Purchasing 7D - please help with lenses!!!!

[DavidEccleston]

I see no links and have not experienced this. Is it something new it is doing?

I saw it this morning, on all sorts of words, like "can". I'm not seeing it now. I'm guessing Bryan tried it out and either didn't like it, or is fine tuning it.

[weewillo]

Team,

The allocated budget and prices I listed above are to just get me started initially as I want something decent to take os with me (lets face it - anyng will be better than my 5 year old ixus 7.5 mp point and shoot!!!!). So if I did opt for the 5d I would definitely get another lens for it sometime soon.

I didn't even consider the 5d until it was mentioned here - I really can't see myself getting into wildlife or sports photography (not until i have kids and they are old enough to play sport so that's a few years away yet - at least 8) as I mentioned my really interest is taking photos on holidays of arch / buildings / landscapes and probably 'people' shots now that I think of it (eg street stallers selling food). I also love taking photographs of things at night - not so much people but of things lit up, such as harbor bridge or the bright lights of Vegas.

I have not used an slr previousy - but in saying that, I plan to spend 3 hours a night for the next 9 weeks learning how to use it before my trip (to at least get the basics down) / not to mention every moment on the weekends going out and about taking 100's of pics.

I did consider the 60d with all it's set shooting functions and this would help me greatly, however, when I held it in the shops I found it very difficult to operate the rear scrolling pad - my fingers are too big for the inner buttons on it and it was hard to control. Plus with all the time I plan on doing photography I believe I will outgrow this pretty quickly. I had my heart set on the 7d as it has the 3 user settings which I could set up myself (black and white / landscape and something else) but it appears as though the 5d II would be more suited to my needs??????

So if you were me (and wanted to take pics of the above) and had 3k to spend getting started what would you do / option 1 (7d 15-85 / one of the 70-200) or option 3 (5d with 24-105).....I also like the look of the 17-40l for the landscapes / big views at the 17mm!

I really want to buy it this week so I can get started!


So now

[HDNitehawk]

weewillo

From your last post, personally I would go with the 5D II and build from there.

Now some other advice. The 5D II will have those same basic settings, but a large majority of people who get in to digital cameras end up saving there pictures in RAW format, rather than JPEG. RAW takes up more room on the hard drive, but if you are using DPP (which will be free software supplied by Canon) it will allow you to work your pictures and convert them to JPEG or TIFF Files. You can then play with the settings , white balance etc....till you get the picture you want. It also gives you those basic templates, you can just select landscape, portrait or any of the others and it will automatically change it to that style. It does this just like it would in camera without destroying all the basic information stored. If you go JPEG in camera, you have very limited things you can do to it later. With RAW as your skill level grows, you can come back later and play with your files to make them look better and better.

You can go to Canon's website, and you can actually download the owners manual of all the current cameras. They can be very helpful when starting out, and you could do it now to give you a heads up.

If you are buying the camera from a local camera store that is a Canon dealer, they occasionally have beginner and intermediate classes that are sponsored by Canon. You would find those helpful as well. I buy most of my stuff on line, and use B&H quit often. However I have several bodiesI bought from the local shop and even though I pay more, sometimes there is something to say for personal in person service.

[neuroanatomist]

At the risk of repeating myself, I definitely think the 5DII is the best choice.

FWIW, it has C1-C3 modes like the 7D. As Rick stated, RAW is the way to go, meaning no need for a BW mode, you'd do that in post. But the modes are useful - e.g. I have C1 for basic tripod (ISO 100, f/8, 2-sec timer, mirror lockup).

My advice would be start with just the 24-105mm. You have time before you go to determine if you need/want wider or longer. If your P&S was the IXUS 750, that has a 37-111mm equivalent zoom - 24mm will be substantially wider than you're used to. That will also give you a chance to decide if/what prime you want - set the zoom to 35, 50, and 85mm for a while, and see what works best for you.

[btaylor]

Hmmm I missed this whole thread. I think the 5D2 and 24-105mm combo would work. 24mm is adequate on a full frame for most landscape shots (even though I also own the 17-40mm). If you feel like you want something a little longer then the Canon 70-200mm f/4L IS is a fantastic travel lens as well.

When we travelled through Vietnam and Cambodia two years ago I had my Canon 40D, Canon 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 and Canon 50mm f/1.8 II. So a pretty basic, low end kit really. I still managed to get some fantastic shots, and they'll always be great shots because they'll spark a few memories of our trip.

On another note, if you're heading to Siem Reap in Cambodia be sure to check out Tonle Sap - it's a huge freshwater lake and everyone lives on the water. I really enjoyed it, obviously head to Angkor Wat etc because it's just an amazing place. In Vietnam - don't miss Hoi An and Halong Bay, both essential destinations. Halong Bay is serioulsy spectacular.

[weewillo]

Another quick one.....

Are the 5D II bodies that are for sale on the various websites the same as what I would buy from
my camera shop in the shopping centre.

For example, on citiwideonline or eglobal or even on eBay I can get the 5d with 24-105 for between 2850-3000.
(I look at prices on shopbot.com.au) but in my local shops it's close to 3950 - massive difference!!

[andnowimbroke]

Ebay always scares me a bit. Make sure you check their rating. 5dII can be refurbished like the ones on the canon website and will run $2000 US. I would not be scared of the refurb models. Straight up new ones are about $500 US more. The lens is another $1000 give or take and can be bought new or refurb as well. Some folks will scam you with a low price up front and never deliver the goods until you buy something else from them at an inflated price.

[andnowimbroke]

Forgot ..the local cameta stores usually can't give you a cheaper price. Taxes, laws, and local government all work against that. You do have the convenience of taking it back to a person you can see and touch or asking questions with local folks who might help others with donations in your community.

[HDNitehawk]

Another quick one.....

Are the 5D II bodies that are for sale on the various websites the same as what I would buy from
my camera shop in the shopping centre.

For example, on citiwideonline or eglobal or even on eBay I can get the 5d with 24-105 for between 2850-3000.
(I look at prices on shopbot.com.au) but in my local shops it's close to 3950 - massive difference!!

They should be the same, provided you buy from a reputable dealer. I have read stories where a dealer will sell the camera cheaper, when you get it they have striped all the accessories out like battery and such. In the US I stick with the ones I know and trust, like B&H and Adorama.

I wouldn't hesitate buying a refurb directly from Canon either. Check their website in your area.

When you find one at the price you like, post a new thread in this forum and ask if anyone has experience with them.

[btaylor]

I have bought from eglobal and dwidigitalcameras many times at much cheaper prices than I can get locally. I have never had any issues with them and all products are brand new. I've probably spent over ten thousand dollars with dwi and they've been fantastic to deal with, as have eglobal.

Actually, I think you'll find dwi and eglobal are the same company.