Hi,

well after my cam was stolen, I am looking for a new one, but thought i would try and move up in the world.

So after looking around a little i was attracted to the Canon EOS 350D (or 400D if i have the founds ) I would be doing a bit of everything so it would need to be a good allround cam, it comes with a 18-55mm starter lens i think, been looking on ebay.

So anyone have info good or bad? Or a different cam? I don`t mind getting one 2nd hand as they are expensive!

if you have funds for it - dont bother with the kit lens - get the body and a better lens to attach to it. Tamron is a good choice for cheaper Canon lens alternatives. Im sure many will tell you to consider other models such as low end Nikons or Olympus bodies and to be fair you should. or you could just go with the popular view that the rebel series cams hold the title of the best selling digital cameras of all time for a very good reason.

thanks philcUK, very helpful. Are the kit lens really not much good then?

no - not really - the same applies to Nikon too although I understand that Olympus kit lenses tend to be a little better.

oh right, so what lens your you recomend for the canon? sorry to be a pain in the butt

the Tamron AF 18-200mm Di-II f3.5-6.3 is apparently the one to have although its a little pricey - slightly more so than the Canon equivalent but most folks reckon it produces a crisper image.

I have that Tamron lens, works great.I use a 6 meg Rebel and print out a lot of shots at 13X19 without any complaints from anyone.Oh,I stay away from any software enhancing as much as possible cause the camera and lens does a really good job on their own.

While Phil is correct, the kit lenses are not very often the greatest, do remember that they are still probably better than a lot of point and shoot lenses. So they do work quite well, and you will get good results from them. But again, as Phil said, there are better lenses, and depending on how far you go with photography you might want those better ones.

My theory with lenses so far has been this. I got the kit lens that came with the nikon d70 (it is actually a pretty good one as far as kit lenses from what i understand). After that i have not bought any lenses that are on the bottom end of the scale. I figure it is better to shell out the cash now and be able to have a good lens that i wont want to replace in a year or whatever.

I wouldn't rule out Nikon either. Second-hand D80's are out there and if you find one with the 18-135mm kit lens like I've got I don't think you'd be disappointed. I'm not saying one is better than the other either but there is a huge difference in the handling, especially if you have bigger hands, like me. The Canon feels much smaller in the hand, which may or may not be a good thing. Just some food for thought.

i had thought of that too but i didnt foresee unfeasibly large hands being a problem for a 16yr old girl :-)

Haha, sorry, I misread the OP. Where she says "cam" I read car, lol. Never mind. I can't remember how big 16 year old girls hands are (not sure I even knew when I was 16).

Hehe... Zorrofox's big hands are now wellknown on caedes.net ;-)
A few days ago, I was taking photos at my nephew's marriage (with my D70). I could try the Canon 400D of my brother.
I'm sure he'll take very nice photos, but I was really disturbed by the small size of its body...
About girls hands, +Cain bought recently a 400D and she is really happy ;-)

if you're a guy (or a girl with big hands) you should consider adding the optional battery grip to the 350/400 - it makes it easier to handle as well as the added benefits of longer battery life and versatility with shooting controls for portrait aspect shots to boot. it also acts as a good counter balance for heavier lenses. I'd imagine the same applies to Nikons too.

Second hand 350Ds are very affordable right now. The kit lens that comes with it is a better lens than it is reputation would have you believe. If you don’t use it wide open you will get wonderful results from it. It’s certainly good enough to use until you can afford something better.

My wife has the 350D. It’s a really sweet camera and she loves it. It does feel to small in my hands though but then I’m used to using bigger / heavier cameras.

lol... no i have little hands! I was worried that it might be to big and heavy, but knowing its small is great for me.

Think i am going to get one, and use the kit lens untill i am ready/money to get another lens.

I can`t wait now lol thanks for all your help guys:D

Good! Please, post a link here when you'll upload your first photo with that cam... :-)

That’s a good idea Pierre. Would you do that Hayley, so we can celebrate with you?

forget what was previously here...

...good luck. :)

The kit lens that comes with the 350D is actually not too shabby. I've got excellent results from using it (I've got a 350D as well). My complaint about it is that it's not fast enough (F/3.5-5.6 I think), but at a starter lens this is fairly common. If you do end up going with a body and a separate lens, I'd recommend checking out Sigma lenses. For the price they are hard to beat. I've got a couple Sigma's (10-20mm and a 70-300mm) and they both take great shots. The one thing with buying lenses I've found is get the most expensive one that you can afford at the time. Essentially, the more you spend on a lens (not always the case) the higher the quality.

well........ Thanks for all your help:D

I went into Jessop`s yesterday, and held the 400D, i felt like running out the shop with it! I didn`t but left the shop emtpy handed to think some more:(

Then i went back today and got the 350D and a Tamron 55-200mm lens. Been taking photos of my dog, and will take it up the yard today. Its like xmas come early:D will upload a photo for you all to see later tonight. I am really happy with it so far, the light today is very overcast, yet the photos its taken have been great!

I touched the D200 yesterday and felt like running out the shop with it! ...too bad police were invented.

Have fun with your new purchase. :)

haha i think i am inlove with mine, i can`t sleep

Please... no pets captures... ;-)

pets...he is a wild stallion honest.

You got your new camera Hayley, I’m thrilled for you. Now your head won’t let you sleep and there wont be enough hours in a day to take all the photos you want :-)