Canon 600D - what lens kit?

Hello to the esteemed photoforumites.

I quite like photography and have been finding the compact cameras I've had up till now rather restrictive (especially in poorer light conditions). I would also like a more responsive camera, with better IQ and that nice clicking shutter sound that the SLRs make (that's quite a biggie for me :) ). I haven't got any experience with SLRs and my budget won't stretch to anything too obsene (man, you look at a £500 camera and think, oh, jeez, that's pricey... Then you start reading up and looking around and it's "ooh, I guess I can stretch to £800"... Then you force yourself to stop looking if you know whats good for you...)

With that in mind I am about to buy a Canon 600D (looked at similar Nikon, but think I prefer the Canon). I am trying to decide what lens to get with it. I could either go for the standard 18-55 kit and then get a telephoto lens later, or I could get the 18-135 now, and not bother with a telephoto unless I really start missing it.

My thoughts are that with a 18-135 I get a bit more choice, don't have to worry about lugging 2 lens around. However is it as good a performer for normal shots as the 18-55 which seems to be IS II not IS. Secondly it'll mean a larger outlay from the beginning.

18-55 - cheaper to start with, possibly better quality (help?). Can save for an additional telephoto lens and have a more capable kit in the end. But more money overall and may be stuck lugging an extra lens around.

Remember I am a beginner - it's holiday snaps, portraits, etc. I am unlikely to go on a dedicated photo shoot, but I'll probably enjoy walks more if I can spot something nice to snap.

I'll also welcome any other advice, from best shops/accessories to anything else you can think of.

Thanks

DK

For starters I really would not bother with a 600D, get a 550D instead. It's the same guts, the only real notable difference is the 600D has a flip out screen and wireless flash capabilities. Someone can correct me if I am wrong but I looked into this around 3-4 months back as I was after a new body with video capabilities and I saved myself around £100 - £150 going for the 550D.

I believe the II just means Mark 2 or something similar, the IS is still the same, they just changed the design of the lens for cheaper manufacturing or in some rare cases to fix issues on previous models.

Camera price buster is always a safe bet for checking cheapest prices: http://camerapricebuster.co.uk/cat1.html

And Canon eBay outlet do refurbs cheap (I've heard good things about the refurbs and they come with a 1 year warranty unless stated otherwise): http://stores.ebay.co.uk/canon-outlet

For the price difference I'd probably stick with the 18-55 kit lens and look at getting a decent telephoto at a later date.

This is kinda a belated wedding present to us as well... So we'll leave the refurb stuff out of the running. Thanks for the comparison thing though, that's useful.

I'll have a closer look at 550, i didn't think the price difference was quite as high, and the flippy screen can come in handy.

P.S. Just seen the difference is under £100 between 550d and 600d, which is not too much.

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Originally Posted by dkmech

P.S. Just seen the difference is under £100 between 550d and 600d, which is not too much.

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Yes it seems to have come down a bit in price since I last checked.

This gives you a rough idea of differences: http://snapsort.com/compare/Canon-60...Canon_EOS_550D

I have a question about a few things. It says that the 550d has:
Much less startup delay 400 ms vs 1500 ms 3.7x less delay when turning on
Is that going to be true or one of those misprint/measure different thing situations?

Figured out that the other thing (image stabilizer missing apparently) is because its in-lens stabiliser anyway.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dkmech

I have a question about a few things. It says that the 550d has:
Much less startup delay 400 ms vs 1500 ms 3.7x less delay when turning on
Is that going to be true or one of those misprint/measure different thing situations?

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I doubt you'd even notice, I wouldn't take that comparison into consideration.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dkmech

Figured out that the other thing (image stabilizer missing apparently) is because its in-lens stabiliser anyway.

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I perhaps should of mentioned this. All Canon compatible lenses afaik do IS in lens. So Canon lenses, Sigma, Tamron etc all do any IS in the lens.

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Originally Posted by DannyM

I perhaps should of mentioned this. All Canon compatible lenses afaik do IS in lens. So Canon lenses, Sigma, Tamron etc all do any IS in the lens.

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I came across this on dpreview, so I did know, it's just the way they said "it ain't got it" had me worried for a second till I remembered they would mean the body only.

Startup delay, I wouldn't worry too much about a second there.

Normally when you've got your camera round your neck you've got it turned on in sleep mode, that is to say you've just not taken a picture, its still on, but with no live view, no focusing, no metering etc. Then you have no issue with startup delay, just focus time becomes the issue!

I'd be more pre-occupied about the lack luster battery life, I expect 1k+ shots per battery, this makes a big difference if I'm off somewhere remote, like easter time, I'll NOT be bringing any chargers, just 3 batteries.

But really, feel will probably matter so much to you, feel it, feel the combination your most likely going to be starting off with, and pay the premium for the store that does that. I nearly ended up with a canon a while back because all I'd used was a mates. It was most helpful for me not to just buy that because its all I'd ever used!

That is probably your top priority, finding something that feels good, if your doing a lot of traveling too, remember the neck strap is going to be replaced with a pac safe one anyway, so focus on the hand feel.

As for image stabalising, this is a contentious issue, some think the only way to get good quality stabilisation is in the lens, those who have the option of in body stabalisation don't! For instance the tamron 18-250 IS isn't as good for my use as my in body stablising. Yet on my new 150-500, I find the lens stabalsing better... Horses for corses.

I'd suggest you look first at what kind of lens you want to buy? A day lens, or superzoom to use the proper term is probably the best bet for a first lens, this will allow you fairly wide angle landscapes when on holiday, and everything else from people to some basic wildlife.

have to remember that Canon and Nikon did lens stabilization for a loooooong time before digital came about - to take that away from their market now wouldn't do themselves any favours..

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Originally Posted by Bobster

have to remember that Canon and Nikon did lens stabilization for a loooooong time before digital came about - to take that away from their market now wouldn't do themselves any favours..

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I'm not suggesting taking it away, its always been a switch on the lens with every encarnation i've seen, often with more than 1 setting of ON. And I can't see the argument against having the option in boday.

So why not have both! Because you know damn well it will eat in to the sale of the over priced IS lenses.

I thought sony had something in this price range which might be worth considering for the OP.

I couldn't really recommend him going for the k-5 with its WR 18-135 because the price is too high and you have to really want the weather sealing and such.

Its just something I've noticed, with my IS in two different bodies, with different lenses, some are better with their in lens, some are really much better with body. But this depends on what they are stabalising, which is dependant on how the person holds the camera! You can always flick it off effortlessly if you don't want it! Its a damn fine option to have, and to be honest if the first lens someone is looking at buying they want IS, they should surely have the option in the body too?

I'd say for the OP to think about what kind of lens they want, as before, I'd recommend looking at day lenses, then finding a body lens combo that works, that feels great and that you'll always enjoy carrying with you. Thats whats going to matter most!

I highly recommend sticking with the 18-55 and seeing what you do with it - it will fit better with a future telephoto purchase if you find yourself wanting more range later, and in my opinion having a 18-55 and a 55-250 or similar dual lens setup will get you more for your money. Lugging an extra lens around is really trivial - these cameras are small and light anyway.

Ordered the 600D with 18-55 kit lens plus various other little bits. Should arrive tomorrow (then must resist it for 7 days - tis our Valentine's/Wedding/2nd Wedding Anniversary gift)

He is gonna have no respite:
http://forums.hexus.net/photography-...ml#post2301497

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Originally Posted by dkmech

(then must resist it for 7 days - tis our Valentine's/Wedding/2nd Wedding Anniversary gift)

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That lasted well then :p

I was prepared to hold out, but wife said lets get started. We are going out for valentine's, so that's covered and the wedding was far enough back :)

And look how much unphotographed cat we have! Would be a travesty to let it go to waste.

"Can you zoom a bit closer on the cat, please?" - says wife.
"No. I take it we getting the other lens then?" - I say.
"Yup." - she says.

Will try it out tonight. Kind of knew we'd be there eventually anyway :)