Good Camera For A Beginner

[black magic]

I did quite a bit of looking around and pricing up before I bought my 450D a few months ago, love it & so far and havent outgrown it yet at all! Still much to learn! I ended up getting mine from Ryda- Paid $1276 for 450D with twin lens kit http://www.ryda.com.au/Canon-Digital-SLR-Cameras-s/836.htm, but also looked at http://www.digitalcamerawarehouse.com.au/ which were going for the same price.

I read someone else on here (Cant remember who for the life of me!) got the 450D at JB hifi for about $40 less than I paid @ Ryda. I wish i went to JB hifi now with my print outs from other shops/price to negotiate a better deal! I have done great deals with JB hifi in the past on other things, they are super super competitive!

That was me

JB couldn't wait to get the camera in my hand fast enough. I hardly had to barter with them, they also gave me a camera bag.

[Ripley]

Im not sure if the Canon People will agree, but some of their kit lenses are fairly shit.

Tell us what you really think, ruger!

I have to agree with you though - they are crap, they have some fringing and are quite soft. If you get the Canon camera, I think the Sigma lenses are great. The Sigma 17-70mm is sharp and it's a great 'walkabout' all purpose lens. Quite a few DOLers have this lens.

I was going to upgrade to a 50D but I really like my 30D. It was firing away like a machine gun on a wildlife trip on the ocean on Saturday, the auto focus kept up with a flying sea bird and I'm absolutely happy with it.

[Kirislin]

Yep, I've said a number of times I am unhappy particularly with the 75-300 NONIS that came with my camera. I think the kit lenses are a bit better now but I really think they went out fo their way to give the crappiest lenses possible with the 400D kit.

that's why I recommend buying the body and then deciding what lenses you want and buying them separately.