Dilemma
Author
Discussion

leightonjames

Original Poster:

1,346 posts

245 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
Ok im finally going for my new camera, ive been beating myself up about it for ages, going in this order, 450D, 400D, 30D, 20 D, 40D and back the 400D and settling on the 450D (its within my budget) but i feel like im going for an amateur camera. I don't think i am an amateur but i feel like i am limited to what i can purchase because of money. Whenever i see these cameras advertised its amateur this and amateur that. Will i be wasting my money or should i save for another year..or two and go for the "professional"

Leighton

Gingerbread Man

9,173 posts

243 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
Advertising a camera as amateur, so the buyer coughs up more hard earned to pay for the 'pro' model is a brilliant advertising technique.

Run off the spec's of each camera and compare them. Decide what you need out of it and what suits your needs. Decide you price (buying new or second hand?), filter in buying new has a warranty, second hand may not so think wisely.

Ignore the names, find the one you like.

Andy M

3,755 posts

289 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
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stigmundfreud

22,454 posts

240 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
lol a camera makes fk all difference as to whether you are amateur or not and unless you are making 100% of your income from photography (and I don't mean student pocket money) you are amature.

As I said in another thread, you could spend 50000 quid on a camera and all it will do is, if you take st photos, produce a better reproduction of the st. A camera is a camera, the features are all mostly the same. I do understand you feeling that the kit you have may be looked down on but so what, the idiots that look down on it usually are the same bafoons that go out and spend 2k on their first camera and lenses then take snap shots.

I doubt there is anyone in this forum that looks down on anyone due to their kit. Get the best you can afford, if thats the 450d go for it or save a bit more and get a 5d or a 1d if you dont want to feel ashamed

Edited by stigmundfreud on Saturday 3rd May 23:26

The_Jackal

4,854 posts

227 months

Saturday 3rd May 2008
quotequote all
I agree, at the end of the day an SLR is an SLR. If you can take good pics and know how to use the settings, you will take better pics than an idiot with a 5k camera.

When I was a ski instructor I could ski better than most with hire skis and my boots undone. But when I raced I used slalom skis and form fitted boots.

If its a hobby go with the camera YOU like, if its your job you will already know what you REALLY need. It all depends where you priorities lie.

_dobbo_

14,619 posts

278 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
As others have said, professional or amateur isn't determined by the value of your kit.

I'd wager that any of those cameras will be more capable than you need. My advice would be to spend as much of your budget as possible on a decent lens, it will make far more difference to the quality of your photos than would changing from a 350D to a 450D.


stigmundfreud

22,454 posts

240 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
You have a 350d now? I fail to see the need to upgrade to the 450d in that case, you would be better off either investing in glass (though tbh for a lot of portrait stuff cheap glass is ok) or save a few more bob and wait for the replacement 5d to come out and snap up a bargain older 5d.

leightonjames

Original Poster:

1,346 posts

245 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
No i don't have a 350D now.

Thanks to everyone for your input!

Famous Graham

26,553 posts

255 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
Given today's SLRs, glass is all important.

You can't polish a turd.

And none of the SLRs are going to "beat" the others unless you're looking at getting billboards printed, frankly.

leightonjames

Original Poster:

1,346 posts

245 months

Sunday 4th May 2008
quotequote all
ok cheers everyone! smile

jon-

16,534 posts

246 months

Monday 5th May 2008
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5d + kit lens or a 400d + 50mm f.18 and a decent IS L telephoto... I know what I'd rather be shooting with.

nick_bbb

5,506 posts

265 months

Monday 5th May 2008
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jon- said:
5d + kit lens or a 400d + 50mm f.18 and a decent IS L telephoto... I know what I'd rather be shooting with.
The "kit lens" for a 5D was/is the 24-105 IS F4 L.

jon-

16,534 posts

246 months

Monday 5th May 2008
quotequote all
nick_bbb said:
jon- said:
5d + kit lens or a 400d + 50mm f.18 and a decent IS L telephoto... I know what I'd rather be shooting with.
The "kit lens" for a 5D was/is the 24-105 IS F4 L.
Fortunately I didn't say what I'd rather be shooting withwink

nick_bbb

5,506 posts

265 months

Monday 5th May 2008
quotequote all
jon- said:
nick_bbb said:
jon- said:
5d + kit lens or a 400d + 50mm f.18 and a decent IS L telephoto... I know what I'd rather be shooting with.
The "kit lens" for a 5D was/is the 24-105 IS F4 L.
Fortunately I didn't say what I'd rather be shooting withwink
laugh

jon-

16,534 posts

246 months

Monday 5th May 2008
quotequote all
nick_bbb said:
jon- said:
nick_bbb said:
jon- said:
5d + kit lens or a 400d + 50mm f.18 and a decent IS L telephoto... I know what I'd rather be shooting with.
The "kit lens" for a 5D was/is the 24-105 IS F4 L.
Fortunately I didn't say what I'd rather be shooting withwink
laugh
Do you agree with the principle of a cheaper body and more expensive glass over expensive body and cheap glass? I guess things aren't quite as black and white as I thought they were.

nick_bbb

5,506 posts

265 months

Monday 5th May 2008
quotequote all
Indeed I do smile

The kit lens from a 300/350/400/450D doesn't fit on a 5D though, I tried.

Back to the OP I had the cover shot of Classic American with a photo taken with a 300D and the crappy kit lens so don't get hung up on kit smile