Which SLR should I get?

Yeah I would've gone for the lowest end body as you just need something to digitise. Every extra cent I've had I spent on lenses and only after I maxed out on the capabilities of my D60 did I upgrade to another body.

The main thing is you've gone for a camera and just get shooting ;) Enjoy.
 
After having read this thread, as I am also in the market for a DSLR camera and searching the internet extensively, I too have settled on a Canon, however the 600D. Now my dilemma is thus, do I get the Ultimate kit, the twin lens kit or the single lens kit.

All of these have merit but will i need or use three lenses? The single lens kit basically covers the range of the twin lens kit, but only up to 135mm not 250mm

So many decisions? A little help from those in the know please
 
Get the Ultimate - it's only R2,000.00 more than the single lens ...

That 50mm 1.8 is a magic lens and you'll love it. It's R1,000.00 alone
 
viperdj said:
All of these have merit but will i need or use three lenses?
Click to expand...

Biggest understatement of the year!

Trust me, those lenses will NEVER be enough but the Ultimate package gives you the biggest range of focal length to see what genre you will eventually dive into.
 
hilton said:
Biggest understatement of the year!

Trust me, those lenses will NEVER be enough but the Ultimate package gives you the biggest range of focal length to see what genre you will eventually dive into.
Click to expand...

hehe ... I have a post here from earlier this year before I bought my camera.

I said something along the lines I'd never need more than 3 lenses either - to cover pretty much all focal points.

I have 3 lenses right now - and I need to buy another 3, along with tubes and a 2xTC.

You'll always want something ;)
 
viperdj said:
All of these have merit but will i need or use three lenses? The single lens kit basically covers the range of the twin lens kit, but only up to 135mm not 250mm
Click to expand...

I'm also about to buy my first DSLR, and have been struggling with the same choices for the last 3 or 4 months. I found this: http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2010/07/lenses-dont-collect-the-whole-set to be quite a helpful read.

Another thing I did was lend a friend's camera for a weekend, with a 18-55 and a 18-200 lens. I found the 18-55 a bit too short for my general use, 100mm covers about 80% of my shots with the odd bird or two (for which 200mm isn't that great). It's up to you but I'd take 18-135, then add lenses as you need them.
 
I have no photographic experience and have never owned a DSLR camera, but would love to know more and buy one someday
can anyone point me in the right direction?
 
Dolby said:
I don't have both - but as the 18-200 already covers the 18-55 range, why'd you want the 18-55?

Both are 3.5 at the wide and 5.6 at the long, so the 18-200 would probably be even wider than the 18-55 at 55mm
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I am one of those who bought a Sigma 18-200 - very very happy

caveat, I'm not a professional photographer, just family stuff and I couldn't be happier.

I originally had a 300D which came with the stock 18-55, decided I needed more zoom and got the 18-200 - realised after 3 years that I had not removed the Sigma once. When I upgraded to the 450D, I sold the 350D with the 18-55, and bought the 450D body only - attached the 18-200 and haven't looked back since.
 
The Voice said:
Nice one! Can't go wrong with the 550D! I got the same bundle (from Game, though), and am totally happy with it. Just need to get hold of a 18-200mm now...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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Sigma now has a 18-250 - my brother recently bought a 600D with the 18-250 - very happy
 
Quantum Theory said:
Nice and sharp Just_Ice.

BTW, dont look at this link...
Click to expand...
Thanks...

I looked, and my guess was close but not quite spot on... there was a hi-fi corp opening special at Southgate, JHB yesterday. 550D twin lens bundle, R7000 instead of R8500.
Problem is I'm not in JHB at the moment, nor CT. You win some, you lose some. Im still quite happy though.
 
Just_Ice said:
Thanks...

I looked, and my guess was close but not quite spot on... there was a hi-fi corp opening special at Southgate, JHB yesterday. 550D twin lens bundle, R7000 instead of R8500.
Problem is I'm not in JHB at the moment, nor CT. You win some, you lose some. Im still quite happy though.
Click to expand...

I saw you are not from CPT. Just putting it out there. Very good deal...
 
Avoid any canons before the 550d generally. The 350 was brilliant when it came out, but a few models after that, canon actually regretted building. the canon 60d is top dog at about 10k, but that's a bit of push along the budget. If you like canon's you should try with the pc supplier TVR. they are like the big canon agents locally. Makro and Orms have some very good specials.

Nikon hmm the D90 is worth it, but is about 9k or so. The D5100 is nice. I was lucky to pick up a d5000 on special as a second camera with an 18-105 lens for R4500. hehe. No it didnt fall of the truck.

Dont worry about video soo much but the d90 is very nice, so is the d5100.

I tried some of the canons, and i didnt like the 000 range, so the d450/d500/d550/d600's as they feel too plasticy. the nikons dont. the d60 however feels nice. my brother has one, and opviously the single figures, well my dad has 2-3 of those.

If you're just getting started, try go for as best a body you can get. and then eye for a lens.

have you checked on gumtree? there's some decent specials. just make sure the guy has the box, papers etc.

Good nikon lenses are the 18-105vr, and the 70-300vr, but the 55-300 vr on a tight budget is very nice too. orms has it on special for R2495 if i am not mistaken. very nice.
 
Dolby said:
Get the Ultimate - it's only R2,000.00 more than the single lens ...

That 50mm 1.8 is a magic lens and you'll love it. It's R1,000.00 alone
Click to expand...

I agree - get the ultimate kit!! I picked it up at Makro for R11,999, 2 weeks ago, and I have used all the lenses. In fact my FAV at the moment is the 50mm!! As Dolby rightly says the 50mm is MAGIC!! I took some pics of my girls last night and the 50mm wasn't even a thought it was a natural selection... Zoom in - step forward, zoom out - step back BUT the pics are AWESOME!!

I plan to replace the 50mm f1.8 sometime in the New year with the f1.4 for a couple of reasons but NONE have to do with picture quality. THEN to top it off i have ordered lens hood for ALL the kit lenses - just because.... I also went and bought a Sigma BIGMA on the weekend, battery grip on order and should get here early new year including a clear glass filter for the BIGMA.

Then I gave the S2IS to my brother, the S5IS to the wife which has ALL the accessories - i.e. body kit with Wide and Telephoto lens. Pain was I never ever got round to getting a descent flash for the S5IS because the Wide Angle would throw a shadow when the built in flash was used due to it's size. So i gave the 270EX to the wife which came with the ultimate kit - which sorted the shadow problem out VERY WELL and added a 430EX to my bag of tricks... OK then i ordered a diffuser for the 430EX... I am sure there is some other stuff on the way that i probably didn't need but ordered and will possibly use.

Ok so my point?? I know Canons and I love the quality and way back when I had a 35mm SLR which was a Minolta 7000 i also had lenses, goof flash etc and i USED that camera BIG time. I still have it 21 years down the line! Fact is buy something you REALLY want and you will USE it. Buy something like the ultimate kit, which yes it is costly for some, BUT you have a wider range of IMMEDIATE options. It lights a fire and gets you excited about photography ALL over again!

It also came with a photography lesson voucher - do i need it?? HELL YES!! I am not a pro and anything new i can learn I CAN USE!

Take the jump :) Spoil yourself - it's worth it ;)
 
Just to add to my own post - I actually think the 1.8 is closer to R1,400.00 alone :/
 
Dolby said:
Just to add to my own post - I actually think the 1.8 is closer to R1,400.00 alone :/
Click to expand...

In fact it ranges - i have seen them for R997 and slightly upward toward the R1,400 mark. A good lens none the less.
 
people, i am now getting either the 550D or 600D, and decision was helped on by this thread
anyone know where the cheapest prices are at this time (im in cape town)
please, thanks!
 
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