So the SO wants a Camera

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Toitjie

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Howzit,

I would like to purchase a decent SLR for my SO, she has been wanting one for over a year now and thought I can buy it for her for Christmas.

For one, I have no idea at which cameras to look at, however I have read through some of the threads and a lot of people mention the CANON 600D.

Is the CANON 600D a great SLR? if not what would you recommend.

I can get the following (for R11 398.86 incl.)

Canon® EOS 600D Ultimate Bundle - Includes EOS 600D 18-55 IS lens, 50mm F1.8 lens, 55-250mm lens, Speedlite 270EX MkII, EXTRA LP-E8 Battery, Sandisk 16GB Video card, Manfrotto Backpack.

Is that a good deal? if not where should I be shopping?

Thanx
Toitjie
 
first i must ask is it for most close up photography or wildlife? If she needs a range?
 
It would be for everyday photography.

She loves taking photos of events, ie birthdays, roadtrips, etc.

but yes wildlife as well, yesterday we went through a reserve and her little "mik en druk" could barely see the rhino in the photo. She was sad.
 
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You get good deals on the 600D all over now, because the 650D just came out.
I think both Hi-fi Corruption and Incredible advertised deals at R9k for a similar combo, although without the flash and extra battery.
Canon is extremely popular atm and for good reason.
 
Not that I want to start a war here or anything, but you might want to consider the Nikon D5100. It will be replaced very soon, and is currently available at huge discounts. It will probably drop in price again in the next month or so.

The body only goes for about the same as the 600D, but you will get a more versatile sensor in the D5100. The D5100 will make a much better landscape camera than the 600D, mostly because it can capture a larger range of brightness in the same scene (read up on dynamic range, if you really want to). Here is one (very quantitative) comparison of the two: http://www.dxomark.com.

Even so, the 600D is a good camera, and if you prefer Canon for other reasons, it will certainly fit the bill.
 
AFAIK she likes the NIKON brand slightly more, so she would be happy with a Nikon.

Then again, I am more about price vs features, if there is one that is better for the same-ish price, then I will get that.
 
Nanfeishen said:
Check out the Nikon D5100 bundle for R7,795
http://www.ormsdirect.co.za/catalog...n+D5100+DSLR&gclid=CJmxraOXlLMCFSXHtAod12YA4w
Click to expand...

That looks like a decent bundle. Throw in the 35 mm f/1.8 AF-S lens, and you have a good starting set of lenses.
(For indoor and parties the 35 mm f/1.8 lens would be more appropriate than the 50 mm f/1.8. The 50 mm is more suited to portraits of adults than the 35 mm, but otherwise the 35 mm is a great all-round lens).

Only problem is price: if you throw in the 35 mm f/1.8 lens and a flash (SB400, which is comparable to Canon 270 EX), then the total kit will cost more than the Canon kit. But if you keep your eyes open over the next month or so, you may spot an even better deal on the D5100.
 
Some advice that I received when shopping around not too long ago:
- You won't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon as both have decent presence in SA.
- Check which one feels better in your hands. Not sure about her hands and if you want it to be a surprise.
- Cost of lenses. Nikon lenses tend to cost more. Once you start forking out for lenses, you're pretty much stuck with that brand, so you won't be able to go from Nikon to Canon or vice-versa unless you're willing to get rid of everything and start from scratch.
 
Thank you for all the replies.

Mike Hoxbig said:
Some advice that I received when shopping around not too long ago:
- You won't go wrong with either Nikon or Canon as both have decent presence in SA.
- Check which one feels better in your hands. Not sure about her hands and if you want it to be a surprise.
- Cost of lenses. Nikon lenses tend to cost more. Once you start forking out for lenses, you're pretty much stuck with that brand, so you won't be able to go from Nikon to Canon or vice-versa unless you're willing to get rid of everything and start from scratch.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the solid advice, I am sure I can get her to hold a few cameras and see what she likes better without making it too obvious.

Also, best places to buy? am I better off buying a bundle kit? or rather just the body and then the lenses as we need them?

I am willing to spend up to about R12k, as that is the price for the canon deal I found. However I am willing to purchase a proper Nikon instead, just not to sure which one is better.
 
Toitjie said:
Also, best places to buy? am I better off buying a bundle kit? or rather just the body and then the lenses as we need them?
Click to expand...

For a first-time buyer, the bundle kit is not a bad idea. I started with a two-lens kit (18-55 + 55-200) in 2006, which served me very well for about four years. By then, I knew what types of lenses I really needed (ok, wanted ...), so when I upgraded I went body-only, after which I bought some "enthusiast class" lenses (e.g., Sigma 17-50 mm f/2.8).

So there are two factors going for the bundled kit:
1. The bundled lenses are (or should be) included for well below their retail value,
2. You will only know what you really need (want) after using the DSLR for a while, but you need lenses to learn with.

With your stated budget, I would recommend a bundle with kit lenses. You will only fit one "enthusiast class" lens into your budget if you go body-only, and it does not make sense to buy the kit lenses at full retail. You will not really be able to sell the kit lenses later, but rather see their cost as school fees in the process of reaching a new level of photography. The kit lenses (both Canon and Nikon) are great optically, and they can capture breathtaking pictures if used correctly.

In the end, the point of an SLR is to have multiple lenses, so everybody occasionally needs at least a "short zoom" (18-5x mm) and telephoto lens (probably at least xx-200 mm), so buying a body and only one expensive lens is going to limit you needlessly in the beginning.

+1 for the suggestion to try out the different bodies to check ergonomics.

See the sticky thread at the top of the forum for ideas on where to buy. I have bought from both SACamera and Orms without hassles.
 
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Ares said:
Are generic lenses ie. Sigma compatible to both Canon and Nikon?
Click to expand...
As long as you get the appropriate mount then I would think so but a sigma with a canon mount will only work on a canon body. . .
 
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