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Buying tips for a novice to SLR

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Old 01-09-2008, 12:33 PM   #1
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Buying tips for a novice to SLR

Hey all...

I've decided to buy the Canon eos 450d but what i cant decide is what package if any to get, ie. wether to buy just the body and get an upgraded lens or to get the 18-55mm IS which comes as standard with the addition of another lens for distance shots.

As you probably realize im rather new to this and would really appreciate some advice on what "glass" to buy with this camera for someone who's going to take all round shots.

However, i do tend to favour landscapes and close ups but would like a lens that gives me the opportunity to take close ups from distance to...

Is there a lens that will give me both these options to the best of its ability?

My budget is flexible, but around £700 including camera would be a resonable target.

Thanks in advance.
James
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Old 01-09-2008, 12:59 PM   #2
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Re: Buying tips for a novice to SLR

Hi
Ive recently purchased the 450 and at the moment I am in same dilema with glass.
I purchased the camera with kit lense and a Tamron 70-300. The tamron is a nice lense but without IS and my skills being very poor (like you new to dlsr) I find at long lengths its hard to keep steady.
I am looking at the canon 55-250 lense for about £170 with IS or the 28-135 canon with IS but thats a bit dearer.

cant really give you solid advice as im in same boat as you sorry but these lenses above are supposed to be quite good.
The kit lense 18-55 IS with the 450 is also a good lense, supposed to be better than the old kit lense canon supplied, but again Im new and my experience is very limited so going on things ive read.
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Old 01-09-2008, 1:15 PM   #3
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Re: Buying tips for a novice to SLR

I bought it with the 18-55 IS and a 55-250 IS so far I'm still waiting for the 55-250 as the first one got lost in the post

If you didn't know there's £50 cashback till the end of this month http://www.canon.co.uk/eos450dcashback/ with that you can get the body + 18-55 + 55-250 for £600
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Old 01-09-2008, 1:31 PM   #4
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Re: Buying tips for a novice to SLR

Close ups for beginners, there are lots of ways of doing this but a macro lens is the easiest(and dearest)option. cheapest is close up filters but tbqh they sux. You could always 'reverse' your lens, see this thread, werewolf is a god at this. Get a reflector too.
Landscapes, your kit lens will be fine although as you progress, you'll be wanting a 'wider' lens, something like a 10-20mm, but a tripod is a virtual must for landscapes. ND grads filters are useful too.
Do what we all do, get the two kit lenses and see how you go on. The kit lenses are fine for most all round stuff anyhow, just beware the lens lust, it's a communicable disease. I got the 105 VR and still no sign of any hot Asian Twins knocking at my door to be photographed.
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