Cougar Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Ok - so we thought we were sorted, but apparently not! Intended to buy a 500d with twin lens kit (18-55 and 55-250) - until the salesperson in camera shop started talking about the canon kit lenses being pretty poor, he's had complaints about images from customers etc. Said that the Nikon kit lenses were much better (so perhaps a 5000d twin lens) OR get the 500d with a Sigma 17-70mm lens, either option was apparently better than the Canon kit stuff. My question is - is he right? I have no SLR (digital or film) experience, am planning on discovering a new hobby and want better pics than my point and shoot. Hubby has a lovely old Minolta SLR so has much more experience than me. I guess we need something that will work for both of us. I am now completely flummoxed and am not sure which way to go. We prefer the Canon body (and I'd really like the that 'nifty fifty' lens that I've seen around!) but don't want to be disappointed with the new toy. Advice/opinions gratefully accepted!! Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tess32 Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 They are average lenses that most people new to photography wouldn't be complaining about. You're buying a system, eventually you'll upgrade these lenses but for now they will be perfectly fine and you'll get perfectly fine photos if taken correctly. Get the BODY you want, the sales guy is probably a Nikon lover or something, hehe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerraNik Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I agree - go for the body you're happy with. You can always upgrade/change lenses later on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TangerineDream Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 Mate and I have the 400D with kit lenses - perfectly happy with them for the price we paid!! Photos have won competitions and ended up in calendars and on various websites - so the lenses can't be too bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PossumCorner Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 "complaints about images from customers ... Nikon kit lenses much better ..." As some of us keep saying, it's the person who takes the photo, who is responsible for how "good" the result is so far as composition, focus, backgrounds, exposure are concerned. I'd guess that the people complaining to him about the kit lens image had not learned too many basics and then blamed the kit lens for their results. Of course you get what you pay for, but only up to a point. Sure if used well a more expensive lens will give a better result. But he's comparing oranges with oranges here, kit lenses on entry-level cameras. Not saying bad workmen blame their tools exactly, but kit lenses can produce the goods. So far as Nikon kit lenses being better than Canon, I wouldn't agree. I use Nikon, I prefer Nikon, but to say one is better than another at entry level seems pretty silly. When salespeople say stupid things like that it's annoying, it's misleading (or dishonest), and just fuels the stupid Nikon/Canon wars. I am so over all the snarkiness that is more about ego than brand loyalty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 I bought the 400D with kit lenses but the WEREN'T IS and for snap shots that aren't at the extreme zoom and if you aren't wanting a superfast shutter speed they are just OK but they often have alot of that purple fringing around the edges and often dont focus where I'd want them to. I put the 18-55 away about 18months ago and haven't used it since. The 75-300 I kept using for longer and kept getting disappointed. I put it away when I got a new zoom. If I was to do it over again, I would just buy the body I wanted and start off with either a mid range zoom or a 50mm 1.8 (or 1.4 if you can afford it ) and work up from there. Oh, and I would definitely buy the lenses online, the body I am not so sure about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted January 30, 2010 Share Posted January 30, 2010 The kit lenses are NOT bad. They are simply of a lower quality than other lenses. This quality is most often not noticed and does not restrict new users. As your photography needs grow, your need for things that these initial lenses can't give you adequately will also grow. Check the threads dedicated to these lenses over on POTN and you'll see that there's no reason these can't do what they are built for very very well. They are a great way to give you a lot of options in a relatively inexpensive package. I'd say go for the kit lens unless you know what you are looking for in a lens and then, since you already know, get the best you can afford in that range. But most people starting out don't really know if they love 50mm or 200mm, close or far etc. The Sigma 17-70 is a fabulous lens and a great walkaround as it's range is very useful, it does well in relatively crappy conditions, the almost macro is pretty sweet and it's a great price point. If you have some ideas of what you want to shoot then buying individual lenses may be the way to go, but the coverage you'll get with the kit lenses is hard to beat when you're just getting a feel for things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda K Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 agree that for just starting out and getting to know the SLR and what you want to do, would stick with the kits lens then if you decide you want to get more serious, hen get better quality glass as you can afford it. Getting the grounding in controlling exposure, nailing focus, and composition is the best thing to start on, then worry about upgrading, (and if you decide you don't want to go any more serious, you haven't dropped a lot of bucks). Both Nikon and Canon have their top range glass which is made to suit their own bodies, and can help produce incredible shots, but is also $$$$$$. I have had a couple of 3rd party lens, but personally have not had great experiences with them, so only use Canon ones now. Congrats on the new purchase, but be warned, it is very addictive and expensive!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 You can buy my kit lenses if you want, they've been sitting here unused for ages! Neither are IS though but I have the 75-300 and the 18-55 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glendabenda Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) .... Edited February 1, 2010 by glendabenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I've never noticed a quality difference in my Canon lenses (and I have a few LOL). On the other hand, I've never bothered to look at where they were manufactured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~*Shell*~ Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 It took me a while to realise just how much I didn't like the kit lenses - they're great for beginners but you do get to the point where you want to upgrade. I know people who aren't as into photography as I am and they're still going strong on their 350D or 400D and their kit lenses 2 years after they've bought their SLRs and haven't got into a situation where they would need better lenses yet. I would always recommend them to someone just starting out with an SLR. I want to upgrade to a couple of L series lenses but if I hadn't had the kit lenses to teach me why other lenses were so much better, I wouldn't have known. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altheau Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) A 450D and kits lenses is what I started out with (and still have but also now have a 50 1.8). If you have never had a SLR or DSLR then there are lots of other things to learn about etc that will improve your photos out of site and then when a few of those things are down pat you will probably be like Shell and wanting a new one. The important thing is though that by that time you should know what you want cause you know more about your camera. I would get the kit, it has taken me at least 6 months to even get a pretty good idea of my camera and I am still confused as to what lenses I want next (but then I can be a bit slow ;p) *edit cause i can't spell Edited February 1, 2010 by altheau Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashanali Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Shot on a canon kit lens (17-85mm) It won a silver award at the Aust Professional Photography Awards. The lenses aren't 'you beaut, super duper, awesome-sauce', but they still do a very decent job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagsalot Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I've been using the 18-55 kit lens for just under 5 years, I've found it great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malamum Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 I'm having the same quandry at the moment too. I've pretty much decided I'm going to get the Canon 500D and was going to get the twin IS lens kit with the 18-55 and the 55-250 lenses. The OH has just asked somone at work and he has said what most people on here have said, in that it's all about the lenses and then suggested either of the below two options. • Body Only & 28-135IS lens • Or the enthusiast kit with 17-85IS If the quality is that much better then I'm happy to spend the extra money, however I'm also being cognisant of not getting something that is above my ability and knowing how to use them propery to get the most out of them. I know that will come in time but I don't want something that is too hard for an absolute beginner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirislin Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 (edited) Here's the POTN archive thread on the 75-300 USM (which mine hasn't got, mine is a lesser lens again) http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=182510 and here's one of the better photos I got with mine. here's the archive for the 18-55 http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=185522 and the 55-250 http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=459569 Edited February 1, 2010 by Kirislin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 • Body Only & 28-135IS lens I have one of these that is cracker sharp and I never ever use it. If you're interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ness Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 Oooh kja - what would you sell the 28-135 IS lens for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kja Posted February 1, 2010 Share Posted February 1, 2010 PM sent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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