I'm a newbie, is it worth getting the 2nd hand standard lens kit?

[kenny888]

hi all,

i'm a newbie who has just gotten his 2nd hand dslr, but i have no lens to play with. is it worth getting a 2nd hand standard kit 18-55 IS ? i understand it will cost more than 100. my budget is alr bust.. so i hope to spend wisely now.

btw the kind seller has lent me a 18-55 lens but the back part has been sawn off coz previously he use this on another cam which doesnt fit. this len can fit nicely on my canon though. but i wonder if the quality or anything will be affected or rather can this even be used?

anyone has any advice?

 

[driveanegg]

Obviously bad budgeting ....

You will need a lens for sure ... otherwise the camera cant funtion.
if you are using a canon the 18-55mm IS is prob the only thing you can afford for now ....
The good thing is that lens is actually quite nice

Do get a nice undamaged one ... you might sell it in future if you feel like it ....

Then do put up some $$ for a dry box / dry cabinet once you can afford to ... no urgency but will be nice to have ...

Cheers !! Have fun shooting when you get a lens

 

[hori]

As a newbie, I started off with a Nikon F55 and kit lens (film) and learned about the technical aspects of photography. After which I progressed to a semi-pro film camera F100 and a Tokina pro lens. The improvement in image quality and variety in shooting is immense.

If you are still learning, it may be best to stay low cost and learn about photography first before plunging into the "BUY BUY BUY" syndrome. Once you are ready to progress to a higher level of competency and demand, you will naturally hunt for a better lens (be it a third-party pro lens or an L lens).

I think the seller saw off the EF-S lens to fit his Full Frame camera body. I'm not sure though whether it will affect the image quality. My gut feeling is it shouldn't since the seller will not have saw it off if it will result in deteriorating image quality (IQ)

 

[hori]

In addition, get an undamaged one if possible like what driveanegg advised. Unless the seller is quoting a very very low price. Since 18-55 is a kit lens and kit lenses generally have a poor resale value and low demand. Get it if it is dirt cheap - to practice.

 

[roaringflamer]

get a dirt cheap one. 18-55 is is a really good lens still nevertheless! IQ really isnt that bad

 

[chalib]

Yes. It is good enough for a start and learning

 

[dingaroo]

If the owner wants to sell that lens, and the images you have captured is fine (very subjective, but put up the pics you have taken here, so we can help determine for you), go ahead and get it.

Important is for you to learn and put into practice what you have learned. With the knowledge that you have acquired with this camera (2nd hand it may be), you can easily move on to a better camera and lens in future and still use what you learned.

Take more pics and learn from the brothers/sisters here!

Cheers!

PS: Welcome to the club!

 

[giantcanopy]

hi all,

i'm a newbie who has just gotten his 2nd hand dslr, but i have no lens to play with. is it worth getting a 2nd hand standard kit 18-55 IS ? i understand it will cost more than 100. my budget is alr bust.. so i hope to spend wisely now.

btw the kind seller has lent me a 18-55 lens but the back part has been sawn off coz previously he use this on another cam which doesnt fit. this len can fit nicely on my canon though. but i wonder if the quality or anything will be affected or rather can this even be used?

anyone has any advice?

Unless u r worried that the mechanical sawing off might have adversely affected optical alignment as a result of handling, why not get an 18-55 that is not modified for a start ?

ryan

 

[kenny888]

hi all again,

tks for all the replies, LOL sooo many replies. hmm okie i'll try to take some pics and post them, ya the lens is sawn off so i'm a bit worried, but anyway he's leaving his lens with me coz he noe i dont have any to play with haa.

as for dry box lol, ya i'm naturally a bit worried about the fungus issue that i read about in this forum, i'll source for something cheap. i go settle the lens thingy first. lol one thing i'm quite happy is that this forum's buy and sell section actually make things so much easier and affordable for newbies like me if not i doubt i'll be able to buy anything as the cheapest new cam is way tooooo expensive for me.

tks!

 

[kenny888]

oh ya, i decided to get a dry box, i've been leaving my 2nd hand cam outside for like almost a week. any air tight dry box will do rite? even those from carefour?

 

[Octarine]

oh ya, i decided to get a dry box, i've been leaving my 2nd hand cam outside for like almost a week. any air tight dry box will do rite? even those from carefour?

It will do the job of trapping the air inside. But that's not the point. A dry box is to establish and maintain controlled conditions of lower humidity than Standard Singapore Climate. You will need a hygrometer and Silica Gel as well. Search the forum, this question is asked frequently. Do check other sections (Equipment - Others) for more information.

 

[kenny888]

hi all,

this is the pic of the sawn lens. what do u guys think? i wonder if its actually useable or do i need to get another one. lol ya... the dealer is a nice guy so now at least i've something to play with.

how to attach pics LOL i cant find the button to do that.

 

[kenny888]

here they r haha. notice there is some distance between the gap and the end. so i wondering if this is actually useable.

pls advise.

 

[Octarine]

Technically it can still be used. But the open back is not a good thing. Since the lens is not sealed to outside it will suck the dust into the camera easily.