choosing a digital slr - your help please

[20vt_mk2dub]

Someone suggested I head over here and ask you people;

I'm looking to get a digital slr so I can take some better pictures and some more arty ones at things like le mans, car shows, and generally better pictures..

Unfortunately though dont have loads to splash as still working on finishing my car.....

so have been looking at this camera and would appreciate your opinions;
(Canon E350D)
www.dabs.com/productview.aspx?Quic

Will this do the job for an amature like me or would it be better off getting a cheaper camera and spending more on the lens?

Would appreciate anyones help.

Thanks;

James

[Gemm]

350D should be a perfect starter for you. (but I think you can get it much cheaper than £400)

EDIT: Very quick price check shows the kit is around £340 at Dixons and Jessops, so you may be able to find it even cheaper.

Edited by Gemm on Monday 26th March 13:25

[wyvern971]

I'd be inclined to agree the 350D would be a perfect started camera.

However Don't rule out the Nikons....

I'd say the 350D and D50 are on a par, but they handle slightly differently.
(also the Nikon D50 is larger and you may find more comfortable to hold)

either way the link you've posted seems a tad expensive.
www.camerapricebuster.co.uk/index.html

the best suggestion I'd say is go into a shop and try a couple out to see what you think.

Some places will also price match web prices so you may be able to get yourself a reasonable reduction in price if you'd rather buy from a shop.

[20vt_mk2dub]

Thanks for the replies so far really appreciate it.

So would I be best getting the camera and lens package or getting the base camera and a better lense - or would a better lense but a lot of money?

[F308 MAN]

james, why don't you ask on the "Le Mans" thread ?

d

[20vt_mk2dub]

F308 MAN said:

james, why don't you ask on the "Le Mans" thread ?

d

smartass

I already had then someone suggested I came on here so I have


Edited; because my smileys didnt work!

Edited by 20vt_mk2dub on Monday 26th March 15:24

[wyvern971]

20vt_mk2dub said:

Thanks for the replies so far really appreciate it.

So would I be best getting the camera and lens package or getting the base camera and a better lense - or would a better lense but a lot of money?

In general the best lenses cost more than the body (entry level at any rate, my 24-70 F2.8L cost me shy of £900 and motorsports lenses can cost a fair packet)

Third party Manufacturers can cost a fair bit less with almost the same image quality.

For Motor Sports (where for the most part you won't really get too close to the action) I'd suggest 200-300mm telephoto and a wide angle for any paddock shots. But all this mounts up fairly quickly.

The "kit" lens seems to get slated a fair amount, but from using my sisters I don't think it's as bad as people make out, at the end of the day a good photographer with a low end camera / lens will out perform a rubbish photographer with high end kit.

As far as "hyper-zoom" lenses go (which cover a long focal range e.g. 28-300) they seem to be a fairly high compromise, Nikon however seem to be able to make reasonable ones (e.g. the 18-200 VR) the only thing again is cost. (And in the case of some Nikon lenses availability)

I'd say get the kit lens to cover wide shots and a telephoto (pref a fixed focal / prime lens) to cover distance shots.

[vette_1978]

I've had a 350D for about 3 years now which is perfect for everything I use it for - Le Mans, TT, occasional airshow. The standard zoom worked fine for the first few years but the Sigma 400mm I'd got played up a bit as it wasn't fully digital compatible. Last year I bought a white lens for about £1k and haven't looked back, it's a superb bit of kit!

Recommend you get the 350D with better than average 300mm lens, this should see you ok and let you see what can be produced. If you find that a better lens is required then see how you can get your hands on a white lens.

[Gemm]

wyvern971 said:

The "kit" lens seems to get slated a fair amount, but from using my sisters I don't think it's as bad as people make out, at the end of the day a good photographer with a low end camera / lens will out perform a rubbish photographer with high end kit.

Thank goodness someone shares my opinion! Ok, they are not the best lenses around but they can take seriously good images and I've seen them. It's usually the photographers who have to look for something to blame for their poor images. And if you start believing they are rubbish even before you try/buy one, you'd naturally be forced to believe that the images would be bad, which is a very poor attitude.

So you could start with a kit lens if you have a limited budget, then you have an option to upgrade in the future.

[tertius]

Gemm said:

wyvern971 said:

The "kit" lens seems to get slated a fair amount, but from using my sisters I don't think it's as bad as people make out, at the end of the day a good photographer with a low end camera / lens will out perform a rubbish photographer with high end kit.

Thank goodness someone shares my opinion! Ok, they are not the best lenses around but they can take seriously good images and I've seen them. It's usually the photographers who have to look for something to blame for their poor images. And if you start believing they are rubbish even before you try/buy one, you'd naturally be forced to believe that the images would be bad, which is a very poor attitude.

So you could start with a kit lens if you have a limited budget, then you have an option to upgrade in the future.

And the kit lens is only about £50 (as compared with body only) so its not like its a huge sum to risk.

(NB this from someone who bought body only ... mind you I did already have some Canon lenses). Though for a wide (ish) zoom I do recommend the Sigma 18-50 F2.8 DC EX (iirc) - very nice ...

[20vt_mk2dub]

Thanks for all the replies, time to get me a camera!

Thanks again

[F308 MAN]

20vt_mk2dub said:

Thanks for all the replies, time to get me a camera!

Thanks again

james, i know where there is a 20D with "non kit" 17-85 lens.
the owner may be persuaded to part with it.
d