 Jill Schreiner |
Help! What camera & lenses to get? I'm new to photography and would appreciate any advice. I want to get the Canon EOS 30D, but I have a limited budget and wouldn't be able to afford a decent lens to go with it. Should I get a cheaper camera and spend more on the lenses? If so, what are the best ones. I would like to shoot mostly landscape and portraits. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jill
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Samuel Smith |
welcome jill, the 30d is a huge jump for you.ya know,i've been setting off firecrackers and i'd like to purchase a neutron bomb. from your gallery.depth of field and clarity are an issue.camera use may be an issue. you can not open the door of a chevette and step into a lambohrgini(sp). I suppose that's why no one has answered.that and they may feel they would be wrong in their recommendation. challenge yourself with a fixed lens camera while studying settings and what some refer to as exposure. now hopefully other responses will follow.
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Andy |
Hi Jill, welcome to BP. The 30D and EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM is a very good combination for beginners. This combination cost about US$1450 after rebate at B&H. This lens will cover most landscape and portrait situations, IMHO. The Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 lens is also a good lens. This one has a bigger fixed maximum aperture but no IS. You can easily get reviews for these two lenses from the internet and decide which one is better for you. If the price range is till over your budget, consider the newer Rebel Xti (assuming you decided on the Canon system; that's about US$450 less expensive comparing to the 30D body, enough for a pretty good lens). However, if you already held a 30D in your hand, you may not like the feel and the control layout of the Xti. Again, you can search for the differences between the two cameras from the internet or Canon's official web site. If budget allows, I recommend getting a better lens than the kit lens. Hope this helps.
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Jerry Frazier |
the general rule is that you should spend way more money on your lenses than on your body. if I had to make a choice between a better body and inferior lens, or a top-notch lens and an inferior body, I would choose the better lens.
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Samuel Smith |
thanks
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Jill Schreiner |
Thanks for the responses everybody. I think I'll look for a less expensive camera and get a better lens, because I know I wouldn't be happy with the kit lens on the 30D. I'll definitely take a look at the Rebel Xti though. Thanks again! Jill
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anonymous A. |
To say that you would never be happy with the kit lens and will go for a less expensive body may not be such a sound idea in the long run. The lens is certainly the major component in any system, but if you think Canon would put a lens on its major prosumer unit that is going to disappoint users, you are mistaken! Sure, there are better lenses and more expensive lenses, but the optical quality of the Canon isn't going to upset you: if the lens has a failing, it is the lightweight construction which doesn't live up to the rest of the package. If you like the 30D, get it ~ the XTi and other options are fine, but if the 30D is your camera, you will soon wish you bought what you really wanted ~ it's just as disappointing buying the right camera and the wrong lens....more, because it is easier to get a different lens for your body than a new body for your lenses! If you want to start out with a "better" lens, buy the body and have it supplied with a good Tamron, Sigma or Tokina...you can have the best of both worlds for the same price!
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