Dilemma: do I get a new 3rd party lens or a new body (1 Viewer)

[samskara]

Hi folks,
I'm facing a dilemma with my photography kit. I'm quite new to birding and I'm thinking about lenses.

I currently have an EOS 450D, which is now a couple of years old. It came with an 18-55mm Kit lens.

For general purpose shooting, with occasional birding thrown in, I've considered getting an 18-200mm lens, either the canon or a 3rd party one.

The canon version is a non-starter on my budget. But a 3rd party Tonika or Sigma would be around £200-£250 in good condition.

What I'm thinking is, if I sold my current 450D body with the lens, with the £200 I would have spent on the 18-200mm lens added on, I could probably find a 50D with a decent lens on it.

So - given that I'm an enthusiastic amateur, keen to develop my photography, should up upgrade the body or get a better general purpose lens?

Any guidance would be very much appreciated,

Sam

 

[RyanEustace]

Hello sam

I dont actually know how much 450D's are selling for second hand but i saw a brand new one with an 18-55mm IS lens for £319 , so lets say yours is worth £250 for arguements sake , That £250 plus the £200 you've saved is £450 , Your gunna struggle to find a second hand 50D Body only for that price , so i'd maybe dismiss the idea of a 50D not unless you want to save up about another £200-£300 to get a 50D with a decent general purpose 70-300mm lens. I'd be looking at getting a 40D , you'll see a noticable improvement and if you shop around you could pick one up , body only for about £350 second hand , that leaves you £100 to grab a cheap canon 75-300mm usm lens, practice and keep saving until you feel ready to move up to a better quality lens , then you can either keep the 75-300mm lens or sell it, the price won't depreciate much at all so if you decide to sell it theres every chance you'll get your money back and put that towards your new purchase.

Ryan.

 

[Nikon Kid]

Without doubt keep the 450d which is a very good camera, I Loved mine, upgrade your lens, try and pick up a second hand L lens or Sigma equivalent, you will then see a improvement in your images, updating the camrea will not significantly improve your images.

 

[alanrharris53]

The 450D is a good camera - keep it. The 50D is better but without getting better lenses you are wasting your time upgrading to a 40D or 50D IMHO.

If you have the Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS - I assume you have if you bought it new a couple years ago, then it gets very good reviews, eg see here... http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/181-canon-ef-s-18-55mm-f35-56-is-test-report--review?start=2
Then I can't see any point in selling it unless you can afford something significantly better, and as you only have around £250 then that is not really an option.

I think you should stick with your current set up and either get a third party 70-300 lens or save a bit more and get the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 USM IS at around £400 new.

You already have the 18-55 range covered so I don't see the point in changing to an 18-200 - the Caonon new price is about the same as the 70-300 and gets poor review anyway see here
http://www.photozone.de/canon-eos/400-canon_18200_3556is?start=2

The only advantage of the 18-200 is not having to change lenses but that is what SLRs are for. And if you are interested in wildlife photogrpahy a lens that gets to 300 is better than a one that only gets to 200.

You've already made an investment in the set up you have - you won't get your money back n it so better to build on that rather than change.

 

[robski]

If your on a tight budget this lens is very good value for the money.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS Lens

It takes a lot of beating in the image quality department for it's price.

Not a bad lens for wildlife.

Build quality does not match the L lens but hey it can be picked for £200 or so.

Otherwise your looking at over 2 to 3 times the price for a second hand L 300mm or 400mm

 

[The Actor]

If your on a tight budget this lens is very good value for the money.

Canon EF-S 55-250mm f4-5.6 IS Lens

It takes a lot of beating in the image quality department for it's price.

Not a bad lens for wildlife.

Build quality does not match the L lens but hey it can be picked for £200 or so.

Otherwise your looking at over 2 to 3 times the price for a second hand L 300mm or 400mm

The 55-250 really is a good lens. Just a pity it doesn't reach a bit further.