A question about the 600D

I'm switching over from Sony to Canon after good fortune smiled and i came up on some cash

after much comparing and considering i've plumped on buying a 600D. The specs seem very respectable for the price it offers.

The one i've seen is from a company that sources it from the Orient

as such its classed as a kiss x5(?) etc.

would the actual item differ too much from one bought from the UK?

I've got a total of £850 to spend and as i am startin afresh on canon i'd need to have a few lenses too. close up for portrait - around the 18-135mm - can anyone recommend a lens in that range?

The 600D is called the Kiss X5 in Japan and the Rebel T3i in the USA & Canada. They are all identical except for the name and warranty coverage. If you buy a Kiss X5, you may have to send it back to Japan for warranty service. You should check on this for sure before you buy.

Thank you RTP

I think i'll keep looking for a UK version of either the 600d or the 550d

Also is the performance jump from the 550d to the 600d significant or not?

aside from the swivel screen and the built in off flash remote is there anything vastly different?

Go and hold tgem in a shop. The 600d is a much better shape and Soooo much more comfortable to hold.

imranali wrote in post #13770134
Also is the performance jump from the 550d to the 600d significant or not?

aside from the swivel screen and the built in off flash remote is there anything vastly different?

Nope. And I don't even like wireless flash trigger that uses a pre-firing flash. It really destroys candid moments and scares off critters. It's mostly useful for studio type stuff, really. I kind of hate swivel screens too, but honestly I think it could come in handy.

danjama wrote in post #13770573
Go and hold tgem in a shop. The 600d is a much better shape and Soooo much more comfortable to hold.

Meh, I don't notice a huge difference. It's not worth the price gap to me at least, imo.

Yeah I do a fair bit of studio shooting so it would come in handy.

Not sure if I will or not use the swivel screen.

Would be interested to hear from someone who has used it

imranali wrote in post #13768493
I'm switching over from Sony to Canon after good fortune smiled and i came up on some cash

after much comparing and considering i've plumped on buying a 600D. The specs seem very respectable for the price it offers.

The one i've seen is from a company that sources it from the Orient

as such its classed as a kiss x5(?) etc.

would the actual item differ too much from one bought from the UK?

I've got a total of £850 to spend and as i am startin afresh on canon i'd need to have a few lenses too. close up for portrait - around the 18-135mm - can anyone recommend a lens in that range?

I think that you should go with the T3i (600d) and match that up with a 50mm 1.8 for portraits and also add in the 55-250. Canon does have an 18-135 and a 28-135 I believe. I just suggest the 55-250 because it will cover more range and have less overlap. But congrats on the transition and hope you enjoy your stay!

At the moment i'm considering a 50mm and a 28-135 and if i can i might pick up a cheap kit 18-55 lens.

but the 55-250 is tempting though.

thank you for the welcome! i think i did initially make the right choice in the sony as an entry esp for the price i got it back then.

i'm just too-ing and fro-ing wether to get a used one or a brand new one

imranali wrote in post #13771107
Yeah I do a fair bit of studio shooting so it would come in handy.

Not sure if I will or not use the swivel screen.

Would be interested to hear from someone who has used it

I have a 60D, I don't use the swivel screen much, the odd low shot it has been useful for. Also on the odd occasion for stealth shooting with live view (only time I use live view).

No I can't really see why a tog would want to use live view tbh. I miss having an eye piece on my camcorder!

I guess where the swivel screen comes in is durin video shooting.

imranali wrote in post #13772920
No I can't really see why a tog would want to use live view tbh. I miss having an eye piece on my camcorder!

I guess where the swivel screen comes in is durin video shooting.

With an ultra-wide, when I go for the high angle, I have to completely guess composition and scale focus. This is a key angle for documentary work. I get my shots regardless but a swivel screen would take out some of the guesswork.

Also live view is really useful for things like landscapes and studio work where a 10x zoom in live view is the most reliable way to ensure perfect focus.

I guess till i get it i wont fully appriciate it!

i know how in studio work it can be a pain in the butt having one eye closed for a few hours! *LOL*

Even thought the T3i is not much larger than the T2i, it just feels better to me. I have the 18-135 on mine. Gave up the USM focus for the wider angle. The swivel screen is really nice for macro and close up shots using Live View. I debated long and hard between the two and finally decided to spend the few extra dollars for the T3i.

Thanks green and thanks everyone - some great advice there!!