What camera would you have bought if you're a beginner at photography - 40D,450D,50D?

[Scandiacus]

Was in a dilemma of choosing 450D or 40D.

Now after holding/feeling/violating both cameras as well as taking features/cost into consideration, I have decided to follow the path of 40D

Now I'll just have to convince my wallet to follow the path as well....... :sweat:

 

[SimonTemplar]

If you are convincing your wallet.. might as well go for the 50D instead of the 40D.

 

[harlequin-]

Ahaha, I'm quite young too, 17 and I'm using the 450D. As for the weight issue... I tried both the 40D and the 450D and to me the 450D appealed more to me as it was lighter. (I'm a female, btw) and then I saved up for more lenses. To me, what matters more is the photographer behind the camera than the camera itself. If you do not have the "eye" and all, it won't matter what cameras you use. I'd prefer the 450D for someone starting out, as the semi-pro range might be too overwhelming with all the controls and stuff.

 

[DragonKNight]

its totally up to what u wanna shoot, budget (unless money is not the case here), the feel of the camera. im using a 450D, just bought it awhile ago. start out simple, get the hang of it. then upgrade. like some of them said, its not the gear u have mainly, but ur skill in taking photographs. im also sec 2 btw.

 

[peekarwe]

seeing so many young photogs is really heartwarming. By the way, film is really out for this case la. Still have to factor in development costs and film costs. Each roll 20 bucks can buy 2 gb card with change to keep for lunch. And that card can store hundreds of photos liao.

Seriously, without intend to offend, the film suggestion is really silly.

 

[peekarwe]

when I was in primary 5, I had to save part of my lunch money for weeks to buy film. And then save for weeks to develop it. Boys, the digital age is here. Embrace it. Sure film is nostalgic and you'll look like an expert if you can handle film. Heck, I still have my film eos. But come on... Tell me you'll shoot an important event with it.

 

[lohkam]

Well i can't agree more on some of you saying that what DSLR is good to buy considering the budget you have.I'm planing to get my own 450D in 2-3 weeks to come.I hope i can enjoy it by starting in a basic stage.Then when got more experience n cash...time to pimp it up.......cheers

 

[whatcamerashouldibuy]

hey guys, i got my 450D today. does anyone know why the cam doesn't focus take a good photo of a knob of a chair. i was trying to take the photo about 1-2 cm away from knob. was using "potrait" function. but it's perfectly fine when i'm taking a photo of any other thing in the surroundings. using the kit lenses - 18-55. the built-in-flash will keep flickering, then after holding on to the snap button, no picture is taken - this is for single shoot mode. but when i used the timer (10 secs), i could take a pic of it, quite clear.

sounds like i'm throwing facts here and there.... so in a nutshell, i'm curious to know why, after holding on to the snap button, all the cam gives out is flickering light, instead of taking a decent shot.

 

[pixie]

Congrats on getting the 450D!

Is it because you are too close to the knob, and so it cant focus, hence cant fire?
Else, try to take some other items under a good lighting condition, close the flash and try. At least u minus out one variable (ie the flash) in troubleshooting =)

 

[whatcamerashouldibuy]

Congrats on getting the 450D!

Is it because you are too close to the knob, and so it cant focus, hence cant fire?
Else, try to take some other items under a good lighting condition, close the flash and try. At least u minus out one variable (ie the flash) in troubleshooting =)

haha thanks...
oic, but the DSLRs wont shoot if it can't focus on the close object? didnt know that..
okay, will try that and see what happens.

 

[DragonKNight]

haha thanks...
oic, but the DSLRs wont shoot if it can't focus on the close object? didnt know that..
okay, will try that and see what happens.

explore the use of manual if u can. its much better. helps u build ur foundation. slowly, just go ard ur neighbourhood with ur cam. have it in hand. when u see smth that catches ur eye etc, just take a shot of it. slowly learn.

 

[solasido]

Actually this is the case.

If you are in AF mode, then your camera won't shoot if the focus can't be obtained (not just when the object is nearer than the min focal length, but also with low contrast or low lighting situation).

If you set the lense to MF (manual focus), then it is totally under your control.

haha thanks...
oic, but the DSLRs wont shoot if it can't focus on the close object? didnt know that..
okay, will try that and see what happens.

 

[chalib]

hey guys, i got my 450D today. does anyone know why the cam doesn't focus take a good photo of a knob of a chair. i was trying to take the photo about 1-2 cm away from knob. was using "potrait" function. but it's perfectly fine when i'm taking a photo of any other thing in the surroundings. using the kit lenses - 18-55. the built-in-flash will keep flickering, then after holding on to the snap button, no picture is taken - this is for single shoot mode. but when i used the timer (10 secs), i could take a pic of it, quite clear.

sounds like i'm throwing facts here and there.... so in a nutshell, i'm curious to know why, after holding on to the snap button, all the cam gives out is flickering light, instead of taking a decent shot.

Read ur manual..... every lens has its own MFD (minimum focussing distance), same for ur kit lens....

 

[cflee]

Was in a dilemma of choosing 450D or 40D.

Now after holding/feeling/violating both cameras as well as taking features/cost into consideration, I have decided to follow the path of 40D

Now I'll just have to convince my wallet to follow the path as well....... :sweat:

just to chime in (a bit late), last year when i had the chance to push between a 40D and 400D (as well as the D200 but nvm) i actually tried to convince parent to go for the 400D due to the compactness and weight.

since he was buying for himself, eventually dad decided on 40D because it was heftier and felt better in his hands. ironically during the holiday it was bought for, dad complained very loudly about the weight and gave up shooting for the last 2 days.. haha.

fwiw i'm 16 and only just progressed to shooting with a prime after ~10 months of owning the 40D, after i cannot tahan handshake at f4/iso1600/IS with the 17-85mm kit. i went with a yashica 50mm f/2 over the canon 50mm f/1.8 for the heck of it

 

[Redkangoo]

U got the 450D? wow, i guess down the road you will upgrade to 50D or 5D mark 2..Anyway, enjoyed your 450D. Good entry level to DSLR...

 

[allenleonhart]

oh flim photography? sounds interesting, frankly speaking, i've never heard of that before. How much will it cost,roughly, to buy a flim slr?

LOL FILM is like ... the oldest and fore runner in photography i think?;D like grand dads.

1 film slr is roughly abt 500 bucks ? my konica minolta film slr was abt 300 -500 i think.
lenses usual prices and FILM costs a bomb. u can easily burn up to 200 bucks a month just on developing and buying film;D

yup. i agree with ZX. film is damn limited but it really tests ur skills;D quality > DSLR i think.

cause u cant see and preview wad u take u gotta really practise and practise and make micro adjustments all the while.

i recently took photos of a event for my friend at the beach. some singing stuff.

as u know exposure at the beach is a killer. with bright glaring sand killing ur TTl meter. so wad to do? take multiple shots, micro adjustments and just use a compact digi for a rough idea. compacts do allow u to make some adjustments. my compact is like a external cheapo TTL and Cheap preview alternative. ;D if ur REALLY serious try film for abt 3 months? u will really understand photography;D

 

[allenleonhart]

hey guys, i got my 450D today. does anyone know why the cam doesn't focus take a good photo of a knob of a chair. i was trying to take the photo about 1-2 cm away from knob. was using "potrait" function. but it's perfectly fine when i'm taking a photo of any other thing in the surroundings. using the kit lenses - 18-55. the built-in-flash will keep flickering, then after holding on to the snap button, no picture is taken - this is for single shoot mode. but when i used the timer (10 secs), i could take a pic of it, quite clear.

sounds like i'm throwing facts here and there.... so in a nutshell, i'm curious to know why, after holding on to the snap button, all the cam gives out is flickering light, instead of taking a decent shot.

this is funny... er. try change to manual mode? see if it affects or not. is no photo taken or take liao cannot see stuff? cause it might b many stuff like ur shutter speed iso etc etc. i at vivo test the dslr also will like that until i realised i forgot to set the iso shutter and usual stuff;D too used to film that i see digi a bit the shocked;D. got it working in the end! explain pls. ur using auto focus? there is a minimal focus distance u know. use ur manual. focus if u cannot focus until sharp sharp means ur too close.

jiayous

 

[pixie]

haha thanks...
oic, but the DSLRs wont shoot if it can't focus on the close object? didnt know that..
okay, will try that and see what happens.

Not that you cant focus, but as all have explained, you need a minimum focusing distance, hence the other items u took, u can shoot it. The kit lens has this button to change to MF, then you twist the focusing ring around, until u see that it is sharp and you can shoot.

Since you just have the camera, like they said, walk around neighbourhood, just shoot shoot around, and have a feel of it =) else, you can always be part of CUPS. lol :bsmilie:

Have fun!

 

[seefei]

beside actual shooting, pay a visit to your neighbourhood library. there are books on photography that you can borrow to brush up your skill

 

[whatcamerashouldibuy]

oh , totally get it know .. reading the menu now ..