I want to get a great camera

Hi all,

I am looking to purchase a great still camera, with the following features :

great set of lens
crystal clear photos
can take lot of photos QUICKLY, without waiting for aaaages between pics
great close ups and that feature that lets you focus on the object close to you but leaves the back ground fuzzy (loooooove those pics)
can zoom in from pretty far away but still take crystal clear pictures

That's pretty much it, and price is not an issue.

I'm also looking at a good video camera, and suggestions?

TIA

Beata.

We have the canon 550D, it has a HD video mode as well, which seems to be really good (I've only used the video 3 times). We got the twin lense kit & a separate close up lense. DF then bought a lense set off ebay so we can do closer shot until we can afford a decent macro lense.

I have alas got the 550D and love it. Great video and stills. Can shoot stills at 4 FPS. There is also a large selection of lenses available.

I just bought a nikon d90
Love love love it!

Has hd video and a great choice of lenses.

I'm another Nikon fan - we have the D5000 - awesome camera indeed!

I have a Canon 7D, have had it for a couple of months and I am VERY happy!! It has HD capabilities, which is fantastic.

It is a lot heavier than the 550. What I suggest is that go to your local camera shop and have a hold of a few, and you will know which you like best.

Good luck

Love Love Love my Canon 500D.
It meets your criteria.
I love the continuous shot mode. Great for kiddies.

Wow, thanks heaps everyone!! I will have a look at the canon & the nikon, it gives me an idea of what to look at. Currently we're in China so I'll see what they sell them for here. Any idea of what the canon & nikon sell for in Oz so I can compare the prices?

Thanks again :)

I have a canon 1000D (older model, but still brilliant) over here they're on sale atm with a massive carry bag and extra lens for $750

The Nikon D5000 came with a 70 - 300mm lense and cost $1,300 (about 5 mths ago).

Thanks ladies :)

another Canon 550D fan here! Takes brilliant photos.

I have the Canon 500D and LOVE IT! I only buy canon and have never had a problem with them.. loved every one. The 500D does everything youre after too.

550D here as well and we love it! It's selling in special for around $1800 with a twin lens kit right now! It has HD video so you could multiple task it instead of a separate camera then you could spend more on lenses:rofl:

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We have the canon 550D, it has a HD video mode as well, which seems to be really good (I've only used the video 3 times). We got the twin lense kit & a separate close up lense. DF then bought a lense set off ebay so we can do closer shot until we can afford a decent macro lense.

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We've also got the Canon EOS 550D and it's awesome!! We never use our video camera anymore since getting this camera because it has a really great built in HD video and it's so clear and wonderful sound too!! You'll love it.

Hey ladies and gents,

Thanks again for your feedback. We have now narrowed it down to canon 550d and 60d. I had a look at the prices here in China and the 550d is around $920 (one set of lens though) and the 60d is around $1500 in Walmart. I think we can get cheaper duty free. I am a bit worried getting the camera in Walmart as I wouldn't have a clue what to do with the warranty if anything happened.

Does anyone know what the 60d sells in Australia? Had a look on ebay and it's around $1600.

Thanks!

Check out camerasdirect online. My friend brought her 550D from there at a much cheaper price than mine.

I second cameras direct, its where I buy most of my camera gear. Check the warranty but I am pretty sure Canon is a global warranty as they have repairers in most countries kwim.

Hi guys,

Thanks Ozstar & CharliBrownGirl!

I have gone on Cameras Direct and I'm a bit confused as there are a lot of different combination camera/lens with the canon 60d camera body and I wouldn't have a clue what lens are good/most useful.

I have found the following:

18-55 mm lens (they seem to be the standard ones)
55-200 mm IS lens (these seem to be usually paired with the 18-55 mm lens in the twin lens deal)
17-300 mm lens
17-85 mm lens
18-135 f/3.5-5.6 IS lens??????
18-55 f/3.5-5.6 IS lens?????

The list goes on and on. They pretty much told me that the duty free prices here in Pudong airport in Suzhou are pretty crap, so I think I will either buy the camera in one of the big Walmart type shops or on line. The prices on Camera direct with twin lenses are about $1680, but on ebay the twin lens kit plus an extra battery and a cleaning kit is around $1700 with free delivery. Which lens are the most useful/popular ones? I realise that I can change them one day or add to the ones I already have, but what are the ones that are good to start of with? Is the twin lens offer better than buying the camera with one set of lens? And if the twin lens offer is better, what twin lens are the best to buy?

Please help, we are leaving for home tomorrow :doh:!

Ta :)

I'd be thinking what the camera will be used for. The standard lens meets my day to day requirements ie people landscapes weddings etc.
The next lens I took whale watching and was able to take pics from a greater distance, but it doesn't get used often (I've used it once).

Instead I'd prefer the fish eye lens, takes great shots and the professional photographer used it at a wedding recently. Great affects!

So I would consider your priorities and what you'll be using the camera for, that should help make your decision.

Happy shopping :leap:

You can start out with the standard lens and see if it meets your needs or If you can afford the twin lens kit I would get that, I would get an 18-55 and 55-200. That will cover all your wide shots and give you a good zoom. I would make sure the lenses are both is lenses though.

Thanks CharlieBrownGirl, I want to mostly use the camera on my DS/family, but also on some landscape shots and also if I go to the zoo for example, I want to be able to take a pic from far away and still get a clear pic. I would love to do a photography course one day so I'd like to start with a good camera and really learn how to take the most out of it.

Ozstar, thanks for that! I was thinking the twin lens package and the lens you've mentioned. I'll have a look in the duty free shop tomorrow and if they have a single lens camera and it's really cheap, I might buy it and then buy the extra lens when I need it. If the camera is expensive with the single lens though, I might get it through ebay or Cameras Direct in Australia, and get the whole package, ie twin lens with the extra battery, etc.

Thanks ladies!

I'd have to go with a 70 - 300mm lens (in addition to the 18 - 55mm). I use 70 - 300mm at the Zoo and basically it can look like I'm within 1 metre of any animal. However if you use that same lens, say, at a party you'll be getting EXTREME close ups if you are any closer than 2-3 metres from the subject (even then it's still pretty close up); You'll need to be about 7 -10 metres away from the subject to get a full body shot.

I can also see things up on a hill 15kms out from my back porch, that with the naked eye you just can't see. It's pretty awesome.

Once you get well practiced its no hassle switching lens' though. I was switching between lens' like a mad woman at the Wiggles concert and hardly missed a thing.

Ha ha Leesa, you made me laugh! I can imagine myself changing the lens like a mad woman too! lol. Thanks for the tip on the 70-300 lens, I'd like to be able to take far, far away pics with no probs :) I'd probably try and use the same lens on someone close by! It's really good to know more about each lens, I find it fascinating (even though I know nothing about it ATM, lol).

Just an update lovely ladies, I ended up with the 550D and got the twin lens kit, 18-55 & 55-200. I'm loving my camera sooooo much, I have taken literally hundreds of photos now (mainly on DS as you do!!!!). I'm now looking at the close up micro lens 55 mm I think and further down the line I want to get that 70-300 mm one and the fish eye lens....I am a camera obsessed woman now!