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Lifer
Great pics! 
Thinking of a new Camera
- Thread starter cj10jeeper
- Start date
Well I've been a bit sidelined with real work this week, but I'm going to go for a Canon 450D. Bit more expensive that say a second hand older body but carries a warranty and has lots of things that will help me such as the stabilised 18-55 lens.
Big question now is where to buy from? The benchmark is Jessops at £469 (after £30 Canon rebate)
1) Is there any reason to avoid the US variant, the Rebel XSi?
2) So any good sources?
All the high street retailers are as Jessops price.
Ebay new UK is a little less, but add carriage and the Ebay risk and you're back there
EBay usually HK is about £40 less and bung in a shed load of extras. 2x Lenses, 8GB card, bag, tripods, etc. Trouble is guarantess and likely import duty
Second hand price expectation of people is way too high - often selling/asking for £30 to £50 less than new :thumbsdown:
I'm reluctant to just pay too much to Jessops because they are there and local
Big question now is where to buy from? The benchmark is Jessops at £469 (after £30 Canon rebate)
1) Is there any reason to avoid the US variant, the Rebel XSi?
2) So any good sources?
All the high street retailers are as Jessops price.
Ebay new UK is a little less, but add carriage and the Ebay risk and you're back there
EBay usually HK is about £40 less and bung in a shed load of extras. 2x Lenses, 8GB card, bag, tripods, etc. Trouble is guarantess and likely import duty
Second hand price expectation of people is way too high - often selling/asking for £30 to £50 less than new :thumbsdown:
I'm reluctant to just pay too much to Jessops because they are there and local
Jessops price doesn't look too bad... Amazon £458 - £484 free delivery and the £30... Pixmania.co.uk is about the same as Jessops when you add delivery. All things being equal I generally go to John Lewis - customer service there is so much better if there are any issues, although their price match is a pain! :x
I'll have the 400D with me tomorrow if you want to have a play before buying - I think they are fundamentally the same cameras.
I'll have the 400D with me tomorrow if you want to have a play before buying - I think they are fundamentally the same cameras.
I'll take a t look at your 400D tomorrow
Some good links their guys - thanks.
Seemingly all taken into account walking into Jessops or John Lewis is not so far off the mark given the UK bricks and mortar facility, proper warranty and at least some sensible advice.
Will let you know where I end up
Some good links their guys - thanks.
Seemingly all taken into account walking into Jessops or John Lewis is not so far off the mark given the UK bricks and mortar facility, proper warranty and at least some sensible advice.
Will let you know where I end up
Get a 2nd hand 30/40d imho... 
350/400d are a little limited imho, you WILL want to upgrade from one if you start enjoying the camera more (everyone I know who had a 300/350/400D has since moved away to a 30D/40/50D or 5Dmk1 etc since owning one for about a year)
350/400d are a little limited imho, you WILL want to upgrade from one if you start enjoying the camera more (everyone I know who had a 300/350/400D has since moved away to a 30D/40/50D or 5Dmk1 etc since owning one for about a year)
I find the limitation to the cheaper end of the market is the kit lens they come with
Had a film SLR for years, then got the 300d when it came out which I upgraded to the 400d a couple of years later on the basis of speed of operating, photos pretty much the same. Stuck with the 18-55mm kit lens and my old 75-300mm lens + sigma macro lens.
A few months ago bought a canon 17-85mm US IS lens - massive improvement - faster/shaper/nicer zoom ratio - unless you are a pro unlikely to need functionality of the 40 over the 450, but once you get the hang of it then upgrade the lens and you will find a difference.
Thats my experience anyway
Had a film SLR for years, then got the 300d when it came out which I upgraded to the 400d a couple of years later on the basis of speed of operating, photos pretty much the same. Stuck with the 18-55mm kit lens and my old 75-300mm lens + sigma macro lens.
A few months ago bought a canon 17-85mm US IS lens - massive improvement - faster/shaper/nicer zoom ratio - unless you are a pro unlikely to need functionality of the 40 over the 450, but once you get the hang of it then upgrade the lens and you will find a difference.
Thats my experience anyway
hi there cj,i have used a canon 300d for quite a while for taking pics when i go to rallys and other things.i have put a couple of pics on as an example or 2.the rally cars were using a canon ef-s 75-300mm lens using the sports setting on the camera and the one of my 1 series was taken using a canon ef-s 18-55mm lens with manual settings on the camera.this set up is not expensive but is quite effective.non of my pics have been altered,they are exactly as i took them.i have now indulged in a canon 40d and also a canon l series 100-400mm lens which is amazing but cost a bob or 2 and quite a few conkers.i hope it gives a little help. 
Attachments
That does help and great to see some shots unaltered/ Love all 3 for different reasons. The gravel caught mid flight looks great.
I've now chosen a 450D and am close to hitting the buy button. One vendor has bundled a lot together for me (bag, chip tripod, extra battery and lots more), proper 450D (not Rebel or Kiss) 2 year warranty and of course the 18-55 IS lens. Importing and it wil be a gift so all for £420 inc P&P seems good deal
DrNick - thanks but a bit pricey.
I've now chosen a 450D and am close to hitting the buy button. One vendor has bundled a lot together for me (bag, chip tripod, extra battery and lots more), proper 450D (not Rebel or Kiss) 2 year warranty and of course the 18-55 IS lens. Importing and it wil be a gift so all for £420 inc P&P seems good deal
DrNick - thanks but a bit pricey.
The 450D is a cracking bit of kit. I have just sold my 400D with the 17-85IS EF-S lens and I would say that of the two things you should consider adding to your collection the 17-85IS lens is one, or if you want to start smaller the 50mm f1.8 is a must have (unless you want to stretch to the f1.4, but that is quite a bit more).
One thing that I would say though if by FAR the most important part of your kit is you...learn to use it well. A great photographer with reasonable kit will always get better results than a poor photographer with magnificent kit.
Here's the f1.8 50mm... can't get better value for money really:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1-8-MK-II-Prime-Lens-1-8-f1-8-UK_W0QQitemZ250535491898QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item3a5514393a
One thing that I would say though if by FAR the most important part of your kit is you...learn to use it well. A great photographer with reasonable kit will always get better results than a poor photographer with magnificent kit.
Here's the f1.8 50mm... can't get better value for money really:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Canon-EF-50mm-f-1-8-MK-II-Prime-Lens-1-8-f1-8-UK_W0QQitemZ250535491898QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CamerasPhoto_CameraAccessories_CameraLensesFilters_JN?hash=item3a5514393a
Not trying to teach granny to suck eggs here but if anyone is getting into DSLR photography without an SLR background (i.e. understanding of the basic photography concepts) this book is a great starting block.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0817463003?ie=UTF8&tag=z4fo-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0817463003
I have it myself and it helped me a lot
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/0817463003?ie=UTF8&tag=z4fo-21&linkCode=as2&camp=1634&creative=6738&creativeASIN=0817463003
I have it myself and it helped me a lot
Well it's winging its way to me now, so by mid next week I should have it.
I'm sure once I venture off 'auto' I will be as confused as hell about the various settings, but as with any such thing will build up slowly, probably take a local college course when the next sessions start and no doubt find I need a different or better lens in xx months. Yesterday I was even in the book section of Waterstones reading up on rule of 1/3's instead of helping my wife shop
The advice in here has been invluable as so far you've tolerted some basic questions - thanks to everyone
I'm sure once I venture off 'auto' I will be as confused as hell about the various settings, but as with any such thing will build up slowly, probably take a local college course when the next sessions start and no doubt find I need a different or better lens in xx months. Yesterday I was even in the book section of Waterstones reading up on rule of 1/3's instead of helping my wife shop
The advice in here has been invluable as so far you've tolerted some basic questions - thanks to everyone
Hi,
Been watching this as im looking for a DSLR too. I like the sound of the deal you got so could you PM me the details and i might invest.
Also whats peoples thought to the Canon EOS 1000D 10.1mp Digital Camera?
Finally, not sure if its been mentioned but you can get some cash back when buying a 450
http://image.ebuyer.com/customer/promos/UK/eos_claim_form2.pdf
Cheers
PaulN
Been watching this as im looking for a DSLR too. I like the sound of the deal you got so could you PM me the details and i might invest.
Also whats peoples thought to the Canon EOS 1000D 10.1mp Digital Camera?
Finally, not sure if its been mentioned but you can get some cash back when buying a 450
http://image.ebuyer.com/customer/promos/UK/eos_claim_form2.pdf
Cheers
PaulN
