I'm confused.com

MarcusF

MarcusF

Messages
76
Name
Marcus
Edit My Images
Yes
Hey guys,

I appreciate that these questions are often asked. I did do a search but didn't really find the answers.

Currently I'm saving for a Canon EOS. There is a chance that my family may add to that and get me one for my birthday at the end of this month (I have paypal, donations accepted :p )

Originally I was looking at the 500D but I don't need the video taking capabilities and can't really see the point in paying extra just for that. Unless of course the other model differences are worth paying for. Not being camera savvy and trying to compare it with the 450D wasn't being helpful. The queries that I have is that for the money, is the 500D worth £100 more for a newb. And secondly, there are loads of variations of the 450D. Rebel, XSi, Kiss and various other versions. I did read somewhere that these tend to be based on locality but this makes things more confusing. And they vary quite a bit in price also.

If anyone could clear a few things up for me that would be awesome.
 
some general stuff to help is here.

Short version is stop stressing and get one that feels right in your hands - DSLR's are all good.... even the base models.
 
450d, Rebel etc are the same camera but aimed at European, Asian and US markets. Would imagine there are warranty implications of buying non european kit but will let others confirm lol...

Specs on 450D are here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos450d.asp

500D here:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_eos500d.asp

500D also has higher ISO, better rear screen and a few other bits and bobs...

Personally if your ging to take photography seriously I would get the best kit possble. Would you consider used, there is a good classified section on here :D
 
I don't know Canon Marcus ,but in this country the 450D is just that and the same with the 500D ,the Rebel is the American name for it.

If you do not need the extra functions get the 450D, but if you can afford the extra £100 you will be getting extras you might need in a year or so,so effectively you will be saving money in the long run.
How long is that piece of string :D:p
 
If you think it's a hobby you are likely to stick with, and funds will allow, it's always worth buying a camera you can 'grow into.'

There is a lot to learn about photography, and it can all seem a bit daunting at first, but it shouldn't be too long before you are getting to grips with the basics. At this point you may find that looking ahead, you will need another camera body to progress or, if you had the foresight, the camera you bought originally has the functions and capability to meet your expanding abilities.
 
Thanks for the input guys :thumbs:

I'm heading towards the 450D. I mean where do you draw the line when buying your first camera? Each £100 or so gets you the next camera 'up' so you could just keep going. And with my saving skills, by the time I have the cash, a new upgraded version will be available!
Plus the fact I'm not sure how I'll take to photography and I really don't need the vid recording. I bought a camcorder for that quite recently.

Any money I save on the camera I'll probably put towards lenses and other equipment. I have ocd for buying new (love the smell...lol) but I'll probably buy lenses 2nd hand when it comes to it.
I did find this on ebay but I'm not sure if its too good to be true. Are there any general guidelines for buying cameras from ebay, such as don't for example?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300408837284&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Not sure if I'm allowed to post links to ebay but please remove if I'm not.

I'm really getting excited about it now. Can't wait to get some half decent photos of my dogs for a start. Got to be better than my Kodak 4mp point and shoot :gag:
 
If you don't need video function, save some money and go for the 450D - a very good camera and you won't be disappointed with it.

Good luck for your birthday :thumbs:
 
Marcus, I went through the same 500d vs 450d dilemma as you for my birthday last August.
On balance I decided that the extras on the 500D just weren't worth an extra £100 - and like you I'd prefer to spend that saving on accessories.

I absolutely agree that you should go for the best camera that you can afford, but if you're looking in the price range of the 450D and 500D, for me £100 for video capability (:cuckoo: I have a camcorder for that) and higher ISO (I don't do much low light stuff) wasn't worth it. IIRC they were the major differences.

Good luck with whatever you buy.
FWIW I love my 450D and as a hobbyist it's more than sufficient for what I want right now. I can see it being quite a long time before I come to a point where I feel like I've outgrown it - unlike my bridge camera where I got frustrated with the limitations very quickly.
 
i went for the 500d in the end
the video files are massive if you use that feature, a 5 minute clip is about 700mb if i remember correctly
if your not in a hurry there has been some cracking deals in the classifieds for 400d's and 450d's lately
or you can buy mine and i can get a 550d
 
Awesome, thanks everyone. Very much appreciated :thumbs:

SarahLee, that's exactly the same with me. I was originally planning on the 500D because it was a newer model (compared to the 450D) and has a few more features. But since joining the forum and doing a bit more research the differences don't really justify an extra £100 or so, and I don't want the video anyway. For my needs anyway.
Any camera will be an improvement on my current one so that will be a bonus

Hopefully my folks will come up with the goods and pay the rest to get me one for my birthday. They have a list printed out :lol: Might be taking a day trip to London that day so it will give me plenty of opportunity to epic fail at photograpy....lol
 
I had a similar dilema last year. I didn't want the video but liked the other features of the 500D. In the end i went for a secondhand 40D. It's a bit of a beast compared to the 450D but a definite step up the ladder. I went into London Camera Exchange and spent about an hour lifting and trying all the models, Nikon & Canon mainly. I found my hands too big for the nikon D5000 & a new D90 too much. In the end it was between the 450D & 40D. I also found that the weight of the 40D counterbalanced the lenses better.
 
Personally, if you don't want / not fussed about video I would go with the 450D, get a body only and then spend the extra £100 saved on a nice lens.

The 450D is a great camera and getting a / some nice lens is the way to go. Remember you are buying into a system not just a camera. Go into the shop and see what feels good in your hand, weight / size / where the buttons are etc all make a difference.

Remember, if you want to upgrade your camera there will always be someone else in your 'noob' shoes when you do so look after the camera body and sell it for some cash towards the next upgrade!
 
Cheers again guys.

I did like the feel of the 450D when I held it, although I was surprised at the weight of the lens. Didn't realise the lens was that heavy!
Can't really make any more descisions as I may get it for my birthday. I wasn't going to go all out on lenses etc for the start but the odd bit of kit and a nifty fifty shouldn't break the bank :thumbs: Once I get into it and know what kit does what, or what I want to achieve things will be clearer.

I'm doing an Amazon wishlist at the moment which is quite exciting. Currently getting more excited about getting some half decent photos of my dogs.
 
MarcusF said:
Cheers again guys.

I did like the feel of the 450D when I held it, although I was surprised at the weight of the lens. Didn't realise the lens was that heavy!
Can't really make any more descisions as I may get it for my birthday. I wasn't going to go all out on lenses etc for the start but the odd bit of kit and a nifty fifty shouldn't break the bank :thumbs: Once I get into it and know what kit does what, or what I want to achieve things will be clearer.

I'm doing an Amazon wishlist at the moment which is quite exciting. Currently getting more excited about getting some half decent photos of my dogs.
Click to expand...

I'd be wary if youintend to buy from Amazon...prices seem ... expensive :thumbsdown:
 
I'd highly recommend looking on the for sale board here, you'll get nearly new / new stuff on there at a fraction of the price of retail...
 
Yeah I was just using the wishlist feature to record what I'd like to get at somepoint. I always shop around before I buy online but I'll be sure to take a good look on here first.

eBay is ok providing you know what you're buying. And then you get the jokers :suspect:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top