Starter kit on a budget.

Hi,

A friend wants to get started in photography, but has a really tight budget.

I'm a Nikon user so know next to nothing about Canon kit, so have some stupid questions.

I was thinking a 450D, 50mm 1.8 and an 18 - 1xx walk around zoom.

How does that sound?  I had a quick look online, and the D450 seems a well reviewed camera that is reasonably priced, but it's really just a stab in the dark.  The last Canon DSLR I used was a 350D!

The 50mm if for portraits, which will be a major use, with the zoom for when out and about.  What 18-1xx should I be looking for?  If a decent one's not super cheap, is there a good 18-70ish?  Doesn't have to be Canon if Sigma/Tamron is better bang for buck.

In terms of actual budget - as little as possible.

Thanks.

Dazed and Confused wrote:

I was thinking a 450D, 50mm 1.8 and an 18 - 1xx walk around zoom.

How does that sound?

As a budget option, perfectly sensible. Perhaps the most important thing to note about the 450D is that it has no video - if your friend wants that, you'll need to step up to (at least) the 500D.

The 50mm if for portraits, which will be a major use, with the zoom for when out and about. What 18-1xx should I be looking for? If a decent one's not super cheap, is there a good 18-70ish? Doesn't have to be Canon if Sigma/Tamron is better bang for buck.

The 18-135 IS (not the 18-135 IS STM which will be more expensive) is pretty good for a "kit" lens and pretty cheap. If that's still too expensive, look for the 18-55 instead - but make sure you get one of the IS versions as the non-IS versions are not worth it.

I started back in May and didn't know of this forum so went out and bought a canon 1100d with 18-55 kit lens. Was cheap for me 350 euro and after about a month i got the 55-250 lens for 150 euro.

I enjoy this low end camera and I think it takes great pictures. I know loads on this forum that create better photos but have way better gear and skill. The 1200d is about the same price now but most of the guys on here have better knowledge and experience with cameras.

Pure on budget and ease of use I would say get a cheap 1100d and if he decides he don't like photography not too much lost. If he does like it he can always getter a better body and keep the lenses he gets for this low end camera.

Actually, thinking about this is a bit more: is there a strong reason you're looking at Canon kit here? You can pick up Nikon kit just as cheap as Canon kit, and you'll be able to help your friend out a lot more as you'll know the camera and lenses better.

Clive50 wrote:

Pure on budget and ease of use I would say get a cheap 1100d

Why would you recommend the 1100D over the 450D?

Philip Kendall wrote:

Clive50 wrote:

Pure on budget and ease of use I would say get a cheap 1100d

Why would you recommend the 1100D over the 450D?

I didnt recommend it over the 450D I don't know anything about the 450D.

Whats a 450D and kit lens cost? just I like the 1100d being a total noob at photography and it was in my eyes cheap.

I would suggest a 550D (also called T2i) or newer, one of the cheap and cheerful zoom trio, 10-18, 18-55, 55-250, decent optics at reasonable prices, and the 40mm 2.8, which is nice, tiny and cheap. I would also budget for an extra battery, a couple of mid sized memory cards, and a bag your friend can grow into.

I simply would not buy a DSLR on a budget, if it a tight budget I would go for something similar to my wife's Canon Power Shot A2550, which cost $90 when the model was still sold, it has been since discontinued.  I think the current model would be the A1440.  Its quick and easy to work with but does not allow the photographer to get into the picture taking mechanics.

photosen wrote:

I would suggest a 550D (also called T2i) or newer, one of the cheap and cheerful zoom trio, 10-18, 18-55, 55-250, decent optics at reasonable prices, and the 40mm 2.8, which is nice, tiny and cheap. I would also budget for an extra battery, a couple of mid sized memory cards, and a bag your friend can grow into.

+1 Minimum T2i with 18-55 IS and 40 STM.

R2