Anyone know anything about Digial SLR Cameras?

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I'm thinking about buying a Cannon 400D and the standard lense that comes with it. Is this a good choice? I also want to buy a zoom lense to go with it. What should I get?</p>

 

I would go for the Canon 18-55mm zoom lens. This gives you a bit of a wide angle and short telephoto.
Looks a nice camera with a good spec.

 

Don't know a great deal about the 400, but I'm sure its going to be pretty handy, they all are nowadays. Has it got a dust-reduction system? Cos I find when I'm changing lenses (I have a Konica Minolta 5D, which is basically the Sony Alpha) I'm pooing myself about getting dust on the sensor, so I try to avoid swapping lenses very often. So some kind of anti-dust sensor system is really important.

Re. lenses, isn't the standard lens in DSLR kists normally something like a 18-55 anyway? It depends how far you want your zoom to go, I've got a 70-300 and with the 18-70 kit lens I got with the camera most things are covered (apart from real wide-angle stuff). Ideally, a 18-200 or even 18-300 would be perfect, but these cost a fortune.

Also, get some skylight filters for your lenses, to avoid scratches.

 

Yeah I think it comes with an 18-55 lense and some sort of antidust system.

 

Hi,

I bought a Canon 400D a few weeks back although I haven't yet had much chance to play with it. The choice finally came down to that or the Nikon D50 - but the D50 is now end of life.

It does indeed come with th 18-55mm lens and this seems ok to start getting used to the camera with.

I would recommend that you have a play with it in the flesh. Some people have complained about the small size of the body when compared to other brands but I have large hands and haven't had a problem with it.

The anti-dust feature is quite useful and the battery life seems very good indeed. Get a big (2Gb +) CF card with it because if you're shooting RAW images you'll fill it in no time.

Have a look at www.dpreview.com as their forums are quite useful. They also have a good review of the 400D.

I hope this helps - and enjoy your toy if you purchase.

Steve

 

Incidentally, I'll be getting a Sigma 18-200mm or Tamron 18-250mm lens when I've saved enough cash.

Steve

 

I bought the 300D Canon, and It is great for daylight scenes and Portraits but very complicated for other work. I recently bought theIXUS 900Ti. 10 mega pixels. Easy to use and pictures out of this world.

 

I'm a pretty serious dslr user (canon ds1 mk2 user). I recomended the 400d to a mate last month (new to dslr photography) and he is over the moon with it. He got the bundle with 18-55mm lens and it suits his requirements. My opinion on the lens is that it is a bit flimsy but ok for light/moderate use, if you get one it would be worth investing in a 75-300mm lens for telephoto work - you've got good coverage there. Beware of lens changing too often, especially outdoors because despite the anti-dust system it's a real PITA if you start having to spot heal every dust mark in photoshop. The D400 has had rave reviews and I woud reckon it is just about best level entry spec to dslr photography, easy enough to get using straightaway, flexible enough to let you experiment as you get more interested and cutting edge design with a fantastic pixel count.

 

Professional Photographer review in Nov edition

Compared the 400d ,Olympus E-400 and the Nikon D80, with emphasis on use by professionals, conclusion of the was Nikon OK but 400D and Olympus E-400 were too flimsy for earning a living with. In their words &quot; To say that the 400D body is clearly built to a budget is an underststement of grand proportions. Its an unashamedly plastic piece of equipment with a pencil thin hand grip and controls feel cheap &quot;.. ..... However having passed that on being a Canon fan I am seriously looking at going down the 400 route myself..BUT waiting until after Christmas, if you do decide 400D lets know what you think after a couple of months.

 

Ghost -will know if he's still haunting this board nt

 

Cracking camera but fairly poor kit lens. I agree with everything Father Jack says.

If you are going to invest in some lenses, can I suggest OneStop Digital ( http://www.onestop-digital.com/catalog/ ) who are normally the cheapest. If you want a good value lens to get you started then go for the Sigma 70-300mm for £120.

 

Depends what he wants to use the camera for. I would have thought something a bit wider for general use. Not sure the sensor
size, but don`t forget the magnification factor. If its the same sensor as the 300d then a 70mm becomes 112mm when compared
to a film camera. To get a wide lens a 17/20mm. You can go down to about 10/12mm((27mm equivelant) with some of the Sigmas.
Or something of a more`standard` lens would be 28-70mm 2.8. Fast lens and the sigma you can get for about £200.
Depends what you want to use the camera for, but I use a 17-40mm F4 Canon, 24-70 F2.8 Sigma, 70-200 F2.8 Canon and a 300mm F4 Canon.

 

listen my friend.

unless you feel it's absolutely necessary to get an SLR then i would recomend a canon ixus 7.

they are small, light, very well built and you can carry them everywhere.

you even have many manual override features.

i've got one and i'm a pro photographer, i use nikon pro equipment, and i can honestley say that a 12x8 print will look exactly the same if i use my ixus 7 or nikon D2HS. I carry it with me as back up it is spot on.

but if you feel you must go SLR then trust me you are making a wise choice with the 400d. get a big 2g card and don't feel you must shoot on raw or nef, high jpeg will be fine.

sigma lenses are also good value for canon.

good luck................it's a mine field out there .!!