What to buy ?

[doppelganger]

Hi all, I'm new to digital, running Pentax and a friend at work has asked me what to buy? At the moment she is looking to buy Canon 550D and is not sure what lenses to buy? She is new to photography, price is a concern and is interested in scenery/portrait and wildlife and someone has suggested one lens, with the upper focal length of 135mm. My Pentax K20, Pentax 18-55mm and Sigma 70-300 mm with macro switch was a good all round intro solution for me. So if I may ask those in the know with Canon, what would you consider a great budget starter set up?

Steve

[William]

I've read some reports from I guy I know that has a 1Dmk 11, And he swears by the 550D and 18-55 IS Combo for image quality and general run around kit , He hardly uses the 1Dmk11 any more :rolleyes:, Just a thought :)

[doppelganger]

Thanks William,

I should have run the search engine before posting, I'd normally highlight that to newby if a similar recent post had been posted, which it has http://www.ausphotography.net.au/forum/showthread.php?71998-Lens-choice-for-beginner ,I'll chastise myself.:(

[Rod038]

Yes what William said and maybe adding the kit 55 -250 lens as well. This will give a bit more reach for the wild life. You will get both lenses and the 550D camera in a kit from most camera stores.

[William]

Make sure the 18-55 is the IS (Image Stabilisation) Model :th3:

[Roosta]

I will add my 2c worth, does your friend need a camera with video, if not the 50D which is still available is a better by, and lens options are endless. Sigma and Tamrom make a great F2.8 18-50 or 17-70mm both good lenses, I went with the Sigma, local purcahse Aussie in Perth $399.00 brand new, full warranty. And obvoiusly you can get above Canon lenses.

The next logical choice is either the 60D or 7D, One fellow from my work has purchased the twin lens kit 550D and had nothing but trouble. In saying that, there could be 1000 550D's out there that won't give any trouble at all.

50D is better built, weather seild and good to boot, but no video, so it's a DSLR.

P.S. mine came with the 18-75mm kit lens, which some people love and some seem to hate, there are some usefull posts in the above link you've quoted, and look for lenses in other threads last month, seemed to be the topic of the month.

Good luck to her.

Cheers.

[unistudent1962]

50D is better built, weather seild and good to boot, but no video, so it's a DSLR.

Where can you still buy a new 50D?

I've had no problems with my 550D, so make that 1001.

[doppelganger]

Thanks for all the feedback,my work colleague has purchased the the 550d (wanted video) with a EFS 18-55 and EFS 55-250. She has asked me to say thanks and will be visiting AP in the future:)

[Rod038]

A good place to start.