How would you spend $2500?

[RGUN]

I have been looking at purchasing my first DSLR and was very close to buying the Canon 7D w/15-85mm lens kit option, which is $2900CAD + tax here in Canada. I began to think about it however, and seeing as this will be my first foray into DSLR photography I have no DSLR equipment. I have been considering instead buying an entry level camera (T1i) and some really good lenses. For the same money that could get me the kit 7D, I could get the T1i kit (18-85mm I think), 50mm F1.4 prime, and either the 24-70mm F2.8L, or the 70-200mm F2.8L. Alternately I could go T1i kit, 24-70mm F2.8L and 70-200mm F4L.

I would really appreciate any suggestions as far as which path might be best suited to a beginner in DSLR photography. I have been mainly looking at Canon camera's - for no particular reason. My motivation is that I can no longer stand the noise and compromised image quality of my P&S.

 

[irse]

What type of photography are you interested in?

 

[RGUN]

Right now a lot of my shots are landscapes and outdoor portraits of still subjects (people, animals, cars). I am going to be travelling for work to some exotic places, and would love to be able to take landscape shots and wildlife shots while I am there.

 

[ElFenix]

there was a thread just like this on fredmiranda alternative gear forum yesterday.

seems the common theme was get a used 5D. not much in the way of bells and whistles but IQ you can't beat with a stick (especially for landscapes and still subjects). for people who wanted an APS-C body for more reach everyone was agreeing on the 40D.

they were picking canon because many different lenses can be adapted to work on canon SLRs. so old manual focus 24 mm lenses usually work just fine (yes, you have to focus yourself, and you have to stop down yourself, but the canon can still select the shutter speed). great for landscapes or anything else that isn't moving much. need a portrait? there are about a million 135/2.8 manual focus lenses that are great optically and won't cost you much in comparison to a modern autofocus lens.

might be a bit more involved than you're really interested in right now, but, if it turns out to be too much trouble, selling the 5D wouldn't be any problem. as opposed to the t1i which will probably depreciate by half in the next year.


if you want a safari kit a friend of mine took his 5D and a large sigma (i think the 80-400) to the galapagos and got fantastic pics.

 

[randay]

definitely get a lower model + some lenses. a good body is nothing without the right lens.

I would also make the decision right now whether you want to go nikon or canon. look at their top of the line models because you might someday be upgrading to them. also compare their lenses.

 

[jpeyton]

$2500 - 70-200f/4LIS - 100mm Macro - 17-40f/4L = your camera budget

 

[twistedlogic]

I am going to be travelling for work to some exotic places, and would love to be able to take landscape shots and wildlife shots while I am there.

If I was travelling around, I'd try to keep a fun and "light" kit:

-Nikon D90(body only)- $800
-16-85mm 3.5-5.6 VR - $600 or 18-105VR kit lens
-70-300mm VR 4-5.6 - $590
-SB-600/SB-900 - $220/$460

But if I was more worried about absolute IQ, I'd look into primes and/or fast zooms. Maybe the 40D/50D plus some F4 zooms would be a good price/performance kit.

 

[magomago]

If I want going pentax, and a begginer...probably a K-x, 15,21,70 pancake primes. DA55-300 for the long end. Then toss a flash, but even those 100 dollar manual vivitars work, although they don't have built in bounce cards.

If you are going for canon or nikon, i don't know the details, but i'd get as simple of a cam as possible. I actually would probably get the body used lol and try to keep it under 600. The rest I'd dump (remaining 2000) on lenses.

 

[soydios]

For Nikon:
- D5000 body @ $700
- AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX @ $200
- AF-S 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G VR DX @ $600
- AF-S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR @ $500
- SB-600 speedlight @ $200

 

[qbfx]

If I were in your shoes I'd probably go for either a used 5D with a 17-40mm F4L, a portrait prime (lots of choices), 70-200mm F4L + Canon TC 1.4x or a 40D, 50D plus a tokina 11-16mm F2.8, Tamron 17-50mm F2.8, a portrait prime and again 70-200mm F4L. Toss in a macro lens, a light tripod and maybe a flash unit and call it a day

Good luck!

 

[RGUN]

$2500 - 70-200f/4LIS - 100mm Macro - 17-40f/4L = your camera budget

Your recommendation of the 17-40F4 over the 24-70F2.8 is because of the increased wide angle zoom?

I appreciate all the other recommendations but I would like to stick with OEM lenses, and not APS-C only lenses because I would like to continue to use this lenses if/when I buy a FF camera.

As far as used equipment, I dont think I know enough about what aspects to look for and how to identify a good used unit as opposed to a piece of crap used unit. I would be concerned about dust in the body and how much life is left in it and the mirror mechanism. From what I've read the Mirror is a common failure and while the mean time between failures might be 100,000 actuations, it has a huge spread all the way down to 6,000 or up to 300,000.

Is the 70-200F4 IS worth the increased cost? I was thinking I purchase the 70-200F4 initially, and if I find I use it often then I upgrade to the 70-200F2.8IS and sell the other one anyway.

*edit* also if I was going for a 50D I would probably want to wait until February and see if they bring out a 60D.

 

[jpeyton]

If I was travelling around, I'd try to keep a fun and "light" kit:

-Nikon D90(body only)- $800
-16-85mm 3.5-5.6 VR - $600 or 18-105VR kit lens
-70-300mm VR 4-5.6 - $590
-SB-600/SB-900 - $220/$460

But if I was more worried about absolute IQ, I'd look into primes and/or fast zooms. Maybe the 40D/50D plus some F4 zooms would be a good price/performance kit.

That's what I would get personally. D90 + 16-85VR + 70-300VR + 35/1.8 + SB-600.

 

[Cattykit]

Used 5D
24-70 f/2.8 L
50mm f/1.4

 

[996GT2]

If you can buy used, then you can put together quite a nice kit for ~$2500. Check out the Canon Photography-On-The-Net forums (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14). The for sale/trade section there is full of people selling equipment, and there's a dedicated feedback subforum so you can check up on someone's past sale history.


That said, for the kit:

Used 5D ($1200)
17-40 f/4L ($550)-->great for landscapes
70-200 f/4L ($500)-->great for portraits, outdoor sports, etc
580EX or 50mm f/1.4

 

[RGUN]

If you can buy used, then you can put together quite a nice kit for ~$2500. Check out the Canon Photography-On-The-Net forums (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=14). The for sale/trade section there is full of people selling equipment, and there's a dedicated feedback subforum so you can check up on someone's past sale history.


That said, for the kit:

Used 5D ($1200)
17-40 f/4L ($550)-->great for landscapes
70-200 f/4L ($500)-->great for portraits, outdoor sports, etc
580EX or 50mm f/1.4

Are those lenses new? Where are you able to find prices that discounted? I am looking at BHPhoto and both of those are well over the price you listed. Also, like I mentioned above I am a bit hesitant to buy a used body given my inexperience in spotting potential problems.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

7D + 15-85mm. The 15-85mm is amazing. Look at the reviews on POTN. If you don't need the f/2.8 of the 17-55mm lens, the 15-85 willb e great. A little overpriced IMO but it's a great lens nevertheless.

 

[demenion]

Used 40/50d ($600~)
17-55 f/2.8 IS ($850~)
70-200 f/4 IS ($950~)

or

Canon 7D + 17-55 f/2.8 IS

 

[IronWing]

If I was travelling around, I'd try to keep a fun and "light" kit:

-Nikon D90(body only)- $800
-16-85mm 3.5-5.6 VR - $600 or 18-105VR kit lens
-70-300mm VR 4-5.6 - $590
-SB-600/SB-900 - $220/$460

But if I was more worried about absolute IQ, I'd look into primes and/or fast zooms. Maybe the 40D/50D plus some F4 zooms would be a good price/performance kit.

Bolded is my kit plus a 105 VR macro. I would consider the macro instead of the 70-300 but then I really, really like the macro. If the wildlife shots are important to you then the telephoto before the macro.

The 16-85 is a great all around lens and is the default lens on my camera.

Whichever brand you go with, give a lot of thought to getting wireless capability with the flash.

 

[shortylickens]

At this point?
A waterproof camera for general use.
A really nice tripod.
A decent light set.
A much better bag.
Some hot lingerie for the local Hooters girls.
A small studio for one afternoon.

 

[Koing]

Go with the 5D unless you need to record videos then get the 7D...

The 5D body is cheap and you won't lose much value in it. The lenses if you get 2nd hand you will be able to sell at near enough the same price when you sell them. Good L glass keep their value ridiculously well!

Koing

 

[996GT2]

Are those lenses new? Where are you able to find prices that discounted? I am looking at BHPhoto and both of those are well over the price you listed. Also, like I mentioned above I am a bit hesitant to buy a used body given my inexperience in spotting potential problems.

The prices I listed are typical selling prices over the the Canon Digital Photography forums for those lenses in mint condition.

It's your decision on whether you feel safe buying used bodies/lenses, but I will say that I've purchased well over $5k in used camera gear and have never had an issue. As long as you buy from a trustworthy source, you should be fine.

 

[mastertech01]

I think the 1DMarkII is about the best bargain going right now (used) for all around performance. It can play almost any game. With the difference in price you get one more lens or 580EX II flash. 5D is a fine camera though.

 

[Koing]

I don't think he needs a pro camera that is built like a tank and with the size to match it

Koing

 

[mastertech01]

Its not that bad. If you put a battery grip on a 5D its about the same size and weight. And the 1D is weather sealed. I like mine immensely and at 53 yrs old I am handling the weight OK but at my age even with a pocket camera I need help keeping it steady.... LOL

 

[irse]

I would get a D90 $810, 16-85 VR $630 (new) $525 (used), 70-300 VR $590 (new) $500 (used) SB-800 (this would have to be used $300) I prefer the SB-800 over the 600. That's about $2300 new. Add extra memory, different camera strap, a good camera bag, that'll be about $2500.

I prefer to buy used lenses. Just be carefu. I have had pretty good success. And when I decide to sell/upgrade, etc., I really don't lose much if anything. Just got ask a lot of questions and see pictures. I would buy a used lens over a used body anyday. Oh and make sure you are buying US versions and not imported or gray market versions.