Canon advice please

[944gav]

Hi

My daughter is studying higher (A-level) photography and is now looking for her first DSLR. She has had a Panasonic DMC-FZ7 for a few years and has now looking to progress. She has been into a few shops to see what she likes and she has a preference for Canon but is not sure what model to get. I have Nikon and know very little about Canon equipment so would appreciate your advice. Based on some reviews I have read, my thoughts would be to go for a 450D but I am not sure if it would be better to go for the 40D or 50D or even if the 1000D would be fine for the stage she is at.

Thanks in advance.

[SamHH]

I'm sure any of those would be good. The 1000D would probably do fine for most uses but obviously the more expensive bodies have more/better features; only she can know whether they're worth it for her though. One option would be to get a second hand camera like a 30D that's already lost a lot of its value. Consider what lenses and other accessories she might want as well; they might be a better way to spend the budget than on a fancier camera.

Finally, if you'd be willing to share kit with each other, it might be more sensible to go with a Nikon unless she really prefers Canons.

[Kermit power]

Unless she's particularly ham-fisted for a teenage girl, I'd think she'd find the 40D or 50D would feel like using a suitcase to take pics with, wouldn't she?

The pointlessly excessive size of the damn thing was exactly why I rejected the 40D in favour of the 450D, which I think is great.

Wouldn't it make more sense for her to go Nikon and use your lenses though? Or are you trying to avoid that?

[havoc]

Kermit power said:

The pointlessly excessive size of the damn thing was exactly why I rejected the 40D in favour of the 450D, which I think is great.

Wouldn't it make more sense for her to go Nikon and use your lenses though? Or are you trying to avoid that?

1) Each to their own - I preferred the feel of the 40D (well, the 20D vs the 350D, but the bodies are identical) - it felt a more natural weight to me and better put-together, plus the extra fps was a plus-point given I like motorsport.

But I agree that a teenage girl may find a 450D easier to handle, plus they've plenty of features.


2) Not a bad idea, but if she prefers Canon then in the long-run it'll be better for her to work with an interface she likes.


3) Wouldn't recommend the 1000D, not for someone semi-serious like she sounds...it's a bit of a bdisation of a camera with bits from 3 different (2 superceded) models, and lacks some functionality compared to the 400/450D.

[Snapper7]

If this is a camera that will start her out on a career then I would say that a D40 or D50 would be the better option IMHO.

[jon-]

Having known a few photography students, most don't get taught well enough to use a point and shoot. Something like a 450d would be more than enough, but if you don't mind spending the extra money there's no reason a 40d would be bad as she could grow into it.

[Juicetin1]

She could do a lot worse than get a Nikon D40, £270 on Amazon with kit lens and would be spot on for her needs. Great camera, great price.

[iamrtl]

As someone in the same position i'll add my experience here. I've just finished my A level as a hobby based night class. At the start of the year I was still using my 350D and by the end I had sold it and opted for a 40D.

Size wise there is very little difference, weight wise there is. The 40D is more ruggedly built and the weight is boosted as you might expect. Features wise, there are more features some I use some I dont I am partularly fond of the ability to control groups of off camera flashes from the body itself as opposed to running round changing 3 of them manually.

As has been previously mentioned if you shoot Nikon it would be much better if your daughter did the same. The ability to share lighting gear and lenses etc will become more apparent as she explores different areas of photography.

Assuming you are going Canon and depending on your budget I would go for the 450D and invest in better lenses. If the budget isnt an issue then go for the for 40D and get good lenses.
Buy the body only the kit lenses arent that great, i personally went for the 40D and the Tamron Ashperical 17mm - 50mm F2.6 lens. Think the total cost was about £800

Just my two pence I hope it helps

[havoc]

iamrtl said:

Buy the body only the kit lenses arent that great, i personally went for the 40D and the Tamron Ashperical 17mm - 50mm F2.8 lens.

Which is exactly the same as my standard kit. Nice sharp lens, only two downsides:-
- build quality isn't great;
- 'zoom' ring rotates the wrong way on Tamrons!

[944gav]

Thanks for the comments. Although it would obviously be more sensible to buy Nikon, I am keen that she gets whatever she likes best. It would probably avoid some arguements if she is not borrowing my stuff too!

Her current plan when she finishes school is to do an art degree and specialise in photography, so I am thinking the 40D might be the better option based on the above. The size and weight might be an issue though as she is petite so probably best to let her try one first. The budget is not too much of an issue - looks like I will be paying for it!

[diesel head]

I would avoid the Nikon D40 as it will limit the lenses she can use, I believe the issue is with the auto focus motor, meaning that you have to buy the AF-S lenses in order for the auto focus function to work, which may rule out her sharing your lenses.

[Starfighter]

If she is studying photography then she will need full manual exposure control, exposure compensation and probably flash exposure control. This is likely to kill off the "entry level" bodies.

Basic tip, get the cheapest body that will do what you need (not fancy) it to do and put all the rest of the cast in to lenses. The gass is generally the weekest link by a long way.