Urgent: 550D+extra lens vs 60D

artikle

artikle

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#[member='FaH33m'] #[member='Konquerror'] #[member='touzeen'] #[member='bennysachdev'] #[member='w1nD'] #Anshul #Stuge

Note: I need to buy it tomorrow or the day after

I have a present budget of 50-55K and was going to buy the 60D with 18-55 kit from ebay at 50230/- but I realised Im going to need some other lenses too. So now Im also considering the 550D plus a zoom lens and a prime lens at the same budget. Please help me decide between these two.

Advantages 60D:

The articulated LCD is really helpful for me as I plan to also shoot short films.

Better battery life

Better viewfinder

Top LCD

Bigger and better construction- better egronomics

Advantages 550D:

20K cheaper

Can buy other lenses immediately.

Should I buy the 60D at 50K and buy lenses afterwards(if ever) or buy the 550D with the other lenses.

Will having only 18-55 pull me back? Im interested in macro, portraits and landscapes(ok pretty much everything). Please check my photostream to know what I click(I know Im a noob).

http://flic.kr/ps/TQYWt (from P&S and mobile)

Also I am used to the 10x lens on my P&S.

Could someone tell me how to correlate the focal length specs of dslr lens to that of the 10x etc specs of P&S or is it not possible?

Also suggest the cheapest possible option of a reliable 16-32 GB class 10 card which is also suitable for recording video.

Thanks in advance
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#[member='Anshul'] #[member='Stuge']
 
600D is an option almost same as 550D but it is usually at 45K or so making the step down from 60D useless as the difference is only around 5K
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get 550D with lens is good option.. sans the articulated screen.

but IQ mostly depend on Lens rather than a camera... and on simmilar note, budget prime's give better quality rather than zooms. its only the high quality zoom lenses (carl zeiss or canon 'L' lens) with constant aperture/ aspherical lens elements which increase the quality dramatically.

I would say that getting a 550D will be better. as canon and Nikon will be launching slt camera by your next upgrade.
 
I would suggest get Canon 550D + 50mm f/1.8 + 55-250mm IS lens. This combo will cost you around 33.5k+6.5k+13k = 53k.

550D is a very capable camera and if you want to shoot videos, then it has got "Magic lantern" firmware which will enhance the video recording capability of 550D. 60D has edge over 550D in terms of ISO performance. So if you shoot in low light conditions then get a 60D.

And I second #[member='max']_demon, image quality depend a lot on quality of glass. That's why I would suggest cheap camera with extra lenses over a costly camera.
 
max_demon said:
as canon and Nikon will be launching slt camera by your next upgrade.
Click to expand...

Is SLT considered a better technology among the pros? I know it gives continuous auto focus in video and more fps for continuous shooting but what other advantages does it have?

And though Im very much interested in photography, short films is also one of the chief reasons(important) for getting the camera.
 
How about Sony SLT-A55? Are Sony lenses costlier? Though I might feel weird buying a Sony DSLR. But if it is worth it then nothing like it.

I was about to buy the 60D when my mind suddenly started to play games with me.

Or how about I buy the 60D and the 50mm prime and look at the zoom lens afterwards? Also I will need a tripod. Now much much would a budget tripod cost? And a memory card too. This is a costly hobby
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Im so confused!

#[member='Konquerror'] Thanks!
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I can see what amazing stuff can be done with the 550d from your clicks. And I agree with the glass is more important than the body part. Im not able to understand how much zoom I will be getting with the kit 18-55mm lens and with the 55-250 lens. Im unable to decide if I need the 55-250 immediately. Also I like the articulating screen, better and bigger build and brighter viewfinder on the 60D. My heart says 60D but logic says 550D. I most definitely will not be upgrading the body until another 4 years for sure.

#[member='max']_demon Thanks mate. Whats your take on the A55 SLT?
 
my Q:Why not mirrorless? Mirrorless is the future.

but as per your Q:

as this is your first first dslr, i would suggest the 60d + the kit lens

i would not recommend a prime lens to you as new comers often cannot utilize a fixed focus lens to its maximum potential and are sometimes discouraged due to a static field of view(but primes obviously have better IQ) you can get the prime after you get comfortable with ur body

also as you are coming from a 10x zoom camera,the kit lens equals to only about 3-4x zoom...u might find that restrictive as well and want to invest in a bigger zoom lens

regarding Sony...they have stopped developing highend dslrs hence the lens roadmap for the Alpha Mount seems to be at a dead end(sony is focused more on the NEX line now)...

selecting a system means thinking of available lenses and future lens upgrades...for that reason canon and nikon are a safer bet.
 
#[member='touzeen'] Thanks! I dont know what are the available options in mirrorless. (And dslrs look pro (Im acting like a kid
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And how much will the 55-250 be equivalent to? How do you calculate that? Will the kit lens do macro and bokeh? Most short films are shot with prime lens for various reasons so thought I should buy the so called nifty fifty.
 
the "x" is calculated by dividing the max. focal lenght of a lens by the min. focal lenght of the lens

ie:

for the 18-55 it's 55/18=3...hence 3x

for the 55-250 its 250/55=4.5...hence 4.5x

for the Panny FZ150 superzoom which has a focal range of 25-600 its 600/25=24...hence 24x zoom

all kit lenses do not work as good macro lenses because of very long "minimum focus distance"

a macro lens should have less than 15cm of minimum focus distance.

the 18-55mm has minimum focus distance of 25cm

the 50mm f1.8 has minimum focus distance of 45cm $300

the 100mm has minimum focus distance of 12mm $580

so u see the reason why the 50mm is so cheap when compared to a good macro lens,the 10mm

bokeh is one thing which every noob loves to shoot and its very easy to get caught in the bokeh web and shoot every image thinking of bokeh.but bokeh soon becomes boring.you might think that u need a lens with a big minimum aperture like 2.8 to get good bokeh,but in fact bokeh depends on the the distance between the lens,subject and back ground.so u can get good bokeh by varying these 3 variables.

also for video,i think 50mm is the most common used focal lenght? but due to the crop factor of 1.6 of the canon sensors a 50mm lens is actually equal to 80mm(called equivalent focal length,ie:original focal length in terms of film cameras)(only full frame cameras do not have any crop factors hence a 50mm lens is truly 50mm on it)

so if u want to keep video framing in mind ull need a 35mm lens on a 1.6x crop factor sensor to get close to 50mm true focal length(56mm actually)

P.S:im willing to overlook your "dslrs look pro" comment coz of my recent outbursts in a recent thread.
 
artikle said:
How about Sony SLT-A55? Are Sony lenses costlier? Though I might feel weird buying a Sony DSLR. But if it is worth it then nothing like it.

I was about to buy the 60D when my mind suddenly started to play games with me.

Or how about I buy the 60D and the 50mm prime and look at the zoom lens afterwards? Also I will need a tripod. Now much much would a budget tripod cost? And a memory card too. This is a costly hobby
sad.gif
Im so confused!

#[member='Konquerror'] Thanks!
happy19.gif
I can see what amazing stuff can be done with the 550d from your clicks. And I agree with the glass is more important than the body part. Im not able to understand how much zoom I will be getting with the kit 18-55mm lens and with the 55-250 lens. Im unable to decide if I need the 55-250 immediately. Also I like the articulating screen, better and bigger build and brighter viewfinder on the 60D. My heart says 60D but logic says 550D. I most definitely will not be upgrading the body until another 4 years for sure.

#[member='max']_demon Thanks mate. Whats your take on the A55 SLT?
Click to expand...

I would not advise to be early adapter of this tech, the a55's evf isn't as advance. but there are some other points you could take as considerations..

> the magnification of the evf is about that of a full frame camera and its bright. like pentraprism maybe more (60d has pentaprism, 550d hasn't) + 100% vf coverage

> all sony camera have sensor shift IS. so all lenses are IS lenses automatically

> articulated screen is at the bottom rather than being in side.

> 1080i at 60 fps avchd? though its not progressive but sometimes can be useful for 0.5 slow motion effect

>phase detection AF.. during videos is very handy. but using af at videos lock aprature at 3.5 only in MF i can get to f2.8 during videos

Disadvantages

> the evf is LCD which means there will be vsync/screen tearing issues..

> though there are sony lenses for all types of needs.. but they aren't easily available and a little bit costly.

>accessories aren't that standard. (flash is having reverse hotshoe) there is also an adapter but makes cam look ugly

> 1/3 stops of light loss due to translucent mirror..

>very bad at high ISO.. and i really mean VERY! imo nikon's are the best for low light

but with time DSLT will overcome its shortcomings evident with this new EVF http://www.imaging-r...ys-are-numbered that offer almost retina display , and by 4-5 years the techonlogy will be advance enough to replace DSLRs, even evf of a77 is vey good and feels almost optical in daylight.

touzeen said:
my Q:Why not mirrorless? Mirrorless is the future.

but as per your Q:

as this is your first first dslr, i would suggest the 60d + the kit lens

i would not recommend a prime lens to you as new comers often cannot utilize a fixed focus lens to its maximum potential and are sometimes discouraged due to a static field of view(but primes obviously have better IQ) you can get the prime after you get comfortable with ur body

also as you are coming from a 10x zoom camera,the kit lens equals to only about 3-4x zoom...u might find that restrictive as well and want to invest in a bigger zoom lens

regarding Sony...they have stopped developing highend dslrs hence the lens roadmap for the Alpha Mount seems to be at a dead end(sony is focused more on the NEX line now)...

selecting a system means thinking of available lenses and future lens upgrades...for that reason canon and nikon are a safer bet.
Click to expand...

Prime's aren't fixed focus.. in fact my prime lenses all have good fast AF

and yea sony's A57, A99 are also coming soon, and some of the sony's lenses like 16-50 2.8 is one of the best bargains compared to other systems.

#[member='artikle'] A57 has 1080p 60fps 25 Mbps AVCHD, best possible video camera in the budget.. ( even 5dMkIII doesn't do 1080p@60fps)

but still, if you really have more priority for videos I would say going with camcorder is better.

PS: regarding macro lens.. you could easily use extension tubes which can decrease minimum focus distance upto 0.5 cms and can be used with any lens.. there are also inexpensive extension tubes starting as low as 10-15$ but doesn't have AF. for example this video was taken with just kit lens -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=naIG3_DWtjg
 
touzeen said:
i would not recommend a prime lens to you as new comers often cannot utilize a fixed focus lens to its maximum potential and are sometimes discouraged due to a static field of view(but primes obviously have better IQ) you can get the prime after you get comfortable with ur body
Click to expand...

I disagree with you on this point. Prime Lenses are in fact best lenses to learn photography. Prime lenses will help you learn composition. Prime lenses produce sharp images with wonderful bokeh. Zoom lenses can't match in sharpness of prime lenses (here I am talking about same price range zoom and prime lenses.)

If you want to get 60D, then buy it with 50mm prime lens. Trust me, you will love that lens.

For my 90% photography I use 50mm f/1.8 or 50mm f/1.4 lens, remaining 9%, 100mm f/2.8 lens and for remaining 1%, I use 18-55mm or 55-250mm lens. So you can see, for 99% time I use prime lenses
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#[member='max_demon'] sorry i meant fixed focal length

also,extension tubes have a lot of caveats and kinks to work out,might be too much for a new comer.

#[member='Konquerror'] i agree with you on the image quality, i did say "but primes obviously have better IQ" guess u missed that

also for a guy coming from the versatility of a 10x zoom to a fixed focal length will be suffocating for him

and you cannot recommend your specific gear to a different person because you dont know his shooting style and cannot expect him to meet your % of lens usage
 
Konqeror is right touzeen. If he's getting into photography, he better jump in with both feet.

A 50mm or 35mm is a must have in any kit. I have a 24-105L lens but I hardly use it.

I vote for 60D with a 18-55 kit lens and a 50mm f/1.8 and your set for a year.
 
im not saying to never get it...im just saying tat in his current budget limit a 60d +18-55 is better than 60d + 50mm

he needs a bag+mem card+tripod too
 
touzeen said:
#[member='Konquerror'] i agree with you on the image quality, i did say "but primes obviously have better IQ" guess u missed that

also for a guy coming from the versatility of a 10x zoom to a fixed focal length will be suffocating for him

and you cannot recommend your specific gear to a different person because you dont know his shooting style and cannot expect him to meet your % of lens usage
Click to expand...

I just wanted to indicate that I may be biased towards "Prime" lenses
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Anyways, #[member='artikle'] can you let us know what you like to shoot most, e.g. Bugs, Flowers, People, Nature, Architecture etc.
 
no harm in being biased towards primes if what you shoot REQUIRES a prime and from our photostream looks like u LOVE bokeh and primes give you the best bokeh

OP has stated that he needs to shoot video too...but i wont comment on that as i have ZERO exp. with video
 
yes good zoom is necessary for video, i would like to bring in the light the smart zoom feature on 600d which does digital zoom without loosing quality (1920x1080) crop video also require fast autofocus or focus stacking which is possible with magic lantern
 
Unless you plan to shoot a lot in live video mode or shoot videos etc , the articulating screen isn't that helpful. Found it to be of lot of use with the Sony SLTs since they have really fast AF .

550D + an extra lens is the way to go
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Also strongly suggest adding a 35mm or 50mm prime lens depending on your shooting range. What you could do is probably shoot only with kit lens for a few weeks or a month and see what focal length do you usually end up shooting at majority of the time . Accordingly get a 35mm or 50mm .

Infact I feel its always best to shoot with a fixed 35mm or 50mm initially since that really makes you move around and think about compositions . When you have a zoom lens , all you do is stand at one place and zoom in-zoom out . Click with only a 35mm for a few weeks and you will improve your compositions for sure
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