HELP PLEASE !

[Snatcher]

Intend to spend some of my "golden handshake" from work on updrading to an SLR camera. Had a talk with my boss at work who has been into photography all of his life. He knows the sort of photography I do and suggested as a starter go for

 

A Canon 400D body only

 

A Canonfit Sigma F3.5 18mm - 200mm lens

 

A card reader

 

A Compact Flash Card

 

I cannot believe the choice on the internet,what a minefield to plough through

 

I see that Play.com do a Sandisk SDHC SD 4GB Flashcard with hi-speed USB 2.0reader (£17.95 inc delivery). Will this be ok for my needs ?

 

As for the best place to buy the above camera and lens - open to suggestions. Thanks in advance

[ayjay]

7dayshop.com have got a 400D for £345 - and there's £45 cashback to come off of that as well. Bargain.

 

They sell memory cards pretty cheap too. You would need to check that a 4GB card will work with whatever camera you buy, some cameras won't work properly with the really big cards, it's probably not going to be a problem with an SLR, it may only be P/S cameras but I can't remember exactly.

[J.K]

I personally wouldn't go for a lens which such a wide focal range. It is nearly impossible for it to be good at both ends unless you plan on spending thousands of pounds on the lens.

 

I would aim for two lens.

 

My first would be an 18/24 - 60/90 (where the / it mean it could be 18 - 60 or 18 - 70 etc etc)

 

My second would be a 100 - 200 or a 200 prime lens.

 

I'm sure others will have their own opinions. I can only suggest you read as much as you can on the lens you wish to purchase and then test it in the shop. You can see lots of examples from a wise lens choice here: http://www.pbase.com/cameras

[Sutton Warrior]

Intend to spend some of my "golden handshake" from work on updrading to an SLR camera. Had a talk with my boss at work who has been into photography all of his life. He knows the sort of photography I do and suggested as a starter go for

 

A Canon 400D body only

 

A Canonfit Sigma F3.5 18mm - 200mm lens

 

A card reader

 

A Compact Flash Card

 

I cannot believe the choice on the internet,what a minefield to plough through

 

I see that Play.com do a Sandisk SDHC SD 4GB Flashcard with hi-speed USB 2.0reader (£17.95 inc delivery). Will this be ok for my needs ?

 

As for the best place to buy the above camera and lens - open to suggestions. Thanks in advance

 

Hay Snatcher, before you part with your 'Gold', check out the Nikon D40, or D60. They compare very well with the Canon and in some areas it is said, out perform the Canon, just! The rest of the advise seems about right to me as a simple snapper? I use a Sandisk Extreme III 2 gb, in my D80.

 

Card reader, the sandisk unit is a good'un, although I use a cheepo, Jessops own brand to good effect.

 

I will leave others to their suggestions, we all have our favourites. But I do believe Nikon have taken the high ground for the time being? By the way, Sigma do a Nikon fit 18-200, but be sure you get the 'OS' version which ever way you jump, OS is 'anti vibration', worth 2 or 3 stops on the aperture, low light no need for flash!

 

SW

 

PS, JK is right about the lens, but, how much fiddling and faffing do you want to do changing lenses, . . . a **locks! . . . missed the shot!!?? For landscapes etc., (no movement shots) its got to be nothing but a 'prime lens'!!! loads of money and equally much time to set it up? And then get the magnifier out to do some pixel gazing I know, thats a little cynical . . . must not forget shooting in RAW!

Edited March 25, 2008 by Sutton Warrior

[Bobj]

Hay Snatcher,

 

PS, JK is right about the lens, but, how much fiddling and faffing do you want to do changing lenses, . . . a **locks! . . . missed the shot!!?? For landscapes etc., (no movement shots) its got to be nothing but a 'prime lens'!!! loads of money and equally much time to set it up? And then get the magnifier out to do some pixel gazing I know, thats a little cynical . . . must not forget shooting in RAW!

 

G'day mate, must it be a DSLR camera??

A good camera that has ALL that you need is this chappie, a super upgrade on my Panasonic.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2007_review...sonic_fz18.html

 

Al you need as an extra is the 1 GB card.....Saves more money to spend in Australia :wub:

[Hellbelly]

Good luck with whatever you get Snatcher mate. I'm sure you'll have a ball with it. Just remember that you might not be overly impressed at first, but with time (and a heap of pics) you'll start to see improvements. I've found that good glass really makes a difference so get the best you can afford. Here's the place I bought my last lens from. A mate just got one from here too and there was no problem with either transaction.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...&image.y=11

 

Mick.

[Guest Jan V]

Good luck with whatever you get Snatcher mate. I'm sure you'll have a ball with it. Just remember that you might not be overly impressed at first, but with time (and a heap of pics) you'll start to see improvements. I've found that good glass really makes a difference so get the best you can afford. Here's the place I bought my last lens from. A mate just got one from here too and there was no problem with either transaction.

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller...&image.y=11

 

Mick.

Mick, what kind of shipping and handling did B&H hit you up for?

[Snatcher]

Thanks for the feedback team

[Hellbelly]

Mick, what kind of shipping and handling did B&H hit you up for?

 

Only around $65 postage Jan but I had to pay $250 on some sort of import tax. Funny thing is that a mate ordered the exact same lens from the same place on the same day and he didnt get hit for the tax.

 

Mick.

[Snatcher]

Oh well,for better or worse went for my bosses advice. Just waiting for the flash card to arrive in the post and then we are offski.

 

Going from Canon PowerShot A700 to Canon 400D will help a bit as there are things in common between the two. Lets see what pictures I can conjure up on it. Please treat me genly team as I am sure I will be onto you for loads of advice