Decent lenses or new body?

[YOUR MATE]

I currently have a 400D with the 2 kit lenses 18-55 and 75-300 (non IS) and a 1.8 50mm. I'm trying to decide on either flogging off the gear I have now for a 60D or 7D and a good 50mm lens to start with, or buying some decent glass to use on the 400. Video is something I might stuff about with but don't see myself getting into much. The things I shoot are your typical noob shit, cars, mates, landscapes. A decent all rounder would probably be the go. I have no intentions of trying to be pro, i just enjoy taking pics.

Advice? On paper there really is a great gap between the camera I have now and the 2 I'm looking at. If I went a 60 over a 7 I could get another decent lens, or save some cash.

Cheers.

[thrtytwo]

One suggestion for a decent all rounder lens is the canon 24-105mm f4L IS. Not sure what your budget is, but theyre about $900 delivered. Decent zoom range. Image stabalized. Constant aperture and great image quality.

If you want more range and aren't as fussed about Uber quality then the tamron 18-270mm PZD has a crazy range and is meant to be pretty good image quality for what it is. They're about $550 delivered. I just ordered one for my dad. Can't wait to have a play with it!

Also if its not a serious hobby and you just like to mess around I would go the 60D.

[YOUR MATE]

Budget wise, maybe up to 1500 for lenses for the 400? 2-2.5k for new gear.

[ReaperSS]

17-55 is f/2.8 :)

[cplagz]

Better glass is always going to be better then a body upgrade IMHO.

I have a 10-16mm f/2.8 Tokina which has amazing contrast and very clear at either end of the spectrum ana a Canon 70-200mm F/4L IS USM which speaks for itself. I do need a good walkabout lens though and the 24-70 or 24-105 both appeal greatly to me.

[protecon]

Better glass is always going to be better then a body upgrade IMHO

This.
Harder to achieve results with a pro-body and shit glass than vice-versa.

[Butcher]

Digitalrevtv humour
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/hk5IMmEDWH4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Halle Terry]

I'd suggest a 24-70mm, I basically do the same thing as you (Hobbytographer (totally just made that up)) with a 600D body I can do everything I'm interested in, HD movies, portraits, cars, landscapes etc. My only other suggestion (assuming you're staying on a crop body) is maybe a 17-xx range lens.

I bought brand new, and my total setup cost me $2200ish, that's for a 600D, 24-70mm f2.8 Sigma and 580exii flash.

With my limited experience, I'd say buy one good all round lens, use it for sometime then objectively look back at what you shoot and decide whether or not you need more gear. It's very easy to fall into that hole where you buy shit for the sake of it or because you think you need it.

[YOUR MATE]

Cheers for the advice. Reading up on that 17-55 2.8 it should suit the camera I have and do what I'm looking for. Can be had for just under a grand too after some looking around. The same place has a 7d for under 1100, though. It's mighty tempting.

I know that better glass on a lesser body will beat average glass on a better body, but mine is a few years old now and I am finding most things come out fairly noisey. But at the same time I'm still learning and experimenting which may be the cause of that. I've been wanting to get into it a bit more which is why I want to step it all up a little. I'll definately be looking into that 17-55 though.

Thanks again.

[mod]

This.
Harder to achieve results with a pro-body and shit glass than vice-versa.

If you have no intention of going to a full frame body then keep your current one and maybe upgrade to a better crop body like a 7D at a later date.

a 17-55 or 24-70 is a all round lens
some of the other one like a 18-200(nikon) 18-105(nikon) are all good lens for walk about

I have a Nikon d7000 with a 24-70 f2.8 and love it to bits, but might be using my 35mm F1.8 more when Im in Europe next.
don't want to looks like a Asian spec photographer on holidays taking pics of random shit

[TJ]

After having a play I think I am going to go d7000 and 24-70

[_S9_]

I'm in the exact same situation as you (got a 400D body plus a Sigma 17-70 2.8) the sigma lens is very average.

I've done quite a bit of research and am going for a 60D with 17-55 2.8 soon - plus flogging off the old Sigma, 1.8, body, accessories and picking up a 50mm 1.4.

[protecon]

If you like the look of the larger body, don't forget you can always get a battery grip for your 400D.
Don't bother forking out for a genuine Canon item - the imitations work just as well.

Gives the camera more balance with decent glass on the front, additional battery to run servos all day and for me, gives comfort with the extra grip buttons for my overall preference to portrait orientation over landscape.

[mod]

Might put mine up for sale once I find out the Nikon D800 Aust prices

[thrtytwo]

Battery grip definately makes the camera more comfy and more well balanced. My camera is big to begin with and still doesn't feel right without the grip.

About third party ones though, I did a lot of reading and the overall feeling was they can be hit and miss. Sometimes they last as long as genuine. Sometimes they die randomly. But even if it did you could buy another and still be ahead of genuine price. Also I read that the dials will increase/decrease your settings in reverse to a real one. so if your shooting landscape and changing settings, then flip to portrait, you could occasionally get confused and change settings wrong way. Not a huge deal.

In the end I still went genuine though.

[thommo]

After having a play I think I am going to go d7000 and 24-70

if you want more play can have a muck around with mine, ill be at the coffee saturday

[YOUR MATE]

I already have a batt grip for my 400. It makes the camera much comfier to use I find. It isn't genuine but it all works fine and feels as cheaply made as the rest of the camera haha. I do like the slightly larger frame of the 50/60 D, though. I'm not rushing down either path just yet, going to keep reading.

[Halle Terry]

So what did you end up doing/deciding to go with?

[YOUR MATE]

Nothing just yet. Work mate is going to Malaysia and Singapore in a few weeks and I will most likely get him to get what I want while he's there. Can't justify the 50% extra to buy local.

[mr_rotary]

Nothing just yet. Work mate is going to Malaysia and Singapore in a few weeks and I will most likely get him to get what I want while he's there. Can't justify the 50% extra to buy local.I researched my prices before I went (70-200mm f/2.8). I found Singapore to be expensive and that was using the recommended places such as John 3:16. I recommend Use either DWI or Topbuy for the best prices.

[Halle Terry]

Digitalrev.com

I bought all my stuff from, there so does Corbin and Mitchy I believe, pretty much the best prices you can get.

I forgot the link, but both Jamie mentioned a bloke down in Mandurah that sells at stupidly competitive prices, if so I'd look into him first and foremost.

[thrtytwo]

Digitalrev are not the best prices. They're usually very slightly higher than other grey importers on everything I've ever looked at. But I thunk they have much better customer service than the likes of DWI

http://mycamerafocus.com.au

This is the guy I use. If your interested in something its best to Email him for the best price. AND all the prices on his website include delivery too.

[YOUR MATE]

Whats peoples opinions on the 24-105 F4 L? Kogan have it for under 900 which seems like a steal. Is it a bit much for a cropped frame camera maybe or would it work alright?

Edit: Just read that it's the one Thrtytwo recommended. Have you got any experience with it?

[thrtytwo]

Yeh I have one on a full frame though.

On a crop it wouldn't be super wide at 24, but it wouldn't be too bad.

From my experience its a great lens, very sharp in its sweet spots.

Also most reviews I've read have said its not far in terms of IQ from the 24-70. And has the benefit of extra length and image stabilization.

[thrtytwo]

If your Gunna be at cars and coffee this weekend you can try it on.

[Halle Terry]

Yeah if I make it down this weekend you can try my 24-70 and see if you prefer that range.

[manna_85]

Try BHphoto & Adorama in the U.S. Decent prices but just have to keep in mind tax for anything over 1k. Im always on there sloothing through the 2nd hand shit. Almost bought a 2nd hand Sigma 500-800 the other week.........can never have enough reach :)

[YOUR MATE]

I think I'm going to go for the 17-55 F2.8 for now. If I'm getting it right, the 24-105 would effectively be a 35mm and up on a crop sensor? I could just get another wide angle lens but the 17-55 is made for the camera I have, so I'll give it a go. I have the same length in the kit lens and I like it, it's just the sharpness I can't get with it.

Thanks for the offers to check out your gear. I can't make it down there unfortunately.

I'll be using that mycamerafocus if he has one in stock. I'd rather it now than wait for shipping.

Thanks again. This should do me for the time being as I really dont see myself upgrading to a full frame camera.

Edit: Just got a call from John and he said he'll order it in for me, should get it next week. Done and done.

[thrtytwo]

Nice. Johns great. I ordered my last lens through him and he had it express shipped. Ordered Thursday, received Monday. Crazy good price too!

[YOUR MATE]

Yeah he asked if I knew you then chopped the price down. Order placed today and I should see it Tuesday by the sound of things. He really is competitive with the overseas places and even said he'd loan me a lens to use till the other one gets here incase I needed it for something over the weekend. Top bloke.

[thrtytwo]

Yeah he asked if I knew you then chopped the price down.

haha what a legend, how did he figure out that you heard of him from me?

[YOUR MATE]

He asked how I heard of him, I said guys in the car club. Winnar!

[YOUR MATE]

Just had a quick play with the 17-55mm. Cannot believe I stuck with a kit lens for so long. It's ridiculous.

[YOUR MATE]

Bit of an update. The new lens on my old body was a huge jump. Loved it. But then I had a play with Adam's 7D and it sealed it. So I sold my 400, kit lenses and 50 mm and now just have the new lens and the 7D. John from Mycamerafocus hooked me up! The guy has been great and cannot reccommend him enough. Now I just need a sturdier tripod to take the weight of the heavier kit.

[mod]

Bit off topic anyone know where to buy Nikon D800 locally?

[YOUR MATE]

http://mycamerafocus.com.au/index.php?cPath=3_6&&page=2

Was there last night and he has a stack of Nikon stuff, may have that. Otherwise he can get it. He's also helped quite a few people on here out.

[thrtytwo]

try camera electronic? You grabbed your black rapid from there didn't yah?

edit: assuming you want "local" stock, as in, with warranty. Otherwise yeh, talk to John

[mod]

http://mycamerafocus.com.au/index.php?cPath=3_6&&page=2

Was there last night and he has a stack of Nikon stuff, may have that. Otherwise he can get it. He's also helped quite a few people on here out.

just saw it straight after I posted it, might put my D7000 for sale and make the move to an full frame camera


try camera electronic? You grabbed your black rapid from there didn't yah?

edit: assuming you want "local" stock, as in, with warranty. Otherwise yeh, talk to John

That's the shop.. was doing my head in try to find the name will pop in sometime see what they got.

[Magic]

Bit off topic anyone know where to buy Nikon D800 locally?

It'll be at least a month or so til you get it from when you do a back-order, there's still a few pre-orders to get through first.

[mod]

yeah exactly that the word around town now

[Halle Terry]

Mod:

http://mycamerafocus.com.au/product_info.php?products_id=212

[mod]

I got that bookmarked already thanks
just dont know if I want to sell this camera or not...