DSLR First time buyer advice: Canon 400D

[tom_nieto]

Hi all, first post in photography, so be nice

I'm going away on my medical elective in about 10 days time and I want to take a camera with which to take some great photos.

I'm pretty much settled on the Canon 400D, but I'm very confused about what I need to buy with it. For example, I've heard that the bundled lens is pretty poor.

I'm going on a bit of a safari first and so I figure I'd want a longer lens for this. I'm also thinking a flash gun would be handy for night time and indoor shots.

Jessops has this offer for £585.97, and I must say I'm tempted:

Canon EOS 400D (Black) + EFS 18-55mm Lens
Tamron 55-200mm f/4-5.6 Di II LD Macro (Canon AF)
Sandisk 1GB Extreme III Compactflash Card
Lowepro Rezo Tlz 20 Bag

I'm no expert by any means so I might be buying a load of rubbish, but as far as I can see this is bang on my budget and seems to have everything except a flash. I also know that the memory cards from there are a rip off, but the bundle is pretty good as far as I can see.

Is there any other combo that you'd all suggest for about £600? Thanks for your help!

[senu]

Have a read
My trip to Ghana (31 photos, 56k beware!)
While suggestions come
If any of them is to get a Nikon.. Say No!

[mucca_D]

You may want to read this one Buying 400D but which kit? as I asked almost the same questions

I have gone for the 400D body £399 wilkinson
Sigma 17-70mm Jessops £212
Sigma 70-300mm Jessops £86

Some batteries from 7 day shop £10

Almost forgot the 2gig san disks from play.com £17.99

[tom_nieto]

Originally Posted by mucca_D

You may want to read this one Buying 400D but which kit? as I asked almost the same questions

I have gone for the 400D body £399 wilkinson
Sigma 17-70mm Jessops £212
Sigma 70-300mm Jessops £86

Some batteries from 7 day shop £10

Almost forgot the 2gig san disks from play.com £17.99

That sounds like the way to go actually, especially if the 17-70mm sigma lens is significantly better than the kit lens.

[jonnypb]

Originally Posted by tom_nieto

That sounds like the way to go actually, especially if the 17-70mm sigma lens is significantly better than the kit lens.

certainly is

if going on safari you'll need more than 1 memory card. if moey allows i'd go for the canon 70-300IS over the sigma. IS works a treat and you'll get alot more keepers

[Steve Zissou]

What bubble said!

The kit lens is good, but I found myself craving something sharper. I replaced it with the 17-70 and have been very impressed. I also replaced my Sigma 70-300 with the Canon 70-300IS and am amazed by the difference in quality!

[TG V1P3R]

I too am craving something sharper, so will people please stop talking about upgrading their 400D kit lens with the Sigma 17-70mm!?!?!? My credit card/Mrs AFC will not appreciate it when I finally give in and get one ordered

[jonnypb]

Originally Posted by AFC Lee

I too am craving something sharper, so will people please stop talking about upgrading their 400D kit lens with the Sigma 17-70mm!?!?!? My credit card/Mrs AFC will not appreciate it when I finally give in and get one ordered

click click buy click click buy

[TG V1P3R]

Originally Posted by bubble502

click click buy click click buy

...must ignore bubble502, must ignore bubble502...

[tom_nieto]

I've just seen another offer from Jessops which includes the body and a sigma 18-200mm lens. This might suit me better as I wouldn't have to carry around two lenses. I could then in future invest in something more quality when necessary.

Saying the above, could I go with the sigma 28-300mm lens? Would I really have to stand back if I were shooting a portrait?

[senu]

Originally Posted by tom_nieto

I've just seen another offer from Jessops which includes the body and a sigma 18-200mm lens. This might suit me better as I wouldn't have to carry around two lenses. I could then in future invest in something more quality when necessary.

Saying the above, could I go with the sigma 28-300mm lens? Would I really have to stand back if I were shooting a portrait?

No not a portrait. it would be ideal for that But Yes for a small group or any landscape type shots
See
THIS HERE
I think you will find both ends useful enough to need some wideness on a trip such as you propose.
Did you find the original linked thread useful at all?

[mucca_D]

Originally Posted by Steve Zissou

What bubble said!

The kit lens is good, but I found myself craving something sharper. I replaced it with the 17-70 and have been very impressed. I also replaced my Sigma 70-300 with the Canon 70-300IS and am amazed by the difference in quality!

As I have just ordered the sigma 70-300, thats not want I want to read

I did look at the IS but as I have just got all the rest the £99 plus discount was to tempting

[jomike]

Originally Posted by mucca_D

As I have just ordered the sigma 70-300, thats not want I want to read

There are two versions of the Sigma 70-300, the APO and the non APO. The APO version is a bit more expensive because it uses high density (APOchromatic) glass for the lenses. This makes it optically the equivalent of the Canon IS and Nikon VR 70-300 lenses according to some reviews (minus the stabilisation of course). The non APO version does not perform as well. I see that OSD does not even list the non APO version.

Mike

[mucca_D]

Originally Posted by jomike

There are two versions of the Sigma 70-300, the APO and the non APO. The APO version is a bit more expensive because it uses high density (APOchromatic) glass for the lenses. This makes it optically the equivalent of the Canon IS and Nikon VR 70-300 lenses according to some reviews (minus the stabilisation of course). The non APO version does not perform as well. I see that OSD does not even list the non APO version.

Mike

That would explain the £80 price differnce

[Steve Zissou]

I should have mentioned, my Sigma was the non-APO version (I didn't know any better when I bought it, ok?! ), so I didn't see the point upgrading to the APO version when I had just done a job for someone that paid enough to cover the cost of the Canon IS lens :D