New kit suggestions

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blue-eye-boy

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I convinced my wife to rather get a slr. She like peoplo photography, and landscapes, not quite wildlife. I saw a kit at takelot, the canon 600d, with 18-135 is stm canon lens. What do you guys think of that combination? And the lens? Or any other suggestions sub R 10 k?
 
And I also came across the Sigma 17-70 dc os f2.8-4 usm, not too bad price, and I would say a average review.
 
Can't really speak for Canon but I would highly recommend getting a prime lens as well (for Canon the nifty fifty) which is cheap and takes really nice pics AFAIK.
 
I decided on the Canon 650D. The 100d was also an option I thought about buying because my wife, with smaller hands, will be using it also. But after comparing the 2, and saw that they are so much alike, I decided on the built in wireless flash transmitter on the 650d, and just felt that the 650d, because it is bigger, will handle bigger lenses later better, in my noob opinion. Pls correct me if I'm wrong.

Then I decided on the Canon 17-40 L F4/4.0 usm. It is a L Lense, I heard it is very capable, and I thought it will be a good all-rounder. I checked prices on it, mostly it is around R 9900, but then I came across new world in menlyn, the charge R 7600 for it! can this be for real?

Then, if I want to get a polarize filter, which make and model would you guys say?

I think I'll wait a bit, then get a prime lens, maybe the nifty 50 or the like.

Please guide me if I'm wrong here, what do you think of this starter kit?
 
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I have a 600D which is nearly the same camera. I have the nifty fifty, but sometimes I wish I'd gone for a 35mm instead. 50mm is typically considered "normal" on full-frame (35mm film equivalent) bodies. If you take crop factor, into account I find the 50mm to sometimes be a little too tele, especially indoors. The 35mm options are a lot pricier though, so that'll wait a while.

As for your choice, at the beginner level you can't really go wrong with any of the entry-level models, i.e. 600D/650D/700D/100D. Just the 1100D is a bit pointless imho. The extra money you'll spend to get a 7D or 70D would be a waste until you have enough skill to know what it is you are gaining with those bodies. The lens you chose is very capable for landscape, street and portrait photography, you should have many happy years with it. That price does seem a little too good to be true, perhaps its used not new?
 
Hi yes, they phoned me this morning, telling me they dont have stock. And new stock is R 10 grand. I saw a secondhand one, maybe I'l have a look again.
 
Do yourself a favour, and check out Arrow Photo, at http://www.arrowphoto.co.za/

Got a CANON ZOOM LENS EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM and a Canon 430EX II for much cheaper than I could get anywhere else.

The 600D is a bit cheaper than the 650/750D, and also has the wireless flash capability, and apart from a touch screen on the 650D there are very few big differences.
 
pezulu said:
Do yourself a favour, and check out Arrow Photo, at http://www.arrowphoto.co.za/

Got a CANON ZOOM LENS EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM and a Canon 430EX II for much cheaper than I could get anywhere else.

The 600D is a bit cheaper than the 650/750D, and also has the wireless flash capability, and apart from a touch screen on the 650D there are very few big differences.
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Yes theis prices looks good, I just dont know them. I see they are based in boksburg. I am in that area Wednesday, wil phone them tomorrow and ask if I can pick up and pay when I'm there. I just dont trust anyone on the net.
 
Would you guys buy this 17-40 L lens secondhand at outdoorphoto? Its price is R 7200, new it is approx R 9700.
 
jacqvt said:
Yes theis prices looks good, I just dont know them. I see they are based in boksburg. I am in that area Wednesday, wil phone them tomorrow and ask if I can pick up and pay when I'm there. I just dont trust anyone on the net.
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I am usually also very sceptical of internet deals, but bit the bullet and spoke to Sean.
He was very helpful, mailed me an invoice, and got the lens ready for me, with the serial number on the invoice.
Went through, did an EFT transfer in his office, and got my lens there and then.
 
For people shots, and on your camera - buy a 50mm, its the best lens on the 1.6x ccd you have.
The cheaper 50mm is fine, although the 50mm/F1.8 is made way better. The higher speed F1.2 is nice, but only if you have money to burn..
(On a full frame, you need to move up to an 85mm)

I'm not a fan of zoom lenses, although i do have a few.
 
If you're getting her the 650D, I'd recommend the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 over the EF 17-40mm f/4 L as the 17-40 is designed as an ultra wide angle lens for full frame DSLRs, while the 17-55 is designed as a standard zoom for APS-C ones.

I'd recommend the EF 50mm f/1.8 as well :)
 
swift412 said:
If you're getting her the 650D, I'd recommend the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 over the EF 17-40mm f/4 L as the 17-40 is designed as an ultra wide angle lens for full frame DSLRs, while the 17-55 is designed as a standard zoom for APS-C ones.

I'd recommend the EF 50mm f/1.8 as well :)
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Okay but arent the L lens better quality than the normal one?

And would you guys buy such a lens secondhand at outdoorphoto? They claim it is working.
 
swift412 said:
If you're getting her the 650D, I'd recommend the EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 over the EF 17-40mm f/4 L as the 17-40 is designed as an ultra wide angle lens for full frame DSLRs ...
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jacqvt said:
Okay but arent the L lens better quality than the normal one?
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I always say this (Sigma really ought to give me kickbacks, hint hint), but look at the Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8 if you are considering the Canon 17-55 mm. The Sigma is generally superior (optically) to both the Nikon and Canon models, at a lower price (about 1/2). Yes, it does not have full-time manual override on focus, but that never bothered me much in actual use.

This is the default lens I keep on my camera.
 
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Well I haven't used either lens personally so take what I say with a pinch of salt :D

From what I've read on the internet in reviews for both lenses, and looking at test charts of both lenses, the 17-55 has better image quality, is a stop faster and has Image Stabilisation, whereas the 17-40 has better build quality and is compatible with full frame. Some people say that the only reason the 17-55 isn't an L lens is because Canon won't give any of the EF-S lenses the L branding.

Hopefully one of the richer people here that have actually used both will give us a more qualified recommendation

(I forgot to press the Post button, this post was supposed to be before fvdbergh's)
 
jacqvt said:
Would you guys buy this 17-40 L lens secondhand at outdoorphoto? Its price is R 7200, new it is approx R 9700.
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Only if I wanted a 17-40 f/4… :) Seriously though, I have the 16-35 f/2.8 II and I literally never use it. Wide angle just isn't for me.

Everyone seems to be having a whitebox special on the 24-105 f/4 though… not bad bang for the buck.
 
@Cueball

Nope, the cheap one is the 50/F1.8 - rather plasticy. The F1.4 is made of metal and better.
The best one in production is the 50/1.2L (used to be a 50/1.0 also, but no AF on modern camera's).


I have the 50/F1.8 and the 50/F1.4. Have played with the 50/1.0
I moved to full frame (5dii), so am more into using my 85/1.2L, which is a farking gorgeous lens.

http://www.fredmiranda.com has a good site with lens reviews for anyone thats thinking of getting a lens.
 
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