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Total DSLR noob - what lens to get?

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Drumrocker365

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Hey guys,

I'm a total DSLR noob and I'm gearing up to purchase my first ever DSLR. I'm wanting a used Canon Eos 7D (is this a good camera?). Well, to my main question. What lens should I buy first? I don't want anything that will break the bank (wanting something around $150), and I don't know what to get. I'm wanting something with autofocus, very good focus, and decent zoom. I could be talking ridiculous requirements, but I honestly have no clue. Please help!

Thanks,
Christian
 
The $150 already told us you have no clue. Consider a cheaper body, the nicer lenses run $300 and up, even when used.

Kelly
 
Drumrocker365 said:
Hey guys,

I'm a total DSLR noob and I'm gearing up to purchase my first ever DSLR. I'm wanting a used Canon Eos 7D (is this a good camera?).
Click to expand...
If is not why are you considering it.
Drumrocker365 said:
Well, to my main question. What lens should I buy first? I don't want anything that will break the bank (wanting something around $150), and I don't know what to get. I'm wanting something with autofocus, very good focus, and decent zoom. I could be talking ridiculous requirements, but I honestly have no clue. Please help!
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It very much depends on how you intend to use the camera, what sort of images you want. DLSR lens come in very small zoom range compared to compact cameras. Or they come with no at all. Best bet is to buy camera and lens together. The standard issue kit lens suits 1000's of people, you are not special, get that one as a start point.
Drumrocker365 said:
Thanks,
Christian
Click to expand...
 
Drumrocker365 said:
Hey guys,

I'm a total DSLR noob and I'm gearing up to purchase my first ever DSLR. I'm wanting a used Canon EOS 7D (is this a good camera?). Well, to my main question. What lens should I buy first? I don't want anything that will break the bank (wanting something around $150), and I don't know what to get. I'm wanting something with autofocus, very good focus, and decent zoom. I could be talking ridiculous requirements, but I honestly have no clue.
Click to expand...
Bought new, the 7D costs about $2000 including a 18-55mm zoom lens. The lenses that are included in these "bundles" are usually quite good. Base your "used price" on this figure.

I assume the $150 that you mentioned was just for the lens; if you want to buy another lens separately, I don't think that you'll find much for that price.

I don't know much about Canon, but the 7D should be OK; personally I'd recommend the Nikon equivalent (D7100). There should be lots of these around at the moment, as it has recently been superseded. They often come complete with a 18-140mm zoom lens.
 
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I just spent the past week agonizing over what to buy on a very limited budget. The 7D is a very good camera, but it is an APS-C sensor. Around here they run 500-1500 for the body.

Have you looked at the 70D? Canon is running a sale until May 30th; 70D with 18-55mm STM & 55-250mm STM plus an extra battery & a 32gb SD card & a HDMI cable for $1198.99+tax w/free shipping.

I was about to buy it but opted to be able to buy groceries next month. Granted those are "kit" lenses, but they are well reviewed. If you opt to buy a 7D body I saw some good used lenses on B&H & Adorama. The 55-250 runs about $150-190 for a excellent condition copy.

Craigslist might be a better option as you can test the lens on your camera & see the condition in person. BUt it may take some time to find what you need.
 
A 300mm telephoto is absolutely useless for family photos (unless they aren't your family, and you are REALLY creepy!), but a 24 mm lens is pretty useless for shooting birds or other wildlife.
 
The 7D is a great camera, even though there's a newer model; it's way easier if you think of your interests and subjects first, the lenses for those second and only third about the camera.
 
KCook said:
The $150 already told us you have no clue. Consider a cheaper body, the nicer lenses run $300 and up, even when used.

Kelly
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Firstly, it is rude to tell someone that they don't have a clue, especially someone new to our forum who admits to being a beginner.

Secondly, you don't have a clue. The venerable 18-55mm EF-S, Canon's quintessential basic walkabout lens, can be had for under $200, and for half that in a camera bundle. The 24mm and 40mm pancakes and the 50mm f/1.8 can all be had for under $150. And the 55-250mm EF-S can be bought for well south of $300.
 
Drumrocker365 said:
I'm now considering a Canon t5i with ef-s 18mm-55mm lens. Is this a better buy?
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In my opinion, the T5i is a toy compared to the 7D. Just holding the two in your hands, you can feel that the 7Dcis much more solidly built. And the 7D has vastly more features. Far better controls, a much larger, brighter viewfinder, micro focus adjustment, the ability to fire and track focus at 7fps. The 7D definitely kills the T5i. But it's bigger and heavier.
 
The T5i has lots of fans. And its price should be a whole lot less than the 7D. For low budget lenses, I think the T5i is the better fit. Simply get the kit 18-55 with it as a package deal. I have this 18-55 lens, it produces nice images. Or splurge a little on a 18-135 if you expect to be shooting outdoor events a lot.

Kelly
 
KCook said:
The T5i has lots of fans. And its price should be a whole lot less than the 7D. For low budget lenses, I think the T5i is the better fit. Simply get the kit 18-55 with it as a package deal. I have this 18-55 lens, it produces nice images. Or splurge a little on a 18-135 if you expect to be shooting outdoor events a lot.

Kelly
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There are tons of used 7D's on the market now that the 7Dii is out. There are a lot of T5i fans because until now, the 7D was triple the price. A 7D is much easier to use.
 
MarshallG said:
MarshallG said:
The $150 already told us you have no clue. Consider a cheaper body, the nicer lenses run $300 and up, even when used.

Kelly
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Firstly, it is rude to tell someone that they don't have a clue, especially someone new to our forum who admits to being a beginner.
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Marshall, that is a pretty mild insult. I doubt the OP was upset [as much as you were].

I would have said that the OP didn't have a clue when he wants to buy a 7D and only spend $150 on a lens. The other posters got this turned around, I think...

 
chuxter said:
MarshallG said:
chuxter said:
The $150 already told us you have no clue. Consider a cheaper body, the nicer lenses run $300 and up, even when used.

Kelly
Click to expand...
Firstly, it is rude to tell someone that they don't have a clue, especially someone new to our forum who admits to being a beginner.
Click to expand...
Marshall, that is a pretty mild insult. I doubt the OP was upset [as much as you were].

I would have said that the OP didn't have a clue when he wants to buy a 7D and only spend $150 on a lens. The other posters got this turned around, I think...
Click to expand...
Plus, the only reason I used that "no clue" term was because the OP used it himself in his post -
chuxter said:
Hey guys,

I'm a total DSLR noob and I'm gearing up to purchase my first ever DSLR. I'm wanting a used Canon Eos 7D (is this a good camera?). Well, to my main question. What lens should I buy first? I don't want anything that will break the bank (wanting something around $150), and I don't know what to get. I'm wanting something with autofocus, very good focus, and decent zoom. I could be talking ridiculous requirements, but I honestly have no clue. Please help!

Thanks,
Christian
Click to expand...
Kelly
 
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