Newbie needs assistance with camera bundle

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dees909

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Hey guys and gals,

I've been using my point and shoot camera for years now and have finally decided on a dslr camera. I've chosen Canon over Nikon based on the feel of the camera in my hands and decided to go for the Canon 650d.

I was settled on getting the ultimate bundle consisting of the Canon 650d, 18-55mm DC lens, 55-200 IS lens and 50mm f1.8 lens, bag, tripod and 2 x SD cards however the DC lens is making me think twice about the bundle. Price on this bundle is R9.5k

The other bundle that I am also considering is the Canon 700d with the 18-55mm IS STM lens, bag and SD card which is going for R8.5k.

Please help me decide on which bundle to settle for based on your knowledge and experience. There does not seem to be a big difference in spec between the 650d and 700d however the 18-55mm IS STM lens seems to be better based on a few reviews I've read.

Thanx
 
dees909 said:
Hey guys and gals,

I've been using my point and shoot camera for years now and have finally decided on a dslr camera. I've chosen Canon over Nikon based on the feel of the camera in my hands and decided to go for the Canon 650d.

I was settled on getting the ultimate bundle consisting of the Canon 650d, 18-55mm DC lens, 55-200 IS lens and 50mm f1.8 lens, bag, tripod and 2 x SD cards however the DC lens is making me think twice about the bundle. Price on this bundle is R9.5k

The other bundle that I am also considering is the Canon 700d with the 18-55mm IS STM lens, bag and SD card which is going for R8.5k.

Please help me decide on which bundle to settle for based on your knowledge and experience. There does not seem to be a big difference in spec between the 650d and 700d however the 18-55mm IS STM lens seems to be better based on a few reviews I've read.

Thanx
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go for the 700d bundle. You can add the 50mm f1.8 lens to that bundle (costs 1k). go for the slightly newer model for the same price :)
 
Some photographers will tell you that they never use their 18-55mm, others will tell you it's the easiest and most versatile to use (like Ken Rockwell - http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/18-55mm-vr.htm).

I've used my 18-55 VR (Nikon) exclusively for the past 4 years and have only recently added a telephoto lens. (Used it in Germany, Norway, Poland, and most recently in Botswana while on safari) It was only while on safari in Botswana that I had a need for the telephoto lens.

Image stabilisation is really important, I can't imagine using a lens without it.

The 650D bundle looks like the better deal, but you're going to need to add a separate 18-55 IS lens.

Alternatively, you could get the smaller bundle - it's cheaper, has a newer camera body (650D has been discontinued), and comes with all the bare essentials that you need to get started.

What would you use the telephoto for? Mine is exclusively used for wildlife.

Saw this at Orms: http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-eos-650d-ultimate-bundle

Dions Wired doesn't specify which lenses are included: http://www.dionwired.co.za/dslr-cameras/canon-dslr-twin-lens-bundle.html
 
dees909 said:
There does not seem to be a big difference in spec between the 650d and 700d however the 18-55mm IS STM lens seems to be better based on a few reviews I've read.
Click to expand...

The only hardware difference between the 650D and the 700D is the actual model number badge. Ok, maybe I am exaggerating a bit, but the 700D really seems more like a firmware update of the 650D.

Regarding the lens: keep in mind that you are choosing between two "kit lenses", so these differences could only be a temporary inconvenience until you purchase some upgrade lenses.

Ok, realistically, there are three options:
1. Your DSLR spends its life mostly in its bag.
2. You take lots of pictures, but are satisfied with the kit lenses and see no reason to upgrade, or
3. You get bitten by the bug and start purchasing more lenses (e.g., some more prime lenses, or a constant aperture zoom, or whatever else to replace the kit zoom).

Only in case 2 does the difference between the DC and the STM lens matter.
Update: After seeing Silver's post above, I noticed one is IS, and the other is not. This is a fairly large difference in terms of usability.

If you do go with the 700D, be sure to pick up a nifty-fifty too. After using my first fast prime lens, I could kick myself for sticking to the kit 18-55 mm for far too long.
 
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the 18-55mm is not great in either of the bundles; it'll pretty much be the first lens you replace with something better. the f1.8 is one of the most important lenses you'll use for amateur photography (in low light conditions). that 200mm lens will also come in really handy (if you don't mind switching lenses in the field). to me, the first bundle is infinitely superior.

edit:
didn't notice the first bundle has a non-IS lens. i would go for the second bundle, buy an f1.8 and save for a multi-purpose 18-80mm or 18-135mm (R3k to R4k) - sell the 18-55mm on gumtree for R500 to R800.
 
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To throw a spanner in the works. There is a 650 triple lens DC bundle out to 300mm.
http://www.takealot.com/cameras/canon-650d-18mp-triple-lens-bundle,29924016

this would be my choice for newbie covering most types of requirements out the box. (portrait through to wildlife) as long as the 18-55 EF-S is a III -
personally I am of the the opinion that IS is not a requirement with lenses of such wide angle. and its only a 4 stop IS so opening the aperture to compensate is a good skill to learn.

Once you get into it, add some decent lenses.

Also the stepper motor in the STM only really makes a difference in audio noise when using video and zooming so consider that if you want to use the HD video function.
 
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Silver82 said:
What would you use the telephoto for? Mine is exclusively used for wildlife.

Saw this at Orms: http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/canon-eos-650d-ultimate-bundle

Dions Wired doesn't specify which lenses are included: http://www.dionwired.co.za/dslr-cameras/canon-dslr-twin-lens-bundle.html
Click to expand...

For now the camera will just be used for family photos and my up coming holiday in New York. So i'll be shooting landscapes, buildings with day and night shots. Don't think the telephoto lens will be needed.

The 650d bundle from orms is the one I was interested in. Kalahari has it as well.

I'm leaning towards the 700d bundle as the IS lens with help with night shots
 
dees909 said:
I'm leaning towards the 700d bundle as the IS lens with help with night shots
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Ok, just keep in mind that IS cannot help you with moving subjects. Think of IS the same way you would use a tripod --- you can use slower shutter speeds, but that only works for stationary subjects (unless the motion blur is intended). But I'll take a lens with IS any day over a non-IS lens, just to have the flexibility ...
 
fvdbergh said:
Ok, just keep in mind that IS cannot help you with moving subjects. Think of IS the same way you would use a tripod --- you can use slower shutter speeds, but that only works for stationary subjects (unless the motion blur is intended). But I'll take a lens with IS any day over a non-IS lens, just to have the flexibility ...
Click to expand...

Noted - i will take your advice and maybe add the nifty-fifty lens to the 700d bundle
 
fvdbergh makes a good point, the 50mm prime lens is probably going to be your next buy. I still feel that the versatility of the zoom (especially at 18mm) gave me more options as a beginner (when budget was already stretched in upgrading to an SLR) - e.g. when photographing the northern lights in Norway, I don't think a 50mm would have worked, I needed the 18mm to capture the full scene without any bokeh/background blur; and while an 18-80 or 18-135 as droplet suggests would have been nice, I just didn't have the cash.

I also got some beautiful sunset images with the 18-55 in the Okavango.

Figuring out the aperture, shutter speed, ISO levels, etc will take a while, and having the versatility of some zoom when doing all of that helped me figure things out.

I look at photography as a never ending learning exercise. A 50mm prime is definitely next on my shopping list.
 
Silver82 said:
fvdbergh makes a good point, the 50mm prime lens is probably going to be your next buy. I
Click to expand...

I actually like a 35 mm f/1.8 prime even better (on a crop sensor), but there are no cheap options on Canon at the moment. Something like the Sigma 30 mm f/1.4 is probably the best choice overall, but sadly it is priced like an f/1.4 lens too ...

... but for learning, it is hard to beat the R1000 Canon nifty-fifty.
 
etwylite said:
To throw a spanner in the works. There is a 650 triple lens DC bundle out to 300mm.
http://www.takealot.com/cameras/canon-650d-18mp-triple-lens-bundle,29924016

this would be my choice for newbie covering most types of requirements out the box. (portrait through to wildlife) as long as the 18-55 EF-S is a III -
personally I am of the the opinion that IS is not a requirement with lenses of such wide angle. and its only a 4 stop IS so opening the aperture to compensate is a good skill to learn.

Once you get into it, add some decent lenses.

Also the stepper motor in the STM only really makes a difference in audio noise when using video and zooming so consider that if you want to use the HD video function.
Click to expand...

Its the version II lens with the kit and not version III - I'm not too interested in the STM bit however there does not seem to be an 18-55mm IS lens bundle with the 650d so my other option is the 700d with the IS STM lens. The IS lens does have better optics as compared to the DC II lens from what I've read
 
dees909 said:
Thanks for the advice bud, just took the plunge lol - got back from Outdoorphoto in Menlyn and got the 700d bundle with an 18-55mm IS STM lens, lowerpro bag and 16GB SD card for R8k:)
Click to expand...

Congrats! Enjoy the move up from a digicam :)
 
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