Thoughts on DSLR Lens Combo for Someone New to Photography

Mulga Bill on 02/06/2020 - 11:36

I am interested hearing from any photographers out there about their thoughts on this camera setup (especially if they are not compatible?):

             Canon EOS 7D MK1 
                     +
             Canon EF-S 55-250Mm F/4-5.6 IS STM

I am new to photography and have gone with the Canon 7D because a photographer friend has this model and has offered to teach me how to use it. I can also borrow their expensive pro lenses if I need to in future but need a good allrounder to begin with.

I will start with a second hand camera/lens and will potentially upgrading to new DSLR/lens if I enjoy this new hobby.

Thanks for any feedback.

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Ezekiel2320 on 02/06/2020 - 11:40
    +4

    Honestly at this stage in the game, especially for a beginner, I wouldn't buy a DSLR (and I'm a 7D owner). There are some amazing mirrorless cameras on the market these days that take amazing photos and videos, but are smaller, lighter, less fragile and cheaper than a DSLR and Lens. Think about what use cases you are interested in (underwater? Sports? Portraits? Landscapes?). I don't have a particular item to suggest but I wouldn't advise investing into a DSLR ecosystem at this time

    • mskeggs on 02/06/2020 - 11:48
      +4

      The counter to this is a dslr has a vastly wider choice of lenses and accessories that will support a hobby.
      But the best camera is the one you have with you, and I find I take a Fuji x100 a lot more than a dslr with a lens bag.

      Perhaps think of other hobbies you have had. Do you get pleasure from all the gear and features, or from getting good outcomes with an adverse set of kit. Both options are valid for something you are pursuing for enjoyment.

      • Ezekiel2320 on 02/06/2020 - 12:25
        +1

        But the best camera is the one you have with you

        Very much this. I should have mentioned that I almost never use my DSLR these days. My phone takes photos that are 85% of the quality of my DSLR, which is good enough for most of my uses.

        You're much more likely to use a small camera you carry with you all the time versus planning to carry around a camera bag all day

  • mskeggs on 02/06/2020 - 11:43
    +4

    I don’t use canon, but I am sceptical of long zoom ranges in affordable lenses, as the image quality suffers.
    So I think the body is too high spec and will be let down by the cheap lens.
    My inclination would be to maybe cut back on the body and get a good lens.

    That said, as a starter it doesn’t really matter. You will have your own opinions soon enough.

    • beeawwb on 02/06/2020 - 11:57
      +1

      This. The 7D is a semi-pro aimed at the sports market and the Mk1 is getting a bit long in the tooth. I say this as a 7D-Mk1 owner. I'd personally be looking at a more generalised body and better-than-kit lens.

      Generally speaking you should spend more on glass (lenses) than the body. Good glass on an average body will be much better than average glass on a good body.

    • MS Paint on 02/06/2020 - 11:58

      Even a couple of second hand primes for improved quality.

  • RM on 02/06/2020 - 11:59

    That lens doesn't do much. I sold that lens not long after I bought it and got 18 - 135mm and use this mostly now.

    • Snake 4 on 02/06/2020 - 14:25

      Thanks for the laugh.

      • brendanm on 02/06/2020 - 20:38

        What's the laugh? It's obviously personal preference, but 55mm shortest on crop with small variable aperture is pretty grim.

        • Snake 4 on 03/06/2020 - 17:41

          The post i was referring to has been deleted. It mentioned prime lenses are not worth the money as they weren't that much better.

          Obviously a constant glass 2.8 28/70 and 70/200 craps all over the plastic junk package lenses.

          I have used a Canon 50MM F1. Brilliant.

  • netjock on 02/06/2020 - 12:18
    +1

    I am new to photography and have gone with the Canon 7D because a photographer friend has this model and has offered to teach me how to use it.

    Bit like buying a Ferrari because your friend wants to teach you to drive and they also have a Ferrari.

    7D is a bit of pro end of APSC. Unless you are going to take this seriously then I'd seriously suggest sitting down and figuring out the purpose then the camera and lenses you need.

    55-250Mm is telephoto end. APSC is 1.5x which means 55mm is like 80mm compared to old 35mm (full frame). So I assume you're shooting wildlife at that range.

  • Mulga Bill on 02/06/2020 - 13:06

    Thanks for the advice everyone.

    I am pretty happy with the 7D, I understand the Ferrari analogy but as I can pick up a 7D second hand for around $400 with kit 18-55mm Lens I am happy to stick with it. As far as lenses go once I know the hobby is the right fit I am happy to spend more on a better lens so really only need something that will do a good job to start with.

    I want to be able to do a bit of everything - landscape, portrait, sport (local amateur football), close up of plants/flowers (wife is an indoor plant nut), wildlife, pets. They don't have to be professional standard, just something that looks nice. If that means needing a range of lenses eventually too that's OK.

    This hobby coincides with me getting my new drone (Mavic Air 2) as an excuse for me and the wife to get out into nature more (camping/driving) so carrying the kit around does not bother me.

    Thanks again.

    • mskeggs on 02/06/2020 - 13:45
      +1

      $400 would be a good price and a great starter.
      Learn to get the best out of that kit lens, then in time you will have a good understanding of where to go next with lenses. But I would be surprised if that is to the zoom you listed above.

  • rxjb on 02/06/2020 - 13:41

    Get an entry level kit off Facebook marketplace. If you decide to upgrade, you wont lose much when you go to sell. I've bought most of my lenses secondhand. Just need to be patient.

  • Hessian Sack on 02/06/2020 - 14:01

    I have that EF-S 55-250Mm F/4-5.6 IS STM lens, and it is not 'a good allrounder'. It is a handy zoom lens (though suffers from some pretty noticeable vignetting issues, which are understandable for the cheaper price) but you would want something wider for your day-to-day.

    Paired with the 18-55mm kit lens you mention it another comment, you would have good coverage of zoom levels between the pair. My setup is basically that, plus a 50mm 1.8f lens, which gets far better results but is far less versatile.

    • Mulga Bill on 02/06/2020 - 20:08

      what are your thoughts on the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens?

      I suppose my problem is there are so many combinations of camera/lenses I need to just bite the bullet and pick one.

      • Hessian Sack on 03/06/2020 - 09:23
        +1

        The 50mm f1.8 is great! The wider the aperture (i.e. the small the f number) the more you can get that blurry depth of field background that's so hard to fake. There's very little in the Canon lens family that can get you such wide aperture at so little cost.

        I do agree with the comments of @zombrex below though. Get the body, and play with the 18-55 kit lens, and then add on more later once you work out what you feel like you might want more of. If you're stuck in situations where a bit more zoom would help, then add the 55-250. If you're enjoying taking portraits and want to really push that quality, get the 50mm. The beauty of interchangeable lenses is you don't have to make those decisions now.

        When I'm travelling, the 18-55 remains my default lens, and then I deploy the other two in particular circumstances as and when required.

  • Rapt0r30 on 02/06/2020 - 15:20
    +1

    Speaking from my own experience with photography I started with the budget D3400 from Nikon and quickly bought a 50mm prime lens for portrait photography. After using the more expensive mirrorless Sony a7 camera I was instantly sold and purchased one with an 85mm prime lens. I started a small photography business last year and have done a range of weddings with this setup as well as the amazing 70 – 200 GM 2.8 lens. Honestly every brand will have its ups and downs (such as the absolutely terrible battery on older Sony mirrorless cameras) Although my recommendation would be to purchase the body second hand and look into good lenses for the types of photography you are into. A good 50mm or 85mm prime is more then enough to shoot $1000+ weddings on.

  • Mulga Bill on 02/06/2020 - 22:01

    OK my head is spinning again…I am now thinking instead of the 18-55 and 55-250 maybe the Canon 18-135mm STM might be a better option and maybe a Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 STM too. Thoughts?

    • RM on 03/06/2020 - 14:12

      I would second that

  • zombrex on 03/06/2020 - 03:27

    There is some questionable advice in this thread 18-55 absolutely is fine for a fine for a beginner. Don't get bogged down in technical information. Go out shoot and have fun.
    Once you shoot for a while you will naturally learn what you like to photograph and what additional lens you would benefit from. Worst thing you could do is go out and buy a bunch of lenses you don't need and won't end up using. 18 - 55 is fine for everyday situations, people, objects, street scenes travel, landscape etc.

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