To top up and get into semi-pro, or just leave it at entry level?


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Linerax

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Nov 19, 2009
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Hi there to all CS-ers!

I'll just make a slight introduction for myself first. I'm 15-to-be next year, and have been having an interest in photography for sometime, thus finally deciding to get a DSLR this school holiday. I managed to liaise with my mother that for the DSLR, $1000 will be coming from me, and a couple of hundred dollars from her, which ended up being $400. So after working for almost a month, I've managed to accumulate $1000, along with my savings from the rest of the year, which is IMO, a rather great milestone for a 14-year old, since my allowance is nothing beyond average. ;p

So currently, my budget is $1400, and a 500D Kit I costs $1180, meaning that I'll have around $220 unspent. I'm then starting to consider 50D, which price I'm awaiting from a price quote for J316. Assuming that it's around $1600, would it then be wise to top up that $200 to get a semi-pro body? My understanding here is that bodies are generally not replaced until their limitations are maxed, meaning that most bodies last for a few years.

Will definitely need advice from you all! :)
 

I would go for the semipro body which is the 50D. and I don't think the 50D kit is 1.6k.. I think it's the body.. so you would need to get a lens or lenses to get started.. so it might exceed 2k.
 

50D build and grip is definitely better than the xxxD series, go for 50D wont be wrong :)
 

I would go for the semipro body which is the 50D. and I don't think the 50D kit is 1.6k.. I think it's the body.. so you would need to get a lens or lenses to get started.. so it might exceed 2k.

50D Kit I EF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS
Jan09 - BC $2229 8GB + 4GB CF, EOS case, dry cabinet, OEM battery, LCD protector, UV filter
Apr09 - JO $1880 2x 4GB CF, bag
Apr09 - OP $1880 2x 4GB CF, bag
May09 - AP $1860 2x 4GB CF, bag
Dec09 - TK $1620
Dec09 - BC $1659

You made my heart jump for a little while there! :bsmilie:

Because if it was anything > 1.6k+/-, I'm pretty sure I won't be getting it at all! Afterall, the money to top-up will most likely be coming from me, and I certainly don't wish to have nothing left over from my CNY ang paos! ;p

Guess I'll be getting it if the grip feels alright to me, I've pretty small hands. ;)

Shall let this thread float until monday, just in-case there are other points of view. :)
 

Just got the price quote reply from J316.

Hi,

Thanks for your email.

Price below as per your request:
EOS 50D Kit (18-55IS) - S$1,730.00 (comes with 2x4gb cards and bag)

Doesn't look too optimistic now. :(
 

go for the 50D if have the extra budget and do not need the video function of the 500D.
as for the price, y not get a quote from TK, since the price that is attracting u is from them?
 

go for the 50D if have the extra budget and do not need the video function of the 500D.
as for the price, y not get a quote from TK, since the price that is attracting u is from them?

My interest is undoubtedly in photography and not videography, which is why I find the video on 500D.. uncalled for and redundant to me.

But, I've heard many reviews and recommendations for J316 as compared to TK, so I'm kinda curious to experience their customer service for myself firsthand, this being my first time getting a DSLR.

Guess I'll discuss it with my mom first! ;p If everything works out, then everything shall end well. :)
 

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Since you're still so young, why stress out your budget like that? I think your budget is better spent on a pre-loved DSLR like 400D or 450D. If you're real serious, undoubtedly you'll want to get bags, filters, lenses, etc. All these cost A LOT of money! ;)
 

Stretch your dollar abit, check out the 2nd hand ones in the buy and sell forum.
 

Since you're still so young, why stress out your budget like that? I think your budget is better spent on a pre-loved DSLR like 400D or 450D. If you're real serious, undoubtedly you'll want to get bags, filters, lenses, etc. All these cost A LOT of money! ;)
I'll just work for them when the time comes! :bsmilie:

I'm planning to stick to my kit lens for at least a year or so though, but may be getting a 50mm f/1.8 II if I've the money for it! :)

For filters, just a UV for the time being. You see, the agreement with my mother was that $1000 from me, and $400 from her! Since no matter how much is the camera, I'll still be bearing the brunt of the stick, why not just max out my mother's $400 and then top up a little more? ;p

A tad selfish on my part, but it's not often that you get your parents willing to sponsor you! :sweat:
 

Stretch your dollar abit, check out the 2nd hand ones in the buy and sell forum.

I've no idea how to check if there are any defects within the camera, but thanks for the suggestion, will look around. :)
 

Hi, I would suggest a 2nd hand 40D body. Has all the functions you will need and spare cash for a lens and other stuff. Note that the entry level 450 & 500 ISO jumps from 800 to 1600 while semi-pro is 800, 1000, 1250 then 1600.
May make a difference in low light conditions.
 

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I will go straight to 50D if I could. Pls do remember to factors in additional costs such as a good UV Filter, dry box etc.

Try to get Quote from the other reputable shops too eg. MS Color, SLR Revolution etc.
Base on my experience they might give you a better pricing as oppose to J315...

Anyway you are just a call away... No harm checking it up. =)
As mention by the rest, do check out from the BNS forum.

You might get a good deal sometime. =)
 

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what is it in 50D that makes you want to get it over 500D other than being a semi-pro body?
The faster FPS? the weather-seal body?

imho, with that kind of budget, i would rather go with the 500D and make use of the rest for other accessories.
 

do cater funds for blower, lens pen, dry box / dry cabi
I believe I'll just do without the dry cabi for the time being, and will stick to a simple cleaning kit and a blower! :)
 

I will go straight to 50D if I could. Pls do remember to factors in additional costs such as a good UV Filter, dry box etc.

Try to get Quote from the other reputable shops too eg. MS Color, SLR Revolution etc.
Base on my experience they might give you a better pricing as oppose to J315...

Anyway you are just a call away... No harm checking it up. =)
As mention by the rest, do check out from the BNS forum.

You might get a good deal sometime. =)
Thanks for the tip, will attempt to get quotes from other reputable shops! :D
 

Don't stress out on the body. Rather, spend the money on the lenses. Body will get outdated real quick, lenses will not. And the 500D to 50D or 400D, 450D to 40D does not give you that much of a jump in IQ. Just some incremental features and slightly better build.

Also, leave room of about $300 for essential accessories.
 

what is it in 50D that makes you want to get it over 500D other than being a semi-pro body?
The faster FPS? the weather-seal body?

imho, with that kind of budget, i would rather go with the 500D and make use of the rest for other accessories.
I don't need the fast FPS for now, I guess. Actually, other than that, I don't see a difference in their technical specifications according to dpreview:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_eos50d%2Ccanon_eos500d&show=all

I wanted to ask a question regarding their difference, and that slipped my mind, thanks for bringing it up. :)

Just a question though, what accessories are quite mandatory for beginners? I've only planned on getting a blower and a UV lens, and these 2 added together doesn't seem to go beyond $50. >< I'm planning to do without a dry cabinet at the moment so that the only way I can prevent my camera from getting fungus so soon is using it.
 

Don't stress out on the body. Rather, spend the money on the lenses. Body will get outdated real quick, lenses will not. And the 500D to 50D or 400D, 450D to 40D does not give you that much of a jump in IQ. Just some incremental features and slightly better build.

Also, leave room of about $300 for essential accessories.
While bodies tend to depreciated a lot faster than lenses i.e every month or so, isn't the lenses the one we're changing more often compared to the body? ><

I was thinking I should stick with my kit lens (possibly the 50mm prime) for the time being, and then decide on what lens I want to get after a year or so. :dunno:
 

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