Buying EOS 550D. Help Needed.

[bubbagump]

Borrowing the kit lens from your friends will never be the same as having the lens yourself and playing with it. The kit lens that comes with the camera is a good starting lens. However, there are limitations and i feel that these limitations actually form a important part of the learning curve. Only when you try to understand and then go forth to negotiate the limitations will you better appreciate the extra money you will be forking out for your next lens. In the process, you gain experience and you learn more too (from the actual practical and all the books you will be chewing). I do believe that it is not something that you can appreciate over night.

Then again,you have a point la. Since you are so sure you will be buying the all-in-one zoom, you might want to give the kit a miss, but it will be your "loss".

And right, i don't think the lens price will drop la. Highly unlikely, so might as well you buy straight with your body. Like that maybe can bargain for a better price together.

 

[LearnFromBasic]

Do note that the AF motor in the lens is only executing the focus command given by the body according the detection accuracy of the AF sensors. In low light all entry level bodies will have problems sooner or later. But even with my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 on 350D I'm able to get decent pictures. One just needs to learn and understand how the AF system works and support accordingly. Hint: contrast patterns are used to determine the necessary focusing of the lens and using single focus point (preferable center AF) avoids wild "guessing" of the camera.
Once there is the AF assist light of a flash it all works very nicely. The red pattern light helps a lot to get proper focus.

TS: If you start playing with 50mm and 18-55 then go ahead. maybe you'll rethink your idea of 18-2xx anyway. As long as you think and evaluate you can't be that wrong. Worst is to get a lens just because everybody tells you "Must get" without verification whether it's useful or not.

Yup true. Most likely I will be buying tomorrow and I will be going out with my friend on Saturday. If for example I buy 18-270mm I might as well not buy 18-55 isit? I am buying 18-270mm in about maybe 4 times month because it is a all in one lens so when I go China maybe it's useful? Maybe along the way as you say I will rethink of buying 18-2700mm

 

[LearnFromBasic]

Bro...i can guarantee you 50mm F1.8 will not provide the image quality you want especially in low light because low light situations always seem to screw up the accuracy of the autofocus.

What worse is that by starting off with prime lens, you will not be able to shoot everything you want to capture leading you to frustration and perhaps leaving your DSLR at one corner unused.

Anyway, I also live in bishan and would be more than willing to allow you to test my 50mm F1.8 for several hours before finally deciding on purchasing yours. In the meantime I can also get a chance to try out the 550D.

Dont get me wrong, the 50mm F1.8 is a great lens but its got its strengths and weaknesses. Under daylight the images produced are very sharp and have nice colours. However Low light is definitely not a strength of this lens IMO.

Shoot me a PM when you've bought your 550D and want to try out the 50mm F1.8

ok sure. What block/street you live?

 

[LearnFromBasic]

I think BEST at IMM is clearing their 450D (new, body only) at very good price. Get that and your 50mm for now. :thumbsup:

Hi, thanks anw. How I wish there will be EOS 550D. I think I will be buying the camera tomorrow.

 

[LearnFromBasic]

Borrowing the kit lens from your friends will never be the same as having the lens yourself and playing with it. The kit lens that comes with the camera is a good starting lens. However, there are limitations and i feel that these limitations actually form a important part of the learning curve. Only when you try to understand and then go forth to negotiate the limitations will you better appreciate the extra money you will be forking out for your next lens. In the process, you gain experience and you learn more too (from the actual practical and all the books you will be chewing). I do believe that it is not something that you can appreciate over night.

Then again,you have a point la. Since you are so sure you will be buying the all-in-one zoom, you might want to give the kit a miss, but it will be your "loss".

And right, i don't think the lens price will drop la. Highly unlikely, so might as well you buy straight with your body. Like that maybe can bargain for a better price together.

Ya agree that camera lens price will not drop unless there are new lens. My budget for now is about 1.4k first. 1.1k body, 121 (18-55 / 50mm), 118 dry cabinet. Hope when I buy they give free tripod, MMC, Cleaning Kit and bag but I think it is impossible. My friend and I are very good friends and I told him when I need to borrow his lens can he lend and he say yes. If he need mine I will be lending. So for example if I buy 18-270mm then he will buy macro lens and we keep lending and lending to save MONEY. :angel:

 

[hockie69]

Yup true. Most likely I will be buying tomorrow and I will be going out with my friend on Saturday. If for example I buy 18-270mm I might as well not buy 18-55 isit? I am buying 18-270mm in about maybe 4 times month because it is a all in one lens so when I go China maybe it's useful? Maybe along the way as you say I will rethink of buying 18-2700mm

dun get me wrong however getting a 550D body with no lens ?

or getting a 550D body + 50mm Prime lens ?

while the EF 18-200mm IS lens are 4mth away ?

Prime lens are 'Good' as it has locked focus & depth while zoom lens will not perform the SAME standard like a Prime at varies focus lenght.

all-in-one is good when IQ is not the most important however it is not a Master of all focus lenght.

 

[hockie69]

So for example if I buy 18-270mm then he will buy macro lens and we keep lending and lending to save MONEY. :angel:

in short . only 1 of the 2 will be able to shot as both are sharing the same lens?

u need a cleaning kits ! due to the constant swapping lens on site.

 

[LearnFromBasic]

in short . only 1 of the 2 will be able to shot as both are sharing the same lens?

u need a cleaning kits ! due to the constant swapping lens on site.

Ok, usually cleaning kits cost around $10 is it?

 

[hockie69]

Ok, usually cleaning kits cost around $10 is it?

money cant solve the dust inside the body/single len reflector/etc problem when u are constantly swapping lens with your friend....buddy.

of course lots of money can solve it by senting to service.

 

[Octarine]

Prime lens are 'Good' as it has locked focus & depth while zoom lens will not perform the SAME standard like a Prime at varies focus lengh.

That's a bit too generic and imprecise. What do you mean with prime having "locked focus & depth"? There are zoom lenses performing at the same standard as prime lenses - or above. Comparisons should be made detailed, lens reviews give enough details. Last but not least there are image databases where one can compare.

 

[tecnica]

Borrowing the kit lens from your friends will never be the same as having the lens yourself and playing with it. The kit lens that comes with the camera is a good starting lens. However, there are limitations and i feel that these limitations actually form a important part of the learning curve. Only when you try to understand and then go forth to negotiate the limitations will you better appreciate the extra money you will be forking out for your next lens. In the process, you gain experience and you learn more too (from the actual practical and all the books you will be chewing). I do believe that it is not something that you can appreciate over night.

Then again,you have a point la. Since you are so sure you will be buying the all-in-one zoom, you might want to give the kit a miss, but it will be your "loss".

And right, i don't think the lens price will drop la. Highly unlikely, so might as well you buy straight with your body. Like that maybe can bargain for a better price together.

precisely, money aside, a borrowed lens will nv be the same as owning one yourself.

let me just illustrate a very simple example.

1 fine day, you wake up and have an idea in your mind and you are very keen to shoot it. but you only have the 50mm F1.8 whereas your 'idea' requires the 18-55mm to achieve. how exactly are you going to solve the situation? yes, borrow from your friend but that 'idea' may just die off but the time you get your equipments right.

this situation always happens to me, really. i see something, pop comes the idea. immediately i jump out of the chair and start shooting. 1 very good example is an awesome sunset happening right before your eyes and the 50mm just ain't going to cut it.

i will still stick to my point that you need at least a lens that is wide enough to cover landscape else you will be losing a lot of photo opportunities in the period of 3 - 4 months.

 

[LearnFromBasic]

Ok, I will be buying the 18-55mm instead of 50mm since many people recommend the lens. Appreciate everybody help. :angel:

 

[scratches]

Ok, I will be buying the 18-55mm instead of 50mm since many people recommend the lens. Appreciate everybody help. :angel:

so what happened to your 18-270mm plan?

 

[hockie69]

That's a bit too generic and imprecise. What do you mean with prime having "locked focus & depth"? There are zoom lenses performing at the same standard as prime lenses - or above. Comparisons should be made detailed, lens reviews give enough details. Last but not least there are image databases where one can compare.

we are afterall trying to guide a buddy thats only 15 & has no knowledge of how things works on a DSLR hence the "simpific" verison.

throwing deep thoery & concept aint helping him to make a decision while it seems like he has made his mind way before starting this tread. lol

 

[LearnFromBasic]

so what happened to your 18-270mm plan?

Next time then buy. Friend lend me his 550D today and test a few shots ler. TML I buying.

 

[LearnFromBasic]

we are afterall trying to guide a buddy thats only 15 & has no knowledge of how things works on a DSLR hence the "simpific" verison.

throwing deep thoery & concept aint helping him to make a decision while it seems like he has made his mind way before starting this tread. lol

I changed my mind liao.

 

[tecnica]

Hope you have fun with your new camera.

Remember, you can only shoot with what you have bought and not what you are going to buy.

 

[LearnFromBasic]

Hope you have fun with your new camera.

Remember, you can only shoot with what you have bought and not what you are going to buy.

Ok

 

[zarray]

Do note that the AF motor in the lens is only executing the focus command given by the body according the detection accuracy of the AF sensors. In low light all entry level bodies will have problems sooner or later. But even with my Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 on 350D I'm able to get decent pictures. One just needs to learn and understand how the AF system works and support accordingly. Hint: contrast patterns are used to determine the necessary focusing of the lens and using single focus point (preferable center AF) avoids wild "guessing" of the camera.
Once there is the AF assist light of a flash it all works very nicely. The red pattern light helps a lot to get proper focus.

TS: If you start playing with 50mm and 18-55 then go ahead. maybe you'll rethink your idea of 18-2xx anyway. As long as you think and evaluate you can't be that wrong. Worst is to get a lens just because everybody tells you "Must get" without verification whether it's useful or not.

Yep...i understand that completely.

Perhaps I never made myself clear. The 50mm F1.8 can deliver 'decent' images in low light but its definitely no where near "perfect focus" when you view at 100%

This is probably caused by the precision of the AF motor used. It probably cannot make fine movements without overshooting the intended focus plane.

 

[zarray]

Ok

hey bro, if you'd like to try out the 50mm this saturday then let me know