New to Photography and SLRs. What to get?

[Schwartz]

Hi there,

I have always been into photography but have never been able to buy anything proper because of the cost. I now have the opportunity to get myself a camera but am I a little lost when it comes to where and what to buy. I have done a lot of research and what I have found is the following.

The Canon 600D/T3i is the right camera for me in the price range. It seems to have great film capabilities which I will certainly take advantage of as I film quite a bit. The screen also attracts because as I said, I will do a bit of filming as well. I have used a 550D (a friend's) and I loved the feel and build quality so I am quite comfortable with using Canon.

Now I need help with lenses. I know the lens is the unsung hero of the camera and can make or break the shot. But I am not sure what to go with. Should I stick to kit lenses as a beginner? I see that buying a body and lens separately seems to be a lot more expensive than buying the body with a kit lens. I would like to get 2 lenses. One with a bit of zoom(like a 250 or 300mm) and a smaller one like an 18-55mm. Would this be the right choice for a beginner? And would I be alright with them both being kit lenses? I was also thinking of getting a Canon 50mm f/1.8 lense as I have read good things about it. Good or no good?

I will also need a decent SD card because film wil fill the buffer quite quickly. My research tells me I have to get a Class 10 card in order for it to keep up with 1080P filming, is that right? And how long would I get on a Class 6 before I need to stop filming? Also, what size should I look for? How many RAW photos can be held on a 8, 16 or 32GB card? Is RAW the type I want to shoot in?

I have looked around at a few shops(online) to see what the prices are like. I looked at B&HPhotoVideo(international), SACamera and Orms. The best deal(to me) seems to be from SACamera. I could get a 600D with a 18-55mm, a 55-250mm, 16GB Class 6 SD and a backpack for about R8300. Is that a good deal for a beginner? I might have to upgrade the card but it wouldn't hurt to have another with me.

Thanks for you help in advance.
Schwartz

 

[jbeen]

I have a 600D , great camera . I am also a new to DSLR and it has been pretty easy to learn. The SA Camera price sounds good. I would just confirm directly with them for stock availability. Also have a look on Bid or Buy some times you can get some good deals.
I also bought the canon 50mm F1.8 - it is a great lens to play around with. I got a 18-135mm canon as my main walk around lens as you have flexibility. I would also recommend the canon 55- 250mm.

 

[Schwartz]

I have a 600D , great camera . I am also a new to DSLR and it has been pretty easy to learn. The SA Camera price sounds good. I would just confirm directly with them for stock availability. Also have a look on Bid or Buy some times you can get some good deals.
I also bought the canon 50mm F1.8 - it is a great lens to play around with. I got a 18-135mm canon as my main walk around lens as you have flexibility. I would also recommend the canon 55- 250mm.

Great to hear that from a fellow noob. Thanks for the advice. I'll check out bid or buy.

 

[Dolby]

Canon 50mm 1.8 is considered one of the best lenses to get value wise and almost every photographer has that or the 1.4 in their camera bag. It's really sharp and I think Orms have it listed at under R1,000.

Stock may be an issue though :/

 

[RonnieZA]

Hi

Also take a look at Outdoor Photo Shop. They give good advice and has an online shop.

 

[Schwartz]

Canon 50mm 1.8 is considered one of the best lenses to get value wise and almost every photographer has that or the 1.4 in their camera bag. It's really sharp and I think Orms have it listed at under R1,000.

Stock may be an issue though :/

Okay thanks. I will definitely pick it up then.

Hi

Also take a look at Outdoor Photo Shop. They give good advice and has an online shop.

I had a look and it looks like their prices are slightly higher than the ones from SACamera. Thanks though.

 

[bwana]

I will also need a decent SD card because film wil fill the buffer quite quickly. My research tells me I have to get a Class 10 card in order for it to keep up with 1080P filming, is that right? And how long would I get on a Class 6 before I need to stop filming? Also, what size should I look for? How many RAW photos can be held on a 8, 16 or 32GB card? Is RAW the type I want to shoot in?

I had a look on my 7D (18mp sensor similar to the 600D) and, at ISO 100, I can supposedly fit 1222 RAW images on my 32GB card - better still I can fit 4638 JPGs

For someone starting off the kit lenses are plenty - eventually you'll figure out what direction you want to take and the best lenses for that. I wish I'd done a bit more thinking and held off before I splashed out on the 16-35mm!

 

[Schwartz]

I had a look on my 7D (18mp sensor similar to the 600D) and, at ISO 100, I can supposedly fit 1222 RAW images on my 32GB card - better still I can fit 4638 JPGs

For someone starting off the kit lenses are plenty - eventually you'll figure out what direction you want to take and the best lenses for that. I wish I'd done a bit more thinking and held off before I splashed out on the 16-35mm!

Thanks for those numbers. I'll stick to the 2 kit lenses and probably get the 50mm f/1.8 if I can throw in the extra cash.

 

[tRoN]

Hi

I was also looking at the canon 550 or 600 Until I saw the Nikon d5100. I finally chose the Nikon and I'm loving it.
If u set on the canon makro have a good deal on the ultimate kit which comes with everything!

 

[Schwartz]

Hi

I was also looking at the canon 550 or 600 Until I saw the Nikon d5100. I finally chose the Nikon and I'm loving it.
If u set on the canon makro have a good deal on the ultimate kit which comes with everything!

Thanks. I'm pretty set on the 600D though. That Makro deal is great but it is for the 550D.

 

[undesign]

The best deal(to me) seems to be from SACamera. I could get a 600D with a 18-55mm, a 55-250mm, 16GB Class 6 SD and a backpack for about R8300.

Just check with them before ordering. They're normally on par with Orms, which is asking R9.5k for the bundle. And SACamera's 600D with just the one kit lens is only R100 less. I think the advertised twin bundle price may be wrong.

 

[Schwartz]

Just check with them before ordering. They're normally on par with Orms, which is asking R9.5k for the bundle. And SACamera's 600D with just the one kit lens is only R100 less. I think the advertised twin bundle price may be wrong.

Unless I have something wrong, they are only R500 different.
These are the 2 I am working with: http://www.sacamera.co.za/product/1021525/Canon_EOS_600D_Twin_Lens_Bundle_(Canon_EOS_600D_with_1855_IS_lens,_55250mm_lens,_Sandisk_16GB_extreme_card,_Kata_Backpack/ and https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/photog...8-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-ef-s-55-250mm-is-lens-kit

 

[undesign]

Unless I have something wrong, they are only R500 different.
These are the 2 I am working with: http://www.sacamera.co.za/product/1021525/Canon_EOS_600D_Twin_Lens_Bundle_(Canon_EOS_600D_with_1855_IS_lens,_55250mm_lens,_Sandisk_16GB_extreme_card,_Kata_Backpack/ and https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/photog...8-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-ef-s-55-250mm-is-lens-kit

The Orms link you posted is for the 550D. Here's the 600D link -

https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/photography/cameras/digital-single-lens-reflex/canon/canon-eos-600d-slr-digital-camera-with-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-55-250mm-is-lens-lens

 

[Schwartz]

The Orms link you posted is for the 550D. Here's the 600D link -

https://www.ormsdirect.co.za/photography/cameras/digital-single-lens-reflex/canon/canon-eos-600d-slr-digital-camera-with-18-55mm-f-3-5-5-6-is-55-250mm-is-lens-lens

Woops. That is weird. I think SACameras price is right as they have the same price on bidorbuy as well.

 

[Schwartz]

What do you guys think of those camera shops in most of the centers. The ones that develop film and sell camera stuff. Do their prices/stuff normally stand up to the online guys?

 

[waz7710]

I find they have a limited selection, SA camera has all the right stuff and if not, I think they are very efficient at procuring it for you

 

[Schwartz]

I find they have a limited selection, SA camera has all the right stuff and if not, I think they are very efficient at procuring it for you

Yeah they seem to have a great site with great prices. Thanks