400D as a First DSLR?

[unseenshadows]

Yeah a prime lens means that to "zoom in" you will have to physically step forward. But prime lens are more value-for-money because of the better build quality compared to a zoom lens of the same price.

The fixed focal length does not affect autofocus.

if you get the tamron 17-50 f/2.8 you may not want to get the 50 mm f/1.8 seeing how you are on a budget. but a f/1.8 lets in about twice as much light than at f/2.8 (anyone feel free to correct me if i'm wrong). But then again you don't really need the wide angle option of a 17-50 for your intended purpose (i feel).

Hope i'm not confusing you =D. For a beginner with a budget the most common combi is an entry level body and then a 50 mm f/1.8 prime. There's a lot of stuff to be done with a 50 mm prime.

 

[Milopok]

Ah...ok...the autofocus is still there, just not the zoom. Fair enough!

Looks like I could narrow down to 3 lenses for now from all the valuable feedback so far:
1) Canon 50mm f/1.8 (prime)
2) Canon 85mm f/1.8 (prime)
3) Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (zoom)

May just go with (1) & (3) as a start.

Now let me go back and read all the rest of the stuff thats needed to go with it.
Battery grip - Any particular reason why?

 

[unseenshadows]

Ah...ok...the autofocus is still there, just not the zoom. Fair enough!

Looks like I could narrow down to 3 lenses for now from all the valuable feedback so far:
1) Canon 50mm f/1.8 (prime)
2) Canon 85mm f/1.8 (prime)
3) Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (zoom)

May just go with (1) & (3) as a start.

Now let me go back and read all the rest of the stuff thats needed to go with it.
Battery grip - Any particular reason why?

Portrait shots...not really necessary if you're dead tight on budget, but there are many who regret rejecting the purchase-to-purchase offer (me included) after getting their 400D bodies.

You can read more about the review here:

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Canon-Battery-Grip-BG-E3-Review.aspx

 

[Milopok]

Hmm....will consider it. Can't say for sure now.

What is the VR/IS/OS for Tamron?
Maybe it doesn't really matter.
If its blurry in the first 50 shots, I just shoot it another 50 more times.

 

[unseenshadows]

Hmm....will consider it. Can't say for sure now.

What is the VR/IS/OS for Tamron?
Maybe it doesn't really matter.
If its blurry in the first 50 shots, I just shoot it another 50 more times.

Heard from a friend there isn't a VR/IS/OS option for tamron lenses. but at 17-55 mm camera shake won't be much of a problem (still can get decent photos at 1/60, f/2.8...at most, just bump up the ISO to 1600).

 

[Milopok]

I see.

Wonder why no one recommended the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro (at around S$600).

 

[unseenshadows]

I see.

Wonder why no one recommended the Sigma 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro (at around S$600).

At 70mm that lens is 4.5 wide open and can't perform at low-light conditions. 17 mm at f/2.8 would also be too wide an angle for your indoor photography of exhibits.

 

[Milopok]

Would the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 (zoom) be alright for a walkabout lens?

 

[cantaresg]

It can be used as a walkabout with little trouble. Since tripod is not allowed, how about getting a monopod?

 

[unseenshadows]

yeah it would be a good walkaround, considering Canon felt 18-55 mm to be a good walkaround. Walkaround lenses are another thing altogether. I bought a 28-135 mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM not too long ago and am very pleased with it. Depends a lot on what you want to shoot. Some like wide angles, while others like close ups.

 

[Milopok]

Hmm...again it does make you think of what we normally go round shooting. Lets see:
1) Definitely a whole lot of our good old Shop houses (mostly 2-3 storeys, in a row or singular, not the model skyscrapers)
2) Portraits (of people in their daily life activities)
3) Incredible Sunsets (something I have always wanted to do but was hardly ever successful with PnS)

 

[Milopok]

It can be used as a walkabout with little trouble. Since tripod is not allowed, how about getting a monopod?

They normally only allowed a camera (no flash, no pods of any kind)

 

[LittleWolf]

... pictures inside exhibition hall or museum under conditions whereby:
1) the light condition is usually fairly dim and/or not evenly spread over the exhibits;
2) one would normally be able to stand about 5ft away from the actual exhibits;
3) some exhibits also have a glass house protecting them;
4) tripods and flash are typically not allowed;
5) require closeup shots from 3 to 5ft away.

These conditions are extremely restrictive. Technology can help to take technically more acceptable pictures. It cannot solve aesthetic issues like unsatisfactory lighting/shadows, background, limited choice of perspective, etc. If you invest a lot of money into equipment with the expectation of getting good pictures in the above scenario, you may end up disappointed.

"Fast" lenses may be of little use if you require some depth of field to cover 3-dimensional exhibits. This gets even worse if you use longer focal lengths for "closeup shots".

 

[unseenshadows]

Hmm...again it does make you think of what we normally go round shooting. Lets see:
1) Definitely a whole lot of our good old Shop houses (mostly 2-3 storeys, in a row or singular, not the model skyscrapers)
2) Portraits (of people in their daily life activities)
3) Incredible Sunsets (something I have always wanted to do but was hardly ever successful with PnS)

Pretty sure the tamron 17-50 can do all these. In fact, the 18-55 mm kit can suffice for 1 and 3 already, just need to stop down to f/7.1 to f/11

So milopok, still undecided?

 

[Milopok]

Pretty sure the tamron 17-50 can do all these. In fact, the 18-55 mm kit can suffice for 1 and 3 already, just need to stop down to f/7.1 to f/11

So milopok, still undecided?

:bsmilie::bsmilie::bsmilie:How did u guess?
Suddenly I am also eyeing at the 40D body, die lah! So x tat one.
I think the 40D would also work with the lenses we have discussed so far.
I do wonder then if its all in the lens, what does the different body got to offer?

Now reading up on Depth of Field and those complicated calculations:angry:

 

[Milopok]

These conditions are extremely restrictive. Technology can help to take technically more acceptable pictures. It cannot solve aesthetic issues like unsatisfactory lighting/shadows, background, limited choice of perspective, etc. If you invest a lot of money into equipment with the expectation of getting good pictures in the above scenario, you may end up disappointed.

"Fast" lenses may be of little use if you require some depth of field to cover 3-dimensional exhibits. This gets even worse if you use longer focal lengths for "closeup shots".

Hey Little Wolfy
I fully agree with you. I have seen some nasty shadows in 3-D sculptures (worst on the undersides) and there is totally nothing we can do about it. And the depth of field when standing around indoor exhibits are also pretty much limited. Maybe a somewhat wide angle could help. But at the moment I only know that a wide angle lens is probably one that allow more to be capture in the pic. Something like tat! I thought the fast lenses 50mm or 85mm f/1.8 pretty much would handle well. Please elaborate if u can. Thank you.

 

[teerak]

Pretty sure the tamron 17-50 can do all these. In fact, the 18-55 mm kit can suffice for 1 and 3 already, just need to stop down to f/7.1 to f/11

So milopok, still undecided?

Hi, I think you made a very interesting comment which I keep asking myself, why do we new DSLR users (me being one) need to upgrade to "better" lens? By buying a tamron 17-50, what are the advantages other than shooting better at low-light conditions? Is the standard kit 18-55 so bad that most of all need to spend more $$$ to upgrade.

It is commonly mentioned, good photos depends on the shooter. Which also brings about the question: is there anyone who is able to shoot great photos with just the 18-55 standard kit?

I have been using my 400D + 18-55 kit lens for a few months and I am frustrated with the multiple blur pictures that I captured. Maybe it's my poor handling. If so, will buying a tamron 17-50 or a canon 50mm 1.8 will help reduce this? I shoot a lot indoors.

Just like milopok, I am considering the same range of lenses listed + canon 17-85 IS. Hope you guys can advice on this.

 

[unseenshadows]

I recommended http://www.dpreview.com for a side-by-side comparison.

The main difference between the 40D and 400D is that the 40D has better image quality (somehow, despite using the same crop factor and CMOS sensor as the 400D). But it can do 6.5 fps, whilst the 400D can only manage a meagre 3 fps.

Yes, the 40D can take all the lenses we've discussed so far. It has both EF and EF-S mount, just like the 400D.

Hahaha. I think you can only decide for yourself when you've tried out both cameras.

Oh and yes I'm pretty confident the 50mm and 85 mm f/1.8s can manage the low light conditions.

 

[slaam]

Thanks for your input.

I found the ConsumerCorner more relevant for prices and where to buy sorta thing. What I really want to find out here is 'which lens' for the 'conditions' which I normally use the SLR.

Yes I do need the VR or OS. Whats a IS in a body?

haha darn you making me post a sony camera link in a canon forum...
http://www.sony.com.sg/microsite/dslr/features_ch01.html

here u go.. image stabilisation in a body so all your lens have VR

 

[kira7812]

I recommended http://www.dpreview.com for a side-by-side comparison.

The main difference between the 40D and 400D is that the 40D has better image quality (somehow, despite using the same crop factor and CMOS sensor as the 400D). But it can do 6.5 fps, whilst the 400D can only manage a meagre 3 fps.

Yes, the 40D can take all the lenses we've discussed so far. It has both EF and EF-S mount, just like the 400D.

Hahaha. I think you can only decide for yourself when you've tried out both cameras.

Oh and yes I'm pretty confident the 50mm and 85 mm f/1.8s can manage the low light conditions.

I strongly agree that the 40D has a better image quality than a 400D. Use to own the 400D "toy". Image quality is not that good if you are interset in getting a good body, go for the 40D level and above. You will not have to worry about upgrading too soon with a 40D and above body.

As for the lens I will recommend that you to rent those lens as there are ppl who rents their lens out for a fee.