Help me choose a body and lens', plz.

[Shay]

Hi guys.

I'm in the market for a DSLR.

Looking at either a 500D or a 550D body.
I'd of course prefer the 550, but cost might come into it.
would you guys suggest getting the twin IS lens' that come with it (18-55 and 55-200)
or just get a single 18-200 F3.5-5.6 IS lens?

Also what is the most useful lens you have.

Or suggest anything else, my budget is around 1500.

Thanks guys.

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[poita]

for the extra's that you get with the 550d body, i would stick with the 500d

then throw that extra few hundred towards better lenses.

the only diff worth nothing

500d 15mp, 550d 18mp. tbh though 15mp is enough as it is, and bigger megaxpixel is like saying you have a higher post count /
sensor is exactly the same on the two of them

exposure compensation
500d -2 to +2, 550d -5 to +5

the 550d does movie at 30fps, as opposed to 20fps on the 500d
if your not using the movie mode, then no biggie

[Shay]

550 also videos in full hd, not just 1080p.
im more interesyed in hearing about lens.
as you say, theres not much between the 2 bodys.

[poita]

hence my last point

they both do 1080p, just the 550d does it at 30fps


as for lenses, thats a massive can of worms.

what are you going to be shooting?

some of the lenses with the bigger ranges lack in the middle, so when zoomed right in/out are great.
but lack in the middle.

[Shay]

i would say most of my targets will be 5 to 20m away. with occasional macro and landscape shots.
probably shooting a lot of low light. basically be using it as an extension to the sort of photography i usually do...

[nuggz]

I would go a 24-70 F2.8
or around that range of lense, as the only lens you'll have its the most useful imo

[Shadow110]

I have the older 400d with standard twin lens kit.
I'm looking to get a fish eye lens and a macro lens for now then I'll go for a newer one in about a year or so.
No movies at all on mine!!! Lol.

[PS88]

Bought a Canon 500D Last week and very impressed with the photos.

[cdti]

i bought a 500D in September, and absolutely love it. I'm up to over 3500 photos already!

I was suggested not to go for the twin lens kit, as the lens qualities aren't that fantastic, and the mounts are actually plastic on them. I went for the Canon 18-200 kit lens, and it wasn't that much more expensive than the twin in the end. To go to the 550D at that stage would have been an extra $450 which I couldn't justify.

The idea of changing lenses regularly just didn't interest me at all, especially if they have plastic mounts. Worst thing I found was I had borrowed a camera from work with a big zoom lens (70-300 I think), then took it to my son's soccer game. Took great shots of the kids on the field, however they all returned after the game and I couldn't take a team photo as I needed to be 30m away. That made up my mind for me.

[Shay]

So Richard, apart from the convenience, how do you find the quality of the lens, both build and pictures produced. Are the pictures nice and sharp at both ends? Do you ever find yourself wanting a little bit more or a little bit less range?

Also, just what sort of pics and conditions do you usually shoot?

Thanks for everyones responses.