low light low noise capabilities
Superior AF on entry/midrange systems
Compatibility with old Nikon lenses
Customer service and marketing

They (600D and 5100D) look fairly similar to me - what strikes you as the big differences, or at least the differences big enough to favour the Nikon?

 

[charlieharper]

They (600D and 5100D) look fairly similar to me - what strikes you as the big differences, or at least the differences big enough to favour the Nikon?

I was about to say the same.... It's is very similar.

Another cool feature about the 600D, since I'm into video, the 60fps @ 720p is a big thing, especially when filming surf.

 

[shearder]

In the end of the day, don't take a knife to a gunfight

AND there is also NO problem taking a "Canon" to a knife or a fist fight

 

[shearder]

Very tempting, both of them. I still like the Canon EOS 600D.

I bought the 600D Ultimate Kit end November. Then gave the vrou the 220ex flash and got a 430 EX added the 50-500 BIGMA and Benro tripod and a diffuser, some lense hoods for the kit lenses and a battery grip! It was a second step in to SLR but this time D-SLR and i thought I may as well do it properly LOL

I am 100% happy with the performance of the 600D and just recently was converted to ONLY RAW shooting. I will NOT go back to JPEG and i am MORE than happy with this camera. I love the ease at which i can change the shooting options with the "wheel/joystick", Av, ISO etc. The Q button for other shooting options is quick reach couple of seconds (still practicing) to change some options and continue shooting.

Was a VERY good investment!

 

[charlieharper]

I bought the 600D Ultimate Kit end November. Then gave the vrou the 220ex flash and got a 430 EX added the 50-500 BIGMA and Benro tripod and a diffuser, some lense hoods for the kit lenses and a battery grip! It was a second step in to SLR but this time D-SLR and i thought I may as well do it properly LOL

I am 100% happy with the performance of the 600D and just recently was converted to ONLY RAW shooting. I will NOT go back to JPEG and i am MORE than happy with this camera. I love the ease at which i can change the shooting options with the "wheel/joystick", Av, ISO etc. The Q button for other shooting options is quick reach couple of seconds (still practicing) to change some options and continue shooting.

Was a VERY good investment!

I think you just convinced me to go for the 600D !

 

[charlieharper]

I think you just convinced me to go for the 600D !

What exactly would be the difference between RAW and Jpeg in terms of photo quality and what you can notice visually?

 

[bwana]

What exactly would be the difference between RAW and Jpeg in terms of photo quality and what you can notice visually?

There is a lot more detail in the RAW file that gets lost during the in camera conversion - depending on the camera you're looking at a stop or two extra dynamic range. You also have the ability to correct your white balance without any detrimental effect to the image quality.

That said for me RAW is too time consuming for what I need so unless I absolutely have to, or I know I've got plenty of time at my disposal, I stick to jpg.