Thoughts on Canon 60D
Discussion
Hi, I've got a bridge camera at the moment and I want to upgrade to a decent DSLR, I've had some experience with DSLR's before but i would really like to know what camera you think its right for me, i have a Budget of £1000 
and would like a good DSLR and some good glass. i was thinking of a Canon 60D, what do you think. 
Thank you in advance,
Shane
and would like a good DSLR and some good glass. i was thinking of a Canon 60D, what do you think. Thank you in advance,
Shane
Don't settle on a brand until you've had hands on, you may find that another brand is more comfortable to hold.
The 60D was criticised at launch for being plastic (the xxD range until that point had been metal bodied) but its a perfectly capable camera, especially for a newbie. There are cashback deals available on Canon stuff at the moment : http://www.canon.co.uk/wintercashback/
Must be UK sourced stuff though, grey imports are not eligible.
The 60D was criticised at launch for being plastic (the xxD range until that point had been metal bodied) but its a perfectly capable camera, especially for a newbie. There are cashback deals available on Canon stuff at the moment : http://www.canon.co.uk/wintercashback/
Must be UK sourced stuff though, grey imports are not eligible.
DibblyDobbler said:
Hi Shane.
I've a 60D - very happy with it, good mid-range DSLR
What kind of thing do you like to shoot though as you'd need to make sure you have enough left in the kitty for lenses...
Hi DibblyDobbler, i really enjoy reportage, landscape, night time and close up photography. I'm basically an all round enthusiast on photography, i would like to get the best camera and lenses for my money. i am open to suggestions so please feel free.I've a 60D - very happy with it, good mid-range DSLR
What kind of thing do you like to shoot though as you'd need to make sure you have enough left in the kitty for lenses...
and thanks again DD
CameraGeek said:
Hi DibblyDobbler, i really enjoy reportage, landscape, night time and close up photography. I'm basically an all round enthusiast on photography, i would like to get the best camera and lenses for my money. i am open to suggestions so please feel free.
and thanks again DD
Hmm - there's quite a lot there to cover! I might be tempted to turn it around and have a think about what lenses you might want then look at what's left for a body. Eg a 500 or 550 would still be good and would leave more money for glass. and thanks again DD
A 100mm prime would be a good starting point as it's fast and a great macro lens. Maybe a wide angle for landscape work - Sigma 10-20 perhaps ? There is a myriad of choice out there I'm afraid!
CameraGeek said:
Thank you DD, i've just watched review of the 100mm prime and it looks good, instead of the 550d i might go wid the newer 600d, so i can get different angles with the flippy screen. You have been very helpful, cheers
Articulated screen is very useful (as it is on bridge cameras) BUT remember that on a DSLR it means you will be working in Live View mode - so very similar to a bridge camera.Plan B, given we are talking digital these days, is to approximate the right position for a shot, take it and then see what you got. Retake if required.
If it's a one off quick opportunity you are as likely to miss it using Live View as you are with random blind shooting!
There were some good deals on the 600D at the eBay Canon Outlet a couple of days ago. Quite impressed with mine for image quality potential at the price but if you are into street stuff there are other rather different options worth considering for slightly better pocketability and discrete use.
I have the 600D but hardly use my articulating screen for photos as the live-view focus is sooo slow.
I nearly always use a fairly wide angle lens and approximately point it in the right direction and snap. If it is a brief moment, live view will definitely miss it, but point and hope *might* catch it.
If you've got time to muck about and focus on things then it probably is very useful. 95% of my photos are of my kids, so i always tend to think in those terms!
It can also be useful for video at funny angles.
I nearly always use a fairly wide angle lens and approximately point it in the right direction and snap. If it is a brief moment, live view will definitely miss it, but point and hope *might* catch it.
If you've got time to muck about and focus on things then it probably is very useful. 95% of my photos are of my kids, so i always tend to think in those terms!
It can also be useful for video at funny angles.
LongQ said:
Articulated screen is very useful (as it is on bridge cameras) BUT remember that on a DSLR it means you will be working in Live View mode - so very similar to a bridge camera.
Plan B, given we are talking digital these days, is to approximate the right position for a shot, take it and then see what you got. Retake if required.
Plan B, given we are talking digital these days, is to approximate the right position for a shot, take it and then see what you got. Retake if required.
Irrotational said:
I have the 600D but hardly use my articulating screen for photos as the live-view focus is sooo slow.
Nothing wrong with using live view on a DSLR, I use it all the time for landscapes, it makes it easier to get the focusing spot on... I always use manual focus though, never AFbinliner said:
LongQ said:
Articulated screen is very useful (as it is on bridge cameras) BUT remember that on a DSLR it means you will be working in Live View mode - so very similar to a bridge camera.
Plan B, given we are talking digital these days, is to approximate the right position for a shot, take it and then see what you got. Retake if required.
Plan B, given we are talking digital these days, is to approximate the right position for a shot, take it and then see what you got. Retake if required.
Irrotational said:
I have the 600D but hardly use my articulating screen for photos as the live-view focus is sooo slow.
Nothing wrong with using live view on a DSLR, I use it all the time for landscapes, it makes it easier to get the focusing spot on... I always use manual focus though, never AF"Street", however, seems to be the purview of range finder devices in the eyes of "those who know".
I suspect that there is no perfect answer here though costs may be much the same for all possible options.
binliner said:
Nothing wrong with using live view on a DSLR, I use it all the time for landscapes, it makes it easier to get the focusing spot on... I always use manual focus though, never AF
You didn't quote all my post :-) I did say that it could be useful if you have time to focus :-) I have a 60D and really like the articulated screen as I sometimes use it with a telescope, the comment about liveview being slow is spot on but not an issue on the telescope.
I bought the bundle with the 17-85mm EF-S lens and I am really impressed with it. One thing to remember when selecting lenses is this body uses the APS-C sensor so a correction factor (1.6x) is required when working out the focal length of non APS-C lenses. The 100mm macro lens if not an APS-C lens will infact be a 160mm lens on the APS-C sensor so the 60mm EF-S macro lens would be a better choice (60x1.6 = 96mm) unfortunately this lens doesn't has image stabilisation which an issue for me.
The comment about plastic body not being metal wasn't an issue for me as I came from a bridge camera which was plastic anyway but the build quality feels solid but do check the paint finish as I have a couple of blemishes and considered sending back for a refund.
I bought the bundle with the 17-85mm EF-S lens and I am really impressed with it. One thing to remember when selecting lenses is this body uses the APS-C sensor so a correction factor (1.6x) is required when working out the focal length of non APS-C lenses. The 100mm macro lens if not an APS-C lens will infact be a 160mm lens on the APS-C sensor so the 60mm EF-S macro lens would be a better choice (60x1.6 = 96mm) unfortunately this lens doesn't has image stabilisation which an issue for me.
The comment about plastic body not being metal wasn't an issue for me as I came from a bridge camera which was plastic anyway but the build quality feels solid but do check the paint finish as I have a couple of blemishes and considered sending back for a refund.
Gottans - I'm not disputing your arithmetic but I don't know why you think the 60mm is a better macro lens than the 100mm ? The extra focal length gives a greater working distance which is generally regarded as beneficial. There's nothing wrong with the 60mm by the way I used to have one then upgraded to a 100mm 
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