New to DSLR

satanboy

satanboy

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I will be purchasing a Canon EOS 700D DSLR camera soon.

I am a complete novice and would like to know which is the better option:

  • A kit (includes EF-S 18-55mm lens)
  • A kit (includes EF-S 18-55mm lens + EF 75-300mm DC lens)
  • Body only and good (USM) 2nd hand lens (ORMS have various)
  • Body only and new USM lens



I have read a lot of conflicting stories on the internet. Budget R7,000 - R8,000. Camera will be used for landscapes etc no portraits.

Please don't adivise on Nikon or any other make.
 
I would personally go body only and spend the rest (and a bit more if you can) on a decent lens.

The kit lenses are not rubbish by any means but once you get the hang of things you will get glass fever anyway.
 
Typically for landscapes you're going to want a decent wide-angle lens and while the kit lenses are a good starting point for general photography they have their shortcomings. I'd probably go for option three - body and decent secondhand lens. Problem is your budget. The body alone is going to set you back R5500'ish which doesn't give you a lot for the lens.
 
APoc184 said:
I would personally go body only and spend the rest (and a bit more if you can) on a decent lens.

The kit lenses are not rubbish by any means but once you get the hang of things you will get glass fever anyway.
Click to expand...

Thanks. This is what I was worried about...getting the fever too soon. :D
 
Orms

Body: R5,595.00
Used: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens - Rating: 8/10 S11506) R2,500.00

R8,095


That should be fine, but then I don't have a bag, card etc.

Which card to get? So many options there too.
 
satanboy said:
Orms

Body: R5,595.00
Used: Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM Lens - Rating: 8/10 S11506) R2,500.00

R8,095


That should be fine, but then I don't have a bag, card etc.

Which card to get? So many options there too.
Click to expand...
The lens isn't really suited to landscapes - it's a telephoto zoom.

EDIT on that body you're looking at an equivalent of a 112-480mm
 
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Jip. For landscapes you will want to look at a lens beginning at the 18mm range.

That 70-300mm will be well suited for action, portraits and some wildlife though.
 
APoc184 said:
Jip. For landscapes you will want to look at a lens beginning at the 18mm range.

That 70-300mm will be well suited for action, portraits and some wildlife though.
Click to expand...
A lot of people would suggest going wider when you factor in the crop factor (1.6x). the 10-20/22 range seems popular.
 
bwana said:
A lot of people would suggest going wider when you factor in the crop factor (1.6x). the 10-20/22 range seems popular.
Click to expand...

Yes but I did take his budget into consideration.

Most of those do not come cheap. Perhaps just the 10-18mm STM lens.
 
APoc184 said:
Yes but I did take his budget into consideration.

Most of those do not come cheap. Perhaps just the 10-18mm STM lens.
Click to expand...

I'm changing my choice to option 1 - get the basic kit and save up for a better lens.

@OP - you might decide that landscapes aren't your thing. We all know that real photography starts at 300mm and up anyway :p
 
I'm also changing my option.

Option 2.

You will have a nice range and as someone just starting out you will find that sometimes you enjoy other types of photography more than you thought you would.

So option 2 gives you nice flexibility while you still find your feet.
 
bwana said:
I'm changing my choice to option 1 - get the basic kit and save up for a better lens.

@OP - you might decide that landscapes aren't your thing. We all know that real photography starts at 300mm and up anyway :p
Click to expand...

APoc184 said:
I'm also changing my option.

Option 2.

You will have a nice range and as someone just starting out you will find that sometimes you enjoy other types of photography more than you thought you would.

So option 2 gives you nice flexibility while you still find your feet.
Click to expand...

Thanks for all the advice...but now I am still confused. Aaarrggg

:D
 
satanboy said:
Thanks for all the advice...but now I am still confused. Aaarrggg

:D
Click to expand...

Don't worry about it now - it only gets worse :p

One day you're getting a Camera and kit lens - the next thing you know your camera bag is worth more than a new car :o
 
Another vote for option 2. Option 1 will give you a good starting point but 2 will give you a lot more options for only R1k more.

Starting off with a flexible range of kit lenses will allow your personal style to develop. Later on you will be able to see what focal lengths you tend to favor and then you can focus on these for an upgrade in a couple of years time.
 
satanboy said:
Thanks for all the advice...but now I am still confused. Aaarrggg

:D
Click to expand...

Ha ha - welcome

Me is a noob too and a very casual / family function use case.

I settled on a 650D with a Sigma 18-250 lens <--- not the best in the business, but good enough for my purposes. I never take it off.

/too poor to be bitten by lens fever :(

In the context of your OP, I'd say Option 2 as well.

Edit: Thought I'd elaborate

Started off way back with a kit:

1. Canon 300D + kit lens (18-55) + bought Sigma 18-200
2. Canon 450D - traded in 1 above with kit lens, put the Sigma on the 450
3. Canon 650D - traded in 450D+Sigma 18/200 - bought Sigma 18/250
 
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AfricanTech said:
Ha ha - welcome

Me is a noob too and a very casual / family function use case.

I settled on a 650D with a Sigma 18-250 lens <--- not the best in the business, but good enough for my purposes. I never take it off.

/too poor to be bitten by lens fever :(
Click to expand...

Makes sense if that's your only lens…
 
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