Canon 30D quandary (1 Viewer)

[O.Reville1989]

Hey all,
DSLR new boy here so bare with me.
I have had a couple of "super zoom" cameras and have found the zoom you get absolutely fantastic, but have found the small sensor size a real limiter for poor light photography and getting images that show finer detail.
Now my current quandary is do I go for the Fuji X-S1, a larger censored superzoom that should give the improvements i'm hoping for, or a Canon 30D and Canon EF 70-300mm f4-5.6 IS USM lens which, at second hand prices, would be about the same as a new Fuji X-S1 (£550 ish).
What are your thoughts on this problem? Is there a better set up for £550 that people could recommend for someone looking for decent reach for bird photography.
My ultimate aim is to get the Canon 400mm f5.6 prime lens but at £900 its slightly out of my price reach.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Paul Jarvis]

The 30D and zoom would be a good starting point to learn the DSLR curve and work upto the prime IMO. Other than that, the budget you suggest might let get something like 30D + 55 250 (a little short) and an sx40 which is a good camera.

Others with more ideas will be along to help shortly.

Regards Paul.

 

[Tim Taylor]

My feeling is that investment should be in the lens and that 300mm is too short most of the time. I know it's a bit of a cop out from your question based on £550 but I would go for the 30D (say £200) and the old Sigma 50-500mm which gives great reach, flexibility and image quality. I've seen that lens sell for £450 on here I believe. You would need to support that combo at the 500mm end but a bean bag on a wall or car bonnet or hide sill will do the job most of the time.

Cheers

Tim

 

[Hottentot]

Low light performance and decent reach equals expensive if your going the DSLR route. I would only consider F4 lenses useful for low light work and 400mm the minimum for reach. The DSLR body is less crucial and a 30D would be fine.

Realistically a superzoom would best fit your budget you just need to find which one performs the best and if it would be a marked improvement over your current kit.

Aidan