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Author Topic: What to look for?  (Read 3969 times)

What to look for?
Reply #30 on: August 24, 2010, 22:12:00 PM
I had a 350D for a long time, was an awesome camera, still is really if you dont mind the lower MP count
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  • Offline Bacon

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Re:What to look for?
Reply #31 on: August 24, 2010, 22:13:51 PM
Quote from: zpyder
Quote from: Bacon
So im guessing 18-55mm lens is what you refer to as a 50mm lens for general shots?


No, 50mm is 50mm, 18-55mm is 18-55mm. Though I admit I am probably wrong in suggesting a 50mm as a starter, youd probably be better off with the 18-55mm as its more versatile, but not as sharp as a 50mm. I just got a 50mm and think its great, the only thing being that the "zoom" is with your feet.

Bare in mind that as the 18-55mm kit lenses have a bad rep and are quite often obtained as a kit, they are extremely common on ebay so you CAN pick up a pristine 18-55 for < £50, the ones Ive seen have gone for £25-£35 lately. you might find it cheaper to get a body+duff lens, and sell the duff lens on, and get a better one, than to get one with a ok lens?

I hadnt mentioned the 350D due to its age, but it certainly was/is a very popular camera.


I understand, it might sell for a lower price because the lens is damaged but the lenses are cheap enough to warrant a lower bid. I was reading earlier the links i posted above, one of those cameras comes with an 18-55mm USM lens which is apparently the type i should be looking for. (Ring ultrasonic (USM) drive.)
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Re:What to look for?
Reply #32 on: August 24, 2010, 22:14:05 PM
Quote from: Bacon
Quote from: Eggtastico
300d ends in 13hrs
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CANON-EOS-300D-/330462920450?pt=UK_CamerasPhoto_DigitalCameras_DigitalCameras_JN


I saw that one but the lens is scratched and it needs a new battery, should i be wary?


the 300d are going to be a few years old now.. batteries are less than £5 - I think I got a pair on ebay for about that.

if your in no rush, then just find the one thats right for you...
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Re:What to look for?
Reply #33 on: August 24, 2010, 22:23:13 PM
I think what i need now is to put a list together of potential cameras i could buy and wait til one comes up, so a little more feedback would be great, i.e. good cameras £100-200.

Canon 300D
Canon 350D
Canon 400D
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  • Offline zpyder

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Re:What to look for?
Reply #34 on: August 24, 2010, 22:30:55 PM
Aye. Id add a 400D to that list in case you get lucky.

Bits of Lingo to watch out for in case youre a noob like me when it comes to all the jargon (hopefully in understandable laymans terms):

IS = image stabilisation

USM = faster focusing basically

"L" = Canons premium lenses, premium quality with a premium price

Aperture/"F" = Not sure entirely what the correct definition is, all I know is that the lower the number, the "faster" the lens can be (lower number is more open = more light on the sensor = fast shots etc, but less depth of field) The lenses with lower F values tend to be more expensive

Depth of field/DoF = how much of the image is in focus when you focus on a certain point, ala macro shots etc.

Focal range/ "18-55mm" etc = the zoom and viewing angle. Lower numbers are wider angle. Higher numbers are bigger zoom. 50mm is kind of the sweet spot, Ive invested in a 17-85mm zoom lens as a general lens, but also now have a 50mm for when I want to mess around with photographing objects etc, and a cheap 70-300mm for if I am needing to zoom in on things.

"prime" = a fixed lens, like the 50mm. These tend to be slightly better quality as they dont have to compromise over a range of focal distances

EF and EF-S = the lens mount type. The digital EOS cameras you are likely to get all will take both EF and EF-S. EF-S is made specially for the smaller sized cameras like the 350D etc, and only work on those cameras, whilst EF are compatible with the more expensive cameras.

Thats all I can think of at the moment in terms of things that at some point or other Ive seen people mention and thought "WTF does that mean". We all have to learn sometime haha.
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Re:What to look for?
Reply #35 on: August 24, 2010, 22:51:59 PM
Now all the information in the thread needs to be sorted out into a buyers guide to be stickied at the top of the forum :)
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  • Offline Dave

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Re:What to look for?
Reply #36 on: August 24, 2010, 22:52:29 PM
I think at entry level all the major manufacturers are about even so prob just go with whatever fits your budget - plenty of lenses out there whether you go canon, nikon, sony or pentax etc..
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  • Offline Kunal

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Re:What to look for?
Reply #37 on: August 25, 2010, 00:31:13 AM
I know theres a lot of talk of getting a low end older model SLR, but might be worth looking at a decent point and shoot.

For the budget stated (125-175) you can get an excellent point and shoot with a good lens, lots of manual functions and HD video recording.

Whilst I adore my Canon DSLRs, Im always amazed at the bang for buck/performance of the Panasonic Lumix TZ series.

You can get a TZ5 (10mpx, leica lens, 10x optical zoom, 720p recording) for 100 quid second hand. A brand new TZ6 is 150 or a TZ7 for 179 delivered on Amazon (very good deal imho).

The other half has a TZ5 (as does the flatmate) - really cant fault it.

For what youd like to do (eBay, Gumtree, out with mates/family, car shows, some landscape/scenary) itll be perfect.

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  • Offline Kunal

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Re:What to look for?
Reply #38 on: August 25, 2010, 00:33:37 AM
Quote from: XEntity
Im sure Kunal would say that you need Canon 1D Mark IV - http://www.tekforum.co.uk/posts/list/16940.page ;)

But like Zpyer says, what do you want? My personal preference are Panasonic Lumix TZ for point and shoot and Canon SLR thats what I would suggest to my friends, but not adverse to other brands.

Also a budget would be useful? :)


 :stupid:
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