Introduction
Having owned the average point and click and compact cameras, over the past few years I became less and less satisfied with zoom range, focus options, custom settings, etc, etc and at the end of day where it all boils down to: quality of images. This made me decide to get a DSLR as a next camera.
So I started to research on what to buy: what brand of camera? What manufacturer has the widest range of lenses available? Say what, you can also have third party lenses? Right, didn't know that. So what focal length to take? Do I get one wide angle for architecture and one long zoom lens for wildlife? Or a travel one lens fits all type of lens? Argh! So what does the quality of lenses depend on? Brands differ, I need a light sensitive lens? I'll go for a F/2.8 then. How much does that make it? Yikes.
Anyway, this process went on for a while and I couldn't make up my mind. Point is that once you go DSLR, you're spending quite a few quid. That's hard earned cash and I hated to blow it on the wrong equipment. So after careful consideration, I ended up owning the following kit:
> Canon EOS 450D (NL/EUR) aka Canon Digital Rebel XSi (US)
> Canon EF-S 17-85mm F/4.0-5.6 IS USM
> Canon EF 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 IS USM
I decided to explore Canon first, as I've owned other cameras by them in the past. As the 450D got pretty decent reviews, I just remained loyal to the brand. As for the lenses, I need something I could use as a "walk around" lens as well as something I could use to capture (shy) wildlife.
I think it's not bad for a starter kit. The body apparently gets good reviews and with the lenses I cover quite a range (although a 10-22mm sounds nice ;) and they at least have image stabilisation (and relatively quiet ring motor). So let's see where this take me...
I know buying lots of fancy equipment doesn't instantly make you the hottest photographer on earth, but I'm not aiming for that anyway and I am always willing to learn. Just hoping that the above gear and your tips and suggestions will help me enjoy photography and start the learning process...
Thomas
Sites
> Ilger.nl, the photoblog of my brotherWarning, all links open in a new window!