If you are looking to get into Digital SLR photography, and you want to know what would be a good, and inexpensive, start-up package, then this is an article written specifically for you.
Many people new to photography want to go out an get the biggest zoom lens they can find (normally a big zoom lens (100-300mm) for a very cheap price) and think they’ve purchased a quality set-up.
While many will be satisfied with the lens, if you are interested in perusing photography as a hobby, rather than simply taking snapshots, then a better quality lens will be needed.
I am a user of Canon equipment, so my suggestions will be geared toward what I am familiar with. Before you begin looking for a lens, you must choose what camera to start off with. If you are looking for a budget SLR, then you are left with two choices. Those two choices are the Rebel XT (also known as the 350D) and the 20D (now replaced by the 30D).
The first difference between the two cameras is that the Rebel XT is smaller than the 20D/30D. If you have large hands, then perhaps the Rebel XT is not for you, but you should visit a local store and handle both of these cameras before buying. While you are at the store, you will most likely notice another difference between the two cameras. The wheel that is on the rear panel of the 20D/30D is not present on the Rebel XT. Why does that make a difference? Well, it makes setting exposure and a few other features more cumbersome. A few of the features that are easily set on the 20D/30D must be done through the menu, or through a combination of buttons on the Rebel XT. The status display (showing exposure data, metering, etc) is also placed on the rear of the Rebel XT, as opposed to the top of the 20D/30D. The 20D/30D also has a larger buffer, and can shoot more frames per second. This will only matter to those that shoot a lot of action or sports photography. The 20D/30D also has a higher capacity battery, but the Rebel XT can easily go 500 shots without flash, so for most situations, this won’t be an issue. The updated 30D has an even larger buffer than the 20D, a larger rear LCD for viewing pictures, faster frames per second, and spot metering.
The main issue is cost. If all of the above reasons don’t rule out the Rebel XT ($650), then by all means buy it. It is about $350 cheaper than the 20D ($1000), and a lot cheaper than the 30D ($1229). If you feel you need the extra size of the 20D/30D, then you must decide if the improvements made to the 30D are enough to justify the $229 price hike.
After choosing your SLR body, it is now time to choose your lens(es). I avoided getting the 18-55 f/3.5-5.6, but that was only because I already had better quality lenses at that focal range. Since you will be a new buying into the market, it may be a descent lens to start off with, and at under $100 dollars, it is a bargain. It won’t be the fastest (aperture wise) or sharpest lens, but at this price point, there is really only one lens that can beat it.
That lens would be the 50mm 1.8. At $75, this lens is far sharper and faster than the kit lens, but it is a prime lens, so you won’t have the flexibility of a zoom lens. If I had to choose between these two lenses, I’d choose the 50mm 1.8, but that is only because it provides better sharpness, and for new photographers, forces you to think more about proper framing and composition rather than playing with the zoom. It also allows for better low light photography, and will most likely be in your camera bag even after you start buying other photography equipment. My small, and toy-like 50mm 1.8 never leaves my camera bag, because on a 1.6x crop factor camera (which both the XT and 20D/30D are) it becomes a 80mm 1.8, making it a great portrait lens. If you have enough to purchase both, then they will let you compare the two lenses, and you will learn and experience the differences that I have described. These two sub $100 lenses are both well worth the money, and are ideal start up lenses.
Some other gear that you may want to look into purchasing later on is a tripod, a flash, polarizing filters, neutral gradient filters, and a camera bag to house all of your photography gear.
I hope this short article will help guide you through your tough decision making process. I tried to answer a lot of the questions I first had when trying to decide what I should purchase.
