mark shaxted Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hi I'm looking to buy my first DSLR (probably, but not necessarily, a 30D) in the next 3 or 4 weeks, and I'm having a major dilemma choosing equipment. My requirements are fairly broad, including landscape & nature plus anything in between. I would like good optics from the outset, plus everything else I need for a starter kit - such as tripod & kit bag etc. Bearing in mind I have set myself a budget of ﾣ3000 (GBP) MAX, what would you guys with DSLR experience suggest would be the best way to spend my money? What essentials should ever (even basic) kit have? BTW - I used to own a Minolta 300X until some toe-rag stole it in Berlin in 1991, so I'm used to a manual SLR etc so I think a 350D would be too limiting (not enough play with!) from the start. Kind regards to all that help! Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcdonald1 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hi Mark I can only comment from my own very limited experience; I'm sure others will be far mnore useful. I thought long and hard before committing to Canon as I thought it would be a very long term relationship once I invested in lenses. I bought a 300D two years ago and I have been very happy with it and am still learning about some of its functionality. I would think these days with a little more cash I would go for the 30D as you intend to do.My regret was buying the kit lens. I was very disappointed with it and quickly bought a 17-40 then the 70-200 f/4. I since supplemented this with a 50 /1.8. I worked on the basis/hope that these would long outlast the body and would take me through a couple of upgrades at least. I hate spending money twice! On the same basis I bought a decent tripod, a Gitzo Explorer 2228, and a Markins M10 head as very long term investments.I know people here will say you can buy smaller to begin with then sell on via the auction site but I just try to keep life simple and have as much quality as I cvan to begin with.I would think carefully about lenses and maybe just pick up a 50 /1.8 to build a core of knowledge about the 30D and then slowly go from there as priorities emerge. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcdonald1 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Oh and I should have said don't forget to set aside some of your budget for camera plates (Really Right Stuff are not cheap) and cable releases, spare batteries, cards, bags etc. I'm starting to panic.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark shaxted Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 Thanks Jim One thing I ommited, is that I'm taking on a loan (or at least a buy now pay in 9 months time) - so I'm probably better off getting what I 'think' I need to start with, otherwise I could end up needing something fairly soon, but not being able to afford it for another 9 months! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tedg Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 As an alternative get a used DSLR body and spend away on good glass! You'll save buckets of dosh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whwhitejr Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hi Mark, Buy the "L" glass zooms and least the 20D. The $300 to $400 primes are ok as they are very good non "L". Good luck,Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger pfister Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I started to write out a three grand list BUT ... when I saw you say that you were going to get a loan. If you buy new then 80% of what you spend will go on the last 10% of image quality. Having gone from 300D to 5D I know how true this is. So to get your 90% of image quality Used 300D (with kit lens) e.g via ebay.co.uk �350+ ish (be paitent) Canon 50mm 1.8 70 quid ish Photoshop elements 4 (or 3 if you can get a copy) A couple of 1 GIG CF cards A card reader to read them Bag Lowpro TLZ1 Everything else can wait while you debug your worklow, skill set and adjust your head. Cost LESS THAN 600 quid and no-one outside of photo forums (and very few inside) would tell the difference. :) -- Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whwhitejr Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 By "L" zooms I mean the 17-40 f4L, the 24-70f2.8L and the 70-200f2.8L. These will be the bulk of your budget. These with a used 20D should get you by until you get them paid off,Bill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark shaxted Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 Another relevant point... I've recently split with my partner :-) which means I'm suddenly better off - this is a present to oneself! So I'll probably spend the 3 grand anyway. So I'm looking for ways to best spend the money. Many thanks for the replies so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joename Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 As with most of the posts, spend the money on the best glass you can afford. Then a 20D would be good, and if you can get it used, then that would be a good route. I don't think digital rocks the landcape world as much as film, especially with the cropping factor of the 10D/ 20D / rebel, etc. My story is interesting - I use digital for alot of people stuff, and snaps, and use b/w film and a scanner for anything artistic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pto189 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Please wait 2-4 weeks after PMA 2006. Canon could offer reabtes soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingedrabbit Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I wouldn't get the latest if I were on the cheap. After PMA the prices on the 20D should drop. Also, B&H stills sells the 10D. Then drop your cash on lenses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark shaxted Posted February 23, 2006 Author Share Posted February 23, 2006 :-( I didn't think 3000 (GBP) was on the cheap! I'm almost certain it'll be a 30D body, 430 Flash, 2GB Extreme III Tripod - don't know Lenses - don't know (min 17, max not sure 200+) maybe 1.4 ext Bag - don't know Filters - don't know (but something protective) +things I haven't thought about I'm think to 70-200 (320 equiv FOV). What's this like on a 1.6 crop? Does anyone have any uncropped pics of sunrise/sunset or moonrise/moonset @200mm? It's a frame of reference I'm used to. Also, if any one has similar with a 1.4 ext that would be great! Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phule Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 << so I'm used to a manual SLR etc so I think a 350D would be too limiting (not enough play with!) from the start. >> I'm confused by this. What is it about the functionality of the 350D that you find limiting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcdonald1 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hi Mark I agree this is a big commitment and you seem to be getting it right. There's tonms of good advice here not least the stuff about the possible rebates. I see the 5D is curently rebated here for example and I suspect Canon will do like wise in areas of their range before very long. The only area of advice I would question is over the 70-200. I bought the f/4 in the end largely on cost grounds and also because optically it is reckoned to be pretty comparable with the f/2.8. In fact I borrowed a friend's f/2.8 and it was significantly bigger, heavier and more noticeable. If you really need the extra stop it's a no brainer but I suspect the high ISO performance on the 30D will be more than enough to compensate. If it were me I would be tempted to put the bulk of the investment into decent glass, quality tripod etc and look for a used body. In truth the 30D will be yesterday's news 18 months down the line and it's currently carrying a price premium. I'm curently saving for the 5D to be bought hopefully when its successor is launched and its price consequently falls. Good luck and keep us posted. Jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie_brown4 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 If I had that much money to spend (approx $5,255 USD) I would buy a new/used 20D (~$1000), 2 2GB Compact Flash Cards ($200), (17-40L F4 ($670), 50 F1.8 ($80), 70-200 2.8 IS ($1690), 100 2.8 Macro ($460), 2 77mm B+W Multi-Coated UV filters ($220), 1 58mm B+W MC UV Filter ($80), 1 52mm B+W MC UV Filter ($50), 1 77mm B+W Wide Angle Circular Polarizing Filter ($160), Carbon Fiber Tripod with Head (~$290), Lowepro All weather backpack ($110), & a 580EX Flash ($240). That adds up to $5250. You can spend your last five dollars on some ice cream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie_brown4 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I meant 430EX Flash Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcdonald1 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 You're lucky to enjoy the luxury of US prices of course Jamie. Here in the UK we don't have a free market. It's still, and increasingly so, rip-off Britain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamie_brown4 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hey Jim, Sorry, I didn't think to take the UK prices into account. I better tighten my belt some more. I'll be in Liverpool during the third week of May to take pictures of a friend while he performas at the Cavern Club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_mcdonald1 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Hell Jamie, I grew up to 18 on the opposite side of the Mersey and first saw the Beatles there in '61 I think. I don't live so far from there now. You'll have loads of things to see and to photograph. I hope you ahve a great visit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jim_j2 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 Mark, There are already lots of good suggestions here! After all . . . "everyone likes to spend someone elses money!" Spend it wisely my friend! And no, I don't have any answers relating to digital. I'm still in the film world until I can build up my knowledge and equipment for "post processing" which I am beginning to realize can be quite an investment in itself! Even more than the Camera Equipment! From my time spent here reading and studying on PN and as the knowledge gained relates to digital . . . Don't forget . . . -Computer with adequate software -Sensor cleaning -Lens Hoods -In the field gear protection for rain and adverse weather. (more electronics, more concern) -Batteries & charger costs. I agree with possibly going for the used digital body and as many "L's" as you can afford. Just don't forget to allow for the "post processing" essentials. My .02 (USD) worth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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