Camera Purchase - Looking for advice

Scharfschutze · Oct 31, 2012

Howdy folks, thought I'd ask here in hopes some knowledgeable people could help me along. I've only recently gotten into DSLR cameras but have been into "prosumer" all-in-ones for a while. My first camera was a Canon 600D which was stolen. I then went over to a Canon 1100D which I was pleased with but want to upgrade to something a little more powerful.

I've been looking at the Canon 650D and have heard a lot of good things about it, but I've seen a lot of cameras lately (like Pentax) that seem to be almost too good to be true price wise with what they offer. So I'm looking for some advice. Although I love Canon, I'm open for other manufacturers as well.

I do a lot of night photography using a tripod and a remote with low ISO and BULB mode. I've also taken some day time pictures with this too. So my only requirements are that the camera being suggested have direct access to ISO, shutter, WB and has a AF/MF setting (which I'm sure most do?) as I do take some random shots when I'm out and about. I don't need a very fast camera as I don't typically take rapid succession of photos, but it'd be nice to have something capable of that. I use the RAW format and edit them using Lightroom/Photoshop (cropping, adjusting).

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated. :hail:

Overread · Oct 31, 2012

Lots of night time photography - what kind of subjects do you work with? Landscapes, startrails?

An idea of what you like doing in that regard would help a lot, also what other equipment do you currently use?

A gut reaction to your stated interests thus far makes me wonder if you'd be better served investing instead in a second hand 5D and maybe one cheap fullframe (EF) compatible lens (depends a little on what you have no, but if you've any EFs lenses they won't work on a 5D - it also depends what a little on what subjects, but with bulb and slower shots I think the cleaner high ISO performance of the 5D would be a great benefit).

Scharfschutze · Oct 31, 2012

Currently I'm just using a run of the mill 1100D (T3) with tripod and the standard lens that came with it. I do landscapes for the most parts. I'd like a full frame camera since I'd like to get a little more creative in what I do.

Thanks for the help.

Overread · Oct 31, 2012

A 5D original would probably eat up a good amount of your current budget, but it should be around the same price point as the 650D(ish). Though it will depend what extras get thrown in with it so its a little bit of a lottery.

That said the core body itself is very solid and whilst a bit dated now, its still very capable of some very high level results. As an option you could pick up a cheap Canon 50mm f1.8 with the camera. Now there are better lenses (the f1.8 50mm is plastic and very cheaply made - good optics and a solid performer, but its not very durable sadly - some last well and others can break) but its a very affordable and yet good quality prime which will work on a 5D.

If you've more budget you can put toward things then the market can open out a lot more as to what is on offer of course - but a 5D and a 50mm would be a good starting point

Scharfschutze · Oct 31, 2012

Thanks for the advice.

Overread said:
If you've more budget you can put toward things then the market can open out a lot more as to what is on offer of course - but a 5D and a 50mm would be a good starting point

My price range is around the cost of a 650D, but it is flexible. I could spend a lot more on a camera, but since it's not something I use to make money on and more as a hobby, I'd like to keep it reasonable. But like I said, I'm flexible and I'd like to hear what you would recommend.

Overread · Oct 31, 2012

I'm not actually sure. The problem is I don't do as much in the short focal lengths as with the long, so whilst I know some of the options I don't know them all; and most of the ones I do know would generally require a few $100 to get. Good glass sadly costs, its great to have and is worth while investment, but its just not cheap either.

At the simplest you can move up to a 50mm f1.4 from Canon or Sigma (the Sigma is newer and generally better than the older design canon). However there are other good quality primes and zooms which can be considered - sadly the only ones i know of are ones like the 24-70mm L and the 240-105mm L - both of which I think will be beyond your budget with the camera included.

That said would you consider selling your current camera to put it toward helping with the costs? It might help you raise a bit more cash to re-invest into the hobby.

Scharfschutze · Oct 31, 2012

Like I said, I am flexible when it comes to cost. It's just that this is a hobby and not something I make any money on. So sinking a lot of cash into a camera and various lenses isn't a high priority. I have about six thousand to "play around with" but I'd like to split the costs between some much needed tablet upgrades (my Wacom isn't as trustworthy as it once was) and a camera/lens. And I've already got a buyer for my 1100D, picking it up Monday. (So I'd like to get a camera ASAP.)

Overread · Oct 31, 2012

Big shiny numbers of money are so very easily spent on hobbies

That said a bigger budget does give you more to play with - personally I would say first hunt around and see what 5D sales you can find. Ebay will have some which will have some extras you can consider and going second hand on a kit can save you some money. You may also pick up some additional extras such as a battery grip (I mention that one specifically as grips can be a great help for photography, especially for shooting portrait aspect shots since it gives you a shutter button on the bottom as well as a point to hold the camera, instead of having to hold your arm over the top of the camera. It also gives you some where to put your pinky finger instead of having it half fall off the bottom of the camera when holding it normally).

That said lenses you can easily sink a lot into, personally for night-time general work I would suggest considering a 24-70mm f2.8 L, whilst not the widest aperture f2.8 is good enough to help at night and the focal range is a good one to work with. Downside is that lens is out of production so its price has gone up (L lenses tend to go up in price since new ones on the market have a much higher price point now); so you might also consider the 24-105mm f4 IS L. Again its a good all in one zoom type affair with good quality optics (plus its lighter than the f2.8 lens which has the nickname - the brick - for a very good reason).

Those would both be a very good starting point and the zooms give you good quality, whilst also giving you the freedom to explore what you like within a variety of focal lengths. From there you might find you want longer, wider, better etc.. which can help dictate future purchases or changes of gear. Note that some others might also be able to suggest a good few prime lenses you could consider instead of this approach.

Also what tripod do you currently use?

Scharfschutze · Oct 31, 2012

5D's (used) are cheap here. I saw several go for under 2K including lens. (Not sure which, didn't look close enough.) Thank you for all the help though, I will probably go for a used 5D and hit up eBay for the lens(es) you suggested.

I had battery grip on the 600D which I still have, it has a shutter button. I'm guessing it won't work on a 5D? I also have a nice remote that allows me to take timed photographs like time lapses. I guess I could try it out and see for myself if they will work. Well it's late here and I'm off to bed. Again, I'm really thankful for the help. It's given me a little more to go on to be able to make a more educated decision.