Advice Needed Please On Purchase?

[GoldD]

Hi everyone,

I have been trawling through this topic and absorbing information and confusing myself with what to get and what not to get, and I must add loving the photos you have all taken, you are all very talented!

I havent used a SLR camera since uni (part of my fine art degree until I left), and am wanting to get back into photography for myself, a little hobby, to hopefully be able to take some nice shots for my walls etc now my kids have grown up and I have time to do something enjoyable for myself.

I will take photos of my dogs, people and generally what looks like a nice shot to my untrained eye!

I am currently looking at the Canon 15MP DSLR Twin IS Kit which has two lenses 18-55IS and 55-250IS, does this sound like a good place to start? I will add lenses as I go as I get better and understand my camera and what I want in a shot further. JB HiFi are selling for $1193 atm and so far that seems to be the best price.

I would really appreciate any comments/ideas.

Thank you

[Guest Tess32]

Which camera is it?

[rubiton]

Basically any DSLR will do the job they are all good and will take good photos on the auto settings. The kit lenses mentioned should take shots that you need until you decide what type of photos you prefer to take. Best thing to do is go to the store and pick up various cameras to see which ones feel the best to you. IS doesnt make a lot of difference til you are going over 300mm zoom or are using very low shutter speeds however it can be handy on very windy days or if you are being pushed around in a crowd. Al DSLR cameras have a high enough MP count to take good photos that can be enlarged.

Personally if I just wanted a good DSLR camera for normal snapshots I'd stick with teh base models eg 1000D, if you want something that will also video as a secondary function I think then you have to look at the more expensive ones. If you want something that will take good photos without the hassle of getting different lenses the high end point and shoots often have a lot of the settings of the SLRs are are a bit smaller than the SLR cameras (my point and shoot also does video - not quite good enough for sports but takes others shots just fine).

[GoldD]

LOL See how confused I am - the camera is a EOS 500D

ETA: Thanks Rubiton, I love close ups and also action shots, so the idea of getting perfect action shots of my goofy boys (goldens) is what is making me move from my point and shoot camera PLUS the added fact that I have to replace my point and shoot as my 17yo daughter had it pickpocketed from her at an Austrian feastival last weekend. She is on exchange atm..... so a new camera is a must like it or not

And edited again: I do like having the video option as I had with my point and shoot, it came in handly every now and then, not often, but I did like having it there.

Edited December 5, 2010 by GoldD

[Mason_Gibbs]

Hi, I have the Canon 450D, I am enjoying mine very much, had it about 2 months now. I was looking to buy the Canon 500D but I got lucky and a guy at hubbys work was selling his 450D and he upgraded to a 50D.

[Guest Tess32]

I think you'll be fine with that package, but just keep in mind if you mean 'close ups', neither of those are macro lenses.