New gear

[Emma Spencer]

Hi all,

I am a beginner photographer. I really enjoy landscape and nature photography.
I currently have a Cannon 400d (about 3 years old that has had a very hard life). And a 18 - 55mm and 55 -250mm lens. My auto focus is broken on my 18 - 55 lens so have to always manually focus which is a bit of a pain sometimes.

I am looking at upgrading to a better body and lens but unsure what direction to take.

Was thinking maybe the 18 - 200 lens to just replace my other two???

Have been looking at the 5d MArk ii and 7d as well.

Can anyone help me out.

Cheers Emma

[unistudent1962]

Hi Emma,

What's your budget?
The 5D is full frame, so you won't be able to use EF-S lenses such as the 18-200.

[dulvariprestige]

Seeing you also like to shoot nature, I'd go for the 7d, the reason being, is that when you put on a lets say a 70-200 2.8, it will ACT like a 112-320 2.8, so say you buy a canon70-200mkII for around $2500+, but if you went a 5d, you would need to spend $5,000+ to get 300mm 2.8, or if you bought a 400mm which will ACT like 640mm focal length for around $1,500, you would need to spend around $9,500 to get the same effective focal length on a 5d, at the other end of the focal range it can be much the same cost wise, a 10-22mm on a 7d, will give you a similar effective focal length as a 17-40mm on a 5d for around the same money.
I hope this makes sense.

[Emma Spencer]

Thankyou very much for the advice. I think the 5d and suitable lenses are going to be out of my price range. seeing im only a beginner i dont think i need to spend that sort of money. Liking the idea of the 7d. Thanks again :)

[Emma Spencer]

I have decided to purchase the Cannon 7d. I already have a 55-250mm telephoto zoom. I also have a 18-55mm however the auto focus is broken.

I enjoy landscape photography but also getting in close and personal with nature. Animals, insects, flowers etc.

I am very amateur so the help would be greatly appreciated.

I want a quality lens and some people warn off the kit lenses. However i need something that is going to replace the 18-55 somehow as manually focusing it is a pain.

Cheers

Please help me out :/

[unistudent1962]

Hi Emma,

Did you make a decision on which body and lenses to purchase?