Is a Canon 550D too much for an absolute beginner?
Discussion
I'm looking at getting into photography and buying my first DSLR after many years of compacts that just point and shoot. I was initially looking at either the Nikon D3100 or the Canon 1100D as these seem to be recommended as perfect for complete beginners.
However, a friend of mine has the Canon 550D and can't recommend it highly enough. So i'm now thinking that if i get the 550D, it will be a better camera and i'm futureproofing myself somewhat!
I think i've pretty much answered my own question.
Thoughts anyone??
However, a friend of mine has the Canon 550D and can't recommend it highly enough. So i'm now thinking that if i get the 550D, it will be a better camera and i'm futureproofing myself somewhat!
I think i've pretty much answered my own question.
Thoughts anyone??
Get a good camera from the off, the 550 still has auto as well as other modes so you can use it as a point and shoot if you're not happy trying the other modes for a start.
You might as well get one you can grow into, and even in auto it'll take better pictures than most point and shoots.
My first SLR was the 500D a year ago.
You might as well get one you can grow into, and even in auto it'll take better pictures than most point and shoots.
My first SLR was the 500D a year ago.
Bought the g/f one last month to replace her 1000D and found myself getting around it easy enough. I'm saying that coming from using NIkons though, so while I knew what I wanted to happen, finding it on the camera was where I was having issues.
Changing ISO and moving focus points was what I found hardest so it can't be that bad
Changing ISO and moving focus points was what I found hardest so it can't be that bad
I have my 550D for just over a year and I was a complete novice when I got it.
I'm still not a good photographer but I do have a fair idea how to use most of the functions on it.
It's a great piece of kit for the money.
Oh and I'd suggest you join a camera club in your area and you'll find plenty of people there who are willing and able to help you to figure it out.
I'm still not a good photographer but I do have a fair idea how to use most of the functions on it.
It's a great piece of kit for the money.
Oh and I'd suggest you join a camera club in your area and you'll find plenty of people there who are willing and able to help you to figure it out.
My first SLR purchase was a canon 50d! I also bought at the same time a sigma 120-400mm and a 50mm 1.8. Quite a jump from my panasonic bridge camera!
550d sounds like a perfect beginner camera with some room to grow into to me! You dont loose any of the auto or scene modes so it wont be any harder to use!
550d sounds like a perfect beginner camera with some room to grow into to me! You dont loose any of the auto or scene modes so it wont be any harder to use!
I love my 550D, I bought it last year as a complete novice and it is a camera that has grown with me as my photography has got better.
I pretty much use it in manual mode all the time now and shoot RAW, but my wife who hasn't had as much time to play with it is very happy with the pictures she shoots in auto.
I'm currently thinking about getting another body, only to stop the arguments about who has the camera when we go out, would happily buy another 550D, but currently lusting after a 7D.
Also shortly after buying the camera I found the Random Pictures thread, this has proved to be a great source of inspiration in developing my photography, there are some fantastic photographers on there whose pictures have made me think about more about my composition, lighting and processing etc. Expensive kit doesn't make a great photograph.
I pretty much use it in manual mode all the time now and shoot RAW, but my wife who hasn't had as much time to play with it is very happy with the pictures she shoots in auto.
I'm currently thinking about getting another body, only to stop the arguments about who has the camera when we go out, would happily buy another 550D, but currently lusting after a 7D.
Also shortly after buying the camera I found the Random Pictures thread, this has proved to be a great source of inspiration in developing my photography, there are some fantastic photographers on there whose pictures have made me think about more about my composition, lighting and processing etc. Expensive kit doesn't make a great photograph.
Edited by londonagent on Wednesday 24th August 16:30
- some spelling errors - didn't want to attract the spelling police. Edited by londonagent on Wednesday 24th August 16:32
I love my 550D but quickly moved away from the kit lens. Getting a decent 17-50 lens would be my first priority. I have a non-vc Tamron 17-50 f2.8 and it's top notch for the money.
I'd say it's more or less the perfect starter camera.
Image I took with the kit lens:
I'd say it's more or less the perfect starter camera.
Image I took with the kit lens:
Edited by Janesy B on Friday 26th August 22:23
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