Need help with picking a dslr

[Ice_BuNNy]

Hey guys and gals,
So my wife approached me and tolde she wants to become a photographer, her target group will be more peeps that can't afford to spend a high amount of moola, and probs an odd shot here and there, I agreed to this because 1 happy wife happy life and 2 extra income is always welcome. She is signed up for a course to show her how to use a cameras full ability. Now currently we are rocking a 450d, however we don't think this will cut it, so we are looking at the 750d or the 200d but have no idea what is better? What would you chose are we even looking at the correct cameras? Should we rather go sometime bigger?

Please help

 

[Giovanni]

200D is very nice. But if she's not looking at video, go older:
600D (huge jump from the 450d trust me) + 50mm 1.8 STM. (Seriously, get this lens, it's cheap and solid. Don't get the non-STM plastic fantastic)

70D will have lekker "semi-pro" features for a decent price too. But I'd say get into it with a 600D, then jump to a 6D/5D when the time comes.

 

[Ice_BuNNy]

200D is very nice. But if she's not looking at video, go older:
600D (huge jump from the 450d trust me) + 50mm 1.8 STM. (Seriously, get this lens, it's cheap and solid. Don't get the non-STM plastic fantastic)

70D will have lekker "semi-pro" features for a decent price too. But I'd say get into it with a 600D, then jump to a 6D/5D when the time comes.

Thanks for the awesome reply man, so before I jump into Scam tree, any other places I can check out?

 

[C_B_]

any other places I can check out?

You can try Main Index - Outdoorphoto Classifieds

Just use the same precautions you would on scumtree

 

[Cookie]

I had a canon 550D with a 50mm 1.4 USM lens.
I am by no means a professional. It was just a bit of a hobby for me

Form my experience, you need a more decent LENS than a decent camera model.

Also invest in a decent flash or 2 if she is going into Portrait photography. Maybe a Kit with 2 off camera wireless flashes with umbrellas to soften the light from different directions.
Lighting is not always available at your location.
Poor lighting = poor quality photo

Lighting with flashes is another ball game, I would suggest a course or one on one help form a professional when it comes to lighting so she can understand the basics of what you are trying to achieve with lighting. I always struggled with lighting the subject perfectly as I had 2 different flashes with different strengths and wasn't clued up enough on synchronising everything to make them flash at the same brightness.

There is tons of tips and tricks to be learnt when starting photography, but the only real way to learn it all is to practice it

You don't need to buy brand new kit, there is plenty of decent equipment being sold second hand. Try and buy from a professional that is reselling his kit rather than a random on gumtree. You never know what may be wrong with the camera/flash/lens

 

[EnderZ]

Thanks for the awesome reply man, so before I jump into Scam tree, any other places I can check out?

Second hand from Kameraz in Rosebank is pretty good.

Got a few things like my 70D there and had no issues.

 

[Ice_BuNNy]

so we got the 200d,
thanks to @C_B_ for the link to outdoor photo's classifieds
Got the 200d, a kenko lens filter, a efs 18-55mm f4-5.6 IS STM (not part of a kit lens) lens and a extra battery for 5500.
Have to say it takes amazing pictures. the next one will prob be a 7D tho, depending on how this whole thing is going to go, also I seem to be hooked with this. It is a hell of a lot of fun.

 

[C_B_]

so we got the 200d,
thanks to @C_B_ for the link to outdoor photo's classifieds
Got the 200d, a kenko lens filter, a efs 18-55mm f4-5.6 IS STM (not part of a kit lens) lens and a extra battery for 5500.
Have to say it takes amazing pictures. the next one will prob be a 7D tho, depending on how this whole thing is going to go, also I seem to be hooked with this. It is a hell of a lot of fun.

Nice one, photography is a great hobby!

You should really consider getting a Canon 50mm f1.8 STM lens, like @Giovanni suggested. Really fast, sharp and very affordable lens

 

[Giovanni]

takealot.com

R1500 currently, have seen them for as little as R1100. Will take her no more than a month to gain the experience AND clients to pay for it.

 

[Ice_BuNNy]

funny you should mention it, we actually got it the weekend, it is an amazing lens, our lens collection is actually picking up quite nice, I want to get a 18-135mm lens as well, but sheesh, need to recoup some funds first, we also need a second Camera bag, any idea where I can get one for cheap, like really really cheap?

 

[Giovanni]

funny you should mention it, we actually got it the weekend, it is an amazing lens, our lens collection is actually picking up quite nice, I want to get a 18-135mm lens as well, but sheesh, need to recoup some funds first, we also need a second Camera bag, any idea where I can get one for cheap, like really really cheap?

Make your own!

 

[Ice_BuNNy]

Make your own!
View attachment 25123

if I could triple like this I would, that is amazing!!

 

[Ice_BuNNy]

Make your own!
View attachment 25123

wife says she wants to makes this, any tips?

 

[Giovanni]

I bought the suitcase from an antique store, ensure that the locks/clips work well or get a leathersmith to attach new ones.

Then I bought a piece of foam cut to size, and added rough holes for where I wanted the items. Lastly, I added a cloth over it and shoved it in the holes.

Works really well, not great for travel but perfect for location/ client/wedding shoots as it can carry all your custom gear.

This is the one my GF uses, I use a similar concept but in a flight case with black cloth, looks premium for cheap.

On a side note, I would skip the 18-135mm and 7D.

If you are looking for zoom/street photography then mayyybe, but I'll stick with the 50 and immediately jump to the pro-level glass.
7D doesn't offer much except dual SD slots/fast shutter, which I don't think is a requirement currently?

Again, I'd go full-frame after the 200D.