Canon EOS 350D

[PJGrove]

Hello there, this is my very first post on this forum :D. Currently I have a Canon Ixus 330 compact that has served me very well. I want a lot more flexibility now and am looking to buy a Canon EOS 350D.

I realise there are many threads, probably, on this subject but I would very much appreciate any advice when purchasing this camera. I am a complete newbie to SLR and haven't a clue what all the available lenses are, and indeed what the appeture and shutter speeds are etc. I just love taking photographs of cityscapes and want to learn more about this kind of photography. So if anyone can direct me in the right direction for information, or supply some information I will be very greateful.

Look forward to your responses
PJGrove :cool:

[CyberDyneSystems]

It usually helps if you ask a question ;)

For Lens info look at the Sticky threads in the EF lens section,..

for info on the 350D,. look at the sticky threads in this section (EOS) and just go down the first few pages and read any threads on the 350.

If you do figure out that you have a specific question.. then come on back and ask. Be sure to include the question in your thread title.

Oh,.. and Welcome! http://members.bellatlantic.net/~vze2hdzu/pics/welcome.gif

[robertwgross]

If you have a good Canon dealer near you, you might stop in and see what they have to say. I suggest NOT to take your credit card along on that first visit. If their sales staff is any good, they will show you some lenses and let you look through it. That just begins the learning process.

Then return to this forum and read. Simply read about lenses and problems and flash units and more problems. After a while, you will get a feeling for where you need to head. Just read some of the problems, and then what the solutions turned out to be. In some cases, it is a user error. If you have a specific question, then this is the place to ask.

If the budget is not so tight, then you might return to your local Canon dealer and buy the main pieces that you need. Keep in mind that a local dealer generally does not have the cheapest prices. A few online vendors, mentioned in the recommended vendors sticky, will have the best prices, but then you may have to add taxes and transportation cost. Of course, some people prefer to get the hands-on attention at the local Canon dealer. Whatever. Take your pick. I would suggest that if you try the online vendors because of price, please do a check of reseller ratings, because there are quite a few "scam shops" that operate openly. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. One way or the other, many of us in this forum have figured out who the scammers are.

If I am in a tremendous rush, I will quickly do my homework, and then head to my local Canon dealer for a purchase. If I have the time, I will do more homework and then purchase online. Good luck.

---Bob Gross---

[PJGrove]

Thank you both for your help. Going to a Canon dealer near to me seems to be the way to go. To handle the camera and look through different lenses, as you said, will give me more of an idea of what will be good for me. I'm not in any rush so doing some homework first should be beneficial in the long run.

There are some reputable shops here in the UK that have been recommended that sell online too. Buying a bundled package is what I want to do, I need to identify what lens I want to get with it however.

So, the Stickies are places to find out information are they?

Thanks for our help
PJ :D

[tim]

Yep the stickies are a good place to start. The 350D can some by itself, or with a "kit" lens. It's cheap and not too bad, and it's a good starter lens. There's another one, 18-85mm USM IS I think, that's better, but costs a lot more. If i'd been feeling flush when I bought my camera I might have gotten it instead of the 18-55mm lens.

The 50mm F1.8 is another good starter lens, at about US$70. You'll learn a lot more if you have a camera to play with, and you'll learn a lot from playing with the 50mm lens.

I 2nd the advice from Bob, buying from a good local dealer can often be worthwhile, but you do pay more. For a beginner the support and advice might well be worth it. If you buy online people here will help you out.

Good luck :)

[Sherpa]

If you are in the UK take a look at Park Cameras www.parkcameras.co.uk as they have a whole load of 350D bundles on their website and their prices are amongst the best in the UK. They are a reputable dealer too.

[Kennymc]

7Dayshop.com (http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/normal_search_result.php?PHPSESSID=&keywords=350D&x=7&y=10) is always worth a try as I see you are based in London...

[Jon, The Elder]

You just got the best answers this forum can provide - RobertGross, et al. are pretty reliable and experienced shooters.

They may differ on details - but the general thrust is backed by solid experience. I can't add anything new to their comments.

[PJGrove]

Great - that's brilliant advice. I've definitely heard of Parkes Cameras - other people have directed me there and they do some good bundles at good prices. I'll also take a look at 7dayShop and see what they have to offer.

I need to have a better knowledge of the lenses and what they do really. My passion is night photography of cityscapes.

Thanks for your help so far - this is really helping me.

best,
PJ ;)

[DocFrankenstein]

You'll want a good tripod for that.

The kit lens 18-55 is a must... maybe even 10-22 which is W I D E

[robertwgross]

Going to a Canon dealer near to me seems to be the way to go.


One reason for this is something that is not written much about.

Some shooters have large hands, and they can't get their fingers to push tiny buttons very well. Others have small hands, and they can't get their hands to hold a big camera body. About the only way you can get through that is to hold the camera at the local shop, or else get your buddy to let you hold his.

---Bob Gross---