Body & Lens For Under $1,000

A friend of mine is looking to get some new Canon gear. The lens doesn't have to be Canon but needs to fit a Canon body of course. I'm well aware you can't get much for $1,000 but when you're upgrading from a point-n-shoot, almost any DSLR and lens is going to be a huge upgrade.

So, for someone who is just starting and needs something for general photography that will do well in all kinds of different situations, including indoors, what body and lens would you recommend and why for $1,000?

The best I could come up with is the Canon T3i and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

Thanks in advance!

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Originally Posted by C.R.S.

A friend of mine is looking to get some new Canon gear. The lens doesn't have to be Canon but needs to fit a Canon body of course. I'm well aware you can't get much for $1,000 but when you're upgrading from a point-n-shoot, almost any DSLR and lens is going to be a huge upgrade.

So, for someone who is just starting and needs something for general photography that will do well in all kinds of different situations, including indoors, what body and lens would you recommend and why for $1,000?

The best I could come up with is the Canon T3i and Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8.

Thanks in advance!

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There are several T4i Kit options under 1K
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...op+Nav-Search=

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Originally Posted by HDNitehawk

There are several T4i Kit options under 1K
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...op+Nav-Search=

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Aren't kit lenses a bit slow?

Yes, that seems to be the case.

Here's one from the Canon Store:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_276389_-1

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Originally Posted by Joel Eade

Here's one from the Canon Store:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs...0051_276389_-1

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That's an interesting Deal, Joel, but the lens is on the slow side I think.

Fast glass is nice but will cost more. Buying a T3i or even T2i to put more money towards the lens makes sense IMO unless you want some of the newer features. I can't say anything about the IQ of the tamron, but I remember that the version with IS is less sharp. For a beginner I'm not sure if the fast aperture is a must, you might want to recommend a speedlight 430 and the 50 1.8 instead, and let your friend figure out what matters more to him. My first lens purchases after the kit lens were not faster lenses, but tele zoom and a better walk around lens (15-85). Starting with a kit lens, you can save some money for later once they found out what way they want to go

How about this combo

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...e_EF_35mm.html

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...i_Digital.html

How about this combo
Canon 5D - IQ better than T3i IMO
Niffty-50 - fast f1.8
Full frame with lens for $925 :cool:

I think Mark has a winner, but I'm not sure if someone coming from a P&S would appreciate a prime, and nothing else. At least, not at first.

I have an 400D and a Tamron 17-50, 2.8 nonIS (and a few other lenses as well). It works very well for me, and was a nice kit to start with when starting digital SLR photography. In fact, I started with a 17-55 kit lens, which was too slow for me. What I like with the Tamron is the possibility to shoot indoor without a flash. With the newer XXXD models you have less ISO-noise, so this would be even better. All in all, I support the first suggestion.
No matter what the choice of starting equipment is, one tends to want more and more after a while. If one can manage with little equipment in the beginning, one can later figure out what is needed, and avoid buying expensive gear that is never used.

Lars

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Originally Posted by Lars

I have an 400D and a Tamron 17-50, 2.8 nonIS (and a few other lenses as well). It works very well for me, and was a nice kit to start with when starting digital SLR photography. In fact, I started with a 17-55 kit lens, which was too slow for me. What I like with the Tamron is the possibility to shoot indoor without a flash. With the newer XXXD models you have less ISO-noise, so this would be even better. All in all, I support the first suggestion.
No matter what the choice of starting equipment is, one tends to want more and more after a while. If one can manage with little equipment in the beginning, one can later figure out what is needed, and avoid buying expensive gear that is never used.

Lars

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That makes a lot of sense, Lars. I never really thought of it like that. Thanks!