This one is for the photographers who know there equipment. I have been using a Canon IXUS 50 for the last few years and the time has come to take the plunge and buy an SLR.

I plan to continue my hobby of taking pictures, but take it a little more seriously.

Someone at work is selling the following kit, and from what I've managed to find out it seems like a good deal. I would appreciate your opinions.

Canon EOS 20D body
EF-S 10-22mm + 77mm UV filter + 77mm polariser
EF-S 17-85mm + 77mm UV filter + 77mm polariser
EF-S 60mm + UV filter
Macro EF 75-300 IS (Can be used on Full Frame cameras)
sensor cleaning kit
All original boxes available if required.
Condition As New

I can pick it up for 2400 CHF.

Deal or no deal?

Hi Gooner,

I have owned the 10D, now own the 20D and the 5D. All excellent cameras. Personally, I am not a fan of EF-S lenses, but it seems like a fair deal. The 20D alone is not worth much anymore and it has a small LCD in the back - it is a solid camera though. I would look into the prices of the body and the EF-S lenses (toppreise.ch & ricardo.ch). With my outfit, the lenses cost more than the cameras (xcept the 5D).

Overall though this Kit will be worlds above the IXUS.

Another thing to think about is that if you really get into this, the EF-S lenses will not work on a full frame sensor model (which might be affordable in the future). On the other hand this outfit would term you "well equipped"...

This looks to me like an excellent SLR starter and enthusiast kit. Although not fully professional gear, with practice and a bit of talent you will still be able to get professional quality shots. The price looks pretty good too, and the 20D is an excellent camera.

I wouldn't worry too much about the limitations of the EF-S lenses not being compatible with full frame bodies. Canon has put a lot of investment into the EF-S system and will be around for some time yet and I think will continue to be the format of choice for their consumer level cameras. If your photography reaches a level where you start to worry about the pros and cons of full frame bodies vs crop bodies you will probably already be spending more on individual lenses than this entire kit is going to cost you.

Oh, and you have a typo in you're spec list. I think the EF-S 60mm is the macro lense, not the EF 70-300mm.

Hi Gooner

The price seems very good. Is the sensor clean? (A problem with 2nd hand digital SLR's) because some sensors can be a bu**er to clean even with a kit. The inclusion of filters is also good as polarisers are quite expensive. Make sure though that they're circular and not linear types as the latter can interfere with the autofocus on some cameras.

Like Stephanwolf, I'm not too keen on the EF-S series of lenses because if you later upgrade to a full frame SLR then you'll have to ditch them or give 'em away.

The 20d is an excellent camera and I use one as a backup to my 5D. Like Stephanwolf said, the monitor is a bit small but only after seeing the large monitor on my 5D.

I've used my 20d for ad's, brochures and product photos. It is very customisable and quite rugged.

Two things you should consider buying (if you go for the kit) is an external flash and the handgrip which makes the camera feel better for handholding and shooting vertically.

If you have anymore questions then please feel free to mail me.

The EF-S is indeed a macro lens. The Macro EF 75-300 IS also has a "macro" function. (More a closeup function than a true macro) giving (iirc) a quarter life size image on the focal plane

To find out whether the sensor is clean, take a photo with small aperture of something white (blank doc on monitor or foggy Swiss sky works). You will see all sorts of little black specs if there is dust on teh sensor. Sensors can be cleaned (it is not easy though and can harm your camera if done inapropriately). If you need help, I have found a great way to clean sensors, hardest part is finding a dust free room

Also, always be sure to minimize the time your SLR body is left without a lens or cover on it as durst will enter and stick to the CCD. I always swap mine facing teh body downward.

I don't know anything about the mechanics, it's going to be a steep learning curve for me. A sensor cleaning kit is included in the package, however I'd be cautious about dabbling in that myself, at first anyway.

The positives I see from all of this is that it seems to a complete package. All the accessories like UV filters and Polarisers means that I don't have to go and buy them.

I know the Canon's usually ship with crappy lenses, but this package includes selected, quality lenses. I'm not too bothered about the compatibility with full frame cameras, to be honest that's a whole different level of photographic nice-to-haves (professionals).

Photography would be nothing more than a hobby for me. This package might even be an overkill, there are a lot of lenses included, and for all I know, i might actually only need one.

Thanks for all the input.

You can always sell some lenses if you find you do not use them. Polarizers in 77mm are about 140 - 200 CHF here, so already a good deal there. Buy it and shoot...

In terms of pricing, I think it's a reasonable deal.

What's more important (as you've already identified) is whether you'll need these lenses. You could sell them at a later stage, but you will lose some money in the process.

When I started with a SLR, I bought several lenses and used them for a while. But these days I use 2-3 fixed lenses most of the time. I use wide-normal angle lenses, no long telephotos. It's going to depend on what your photographic interests are (and these can change as well).

It was possible, I would recommend you go for just the 20D and the 17-85. Work with these for a while, then decide which (if any) other lenses you need.

Having had all my cameras stolen I now need to buy new ones...

I have a new sony cybershot DSC-T200 for snaps and now need to get a Digital SLR. I have children so the most of the photos will have to be quick portraits - but I also like taking scenes and group photos...

Anyway - have you guys who all seem to know what you are talking about any recommendations on which one I should buy? I had an Olympus last time

Also - are there any courses anyone can recommend to get better at taking pics? Or clubs I could join?

Last year I bought the Canon 400 D and am very pleased with it, it's really fast and light. The only thing that lets it down slightly is the standard lens EFS 18-55mm. Fine for everyday use but if you want to be serious, splash out on a better lens. You should be able to get the body only for about 900 CHF now.

here's a pic I took with the standard lens



and one I took with the Canon 70-200 1:4 lens - it cost a bit but it's worth it

Thanks Grumpygrapefruit - those pics are good

I've been looking on the web - jessops have a deal on the new Canon EOS 450D & a 18 - 55m lens - do you think that would do me? I think I'll have to get one of those lens you used to take the 2nd picture as well - I like close ups

Bugger - just when you think you've got the bees knees 10 MP they bring out a 12 MP - yes, go for it. The second lens I bought was almost £500, I bought it mainly for photographing horses, but it works well on kittens too!

I would go with a Canon SLR. They are great cameras for the money. The 70-200 is an excellent lens (I have the 2.8 IS version, but that is pricey).

Most of my photos in my portfolio have been taken with a Canon SLR, though I use more professional bodies, some of them share the same internals as the 400.

I saw Interdiscount have a great deal on the Olympus E-410 at the moment, 10 mega pixel and two lenses (14-42mm & 40-150mm) for chf799. Just that you mentioned you had Olympus before.

http://www.interdiscount.ch/interdis...lim/detail.jsf

I order a lot of my gear from B&H in New York where the prices can be substantially better than here. I have it shipped per UPS Express and have it within maximum five days, usually three. For repairs or service, I take or send stuff to Chako in Delemont who have been excellent and honored all guarantees, US or European.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/shop/6...l_Cameras.html

I have found that Eschenmoser have the best assortment of gear in Switzerland, especially in Zurich, if you want to check stuff out before you order it.

Don't think you can go wrong with a Canon, I've had a 350D (predecessor to the 400D) for a few years now and am really happy with it. I haven't forked out for new lenses yet because they are just too god damn expensive and when you end up taking them to sandy windswept beaches then its a questionable investment. I have the standard lens that came with the camera and a 75 to 300mm zoom which I had with an old Canon Eos 300 analogue camera.

I say get the Canon and happy snapping!

Digitec have it for 769chf.

Great pictures..! How are you shooting them, jpg or raw? Did you PhotoShop those pictures in anyway?

Are Canon guarantees only valid for the country in which they are purchased?

Would one therefore need a US address?

So, you'd either have to ship back to the states, or fly back if your kit is faulty? What is the price difference really, 150 CHF on a good lense? Is buying locally not better for peace of mind?