Moving to Digital

[Clarapug]

I wonder if you could help me.

I have been using a Canon EOS 500 for about ten years now. I love it, and get on really well with it. I understand that when it was purchased, it was a middle of the road SLR. I have a Sigma 70-300 lens as well as the stock Canon lens it came with. Through the years I have taken some amazing photos (well, I'm pretty chuffed with them), first with the camera doing all the work and then latterly me giving it a helping hand.

My mummy has said she will buy me a DSLR for my birthday in March. I have read the stickies on here, and I know I want to stay Canon - I have tried a Nikon DSLR as well as the Canon on a photography course, and found I got on much better with the Canon. BUT I don't get the pixels thingy. I don't want her to spend loads of money if she doesn't have to. I was originally looking at just getting the 1000D, because I used it (along with the 400, 450 and 500) on this course, and really liked it - nice and light and easy to use. I was then just going to get an extra lens similar to the Sigma I have, and then if I ever have any spare cash, get a nice wide angle jobby (the Sigma 10-20mm). Will I be holding myself back doing this? She is offering to go up to the next level, which I THINK is the 50D. But the Which review wasn't kind to that one.

I really don't want her to spend that much money if she doesn't have to. I'm not interested in video, so would you recommend going for the basic one, the 1000, or the 450, or even the 500?

I'm sure you get bored of all these questions, but I am so confused because the more I read on here, the more I think its not just about how many pixels can be squeezed onto the sensor :russian_r

[Coles Dad]

If I where you I would go for he 1000D and take it from there.
I think you can get it for about £350.
Others will no doubt be along soon with advice.

[Carmen]

I'm a Nikon person but wouldn't the Sigma lens you have fit on the digital or doesn't it work like that with Canon ?? I have a friend who had a Canon film SLR for years and went to a Canon 350D because she wanted to reuse the lenses - however I don't think she ever actually did!!

1000D sounds like a good cam but I know lots of people with the 450D who really rate it.

[Clarapug]

I'm a Nikon person but wouldn't the Sigma lens you have fit on the digital or doesn't it work like that with Canon ?? I have a friend who had a Canon film SLR for years and went to a Canon 350D because she wanted to reuse the lenses - however I don't think she ever actually did!!

1000D sounds like a good cam but I know lots of people with the 450D who really rate it.

I've heard varying reports from Canon users, that they either work in manual mode, which is great, or they come up with an error message :sulk:

[tenchy]

I would recommend the 450D myself.
It has a few more functions over the 1000D and a bigger screen. More pixels too, but not crammed with them. When I bought mine it was cos it was very highly rated on image quality. The only thing the 500D has (i think) that I would like is more pixels on the lcd. Same size still so don't know if actually worth it, not seen one in the flesh. My mate has the 1000D.
As to lenses are your ones now EF fit by any chance? (don't know your cam)
If so 100% compatible.
As to 50D etc not really checked those out too much, I do like the lighter weight of the 450D cos I carry it up a lot of mountains.
Sigma 10-20 is a star buy! Gotta get one!

[midian68]

350d 40d and 1ds..own all three at all the weight range, and i love em all!!

[midian68]

my advice ..40D simonpaul is selling two at the trading post at a great price .

[Clarapug]

I would recommend the 450D myself.
It has a few more functions over the 1000D and a bigger screen. More pixels too, but not crammed with them. When I bought mine it was cos it was very highly rated on image quality. The only thing the 500D has (i think) that I would like is more pixels on the lcd. Same size still so don't know if actually worth it, not seen one in the flesh. My mate has the 1000D.
As to lenses are your ones now EF fit by any chance? (don't know your cam)
If so 100% compatible.
As to 50D etc not really checked those out too much, I do like the lighter weight of the 450D cos I carry it up a lot of mountains.
Sigma 10-20 is a star buy! Gotta get one!

The Canon lens is definitely EF which is good news :) Can't see EF anywhere on the Sigma but it was a bargain when I bought it all those years ago, so its probably outdated now.

I hear very good things about the 450D. I have seen some of your images in my brief time as a member and am very impressed with them :) Lighter is definitely in my favour - I don't have as much strength in my wrists as I would like any more and I struggle with the weight of my film camera with the big zoom lens on sometimes.

Thanks everyone for the advice. Please keep it coming - it's really helpful to hear everyone's opinions :) Much better talking to people who use them.

[Clarapug]

my advice ..40D simonpaul is selling two at the trading post at a great price .

I've seen that. I'm not sure I could convince my mum to buy second hand, as silly as that sounds.

Why would you recommend the 40D :)?

[paulmag]

I've seen that. I'm not sure I could convince my mum to buy second hand, as silly as that sounds.

Why would you recommend the 40D :)?

blinding camera only my opinion and simonpaul is a sound guy

[mini_mad]

Nice and simple, sounds like the ideal time to visit Focus on Imaging (7-10 March at the NEC), Canon had a stand there last year and you could handle all the cameras, you would even be able to take your current lenses along and see if they will work on the digital bodies, there is a bit of size and feel difference between the ****D, ***D and **D so it may just be a case of the one that feels best in your hands and puts the controls where you want them.

There are also some very good trade stands there too so chances are you will find your choice at a very reasonable price.

[Clarapug]

blinding camera only my opinion and simonpaul is a sound guy

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to cause offence. I wasn't saying anything other than my mum, bless her, isn't confident buying second hand. Personally I have no concerns, but its not my money. Hope I haven't upset anyone.

[tenchy]

sure none is taken. Not unusual my mum is exactly the same :)

[Coles Dad]

The plastic bodies are much lighter than the alloy,but also much less robust.
Depends on yourself and use I would say.

[Carmen]

I got a Nikon D200 from my uncle after having a secondhand D40 (similarish to say a 350D) for a while. The D200 is roughly equivalent to maybe a 30D as itspossibly a bit older than the 40D, the D200 is a much bigger camera physically and a bit of a brick both in size weight and robustness (mag alloy body) but whenever I go back to the D40 now it feels really small in my hands. I can't use it any more as I can't find any of the settings in the menus. It was fine and I loved it when I used it all the time but I couldn't go back to the D40 alone now as the D200 is so much easier and faster to use as it has all the main settings on the body without having to fiddle in the menus. Also the top LCD shows a lot of good info too.


I know it's not Canon but the difference is probably about the same between something like the 450D and the 40D. As you're used to SLR perhaps the 40D is the better buy?

[MisterRigsby]

I would also say that it's well worth having a try of a 40D to see how you like the handling of it. As has been said, it's a heftier camera than the xxxD series which, to me, is a good thing. I started with a 400D and bought a 40D a few months later. I kept the 400D as a second camera but couldn't stand using it, it just felt small and 'wrong' after using the 40D. The 400D was sold sharpish after that. The extra dials and thunbstick on the 40D make it so much easier and quicker to use as well.

I doubt your local Jessops will have a 40D on the shelf but they're bound to have a 50D for you to try. The controls and size/weight are the same as a 40D.

[mini_mad]

If it helps with all the recomendations, if you can walk into a shop and try the current standard - the 500D and the 50D this will give you a feel for the one that will fit your hand best, if you like the feel of the 50D then you will find the 40D should be just about the same and as with the 500D, the feel will be the same as the 450D