Canon Digital EOS 350D

[RobbieB]

Hey guys,

Finally bought my first digital SLR camera and I'm looking forward to delivery. I got it on ebay and thought I'd check that I got a good deal. I got:

Canon Digital EOS 350D Camera (body only)
Lithium Battery
Battery Charger
Software
Strap
USB Cable
Video Cable
3 different 1gb memory cards

Few scuffs on the strap, the rest is new quality.

I paid £156. I am going to borrow a lens for the time being.

Is that a good deal? Also, has anyone got any tips for a beginner?

Cheers

Edited by RobbieB on Wednesday 30th September 12:01

[jon-]

What lens you borrow depends on what tips we give you.

My first tip would be buy a 50mm f1.8 for £80.

[4hero]

Nice little camera! Still use mine, along with the 40D. The 350 has been out in all weathers and still works a treat! Not sure if I recommend shooting in the rain with it mind you, but it's done mine no harm! It's been completely manhandled, and really is a great little camera.

Tips, learn the M button, and NEVER buy an L lens

[RobbieB]

4hero said:

Nice little camera! Still use mine, along with the 40D. The 350 has been out in all weathers and still works a treat! Not sure if I recommend shooting in the rain with it mind you, but it's done mine no harm! It's been completely manhandled, and really is a great little camera.

Tips, learn the M button, and NEVER buy an L lens

Excellent, thanks for that mate. Why should I never buy an L lens? Ok M button, got it!

As for buying a lens, I am extremely strapped for cash at the moment which is why I am going to borrow one for the time being, but thank you for the advice and I will get one evenutally.

Edited by RobbieB on Wednesday 30th September 14:14

[4hero]

RobbieB said:

Excellent, thanks for that mate. Why should I never buy an L lens? Ok M button, got it!

As for buying a lens, I am extremely strapped for cash at the moment which is why I am going to borrow one for the time being, but thank you for the advice and I will get one evenutally.

^ bold is your answer

Once you use an L lens, there's no going back (and you will want them all). This will result in divorce, bankrupcy, and bank manager in a bad mood. Really not recommended!

[RobbieB]

Haha ok fair enough. I do have the tendancy of getting hooked on things like this.

Question for you actually. I was just browsing through the Macro Photo thread and they are incredible. Is it possible for me to do those sort of photos with this camera and the right lens? What else would I need?

I noticed you had some experience in this and I am such a beginner I need to bleed you dry of knowledge

[Cactussed]

jon- said:

My first tip would be buy a 50mm f1.8 for £80.

What he said. Seriously.

[Andy888]

I use a 350d too and it's a great beginners SLR. As said 50mm is a must for the money. Also I have got some great macro shots using a set of macro rings from ebay for a tennner. Not as good as a macro lens obviously but for a tenner they're great and keep me amused.

Also pick a UV filter and CPL (circular polariser) for a few quid while you're on the bay. And a spare battery too. All for very little ££ and you can move on to better branded stuff as you get more into it.

[RobbieB]

Andy888 said:

I use a 350d too and it's a great beginners SLR. As said 50mm is a must for the money. Also I have got some great macro shots using a set of macro rings from ebay for a tennner. Not as good as a macro lens obviously but for a tenner they're great and keep me amused.

Also pick a UV filter and CPL (circular polariser) for a few quid while you're on the bay. And a spare battery too. All for very little ££ and you can move on to better branded stuff as you get more into it.

Excellent I'll have a look. Thanks for that

[4hero]

RobbieB said:

Haha ok fair enough. I do have the tendancy of getting hooked on things like this.

Question for you actually. I was just browsing through the Macro Photo thread and they are incredible. Is it possible for me to do those sort of photos with this camera and the right lens? What else would I need?

I noticed you had some experience in this and I am such a beginner I need to bleed you dry of knowledge

I started of with the 350D, the body doesn't matter too much too be honest, it's the lens (and lots and lots of patience) that counts. Got a couple of macro lenses, but getting the Canon 100mm f2.8 would be an excellent start if you fancy it (plus it's pretty good for portraits too). You can stack the 100mm with Kenko extension tubes, this will get you pretty close to the subject! Lighting is pretty tricky with macro, but that's a whole new $$$ubject

[RobDickinson]

Been using a 350D for best part of 4 years now, just about to change to a 7D.

Its a great little camera, with some good Noise reduction later ISO 800 and 1600 is quiet usable.

Remember mirror lockup is buried in the custom functions and you can combine it with timed shot for a 2 second timed MLU shot...

[plg101]

Cactussed said:

jon- said:

My first tip would be buy a 50mm f1.8 for £80.

What he said. Seriously.

Ditto.


And used lenses in all kinds from:

https://secure.ffordes.com/shop/Store/StockList.as...

http://www.mifsuds.com/shprices.htm#canonaf

[paul911]

I’ve had my 350D for almost 2 years now. Great little camera.

I’d agree with getting the nifty fifty too. Just get out and take pics and post them up for critique / advise.

RobDickinson said:

Been using a 350D for best part of 4 years now, just about to change to a 7D.

I’d be very interested to hear what you think of the 7D Rob, as I was thinking of the same move.