Best camera/lens combo for $500

chris_holtmeier · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Have a friend wanting to get into a DSLR. Only has $500 to spend total, so my recommendation of a 5D mkI isn't in the budget.

Used is okay, older is okay, video not necessary. I'm stumped on this one, so I'd love to hear some opinions.

He'll mainly be shooting kids and family type stuff. No landscapes or sports.

Scott M · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Used 40D ($400) plus a 18-55mm IS kit lens or 50mm f/1.8. ($100)

TheFarmer · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

T2i with kit lens. Or the used 40D ScottM mentioned, great camera too.

crn3371 · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheFarmer

T2i with kit lens. Or the used 40D ScottM mentioned, great camera too.

Both good choices. Maybe even throw he T1i into the mix. Depends if your friend has any interest at all in video.

T2i4me · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

If he does not need video don't rule out the XSi it's a great value body and he can get 2 kit lenses and be in his price range or get just the 18-55 and a tripod.

adamg5 · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

IMO a used Canon XS ($2-225) and Sigma 30 used ($380). 30 on a crop FOV will be easy to get used to. Also have recommend him to save up and upgrade body to T2i then so forth.
Sorry I know a little more than $500, but I feel it's a great combo I recommended the T2i and Sigma 30 (he paid $380 on here) to a friend and they are now best friends

cfcRebel · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

- Used 30D ($270)
- Used EF-S 18-55 IS ($100)
- Used EF-S 55-250 IS ($160)

chris_holtmeier · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

I probably should have specified that he wants a fast lens. He really likes the images I get with my 5D and 85LII.

WRXTACY · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Used 30D $270. Plus a EF 85mm f1.8 which used is about 300-350

Or a 40D $400 plus a 50mm f/1.8 which is $115

adamo99 · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

^^ 30D + 35mm f/2. the 85mm will be way too long for indoor use.

ahendarman · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

I would suggest
Canon T2i with 18-55 IS Kit Lens - $447.99 through the CLP
or
Canon T2i - $383.99 (CLP) + 50mm f/1.8 for a fast lens option

ryanshoots · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_holtmeier

I probably should have specified that he wants a fast lens. He really likes the images I get with my 5D and 85LII.

In that case the 50mm will do the trick. It's not far off the 85 in terms of 35mm equivalent focal length.

I'd say 40D, or 50D if he wants a body with more manual control and that's bigger, or whatever rebel fits his price if he wants something newer, but doesn't care about what the 40 and 50d offer over the rebel line.

TheFarmer · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_holtmeier

I probably should have specified that he wants a fast lens. He really likes the images I get with my 5D and 85LII.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ahendarman

Canon T2i - $383.99 (CLP) + 50mm f/1.8 for a fast lens option

cfcRebel · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_holtmeier

I probably should have specified that he wants a fast lens. He really likes the images I get with my 5D and 85LII.

Then
- Used Canon Rebel ($100)
- Used EF 50mm f1.8 II ($100)
- Used EF 85mm f1.8 ($300)

But good luck to a beginner getting the composition right with kids running in the house and group photo.

lyttleviet · 18th of May 2012 (Fri)

30D with whatever primes you want. In my experience the 40/50D are soft.

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#1
chris_holtmeier Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Omaha, NE Posts: 903 IMAGE EDITING OK	Best camera/lens combo for $500 Have a friend wanting to get into a DSLR. Only has $500 to spend total, so my recommendation of a 5D mkI isn't in the budget. Used is okay, older is okay, video not necessary. I'm stumped on this one, so I'd love to hear some opinions. He'll mainly be shooting kids and family type stuff. No landscapes or sports. __________________ 5DIII, 5DII, EF28/1.8, 50L, 85LII, 135L http://www.foton-foto.com/ https://www.facebook.com/FotonFoto

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#2
Scott M Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,427	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 Used 40D ($400) plus a 18-55mm IS kit lens or 50mm f/1.8. ($100) __________________ Photo Gallery Gear List

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#3
TheFarmer Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: On a farm Posts: 267	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 T2i with kit lens. Or the used 40D ScottM mentioned, great camera too. __________________ 5DM3 \| 35mm F2 \| Sigma 50mm 1.4 \| 24-105 F4L \| Canon GP-E2 GPS \| Canon ST-E3-RT \| 2x 600EX-RT \| The End

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#5
T2i4me Goldmember Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Surf City Posts: 2,292	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 If he does not need video don't rule out the XSi it's a great value body and he can get 2 kit lenses and be in his price range or get just the 18-55 and a tripod. __________________ -- Eric -- 5DC - T2i - 100-400 L IS - 70-200 F4 L - 17-40 L - EF 85 1.8 - EF-S 10-22 - EF-S 15-85 IS - EF-S 60 macro - 430EX II

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#6
adamg5 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 1,062 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 IMO a used Canon XS ($2-225) and Sigma 30 used ($380). 30 on a crop FOV will be easy to get used to. Also have recommend him to save up and upgrade body to T2i then so forth. Sorry I know a little more than $500, but I feel it's a great combo I recommended the T2i and Sigma 30 (he paid $380 on here) to a friend and they are now best friends __________________ Adam got a mind full of questions and a teacher in my soul. and so it goes____. flickr Last edited by adamg5 : 18th of May 2012 (Fri) at 11:19.

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#7
cfcRebel Cream of the Crop Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 10,249	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 - Used 30D ($270) - Used EF-S 18-55 IS ($100) - Used EF-S 55-250 IS ($160) __________________ Fee Canon \| SIGMA \| TAMRON \| Kenko \| Amvona

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#9
WRXTACY Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Fredericksburg , VA, USA Posts: 762	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 Used 30D $270. Plus a EF 85mm f1.8 which used is about 300-350 Or a 40D $400 plus a 50mm f/1.8 which is $115 __________________ -Brandon- Canon 5D Mark 2\|Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 L\|Canon EF 135mm f/2.0 L \|Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM Full Gear List \| My flickr

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#10
adamo99 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Mississauga, ON Posts: 756 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 ^^ 30D + 35mm f/2. the 85mm will be way too long for indoor use. __________________

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#11
ahendarman Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SoCal Posts: 810 IMAGE EDITING OK	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 I would suggest Canon T2i with 18-55 IS Kit Lens - $447.99 through the CLP or Canon T2i - $383.99 (CLP) + 50mm f/1.8 for a fast lens option __________________ Gear \| Smugmug Last edited by ahendarman : 18th of May 2012 (Fri) at 11:34.

18th of May 2012 (Fri)	#15
lyttleviet Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 438	Re: Best camera/lens combo for $500 30D with whatever primes you want. In my experience the 40/50D are soft. __________________ www.opulentphotography.com

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